Engaging the World through Global Careers
Communities around the globe struggle toward equality and justice. It takes knowledgeable, dedicated professionals to find ways to break barriers and build bridges.
As an International Studies major at Belhaven University, you’ll have a supportive environment to explore global issues, gain hands-on learning experiences, and learn cross-cultural communication skills. This program equips you with an interdisciplinary foundation, cultural intelligence (CQ), creative problem-solving abilities, and a deep respect for diversity—preparing you to fulfill your calling to engage and serve the world."
Called to be Kingdom Professionals
Why You’ll Love International Studies at Belhaven
A Semester Abroad
During your junior or senior year, you can spend a term overseas working in a ministry, non-profit, or government setting.
Language & Cultural Immersion
In addition to the semester abroad, your curriculum includes courses in Language Acquisition Skills, Cross-Cultural Immersion Theory, and more.
Close-Knit Community
You learn in a small, mentored community of professors and peers.
Christian Worldview
You are challenged to think critically and analytically about who God is — and who you are — as we equip you to fulfill your calling to glorify God and be a blessing to the world.
13:1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Small class sizes mean more connection with professors and peers
1883 Founding Date
Our rich heritage of excellent educational opportunities spans nearly 140 years
15 Study Abroad Hours
Includes language learning in an immersed setting
19 Countries
Belhaven students are learning and serving around the world
The Belhaven Advantage
Fuel your academic passions and expand your career options. Belhaven offers our freshmen a unique deal: double major, and we’ll pay the tuition if you need a fifth year in school. Double major in two arts programs, pair a business degree with a STEM major … the possibilities are endless!
What Can You Do with an International Studies Major?
- Work for the U.S. State Department
- Serve with a non-profit in conflict resolution
- Teach English as a second language
- Work for the FBI
- Serve alongside an international non-governmental organization to develop stronger communities around the world
Compare: International Studies and Intercultural Studies
Focus on Engaging & Global Careers
When you major in International Studies, you prepare for jobs in business or government across the world. You gain an interdisciplinary, internationally focused education in history, geography, anthropology, economics, and politics – and participate in experiential study abroad.
Both International Studies and Intercultural Studies programs encourage you to creatively solve problems and work in a cross-cultural environment while respecting and embracing diversity.
Focus on International Service and Community Development
When you major in Intercultural Studies, you prepare for service careers in non-profits, ministries, and cross-cultural community development. Your learning integrates the theology of global engagement and cross-cultural skills.
It’s an interdisciplinary framework to better understand the world we live in and have been called to serve.
Compare: International Studies and Intercultural Studies
Focus on Engaging & Global Careers
When you major in International Studies, you prepare for jobs in business or government across the world. You gain an interdisciplinary, internationally focused education in history, geography, anthropology, economics, and politics – and participate in experiential study abroad.
Both International Studies and Intercultural Studies programs encourage you to creatively solve problems and work in a cross-cultural environment while respecting and embracing diversity.
Focus on International Service and Community Development
When you major in Intercultural Studies, you prepare for service careers in non-profits, ministries, and cross-cultural community development. Your learning integrates the theology of global engagement and cross-cultural skills.
It’s an interdisciplinary framework to better understand the world we live in and have been called to serve.
Your Detailed Plan: International Studies at Belhaven
- 4-year plan for Freshmen - International Studies (pdf)
- 4-year plan for Transfers - International Studies (pdf)
The International Studies major culminates with a final paper and presentation of your research that incorporates your future career goals and facilitates a possible pathway forward to achievement.
With only 52 hours in the major, we strongly encourage International Studies students to add a minor that will easily fit into the required 124 hours to graduate.
Popular minors combined with an international studies major include:
What You’ll Gain
A Comprehensive Christian Education
The Bachelor of Arts in International Studies includes classes in world history and geography, philosophy, biblical studies, political science, humanities, business, and foreign language instruction.
With this thorough training, you have the far-reaching knowledge of leadership, professionalism, and integrity that every employer seeks.
Cross-Cultural Competency Skills
Many courses require an experiential learning component emphasizing interaction with people from other cultures to cultivate your appreciation for diversity and multi-cultural environments.
Your experiences are the foundation for lifelong confidence in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and adaptability.
Minor in Global Studies
A 15-hour minor in Global Studies is a great addition to almost any major at Belhaven. It utilizes an interdisciplinary framework to better understand the world we live in and have been called to serve.
In addition to coursework, a service-learning experience offers work in a cross-cultural environment both locally and globally while respecting and embracing diversity.
Where Do You Plan to Go?
A semester abroad or significant cross-cultural internship is required for all International Studies majors.
The first step in going abroad is to decide which country or countries would be most beneficial for you to get acquainted with. What foreign language do you need to learn? What cultures do you need to understand for your future work or studies?
As you review the available programs, you can narrow down which programs you'll apply to, based on the countries in which they operate.
Study Abroad & Internship Opportunities
Belhaven students have access to a number of exciting study abroad programs through the council’s GlobalEd program. Disciplines and destinations include:
- Middle East Studies Program: Amman, Jordan
- Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford Program: Oxford, England
- American Studies Program: Washington, D.C.
- Contemporary Music Center: Nashville, Tennessee
- L.A. Film Studies Center: Los Angeles, California
- Uganda Studies Program: Mukono, Uganda
Belhaven maintains tuition exchange programs with some foreign and U.S.-based universities. While studying abroad at an exchange university, students typically pay for Belhaven University tuition, plus airfare, food, and lodging.
As part of these exchanges, Belhaven has also been blessed to receive students for a semester or year from many of these universities.
While other U.S.-based study abroad providers may be more expensive, these generally have extensive experience organizing semesters abroad, their credits usually transfer, and they usually accept Title IV financial aid.
- Russia, Balkan language initiative, Arabic Abroad, Eurasia abroad, Indonesia
CAPA: The Global Education Network
- Beijing, Buenos Aires, Florence, Istanbul, London, and Sydney
- China, Czech Republic, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Tunisia, Vietnam
International Studies Abroad (ISA)
- Australia, China, Czech Republic, England, Fiji, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Wales
- Study arts in United Arab Emirates, India, Australia, or Italy
- Programs in Oman and Romania
- Opportunities in Japan, Russia, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Turkey, Brazil, South Africa, and Egypt
- Spanish language immersion program in Seville
- Chile, England, Italy, Spain
Belhaven’s International Studies students choose internships from anywhere around the world. A few possibilities include:
Operation Mobilization USA
- Serve in various capacities with OM’s ship-based ministry in economic development
- Improve the quality of life for people in rural areas of Honduras
Wycliffe Bible Translators Internship Program
- Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Ecuador, Kenya, Mali, Mexico, Mozambique, Solomon Island, Uganda
Several scholarships and grants are available to students majoring in International Studies:
- DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
- For high-achieving science students; summer courses offered July-September
- Boren Scholarships and Fellowships
- Funding study abroad by U.S. students in world regions critical to U.S. interests; requires a commitment to work in the federal government for one year
- Freeman Asia Scholarship
- For U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia
- Fund for Education Abroad
- Support for students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population
Why Trust Belhaven With Your Future?
Our quality is recognized by SACSCOC, which grants our institutional accreditation and authority to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral-level degrees. Plus, we’re consistently recognized by organizations like U.S. News & World Report for our academic excellence, commitment to community service, expert faculty, and overall value.
Preparing for Acts of Good Service
At the Heart of Campus
The Dr. Billy Kim International Center highlights the importance of global perspective in higher education and celebrates Belhaven’s relationship with South Korea.
The 18,000-square-foot facility is a home away from home for international students and a hub of activity for all students.
Contact Us
Office of Admission
Phone: 601-968-5940Mailing Address:
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 153
Jackson, MS 39202
For campus visit:
Jimmy Hood Welcome Center
855 Riverside Drive
Jackson, MS 39202
Fax: 601-300-2932
Verse of the Year
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5