Making a Difference by Engaging the World
You have a calling to build bridges and break down barriers. You have a heart for all nations. You're a lifelong learner compelled to seek out knowledge from everyone you meet.
With a degree in Intercultural Studies from Belhaven University, you can put your gifts to work in international service or cross-cultural community development.
It's a foundation for understanding other cultures and seeing firsthand how God's Word impacts our world. Start your journey of discovery today.
Preparing for Acts of Good Service
Why You'll Love Intercultural Studies at Belhaven
Global Reach
Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes experiential learning in cross-cultural contexts.
Challenging Careers
Your degree can lead to teaching, ministry, social justice advocacy, and more.
Close-Knit Community
Individual mentoring from caring professors and lifelong friendship with classmates.
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
45 Credit Hours
Plenty of time to add a minor or double major to your degree
3 Weeks
Cross-cultural immersion during a global service-learning practicum
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 Intercultural Studies Degree?
Intercultural studies alumni are working in many fields and many places. Their roles include:
- Church staff — minister, mobilizer
- Community development
- Serving with a sending agency overseas
- Teaching English as a second language
- Graduate school
Compare: Intercultural Studies and International Studies
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.
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.
Compare: Intercultural Studies and International Studies
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.
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.
Intercultural Studies: What You’ll Study
Your core courses focus on anthropology, language acquisition skills, comparative religions, and a survey of globalization and culture. This program also includes in-depth courses in Bible, theology, and ministry.
Many courses have an experiential learning component that encourages you to interact with people from other cultures to:
- Cultivate your appreciation for diversity and multi-cultural environments.
- Demonstrate your cross-cultural competency skills, including problem-solving, conflict resolution, and adaptability.
- Develop your lifelong skills of leadership, professionalism, and integrity.
Before you graduate, you complete a capstone project. This is a final paper and presentation of your research that incorporates your future career goals and facilitates a possible pathway forward to achievement.
- 4-year plan for Freshmen - Intercultural Studies (pdf)
- 4-year plan for Transfers - Intercultural Studies (pdf)
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.
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.
Called to Be Kingdom Professionals
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