Earn three credits in an immersive, fast-paced course set in an extraordinary international destination. The Schar School’s seven- to 10-day study-abroad programs provide students with hands-on comparative political experience while offering unparalleled networking opportunities with political leaders, business executives, academics, and industry experts.
Led by esteemed faculty, these short-term programs are open to all Schar School students, as well as nondegree and non-George Mason students. Beyond earning academic credit, students receive Certificates of Completion from prestigious partner institutions such as Oxford University (United Kingdom), the University of Pretoria (South Africa), the University of Zagreb (Croatia), and Fudan University (China).
Courses are scheduled during academic breaks and explore topics including government, policymaking, international trade, regional development, health and social issues, culture, and security. Students benefit from real-world insights, exposure to diverse perspectives, and the chance to enhance their global awareness and career readiness.
For more information, contact Michal McElwain Malur, director of external programs at the Schar School, mmcelwai@gmu.edu.
Please note: The Schar School’s study-abroad programs adhere to the registration and withdrawal policies of the Global Education Office.
SUMMER 2025 PROGRAMS
U.S.-Mexico Relations in the Age of Trump
Term: Summer 2025
May 17 - 24, 2025
Instructor: Derek Mills
Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean: Geopolitics and Human Security
Term: Summer 2025
June 22 - 29. 2025
Instructor: Ellen Laipson
London/Oxford: Britain Beyond Brexit and the Growing Nationalism Movements in Western Democracies
Term: Summer 2025
Travel Dates: June 22 - 29, 2025
Instructor: Dean Mark J. Rozell
FALL 2025 PROGRAMS
Exploring South Africa: a comprehensive analysis of policy challenges and opportunities.
Term: Fall 2025
Travel Dates: August 14 - 22, 2025
Instructor: Thys van Schaik
WINTER BREAK AND SPRING 2026 PROGRAMS
African-Led Development, African Solutions to African Challenges (Online with students in South Africa)
Term: Spring 2026 (Virtual)
Instructor: Honorable Gebre Tesfamichael
Friday, January 16, 6:00pm-9:30pm
Saturday, January 17, 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00-4:00pm
Sunday, January 18, 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00-4:00pm
Saturday, Feb 7, 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00-4:00pm
Saturday, Feb 28, 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00-4:00pm
Friday, March 27, 6:00pm-9:30pm
The Island After the Castros: Cuba-US Relations, Security, Trade, Migration
Term: Winter Break 2026
January 13 - January 19, 2026
Instructor: Justin Gest
SPRING BREAK 2026
STUDY ABROAD STORIES
Examining Transnational Security Issues: A Schar School Study Abroad Experience in Costa Rica
During this year’s spring break in March, 25 George Mason University students, many of them graduate students at the Schar School of Policy and Government, traveled to Costa Rica for an immersive study-abroad program focused on transnational security—tackling complex issues such as human trafficking, migration, environmental crimes, and the illicit drug trade.
Annual Spring Break Trip to U.S.-Mexico Border Changes Perspectives
For their March 2025 spring break, eight members of the International Relations Policy Task Force (IRTF) at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government and one Global Affairs student, along with Associate Professor Eric McGlinchey and Assistant Director of Student Engagement Emilee Duffy, traveled to the United States-Mexico border for a firsthand look at immigration issues and the challenges facing those living and working in the area.
Schar Study Abroad Immerses Students in U.S. Mexico Border Policy, Security, and Immigration
With elections looming in Mexico and the United States, a cohort of Schar School students and professors headed to an election hot spot to learn more about it: the border wall.
Study Abroad Visit to U.S.-Mexico Border Immerses Students in Culture and Policy
A study abroad visit to the Texas-Mexico border expands worldviews and gives international security students a first-hand view of the realities of the issues facing both governments.
From Classroom to Real World: Schar School Students Engage at Global Climate Conference
The trip, part of the Schar School summer course, Climate Policy: A Global Transdisciplinary Approach for the Future, allowed students the opportunity to meet with delegates, negotiators, youth activists, and indigenous groups at the conference. While there, Schar students received a crash course in the complexities of climate change policy and negotiations.
Oxford Study Abroad Prepared International Commerce Student for Global Business Aspirations
"I really appreciated meeting people who started their own businesses from the ground up because I want to start my agency someday. I was taking it all in and connecting with all of them" - Rondene Grinam, Master's in International Commerce and Policy student.
A Vietnam Visit: Schar School Students Visit Historic Sites While Learning About Southeast Asia’s Economic Future
While other students spent the middle of January combating the worst of winter weather and dealing with post-holiday blahs, a cadre of 12 Schar School students basked in the dry sunshine of Vietnam for eight days and learned about the country’s fate in a rapidly changing Southeast Asia.
A Spring Break Study Abroad Trip to Mexico Opens Eyes, Changes Minds
“Spring Break in Mexico” conjures images of sun-drenched beaches and bustling nightlife, but for a cadre of Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University graduate and undergraduate students, their week-long adventure in and around Mexico City had a decidedly different purpose—one with lasting results.
A Ground-Breaking Virtual Study Abroad Program Examines People-Led Development in Africa
People-centered development are some of the hottest buzz-words in international studies today, yet few universities offer courses on the topic.
Africa Zooms Ahead video
Michele Diatta, ICP, comments on what the Africa Zooms Ahead class meant to her.