For inquires on the possibility of being force added into Schar's summer study abroad class to Rwanda, please email Ms. McElwain Malur.
Experience an intensive, condensed 3-credit course in a remarkable country. The Schar School's seven- to 10-day courses provide you with comparative political experience and the opportunity to network with political leaders, business executives, academics, and practitioners.
Led by distinguished faculty members, the Schar School’s short-term study abroad programs are open to all Schar School students, as well as nondegree/non-George Mason students.
Students earn three credits from George Mason University as well as Certificates of Completion from our partner universities, such as Oxford University, the University of Pretoria in South Africa, University of Zagreb in Croatia, and Fudan University in China. Classes are typically conducted during recesses in the academic year and built on subjects such as government, policy making, international trade, regional development, health and social issues, culture, and security.
For more information, contact Michal McElwain Malur, the Schar School’s Director of External Programs.
Schar's study abroad classes are subject to the registration and withdrawal procedures of the Global Education Office.
SUMMER 2024 PROGRAMS
Cyprus: Geopolitical Landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean
May 19-26, 2024
Term: Summer
Course Directors: Ellen Laipson, and Michal Malur
For inquires on the possibility of being force added into one of Schar's closed summer study abroad classes (Cyprus, London, or Rwanda), please email Ms. McElwain Malur.
Undergraduate Semester at Mason Korea
June 17 - July 20, 2024
Term: Summer
Explore what Mason Korea has to offer in Government, Mason Core, general electives, and in the languages of Korean and Chinese.
Undergraduate scholarship opportunities for this can be found:
London/Oxford: Britain Beyond Brexit and the Growing Nationalism Movements in Western Democracies
Travel Dates: June 30-July 7, 2024
Term: Summer 2024
Led by: Dean Mark Rozell
This class is open to the first 10 students that enroll.
For inquires on the possibility of being force added into one of Schar's closed summer study abroad classes (Cyprus, London, or Rwanda), please email Ms. McElwain Malur.
Rwandan Transformation: Post-Conflict Policy Making and Development
July 26 – August 2, 2024
Term: Summer
Led by: The Honorable Gebreselassie Tesfamichael, Carol Pineau, and Michal Malur
For inquires on the possibility of being force added into one of Schar's closed summer study abroad classes (Cyprus, London, or Rwanda), please email Ms. McElwain Malur.
FALL 2024 PROGRAMS
The Island After the Castros: Cuba-US Relations, Security, Trade, Human Rights
August 11-17, 2024
Term: Fall
WINTER 2025 PROGRAMS
Africa Zooms Ahead: African-Led Development, African Solutions to African Challenges (Virtual)
2025
Term: Winter (Virtual)
Led by: The Honorable Gebreselassie Tesfamichael, Carol Pineau, and Michal Malur
Itinerary and Information:
- Friday, January 17, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
- Saturday, January 18, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday, January 19, 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Asynchronous - watch and respond
- Saturday, February 8, 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday, March 1, 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 28, 6 to 9:30 p.m. - Final wrap-up, presentations and farewell celebration with special guests
SUMMER 2025 PROGRAMS
South Africa - Political, Economic, Social and Security Challenges
Travel Dates: August 10 - August 19, 2025
Term: Summer 2025
STUDY ABROAD STORIES
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.