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 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.

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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

Double major graduate

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!

More: Year 5 Free

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

Choose Your Calling

Focus on International Service and Community Development

When you major in Intercultural Studies, you prepare for service careers in non-profits, ministries, and 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 Intercultural Studies, you prepare for jobs 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.

Choose Your Calling

Focus on International Service and Community Development

When you major in Intercultural Studies, you prepare for service careers in non-profits, ministries, and 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 Intercultural Studies, you prepare for jobs 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.

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.

Global Studies Minor

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.

American Councils

  • Russia, Balkan language initiative, Arabic Abroad, Eurasia abroad, Indonesia

CAPA: The Global Education Network

  • Beijing, Buenos Aires, Florence, Istanbul, London, and Sydney

CET Academic Programs

  • 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

New York Film Academy

  • Study arts in United Arab Emirates, India, Australia, or Italy

Northwestern College (Iowa)

  • Programs in Oman and Romania

Semester at Sea

  • Opportunities in Japan, Russia, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Turkey, Brazil, South Africa, and Egypt

Semester in Spain

  • Spanish language immersion program in Seville

Veritas

  • 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

Sal y Luz (Salt and Light)

  • 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:

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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.

Importance of Accreditation

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Called to Be Kingdom Professionals

closeup of the globe and the Billy Kim Center

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: 601-968-5940

Mailing 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

admission@belhaven.edu

BU letters displayed outside admission office

Verse of the Year

God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

Philippians 2:13