Engaging the World through Global Careers

The distinctions between wealth and poverty. Growing health disparities in underserved communities.

Communities around the globe struggle toward equality and justice. It takes knowledgeable, dedicated professionals to find ways to break barriers and build bridges.

When you major in International Studies at Belhaven University, you have a haven to contemplate the issues, learn proven cross-culture communication skills, and fulfill your calling to engage the world.

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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

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 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

Choose Your Calling

Focus on Engaging & Global Careers

When you major in International 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.

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.

Choose Your Calling

Focus on Engaging & Global Careers

When you major in International 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.

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.

Your Detailed Plan: International Studies at Belhaven

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.

Global Studies Minor

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.

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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Preparing for Acts of Good Service

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

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Verse of the Year

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

Philippians 2:13