If there was ever a field so friendly to international travel, it’s international relations. With its focus on political affairs and cross-cultural social issues, international relations thrives on people who see the world as an easily manageable place, smaller than it is large, more similar than it is different.

Interning in International Relations abroad introduces you to people from different social, economic, and cultural backgrounds—the people you will be expected to collaborate with when you get a job in the field. It teaches you another language, and in doing so, another way to see and describe the world. It fosters empathy for people in situations different than your own, and creates situations that call for creative problem solving. There is no end to the personal 

Professionally, an intern program in International Relations abroad sets you up for a career in diplomacy, lobbying, political analysis, and international law, among countless others. 

You’ll also gain insight into human nature, which informs most of the power plays made by leaders on the world stage. The origins of war and the nature of peace come down to what humans need and how they go about trying to get it; understanding the human psyche in the way that travelers do allows for greater awareness of motives, and possibilities for solutions.

A day on the job. Many global political organizations use English as a universal language. In order to better understand the people where you’re living, however, it’s critical to learn their language. Your internship will involve communicating daily, via phone, email, and conversation, with people looking to you for answers. You’ll likely be based in an office, but can do field work with various social groups or other organizations. An internship is a great way to get experience in something before settling into a career; International Relations majors often switch between business and government jobs during their working life, and experience early on can help direct the trajectory.

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