Study Abroad

The biggest decision most students make—after deciding where to go to college—is whether to study abroad. At the Global Studies Center, we strongly encourage global study and experiential engagement. Most of our graduates have studied abroad, and many have studied abroad more than once! There are many options offered by Pitt’s Global Experiences Office that are relevant to our certificate programs.

Our advisor assists student in identifying the global experiences that count towards their certificate or BPHIL/IAS. We encourage students to plan for the future by exploring past programs that include in-classroom study, internships, and/or community engagement in the US and abroad. Schedule an appointment with our global studies advisor to discuss the ways that study abroad could fit into your certificate program. 

Funding is available at Pitt but you need to apply!  Global Studies will help you submit a compelling and competitive application.   For a comprehensive list of scholarship opportunities search PIttFund$Me.

 

New Study Abroad Opportunities

The Global Studies Center has played a role in developing a few new study abroad opportunities for Pitt students. Learn more about these new programs below!

Pitt in Romania

The Global Studies Center is pleased to announce a new study abroad program—Pitt in Romania: Identity and Global Politics—led by Dr. Horia Dijmarescu (Political Science). Students who participate in the program will immerse themselves in a wide array of political, social, cultural, and economic phenomena that transect national boundaries and affect how Romanians come to see themselves within local, regional, national, and supranational contexts. Students will explore tensions, contradictions, and conflicts that arise from varied conceptions of nationality and investigate how national and European identities interact in the institutional context of the European Union and against the backdrop of Romania’s historical transition from Socialist totalitarianism to Capitalist parliamentary democracy. The program is interdisciplinary and explicitly adopts a global studies approach. The courses students will take on this program will count for certificates in Global Studies, European Union Studies, and REEES, as well as for majors and minors in Political Science. Students studying sociology and history are also encouraged to apply. Students who are interested in participating may apply until Jan. 22, 2024. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Dijmarescu or Kelsey Sobecki in the Global Experiences Office.

The inaugural session of this program will take place in the summer of 2024. 

Pitt in Senegal

Pitt in Senegal: Traditional Medicine, Culture, and French is a 7-credit program in Dakar, Senegal, the western gateway to the African continent. As part of this program, all students will take Senegal: Intersections of Culture, History, Religion & Media and then can choose between immersing themselves in French or focusing on Traditional Medicine in a health and healing course. Senegal is increasingly viewed as the arts and culture capital of the continent with a rich history in literature, cinema, art, and music, complemented by Senegalese hospitality (Teranga) -- the warm embrace of others. The program is interdisciplinary by design and students will have choices on which courses they wish to take. All students will take Senegal: Intersections of Culture, History, Religion & Media, then choose either the Health track or the French track. 

Understanding the culture, religion, history, food, and multilingualism of Senegal outside of the classroom will be a major part of students' experience. Students will have opportunities to engage with the culture by visiting traditional villages and fishing communities; exploring mangroves; meeting with a range of NGOs, visiting key locations such as Goree Island Slave Museum; Ecole de la Rue; Black Civilization Museum; unique cemeteries; Mosques; Pink Lake; an La Maison Rose; and experiencing the unique cuisine of Senegal. Students will stay in a home-stay providing opportunities to experience Senegalese culture on a day-to-day basis.

The inaugural session of this program will take place in the summer of 2024. 

Lakota Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability & Indigenous Rights

Interested in experiential learning opportunities on environmental sustainability and indigenous rights? Join community organizers as well as Pitt students and faculty to hear about their work on the Pine Ridge Reservation, home of the Oglala Lakota Nation. The Lakota Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability & Indigenous Rights Program is the first service- learning program launched by the University Center for International Studies with indigenous communities in the United States. This is a 2-week, 3-credit program where you will get to learn from local natives about their day-to-day life, culture and work on community-driven service-learning projects. Projects may be related to environmental sustainability, agricultural initiatives, programming on youth and education, cultural learning and indigenous rights. Learn more about the program here.

 

Featured Scholarship Opportunities

Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs

The Nationality Rooms have awarded annual scholarships to undergraduate and graduates for study abroad since 1948.  For more information, please click here.

 

Vira I. Heinz (VIH) Program for Women in Global Leadership

The Vira I. Heinz (VIH) Program for Women in Global Leadership prepares scholars for tomorrow's global challenges by offering a unique opportunity for international experiences, leadership development, and community service. Three first-time woman travelers from Pitt are admitted into the program and receive a scholarship of at least $5,000 to put toward the cost of an international experience of their choosing.