Collage of: left: a student giving a speech, middle: a group of students posing in front of Chichen Itza, and right: a road sign with different global destinations

We aspire to preeminence as a comprehensive

Global research university

—GW President Thomas J. LeBlanc

Global Engagement

Columbian College encourages international and cross-cultural perspectives among our extensive community of distinguished scholars and diverse undergraduate and graduate students. A broad liberal arts education guides our students to use their knowledge to examine the critical issues that impact our region, nation and the world beyond. In addition, we are engaged in collaborative international research partnerships that are advancing a wide range of artistic, social and scientific imperatives.

Short-Term Abroad Programs

If you are looking for a shorter alternative to a full semester of study abroad, or a fun and fascinating way to earn credits, you have come to the right place. Short-Term Abroad Programs range from one week to two months, but offer full credits towards graduation. They are offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences offers a wide range of options in the world’s most fascinating locations—taking your studies beyond the lecture hall and into the global classroom.

For more information, contact the CCAS Global Initiatives Team at [email protected], or visit the GW Short Term Study Abroad webpage.

View Upcoming Opportunities

Swans alongside River in Prague

What We Do

The Columbian College of Arts & Sciences Global Initiatives Office's mission is to advance the College's international priorities through world-class education, education diplomacy, and engagement with the world.

With a student body representing more than 135 countries, dozens of internationally-focused research institutes, and partnerships with major international organizations, GW is a truly global institution.

The Office for Study Abroad (OSA) provides and facilitates quality international educational opportunities at the George Washington University and promote students' academic, personal, professional, and intercultural development before, during, and after their study abroad experiences.

The GW Global Bachelor's Program provides students the competencies and confidence to work and learn anywhere in the world by challenging them to pursue their educational goals in multiple international settings.

The GWU Language Center facilitates and promotes foreign language studies at the university, providing a wide array of academic support for both faculty and students.

This Chinese language speech contest is open to undergraduate and graduate students studying Chinese in colleges and universities in the greater Washington, D.C., area.

To stimulate the benefits of global exchange, international students from qualifying countries may be eligible for a tuition award of up to $20,000 per academic year.

Sarah Cassius

BA '19, Geography

"I spent this summer in Medellin, interning for the [Colombian] Department of the Environment and Urban Planning. The municipality had just made the switch to LED lights for all of their public lighting, so one of my projects was to quantify the benefits of that change and present the economic, environmental, and public health benefits to the Mayor"