Category Archives: School of Language, Cultures, and World Affairs

Spring 2025 Honors Course With a Spring Break Trip to Costa Rica!

by Reese Michaelson

How do we make sense of who we are? What do we want from the close relationships in our lives? These are the questions explored in HONS225-01: Constructive Selves and Building Relationships, an Honors colloquium course offered in Spring 2025 that includes a Spring Break trip to Costa Rica!

The Course: This course explores the intersection of culture and interpersonal relationships to understand how this interplay constructs our individual and relational identities. We will examine taken-for-granted assumptions about the study of relationships and relationship forms as well as important theories and trends through the use of arts-based research and creative case studies.

The Trip: Embark on an enriching journey in Costa Rica, designed to offer a unique blend of cross-cultural exploration and hands-on learning experiences. This immersive experience provides students with the opportunity to delve into the heart of Costa Rican culture.

Trip Details: Activities will include visiting a small, sustainable chocolate farm, walking in the rainforest, hiking to waterfalls, rafting down rivers, snorkeling, and ziplining. You must enroll in this course or COMM 336, an express I non-Honors course, to attend. The trip stretches from February 28th to March 9th, 2025.

To Apply: Use this link to apply for the trip. Act fast, the deadline is October 15th!

If you have any questions about the course or spring break trip, contact Professor Jenna Abetz at abetzjs@cofc.edu.

European Union Study Abroad

by Reese Michaelson

Interested in travelling abroad over spring break and becoming an expert on the European Union? INTL 390: European Union Studies is being offered next semester with the opportunity to travel to Brussels (and other European spots)!

The Course: Develop a deep understanding and become an expert on the European Union, one of the most interesting political, social and economic endeavors of our time, and one of the largest trading partners of the United States and South Carolina. You will travel to the heart of the European Union, Brussels, Belgium, and visit the headquarters of its executive and legislative institutions, meet with staff members and try to have high level meetings with officials of these or related institutions, take a one day trip to the magical medieval city of Bruges, home of the College of Europe, and another day trip to The Hague (Netherlands), home of the Peace Palace and the European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation.

Details:

  • Scholarships of $500 available through Center for International Education at this link.
  • Course does not impact tuition rate if enrolled full-time in (12-16 credits)
  • Scholarships of $1000 available through LCWA—apply for Samuel Freeman Trust Scholarship at this link.

To Apply: Click this link to find the application.

For more information, click the application link, see the attached flyer, or email Program Director Aimee Arias at ariasak@cofc.edu.

Join the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program for a Film Screening and Q&A

by Reese Michaelson

Join the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program, along with the Department of History, Film Studies, and the Honors College, for an exclusive film screening and Q&A with Seth Fein.

When & Where: The screening and Q&A will be…

  • On Wednesday, March 27th, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • In the Septima Clark Auditorium (Education Center room 118)

About the Film: Between Neighborhoods (85′, 2018, 2024) works between original and archival footage to contemplate in split-screen the present and past of imperialism and immigration –– the competition between corporate and social globalizations –– that have orbited Robert Moses’s Unisphere in Queens since the mammoth armillary sphere, the largest rendering of the world in the world, went up for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair.

About the Filmmaker: Seth Fein is a historian and filmmaker who lives and works in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC, where he founded and operates Seven Local Film, where you can sample Between Neighborhoods and his other work.

No registration necessary. For more information, see the provided flyer.

U.S. Congress – Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program

by plasmatinc

The U.S. Congress – Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program is a joint exchange program combines professional meetings, briefings from government officials and private sector specialists, peer interaction, and cultural activities.

The Experience: Delegations of students from Korea and the U.S. will spend time together in Washington, DC. Afterwards, the Americans will depart for Korea, while the Koreans will remain in the U.S. to explore another U.S. city. At the end of the program, the Korean delegation will return to Korea to reunite with their American counterparts together in Seoul.

The Purpose: to broaden the perspectives of Korean and American young people on: the legislative process, the history of U.S. – Korean relations, and current economic, political, and security aspects of the bilateral relationship.

How to Apply: Online application (personal statement + LOR + resume + active passport) by Friday, April 12 at 11:59pm EST.

The Mroz Global Leadership Institute Summit Starts on Thursday, February 22nd!

by Reese Michaelson

The Mroz Institute Summit on “Conflict, Cooperation, and Diplomacy: Perspectives on the Middle East, Latin America, China, and Russia” will take place at the College of Charleston on February 22nd and 23rd, 2024!

The Summit: This event brings a tremendous group of distinguished academics and practitioners working on conflict resolution and cooperation in various regions around the world to campus.

When & Where: The summit will be…

  • On Thursday, February 22nd, starting at 4:00 p.m., and Friday, February 23rd, starting at 7:45 a.m.
  • In RITA room 101

To Attend: Click here to register for the summit with the option to attend in person or virtually.

For more information about the summit schedule and its speakers, check out the provided flyer or click the registration link.

This spring, study abroad in Cuba or Mexico City

by plasmatinc

Honors students, there are two opportunities to study abroad next spring with the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program.

CofC in Havana, Cuba (Semester-long program, Spring 2024)

The island of Cuba blends Caribbean, African, and European cultures, creating a diverse and inspiring environment for students to study during the Spring semester. Learn more about the program.

  • Take courses with LACS, POLI, and SPAN credit
  • Further your Spanish language skills with a course taught in Spanish
  • Live with a Cuban family and take weekend excursions to explore the island

CofC Spring Break in Mexico: Past and Present (Spring Break 2024)

Take HIST 261: Mexico Past and Present for a unique opportunity to become fully immersed in Mexican history and culture. Learn more about the program.

  • A semester-long course with accompanying spring break trip to Mexico City
  • Explore museums, archeological sites, and experience firsthand the country’s rich culture
  • Counts towards GenEd humanities, history major/minor, and some other interdisciplinary programs

Contact Dr. Christina Garcia (garciacm@cofc.edu) with questions about either program.

Peace Corps Internship Program – Spring 2024

by plasmatinc

The Peace Corps Internship Program brings student trainees to Peace Corps headquarters in Washington DC for a semester-long internship.

The Opportunity: Support the Peace Corps’ worldwide operations by working directly within a program office that aligns with your background. Offices include:

  • Business and Industry
  • Communication, Policy Review and Development
  • Financial Management, Accounting and Budget
  • Human Resource

Great Fit For: Anyone considering the post-grad Peace Corps route and looking to get their foot in the door; also a great fit for COMM; FINC; ACCT; BADM

How to Apply: Online application by August 1

Numerous opportunities with the US State Department

by plasmatinc

Opportunities abound with the US Department of State! Applications are now open for the following:

  • scholarships for students to intern and study abroad
  • Government internships
  • Graduate fellowships
  • Career opportunities

Read below for details about the specific opportunities.

  • Questions? Ccontact Saúl A. Hernández, Diplomat in Residence for the Southern Region (DIRSouth@state.gov)

The Department offers scholarships for students to intern and study abroad, as well as government internships, graduate fellowships, and career opportunities.

Internships

Students can apply to the Virtual Student Federal Service during the month of July. While this is an unpaid opportunity, students participate part-time for a maximum of 10 hours per week during the duration of the academic year. This year, we have over 500 internship projects with federal agencies across the federal government.

We also offer the ten-week Student Internship Program in the spring, summer, and fall for students with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4-point scale. They currently earn $18.36 per hour and also receive transportation to and from the internship site and housing. Students generally apply 7-8 months ahead of their internship to provide enough time to get their security clearances. Applications for the Summer 2024 internship will open in the early fall, generally in late September.

Fellowships/Scholarships/Awards

The fellowships listed below require a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA on a 4-point scale, and encourage applications from women and groups that are underrepresented in the Department of State:

The Pickering and Rangel Fellowships provide tuition assistance for a master's degree, a stipend, and two summer internships, and in return, Fellows sign a contract with the Department of State at the end of their studies to serve as Foreign Service Officers for five years. The application cycle for both of these programs ends in late September.

Last year, we started the Clarke Diplomatic Security Fellowship. Like the fellowships above, students get tuition assistance, two internships, and a stipend, and after students get their master's degree, they sign a contract to serve as Diplomatic Security Special Agents. Candidates must pass a Physical Readiness Test. The application cycle will open around July 18 and close in late September.

We also offer the Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship. This fellowship can either fund the junior and senior year of bachelor's study, or two years of graduate study in an IT-related major. Again, internships, tuition assistance, and a stipend are part of the fellowship. FAIT Fellows sign a contract to serve as Information Management Specialists.

We offer the Gilman Scholarship to students receiving Pell Grants to fund internships and study abroad, and, the Gilman-McCain Scholarship is available for students who are adult children of active duty service members and who are receiving Title IV financial aid.

We offer the Critical Language Scholarship to students who want a summer immersive experience in one of fourteen languages, including Russian, Mandarin, and Arabic.

Full-Time Positions

We are also hiring for full-time positions abroad with the Foreign Service and domestically with the Civil Service.