IR Extended Learning Opportunities

Study Abroad

The International Relations Program strongly encourages its majors to fulfill the international experience requirement by spending at least one semester at a foreign university. Programs offer not only conventional course work, which fulfills major and minor requirements, but internship opportunities as well. Study abroad experiences help students develop a greater competency in a foreign language and gain an enhanced perspective on international and global relations.

Canisius students may study at the following schools under the auspices of articulation agreements that have been approved by Canisius University and the host university abroad, among others:

  • University of Antwerp in Belgium
  • Catholic University of Lille in France
  • University of Dortmund in Germany
  • National University of Ireland in Galway
  • Sophia University in Japan
  • University of Oviedo or the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Spain
  • London Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom

In addition, students may consider programs in Berlin, Florence, Lima, Rome, Porto Alegre or Rio de Janeiro, as well as summer programs in Costa Rica and Cuba. Students may study at an accredited university abroad other than those listed above. Students doing this have recently studied at universities in Australia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Poland, Senegal, and Ukraine.

Visit Study Abroad Page

Students who spend a semester abroad at a foreign university may count up to three courses as International Relations major electives as long as these courses have been pre-approved by the director of the International Relations Program. Students who spend a year studying at a foreign university may be able to count more than three courses as International Relations major electives, but this will require special permission from the director of the International Relations Program. As a general rule, students must complete the International Relations Core of eight courses at Canisius University. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the International Relations Program Advisory Council. 

Internships

IR majors may benefit from internships both here and abroad, and the IR Program happily supports students who seek internships. Internships for credit require the prior approval of the Director of International Relations Program.

 A variety of internship programs are available in the Buffalo area, and others, though students may also seek internships through programs like the foreign policy Washington Semester Program at American University or Summer Internship Program in Washington, D.C. Such programs are designed to permit students to broaden their international relations education through contact with a diverse array of political participants. Some examples of internship sites are:

  • World Trade Center Buffalo-Niagara
  • U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana
  • Heritage Foundation
  • Center for International Trade and Economics, Washington, D.C.
  • Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, New York City
  • National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, Washington, D.C.
  • Journey’s End Refugee Services, Buffalo
  • International Institute of Buffalo
  • Washington Semester Program at American University, Washington, D.C.
  • Summer Internship Program, Washington, D.C

Graduate School

Many of our students enter the workforce after graduation, however many decide to continue their education by attending graduate school. Some schools Canisius Alumni have attended are:

  • Columbia University 
  • Johns Hopkins University’s SAIS
  • Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University
  • Syracuse University’s Maxwell School
  • University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public & International Affairs
  • George Washington University
  • University of Oregon School of Law
  • University of California at Berkeley