International Affairs

Do you want to impact the world for good but don’t know how? Do you have questions about social change, poverty, conflict and public justice? International affairs students work to understand the major factors, institutions and economic forces that undergird how things happen in the world. You’ll gain a big-picture understanding, learn to convert ideas to action, and begin to think in concrete ways about how you can effect change locally and globally.  

Why study international affairs at Gordon?

International affairs combines political science, economics and language training, so you can be fully prepared to enter the field or graduate school immediately after college. As a Christian liberal arts institution, Gordon places heavy emphasis on how your faith affects and informs your pursuit of justice. Here, you’ll explore why Christians should care about the world, consider how to apply your faith to processes and institutions in the international arena, and discern how to engage the world in practical ways.

What careers can I pursue with an international affairs major?

Many international affairs majors go on to graduate school in public health, diplomacy and law. You will be prepared for jobs in a variety of international fields—from nonprofit work in developing countries to foreign service for the State Department—including: 

• International development officer
• Lawyer
• Foreign service officer
• Nonprofit manager
• Agricultural economist
• Think tank analyst
• Public health official
• Peace Corps volunteer
• International business manager

Learn more about jobs and internships ➔

Experiential learning in international affairs

Many international affairs students complete internships in the U.S. or other countries, with agencies like International Justice Mission, the State Department and World Vision. You can also complete a departmental honors thesis during your senior year, and collaborate with professors on their research projects during the summer. And a number of international affairs majors choose our sustainable development concentration to solidify preparation for development work.

International affairs majors are required to study or intern abroad. Many do so while completing a peace and conflict studies minor in the Balkans. 

• Balkans Semester for the Study of War and Peace (Zagreb, Croatia)
• Middle East Studies Program (Jordan)
• Uganda Studies Program