Global Opportunities

Explore international education, research and work

Drexel Winter Break in Denmark: Addiction, Public Health & Harm Reduction is an Intensive Course Abroad that takes place in December 2023

Intensive Course Abroad: Addiction, Public Health and Harm Reduction – Denmark, Winter Break 2023

Drexel Fall Break in the Netherlands: Project Just(ice) Cities is an Intensive Course Abroad that takes place in September 2023

Intensive Course Abroad: Project Just(ice) Cities – Netherlands, Fall Break 2023

Drexel Fall Break in Ecuador: Tropical Field Studies is an Intensive Course Abroad that takes place in September 2023

Intensive Course Abroad: Tropical Field Studies – Ecuador, Fall 2023

Drexel students learning to speak Japanese hone their skills in a Global Classroom with peers from Tamagawa University in Japan.

Drexel students build Japanese language skills virtually with their peers from Tamagawa University

Philadelphia may be the heart of Drexel’s campus, but the world is our muse. Internationalizing the Drexel experience by studying, researching or working abroad allows students to gain a global perspective. Spending time immersed in another culture puts students outside of their "comfort zone" so they can develop new strengths, knowledge and skills.

Employers are looking for resourceful, independent thinkers who can take risks and work with people from all over the world. An education abroad experience gives students these skills and shows employers they have what it takes to get the job done. With some planning and flexibility, students find that studying abroad does not delay their graduation and is well worth the benefits of widening their horizons and becoming more marketable in the workplace.

Global Classrooms Education Abroad Intensive Courses Abroad International Co-op

Global Classrooms

Global Classrooms connect Drexel students with their university peers worldwide through virtual courses. Undergraduate or graduate students can earn credit for these co-developed and co-taught courses that typically range from three to ten weeks. Drexel, a recognized leader in experiential learning, has worked to advance the forefront of interactive intercultural and transnational knowledge exchange since 2013.

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Education Abroad

Students come to college to broaden their horizon – what better way to accomplish this than by exploring education abroad? Fewer than 10% of American college students study abroad as compared to 80% of their European peers. Engaging in study abroad demonstrates you are willing to expand your knowledge about international issues and to develop your cultural competency. By taking courses in a different country, you can gain different perspectives on your field of study and a deeper understanding of the world.

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Intensive Courses Abroad

Intensive Courses Abroad (ICAs) offer students the opportunity to have an international academic experience in a short period of time —typically from 7-10 days– during Drexel’s Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer breaks. ICAs are led by a Drexel faculty director in conjunction with an on-campus course. These global adventures might include guest lectures, industry visits and other hands-on experiences that transform foreign destinations into living laboratories.

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International Co-op

Students who pursue international co-op gain a unique professional perspective and exposure to an international work environment. Our students have worked at Coca-Cola in India, the UN Development Programme in Africa, the Italian Parliament in Rome, and the Heraklion Community Mental Health Center in Greece — to name a few. An international co-op gives students a distinct advantage in the global economy, making them more attractive to prospective employers. Candidates with international experience also can earn higher starting salaries upon graduation.

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Global Partners

Research and creative scholarship extend far beyond the walls of any laboratory or campus setting. Drexel has dozens of global partnerships with universities in six continents, and many College of Arts and Sciences faculty are active members of international collaborations that encourage student participation. These dynamic partnerships have allowed our students to track sea turtle migration in Costa Rica, study infectious disease epidemiology in Uganda, observe neutrino particle physics in Antarctica, contribute to sustainability efforts in Puerto Rico and examine prison reform systems across Scandinavia.

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Global Study Stories

English Language Center Continues to Serve New Generations of Cultural Ambassadors Through Fulbright Programming

The English Language Center (ELC) was recently awarded a five-year renewal of its Fulbright Pre-Academic program grant. This has been the ELC’s signature summer special program since 2009.

Science and Religion Up Close: Lia DiMitri Reflects on Study Abroad Trip

Students in “Science and Religion: From the Big Bang to Neuroscience” spent the winter term exploring the development of science and religion through known human history. The course, taught by Professor of Chemistry Fraser Fleming, PhD, culminated in a nine-day trip to Switzerland, Germany and Italy over spring break.

Alexandra J. King Pile smiles during a video. An American flag sits behind her.

Catching up with Alexandra J. King Pile, BA International Studies ’07

We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Alexandra J. King Pile, BA international studies '07, who is currently working as a diplomat for the United States Department of State. Read on to learn about the challenges and opportunities of her role, and how her time at Drexel prepared her for this path.

a screenshot of a zoom session where participants are going over a sample lesson plan

Drexel English Language Center Helps to Prepare the Next Generation of Fulbrighters

This past summer, the ELC expanded its IIE Fulbright offerings to include an English Teaching Assistants (ETA) program. The program, funded by a State Department grant, was geared toward preparing Fulbright scholars for their upcoming teaching roles across the globe.

Global Studies Major Serena Hermitt Discovers Passion for Community Work

After arriving at Drexel for her first year undecided on a major, Serena Hermitt found the perfect major that fit all of her interests due to its interdisciplinary nature: Global Studies. Now, with a transformative course abroad experience and two co-ops under her belt, Hermitt has discovered her passion for working in the community.

Two Recent CoAS Alums Named Fulbright Honorees

Congratulations to recent CoAS alumni Jorge Fortin-Mejia ’19, who has been selected as a recipient, and Parisa Khoshnood ’20, who has been selected as an alternate, for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program for 2021-22.

Congratulations to Our 2021 Gilman Scholars

We are pleased to announce that four CoAS students have received Gilman Scholarships to support study or co-op abroad in 2021. Congratulations to Manmeen Kaur, Elana Sargent, Jade Umstead and Brenda Vong!

Global Studies Students Draw Attention to International Human Rights Violations

For their senior capstone projects, Global Studies students worked with Scholars at Risk to raise awareness of human rights violations against four incarcerated or missing scholars.

Drexel College of Arts & Sciences Global Studies & Modern Languages Fellowship Awardees 2020

Five Global Studies Majors Win Fellowships and Awards

Drexel University’s Department of Global Studies and Modern Languages has much to celebrate, as four of its students and alumni have received or were alternates for major awards. Global Studies majors won two Fulbright Awards, presented by the U.S. Department of State. Two Global Studies majors are alternates for the Fulbright, and third is an alternate for the Boren Scholarship.

Anthony Perez - Drexel Global Studies Student

Rising Leaders: Anthony Perez

Anthony Perez is an advocate for underserved populations. He’s written grants for nonprofit funding, worked as a human rights intern in Argentina, and helped raise money for disaster relief in Puerto Rico. At his most recent co-op, he assisted immigrants and asylum seekers in attaining permanent residency and public benefits in the U.S.