Who We Are
Study Abroad
Career Development
Cultural Activities
Student Involvement
Who We Are
The International Affairs Scholars Program (IA-Scholars) provides rich opportunities for students from
all majors who want to gain in-depth understanding of world/global themes, foreign countries, and international affairs.
Scholars participate in special programs and seminars with world affairs specialists and diplomats, cultural events with
international themes, and study abroad. Interaction with students from other countries and cultures is encouraged and
Scholars can place emphasis on specific regions of the world.
The International Affairs Scholars Program is associated
with both the University Honors & Scholars Center as well as the Office of
International Affairs. This is a benefit to students as they are able to take
advantage of the programs and support offered through Honors & Scholars as well as the resources in the
OIA provides the program with access to scholars and professionals with experience in many regions of the world.
The IA-Scholars Program Coordinator works closely with OIA when planning events and activities for the year.
Office of International Affairs (OIA).
Study Abroad
The IA-Scholar short-term study abroad experience is an important component of our program. All first-year IA-Scholars have the opportunity to
participate in this winter quarter and spring break program. During winter quarter students enroll in a course set up exclusively for IA-Scholars
students that focuses on a particular country/region. This course is set up as a General Education Curriculum (GEC), which means that no matter what
the students' major is at OSU the course will count towards their degree. The winter quarter course then culminates with a trip to the country/region
studied during spring break. College credit is earned for both the course and the trip. Past destinations have included Poland, Bolivia, China,
Brazil, Senegal, Bulgaria, and Turkey. For spring break 2011 students will be traveling to Marseilles and Toulouse, France.
IA-Scholars students are highly encouraged to take advantage of other
study abroad opportunities at The Ohio State University. Please visit the Office
of International Affairs (OIA) for information on study abroad at OSU.
Career Development
A goal of the program is to make students aware of the vast career opportunities in the international field.
Professionals with international job experience
are invited to campus to meet with International Affairs Scholars students. Students
are encouraged to dialogue with these professionals to gain insight on preparing
for an international career, choosing a career, as well as learning about internships
available to them as undergraduate students. Past guest speakers have come from
a variety of fields including international business, international law, development work,
international diplomacy, and international journalism just to name a few.
Cultural Activities
International Affairs Scholars students attend many cultural events and activities around campus and the city of Columbus. These events include
international festivals, internationally-themed art exhibits and performances, as well as lectures by international scholars. The students also plan and
implement international events that are designed to raise awareness about a particular country. A fall trip or weekend retreat is organized each year to
nearby cities and the international affairs theme is applied to the activities on these trips. Past fall trips have included Chicago, New York City,
Toronto and Washington, D.C.
Student Involvement
International Affairs Scholars
students are expected to maintain the
grade point average set forth by the Ohio State Scholars Program. In
addition, they are expected to attend meetings and events and take an active
role in the IA-Scholar community. As first-years, IA-Scholars have the
opportunity to participate in cultural events, community service events, or
social events. During the second year, each IA-Scholar is expected to be an
active part of the Second Year Work Groups which engage in focused program
planning and implementation in a variety of areas such as current global issues,
career development, community engagement, international film, or IA-Scholar
newsletter production.
Future Students
Students in the International Affairs Scholars Program (IA-Scholars) first must meet the admission
criteria for Ohio State Scholars. Prospective students should also demonstrate an interest in the
international arena in some way. This should be articulated in the Honors & Scholars application
through the required essays and resume.
The IA-Scholars community is a diverse group with a
variety of interests. Students in the program may be in any major. Some of the more popular majors among
IA-Scholars include: International Studies, International Business, Political Science, Foreign Languages,
History and Engineering. Many other majors are also represented in the group.
Mack Hall
The International Affairs Scholars Program (IA-Scholars) is a living-learning
program and students are required to reside on-campus during their first year. IA-Scholars
live in
Mack Hall on south campus.
Other Resources
The Office of International Affairs (OIA) – The International
Affairs Scholars Program is supported by and directly linked to OSU’s Office of
International Affairs. OIA is the central site for the coordination, enhancement,
and development of Ohio State’s international activities. OIA also oversees the
area studies centers, the Mershon Center (interdisciplinary center for the study
of international security and public policy), and the office of Study Abroad and
International Student and Scholar Services.
http://oia.osu.edu/
Mershon Center for the Study of International Security and
Public Policy -- The mission of the Mershon Center is to advance the
scholarly study and intellectual understanding of national security in a global
context. The Center does this by fostering research on diplomatic and military history,
contemporary political and economic decision-making, and the role culture and institutions
play in war and peace.
http://www.mershon.ohio-state.edu/
Undergraduate International Studies Program -- The Undergraduate
International Studies Program specializes in providing international and cross-cultural
coursework at The Ohio State University. In cooperation with departments in several
colleges, it offers undergraduates interdisciplinary major, minor and certificate
qualifications built around courses on contemporary global issues and different
world areas. This is one of the most popular majors among IA-Scholars students.
http://polisci.osu.edu/ugrads/index.htm
Mack Hall – Mack Hall is on south campus and is the residence hall
for International Affairs Scholars.
http://housing.osu.edu/halls.asp?section=other&id=13&type=13
International Undergraduate Admissions – The International Undergraduate
Admissions Office manages the application process for international students who
want to attend The Ohio State University.
http://admissions.osu.edu/intundgrad/index.html
How to Apply
The International Affairs Scholars Program is selective, and you must apply to be considered. Successful candidates have a variety of qualifications including solid academic records, strong writing skills, significant participation in extracurricular and community activities, and a diversity of life experiences.
Please note: Only new freshmen who begin at OSU's Columbus campus during the autumn semester are eligible to apply for the Scholars Program. Students interested in the Scholars Program must complete the Honors & Scholars Application after applying to the university. The priority deadline is December 15, 2011; the final deadline is February 15, 2012. To complete the Honors & Scholars application you will need your OSU ID, which you receive after you apply to the university; allow one week to receive this ID via e-mail after submitting your admissions application. You do not have to be admitted to the Columbus campus to apply to the Scholars Program; however, you must be admitted to the University in order for your application to advance in the review process.
For additional information about the International Affairs Scholars Program please contact Molly K. Gilbride at 614.292.1986 or gilbride.12@osu.edu.