International Studies Degree at Aquinas College

Discover International Studies at Aquinas

International Studies Degree at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan

In this ever changing and dynamic international world, International Studies is growing as an essential field of inquiry. It is a diverse and exciting area of teaching and research with its own professional association, the International Studies Association.

Students in the International Studies department will gain awareness of global issues through courses in a variety of disciplines. They'll apply writing, reading, and critical thinking skills to address significant issues in a global context, completing independent research. Students will graduate the program with the ability to evaluate and apply diverse perspectives to complex international dynamics at the regional, national, and global level.

From problem-solving and research skills to effective communication and cutural competencies, students in the International studies programs are well equipped to serve a heavily interconnected world as global citizens. 

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It's Time to Expand Your Horizons
  1. Interdisciplinary Competency:
    1. Effectively demonstrate awareness of the interdisciplinary nature of global issues by taking courses in a variety of disciplines;
  2. Research and Critical Thinking Competency:
    1. Effectively apply reading, writing, critical thinking, and analytical skills to address significant issues in a global context;
    2. Effectively undertake original, independent, and interdisciplinary research on an international topic. Complete and defend a well-researched thesis / project;
    3. Effectively evaluate and apply diverse perspectives to complex international dynamics including multiple and conflicting positions (i.e. ethical, disciplinary, cultural);
    4. Effectively describe and analyze the impact of international events and systems at the regional, national, and local levels;
  3. Problem Solving Competency
    1. Effectively initiate meaningful interaction with other cultures to address significant global problems;
    2. Effectively develop the tools to take informed and responsible action to address ethical, social, and environmental challenges in global systems and evaluate both micro and macro consequences of individual and collective actions and interventions;
  4. Language and Cultural Competency:
    1. Develop a working knowledge of a foreign language and effectively interact therein;
    2. Effectively demonstrate knowledge of another culture via cultural immersion to understand socio-cultural aspects such as religion, politics, daily life, family structures, culinary habits, values and ethics, etc…;
    3. Ideally this takes place through a semester-long study abroad program
  5. Interpersonal Competency:
    1. International Studies students should develop skills for interacting with those from different cultural, ethnic, socio-economic, and religious backgrounds in an effort to truly become global citizens.
Name Title Department Phone
Hannah Bechtold Director International Programs (616) 632-2067
Stéphane Bédère Associate Professor, French and Spanish World Languages (616) 632-2118
Chad Gunnoe Program Director Irish Studies (616) 632-2834
Kelly Hillman Adjunct World Languages
Katharina Häusler-Gross Coordinator of the German Studies Program, Professor of German Studies and Foreign Language Methodology World Languages (616) 632-2122
Sarah Matthews Instructor of Spanish World Languages
Lisa Nowak Adjunct World Languages
Marcos Romero Asencio Chair World Languages (616) 632-2123
Ralph Vunderink Adjunct Professor World Languages
Claudia Wrogg Adjunct World Languages

Career Preparation based on leadership

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AQ grads are thankful for the small class sizes that allow them to form personal relationships with professors.

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Study Away

Take your learning beyond the classroom and broaden your understanding of global perspectives.

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

As a major at Aquinas College, International Studies is primarily a second degree because of its interdisciplinary nature.  It fits very nicely as a second degree with, for example, Business, International Business, Foreign Language, Political Science, History, Sociology, English, and Environmental Studies.

Students who have majored in International Studies have become, or gone on to:

  • College Professors
  • School Teachers
  • Live Overseas
  • Translate for indigenous peoples
  • Work in Washington, DC
  • Work in the private sector
  • Work in the public sector
  • Join the Peace Corps
To learn more about careers, make an appointment with the AQ Advantage Center.

 

Alumni Profiles

Alumni Profiles

 

Prepared for the real world with a depth of knowledge and an understanding of how to use it.Alumni Profiles

 

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Eric Budd – who graduated from Aquinas College in 2021 with a Secondary Education, Social Studies degree – recently recounted his journey as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Montana, Bulgaria.

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Celebrating 50 Years in Tully Cross: Writing and Visual Art from Ireland Study Abroad Program

December 18, 2023

For fifty years, Aquinas students and faculty have traveled a small Irish village called Tully Cross. Students, faculty and alumni took on the task of combining a selection of works written and created there into the book Where We Left Our Last Few Words: 50 Years in Tully Cross.

p72%growth in the number of students who better understand global issues after studying abroad.
p67%growth in the number of students who were more resilient to handle change in a positive way post study abroad
i85%of students who studied abroad felt their experience helped them build valuable skills for their careers.
i25%Students earn 25% higher starting salaries than those who do not study abroad.