Myesha Dills
JET Program, English language teacher, Oita, Japan
Study Abroad
International Relations students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of GVSU's many study abroad opportunities.
Click here for our helpful Study Abroad Guide for IR
Also, check out GVSU's Padnos International Centers, an incredible resource for students contemplating study abroad.
The GVSU Political Science department has recently developed a GVSU Partnership Student Exchange program with two universities in Perugia, Italy, the sister city of Grand Rapids. Students are expected to have completed the equivalent of four semesters of Italian language to participate. Click here for a brochure.
Spotlights
Amy Fuerstenau
1999 Graduate Former Advisor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Now Senior Political Strategist at the Energy Foundation
Amanda (Miralrio) Murray
Senior Advisor to the Director of OFAC
Madeline Vander Velde
2016 Graduate Working and Living in Brussels
Anne Marie Carson
Graduate of the Georgetown Law, Co-Chair of Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions at Miller Johnson in Grand Rapids
News
Robach attends the National Conference of the World Affairs Council as a Student Scholar
Olivia Robach (PLS and IR double major) earned a scholarship to join student scholars from around the US to attend the annual conference of the World Affairs Council in Washington, DC in November 2025.
Dec 3, 2025
Ozinga Starting Law School at Case Western
IR alum Kyla Ozinga is starting law school at Case Western
Sep 16, 2025
IR and PLS Alumni Starting Law School
PLS, IR and Human Rights alum Taylor Bessinger is attending the University of Illinois College of Law
Sep 12, 2025
Diven Honored with Award
Professor Polly Diven received the 2025 Hillman-Orr Award from the World Affairs Council of West Michigan.
Jun 23, 2025
Events
Fulbright US Student Program - Institute of International Education (IIE) Virtual Information Session
March 5, 2026 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Interested in teaching English abroad as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA)? Curious about the Fulbright Study/Research (S/R) grants for US students seeking support for independent research...
Drop-In Days of Service
March 6, 2026 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Drop-in Days of Service are on-campus opportunities for students to "drop in" and complete service projects for service hours. Click here for additional information
Fulbright US Student Program - Virtual Information Session
March 11, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Are you interested in teaching English abroad? Are you curious about studying for a Master's degree abroad? The Fulbright program might be for you! Join me to learn more! For more Information...
Elect Her (INT 100 approved)
March 19, 2026 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Running Start, the non-profit organization that runs the Elect Her program, brings campaign training and real-world experiences from currently-elected officials to college campuses across the U.S....
Democracy 101: "Strongmen and How to Get Rid of Them" (INT 100/201 approved)
March 30, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us for a broad, quick survey of various “strongmen” that came to power more-or-less democratically throughout the past century, then subverted democracy and became autocrats. There...