Exchange Partners

Student John Goodrick smiles while at UNESCO

The Elliott School encourages you to gain those experiences by adding a truly international component to your studies. A study abroad experience will enhance your understanding of varied perspectives on international, global, and regional issues with firsthand observation and study. Begin your search for study abroad programs by reviewing our Exchange Partners. For additional information on study abroad opportunities for Elliott School graduate students, please contact Ainara Hidalgo in Graduate Student Services.

Travel Information

Students are responsible for obtaining appropriate student visas; guidance will be provided by the host institution. The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs compiles information on travel abroad, public announcements, and warnings. Please make sure to keep up to date with new information before and during your time abroad. All GW students who travel abroad for academic purposes are required to comply with the GW International Travel Approval Policy. Guidance on this policy will be provided to all exchange students by the Graduate Student Services Office.

Apply

Applications for exchange programs are submitted online. The online application and any hard copy supplementary materials are due by March 15 for fall enrollment abroad and October 1 for spring enrollment abroad. Once the application has been reviewed and endorsed by the Elliott School, the application will be forwarded to the exchange partner for a final decision. Both applications and all supplementary materials are due to the Elliott School by March 15 for fall enrollment abroad and October 1 for spring enrollment abroad.

Please note that international students are not permitted to study abroad in a country in which they have citizenship.

Apply to an Exchange Program

Partner Schools

Sub-Saharan Africa

University of Witwatersrand

School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities

Internationally ranked as one of the leading institutions on the continent, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is a premier University in Africa and an obvious choice for those seeking academic and research excellence. The University has a selective approach to research development, concentrating on areas of actual and potential international excellence while focusing on challenging, relevant and innovative research that is beneficial to the country and Africa.

At the forefront of a changing society, Wits is an engaged institution, dedicated to advancing the public good. It continues to play a key role in fostering intellectual communities and promoting sustainable social and economic development in a globally competitive environment. Its School of Social Sciences houses the Departments of Anthropology, Development Studies, Demography and Population Studies, History, International Relations, Philosophy, Political Studies, and Sociology as well as the Forced Migration Studies Programme. The School also hosts the Sociology of Work Unit (SWOP) and the History Research Group.

Curriculum: At Wits, Elliott School M.A. students can choose from a variety of units (courses) in areas such as history, government, international relations, philosophy, anthropology, and sociology. For more details on specific units and offerings, please see the individual departments listed on the School of Social Sciences website. Exchange students typically enroll for three or four units per semester. Students select unit choices after arrival at Wits.

Enrollment and Credits: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at Wits as full-time students. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner into the Elliott School M.A. programs.

Grade "60-69" at Wits = Grade B at GW
One course within Wits IR program = 3 credits at GW

Academic Calendar: 1st Semester: February - June
2nd Semester: July - November
Classes are held during the day and in the evening.

Language of Instruction: Courses are taught in English.

Housing: Wits offers some on-campus accommodation for students, but space is limited. Often, housing is only available during the 1st semester. For assistance with on-campus housing, please contact Ms. Gita Patel in the Wits International Office.

Tuition and Fees: Students pay regular GW and Elliott School tuition fees for their participation in exchange programs, based upon 9 or 10 GW credit hours.

Asia

Ewha Womans University

Graduate School of International Studies

Ewha Womans University, Graduate School of International Studies in Seoul, South Korea is the top-rated university in the country for international studies and is open to both men and women via the exchange program. Elliott School students can study trade negotiations, international business, development cooperation, and diplomacy and security.

Curriculum: The Korean Ministry of Education ranks Ewha's Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) as the premier international relations school in Korea. GSIS offers a full range of courses in international affairs, with concentrations in trade negotiations, international business, development cooperation, and diplomacy and security. GSIS also has professional training courses for credit, such as the Workshop on International Negotiations designed by the Conflict Management Group. Please refer to their Schedule of Classes for course offerings.

Enrollment and Transfer of Credits: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at Ewha GSIS as full-time students, for the equivalent of 9 or 10 GW credits. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner into the Elliott School M.A. programs. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit.

Grade B at Ewha = Grade B at GW
3 credits at Ewha = 3 credits at GW

Academic Calendar:

Fall semester: September to December.
Spring semester: early March to mid-June.
Courses are held during the day.

Language of Instruction: All courses at GSIS are taught in English. Intensive Korean classes are also available (Elliott School graduate students cannot earn transfer credit for language courses). Within the GSIS community, students speak English very well and most students at Ewha study English at some level. The Elliott School recommends that students who go to Ewha plan to take at least introductory Korean to help them adjust to life in Seoul.

Housing: Students may arrange housing on-campus at Ewha at the Ewha-Samsung International House dormitory. Both foreign students typically stay in Ewha's International Dorm, which is at the very top of the campus with a lovely view of Seoul. The dormitory has both traditional Korean-style rooms (with a futon on the floor) and Western rooms (with a bed). Some of the rooms have a bathroom inside. The dormitory is secure and only residents and students in the company of residents are allowed inside. The dormitory has a student curfew of 11 p.m. every night. The international dorm is the only hall open to male students.

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon full-time enrollment for the equivalent of 9 or 10 GW credit hours.

Fudan University

Note: Students interested in traveling to China are strongly encouraged to make themselves familiar with what can and cannot be posted on social media.

School of International Relations and Public Affairs

Fudan University, located in Shanghai, is one of the leading universities in China with a long history and an international reputation for academic excellence. Fudan's School of International Relations and Public Affairs (SIRPA) was formerly the Department of International Politics established in 1964. In November 2002, Fudan founded SIRPA and the Institute of International Studies (IIS). SIRPA is comprised of three departments: International Politics, Political Science, and Public Administration. SIRPA ranks ahead among its domestic peers in overall academic excellence and is host to an outstanding faculty. SIRPA emphasizes providing quality facilities to support students and researchers, such as reference libraries, multi-purpose conference rooms, and computer laboratories.

Curriculum: For international students, Fudan SIRPA offers an English-taught curriculum for Master's students on Chinese politics and diplomacy. It offers a select number of courses each semester and new courses are added each year. No Chinese proficiency is required for this curriculum.

Transfer of Credit: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at Fudan as full-time students. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner for the Elliott School M.A. program.

Fudan credits = 3 GW transfer credits
Grade B at Fudan = Grade B at GW

Academic Calendar:

Fall semester: late August - end of December.
Spring semester: February - June.

Language of Instruction: There are options to take courses in English or in Chinese. Students may take courses in SIRPA's regular curriculum if they are proficient in Chinese. Students who do not have a high level of Chinese-language ability may take courses with the English-language instructed program on Chinese Politics and Diplomacy.

Housing: Students are responsible for securing their own housing in Shanghai. Fudan University may be able to arrange housing in dormitories upon request.

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon 9 credit hours.

Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Asia. The NTU S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) was established in 2006 as an autonomous graduate institution of NTU, with the renowned Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies as a key component.

RSIS is a community of scholars and policy analysts at the forefront of Asia-Pacific security studies and international affairs. Its three core functions are research, graduate teaching, and networking activities in the Asia-Pacific region. It produces cutting-edge security-related research in Asia-Pacific Security, Conflict and Non-Traditional Security, International Political Economy, and Country and Area Studies. RSIS offers coursework in International Relations, International Political Economy, Asian Studies, and Strategic Studies. Check out their 2023-2024 Information Sheet.

Curriculum: Elliott School graduate students can enroll in courses within the NTU S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

This program offers courses such as:

Politics and Foreign Policy of Singapore
Non-traditional Security and Global Governance
Accounting for Decision-making and Control
Regional Integration in the World Economy
Critical Security Study
Foreign Policy and Security Issues in Southeast Asia

Students should plan to take a minimum of 3 courses per Trimester.

Transfer of Credit: Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner for the Elliott School M.A. program.

Grade B at NTU = Grade B at GW
1 course at NTU = 3 credits at GW

Academic Calendar:

Trimester 1: late July – late October
Trimester 2: early November – late February (with one month break)
Trimester 3: early March – early June

Given the differences in the academic calendar at RSIS, Elliott School students are advised to study abroad during Trimester 1 or 3.

Depending on the courses selected, the class timings are morning (9.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.) or afternoon (2.00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.).

Language of Instruction: All courses at NTU are taught in English.

Housing: Students may apply for on-campus accommodation upon receipt of the admission letter. The on-campus housing is limited and demand often exceeds availability.

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon 9 or 10 credit hours.

National Chengchi University (NCCU)

Located in Taiwan, National Chengchi University (NCCU) is one of the most prominent universities in Taipei.

Curriculum: NCCU is known for coursework on Asia Pacific studies, economics, politics, and international affairs.

Transfer of Credits: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at NCCU as full-time students. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from this partner for the Elliott School M.A. program.

Grade of 73 – 76 at NCCU = Grade B at GW
1 credit at NCCU = 1 credit at GW

Academic Calendar: Students interested in studying at NCCU during the spring semester will arrive in February and stay until June. The fall semester is from September to January.

Language of Instruction: Courses are taught in both English or Mandarin Chinese. Students wishing to enroll in content courses taught in Chinese must show proof of language proficiency and secure approval from NCCU.

Housing: NCCU offers on-campus shared dormitories for roughly NT$23,000 per semester. This equates to about $737.

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon 10 credit hours.

University of Hong Kong

Note: Students interested in this study abroad program must meet with staff in the Office of Graduate Student Services to discuss their travel plans prior to applying.

Faculty of Social Sciences

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is the oldest higher education institution in Hong Kong, founded in 1911. Its Faculty of Social Sciences was established in 1967 and has since then undergone rapid expansion and significant transformation.

The Faculty currently consists of the Departments of Politics and Public Administration, Psychology, Social Work and Social Administration, Sociology, Statistics, and Actuarial Science. Eight multi-disciplinary research centers have been formed in the Faculty, providing the platform for inter- and intra- faculty collaboration to pursue excellence in research and teaching. At HKU's Faculty of Social Sciences, Elliott School graduate students can take courses in international politics, public policy, public administration, foreign policy, and East Asian regional studies.

Curriculum: HKU created the first international relations degree program in the region. The Faculty of Social Sciences' Department of Politics and Public Administration draws students from Hong Kong, the Asia Pacific region, and beyond to its classrooms. Elliott School graduate students can enroll in courses within the HKU Masters of International and Public Affairs program.

This program offers courses such as:

International Relations in the Asia Pacific
Understanding Global Problems: Theory and Practice
Chinese Foreign Policy
International Security in East Asia
Intergovernmental Relations in Greater China
East Asian Political Economy;

Students in the international relations program are often professionals working in Hong Kong, providing an excellent network of practical expertise to the courses. Students should plan to take a minimum of 3 courses per semester.

Summer program in Beijing: Each year, the HKU Master of International and Public Affairs program invites a small number of Elliott School students to join HKU students in a special class on contemporary issues in China's international relations, held at the School of International Studies, Peking University in Beijing. The classes are taught in English: no Chinese proficiency is required.

Topics of the course include:

International Relations in the 21st century and China's Foreign Relations
China and Asia Pacific Security
China's Political System and Its Role in World Politics
Economic Globalization, WTO, and China
China and North Korean Nuclear Crisis

Elliott School students earn 3 transfer credits for successful completion of this course. Special application procedures are needed for this class.

Grade B at HKU = Grade B at GW
1 course at HKU = 3 credits at GW

Academic Calendar:

First Semester: September - December
Second semester: January - May
Classes in the Department of Politics and Public Administration are held mostly in the evenings and/or on Saturdays.

Language of Instruction: All courses at HKU are taught in English.

Housing: The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) at HKU provides guidance and assistance with an accommodation.
Information on rooms and flats

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon 9 credit hours.

Waseda University

Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies

Waseda University, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS) in Tokyo is one of Japan's top universities. It recruits 40% of its students from outside Japan, strengthening the international dialogue. GSAPS offers a wide range of courses on international affairs, development studies, and business, as well as area studies. View the factsheet for more information.

Scholarship Opportunity: Elliott School graduate students wishing to study at Waseda University for a semester are eligible for the Videtto Scholarship amounting to $5,000. Applicants will be automatically considered via a competitive interview process with the Elliott School Deans. Preference will be given to students with financial needs.

Curriculum and Registration: The Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies (GSAPS) at Waseda University offers a variety of courses in international affairs, development studies, and business, especially for students with an interest in Japan and East Asia.

In order to satisfy the minimum requirements for Japanese immigration law, exchange students must take courses that have at least 10 hours of lectures per week, typically equivalent to taking seven courses per semester in the spring and fall. Students must pre-register for courses at the time of application in order to secure his/her eligibility to stay in Japan. Seven courses are considered a normal course load at Waseda. View the course lists and registration for more information.

Transfer of Credit: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at Waseda as full-time students. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner into the Elliott School M.A. program.

Grade "70-79" at Waseda = Grade B at GW
2 credits at Waseda = 2 credits at GW

Academic Calendar:

Spring term: April - late July.
Fall term: late September - early February.
(Summer and winter intensive terms are not open to exchange students.)
Classes are taught during the day and some courses meet on Saturday mornings.

Language of Instruction: Courses are offered in English and/or Japanese. The language of instruction for each course is indicated in the course catalog. Please note that although Elliott School students may take Japanese language classes, tuition and fees for Japanese language courses are payable directly to Waseda University. (n.b. Elliott School graduate students cannot earn transfer credit for language courses taken abroad.)

Housing: Waseda University offers international students housing in a short-term, private dormitory for up to one semester. Space is limited and applications are ranked based upon availability. Students may also seek to rent an apartment although this option is far more expensive. Another option is hoshien – private church-operated dormitories, which are moderately priced.

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon 10 credit hours.

Australia

University of Sydney

As Australia's oldest university, The University of Sydney has a long history of academic excellence in teaching and research. Elliott School graduate students may take courses through the Business School or the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, studying international security, government and international relations, and economics and political economy, as well as marketing, business, and finance. Additional information can be found in the Study Abroad and Exchange Guide 2023.

Curriculum: Within the University of Sydney's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Elliott School students can choose from a variety of "units" (i.e. classes) in areas such as economic history, government and international relations, and political economy. Please refer to the Postgraduate units of study for 2023 course offerings.

The University of Sydney Business School features the Centre for International Security Studies, which offers units examining both traditional and emerging aspects of security, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The Faculty also offers units in economics, business, marketing finance, transport studies, and workplace and organizational studies.

Exchange students typically enroll for 4 units per semester, for a total of 24 credit points.

More Information:

Student Information Office, Business School.

Transfer of Credit: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at the University of Sydney as full-time students. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner for the Elliott School M.A. programs.

Grade "Credit (CR)" at Sydney = Grade B at GW
6 credits at Sydney = 3 credits at GW

Academic Calendar:

Semester 1: March - June
Semester 2: late July - late November
Classes are held during the day and in the evening.

Language of Instruction: Courses are taught in English.

Housing: The University of Sydney has some on-campus accommodations for students. Information regarding accommodation options is available online from the Student Accommodation Service.

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon 10 credit hours.

Europe

Free University of Berlin

Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin) is one of the largest, most comprehensive, and most respected universities in Germany. Students with a focus on European politics, EU integration, Eastern Europe, and security in Europe, maybe particularly interested in the courses of the Fachbereich Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften (FB Politik).

Curriculum: Students take classes with the Fachbereich Politik- und Sozialwissenschaften (FB Politik) and focus on international relations, security, comparative politics, policy analysis, political theory, and media and communications. Information on the upcoming semester is available at the Archives of the Online Lecture and Course Catalogs. Elliott School students are also able to take courses at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and the Universität Potsdam as a part of a consortium of universities in Berlin.

Enrollment and Transfer of Credit: Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner for the Elliott School M.A. program. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit.

6 ECTS credits at FU Berlin = 3 GW credits
FU Berlin Grade 3.0 Gut = GW Grade B
The FU Berlin grade range is from 1 = A to 5 =F

Academic Calendar:

The "winter" term runs from mid-October through mid-February.
The "summer" term runs from mid-April through the end of July. Courses are held during the day.
Given the mismatch of FU winter term dates with the GW fall semester, the Elliott School recommends studying abroad at FU during their summer term.

Language of Instruction: Courses are conducted in German or in English. A proficient level of German is required for taking courses taught in German. Most professors of the German-taught courses, however, will allow written assignments to be done in English.

Housing: International exchange students may apply for a student residence through FU Berlin, but availability is limited. Students are ultimately responsible for securing their own housing and often sublet rooms or rent apartments. Additional housing information is available from the FU Berlin International Students office.

Tuition and Fees: Students pay regular GW and Elliott School graduate tuition and fees for their participation in exchange programs, based upon 9 or 10 GW credit hours.

Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies was founded in 1927 as one of the first schools in the world dedicated to the study of international relations. A small and selective institution with about 600 graduate students from over 90 countries, the Graduate Institute owes its reputation to the quality of its cosmopolitan faculty, the strength of its core sections (economics, history and politics, law, political science), its bilingual English-French education (most classes are given in English), and a policy-relevant approach facilitated by its immediate proximity to numerous international organizations (WTO, WHO, WIPO, ILO, HCR) as well as many NGO's and multinational firms. Check out their Exchange Program 2025-2026 Fact Sheet.

Curriculum: the Graduate Institute offers courses in a variety of fields that will complement the Elliott School graduate curriculum. The course catalog shows the classes offered last academic year. Students typically take five courses per semester.

Enrollment and Transfer of Credit: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at the Graduate Institute as full-time students, for the equivalent of 9 or 10 GW credits. Students may transfer up to 10 GW credits from the partner into the Elliott School M.A. programs. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit.

Grade 4.25 at the Graduate Institute = Grade B at GW
6 ECTS credits at the Graduate Institute = 3 credits at GW

Academic Calendar: Fall semester classes will run from mid-September through late December and the spring semester classes from February through the end of May. Courses are held during the daytime. View the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies academic calendar.

Language of Instruction: Courses at the Graduate Institute are taught in both English and in French. Exchange students to the Graduate Institute are not required to have French language skills but some knowledge of French is helpful as students will have more course options.

Housing: The Graduate Institute offers housing options for exchange students. Students must apply for housing when they are accepted into the exchange program.

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon full-time enrollment for the equivalent of 9 to 10 credit hours.

The Hertie School

The Hertie School is a small, private university located in Berlin. The university is known for the following academic fields: economics, international relations, law, political science, and public policy. All courses are offered in English, with English being the working language of the university. Check out their 2024 Factsheet.

Curriculum: Hertie established a Masters of International Affairs. Course offerings can be found via the online Hertie School of Governance course catalog, with this university being a great choice for those looking to study in Germany in a university styled after the United States higher education system.

Transfer of Credits: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at Hertie School of Governance as full-time students. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from this partner for the Elliott School M.A. program.

Grade B at Hertie School of Governance = Grade B at GW
2 ECTS credits at Hertie School of Governance = 1 credit at GW

Academic Calendar: The fall semester runs from the beginning of September until the end of January. The spring semester is from early February until the end of August.

Language of Instruction: All courses at Hertie School of Governance are taught in English. Students do not need to provide proof of English proficiency in order to study at the Hertie School of Governance.

Housing: Students must arrange their own accommodations in Berlin. Hertie School of Governance is happy to assist students in finding housing.

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon 10 credit hours.

Sciences Po

The Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po) in France is one of the most distinguished universities in all of Europe. Sciences Po specializes in international business, European studies, international organizations, and development studies.

Curriculum: Sciences Po offers courses on a wide variety of subjects including international business, economics, public administration, and European politics, society, and economy. A full semester at Sciences Po would typically include three modules of specialization, one seminar on French language, and two elective courses.

Transfer of Credits: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at Sciences Po as full-time students. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from this partner for the Elliott School M.A. program.

Grade "12" at Sciences Po = Grade B at GW
2 ECTS credits at Sciences Po = 1 credit at GW

Academic Calendar: Fall semester runs from August to December. The spring semester is from February to late June, with a brief one-week orientation. Courses are held in the daytime.

Language of Instruction: French proficiency is not required to attend Sciences Po. Students are able to take courses in French, English, and other select languages. If students wish to take courses in French they should submit a copy of their Elliott School Diagnostic Language Examination results with their applications for Sciences Po or be prepared to take the Sciences Po language proficiency exam.

Housing: Students must arrange their own accommodations in Paris. In past years, students have arranged their housing after arrival in Paris.

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon 10 credit hours.

Middle East and North Africa

The American University in Cairo

Founded in 1919, The American University in Cairo, is a leading English language, U.S.-accredited institution of higher education and the center of the intellectual, social, and cultural life of the Arab world. Its community of students, parents, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and other generous sponsors represents more than 60 countries. The University offers 39 undergraduate, 52 master’s, and two PhD programs rooted in a liberal arts education that encourages students to think critically and find creative solutions to conflicts and challenges facing both the region and the world. It also offers a globally recognized, professional, community-based education in English to meet the needs of the dynamic Egyptian and broader regional economies. Check out their 2024-2025 fact sheet.

What is unique about AUC?: AUC offers “Triple Crown” accredited programs in its School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP), providing high-quality education on par with comparable programs in the US and Europe. Located in the heart of the Middle East, AUC's research centers are leading the region's discussions on topics such as climate change; global public health; economic development; women and gender studies; sustainability; refugee and migration studies, and more.

Studying abroad at AUC provides international students with the unique opportunity to be fully integrated on an American-style campus where 95% of the community is local to Egypt. Students take high-quality classes in English while building a global network of peers who will go on to be leaders and practitioners in one of the most important regions of the world.

Students have access to a full-service, state-of-the-art campus with opportunities for research, internships, and publication; student clubs and activities; athletics; and wellness. Additionally, students at GAPP have the chance to network with governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and influential think tanks in the region.

Curriculum: AUC offers courses on a wide variety of topics, including Economics and International Development, Mass Communication and Journalism, Global Affairs, Migration and Refugee Studies, Middle-East Studies, Political Science, and Public Policy.

A full semester at AUC would typically include a maximum of 9 credits which is approximately 3 courses. The 9 credits can be made up of 6 credits of graduate-level content courses (taught in English) plus 3 credits of Arabic language, or 9 full credits of graduate-level courses. Browse courses in the AUC catalog and more information on AUC’s Graduate degree programs can be found here.

Transfer of Credits: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at AUC as full-time students. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from this partner for the Elliott School M.A. program.

3 credits at AUC = 3 credits at GW
Grade B at AUC = B at GW. The AUC grading system can be found here.

Academic Calendar: The Fall Semester runs from late August to mid to late December. The Spring Semester runs from late January through late May.

Language of Instruction: All courses at AUC are taught in English.

Housing: Graduate study abroad students are eligible to apply for AUC student residences (both on campus and in near-campus apartments), however, it is not guaranteed and is granted on a first-apply, first-served basis. You can find details about AUC’s various room types and rates here.

Alternatively, most graduate students find shared apartments near campus or in popular neighborhoods such as Downtown/Tahrir Square, which is close to AUC’s second campus (that hosts intensive Arabic programs). AUC has a bus service with multiple routes around the city, including one door-to-door from their downtown campus to their main campus in New Cairo. Students can pay for a semester-long subscription if they are commuting several times per week or can pay by the ride (alternatively they can take Uber and other affordable cars).

Visas: All non-Egyptian nationals are required to obtain a tourist visa to enter Egypt. To be eligible for the Egyptian residency permit (student visa), graduate students must take a full-time course load (9 credits per semester). Depending on your passport, you may purchase this upon arrival, as an e-visa ahead of travel, or from the nearest Egyptian consulate. Please see the details here.

After arrival in Egypt and during AUC’s orientation, students will pay the processing fees for their Egyptian student residency permit, which will act as their multi-entry student visa for the remainder of their stay.

Program Dates: Study abroad students are expected to arrive by the start of mandatory student orientation each term. For students living in AUC housing (see details below), check-in is one day before orientation begins. We also expect students to stay through the semester exam period and housing check-out is two days after the end of this period. You can find our detailed academic calendars here.

Program Dates for Spring 2025:

Housing Check-In: January 26, 2025
Mandatory Orientation: January 27-29, 2025
Semester Exams: May 25-31, 2025
Housing Check-Out: June 2, 2025

Accessibility: AUC is the first university in Africa and third in the Middle East to get the IACS accreditation for its Center for Student Well-Being (CSW). AUC’s Student Accessibility Services (SAS) within CSW provides a range of services, including, but not limited to: academic accommodations; assistive technology; disability-related counseling; and single room housing placement. Study abroad students should contact SAS as soon as possible in the application process to discuss accommodation needs and provide documentation from their home university to determine which requests AUC can meet (see more here).

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW and are based upon full-time enrollment for the equivalent of 9 or 10 GW credit hours

Latin America

El Colegio de México

El Colegio de México is an outstanding social science and humanities research and teaching institute and has received numerous awards since its inception in 1940. The institution operates as a small public university and research center with a highly specialized faculty, an excellent academic library, and a program of high-level seminars and conferences on innovative issues of the contemporary world as well as in many academic disciplines. To fulfill its aims, El Colegio de México carries out research and teaching in various areas of specialization. Its seven academic centers offer degrees in the following fields: Master and Doctoral degrees in History, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Linguistics, Literature, Asian and African Studies, Urban Studies, Demography, and Environmental Studies, a Master's Program in Gender Studies, and undergraduate degrees in International Relations, Public Administration and Economics. Other specialized courses are also regularly offered, including a series of wide-ranging and popular summer courses. Check out their 2024-2025 Fact Sheet.

Curriculum: Elliott School Master candidates must register with the Centro de Estudios Internacionales.

Enrollment and Transfer of Credits: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at Colmex as full-time students, for the equivalent of 9 or 10 GW credits. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner into the Elliott School M.A. programs. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit.

Grade 8 at Colmex = Grade B at GW
3 credits at Colmex = 3 credits at GW
The grading system is based on a scale of 0 to 10, in which 6 is the minimum grade to pass and 8 is considered an equivalent to a B.

Academic Calendar:

First semester: January to June
Second semester: August to December

Language of Instruction: Spanish. Students, whose mother tongue is not Spanish, must present a language certificate with a minimum C1 level (DELE) or equivalent. An official certificate of the home University is also valid, only when a proper stamp and signature are included.

Housing: El Colegio de México does not offer an accommodation service for exchange students, although the Academic Exchange Office may be able to advise and provide students with general information regarding the rent of rooms and apartments for students in nearby areas.

Tuition and Fees: Elliott School graduate tuition and fees are payable directly to GW, and are based upon full-time enrollment for the equivalent of 9 or 10 GW credit hours

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

Recognized worldwide as one of the most important doctoral research centers in the country, the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) is a private non-profit Catholic University, was founded in 1940 with the objective of developing knowledge-based on humanistic values. The university now has 21,000 students who come from a variety of religious, ethnic, and social backgrounds.

Curriculum: PUC offers courses in a variety of fields that will complement the Elliott School graduate curriculum for students with an interest in Latin America, political science, and economics. The courses taught in English have content based on Brazilian and Latin American aspects, such as culture, literature, business, design, civilization, and history, among others. Along with the courses in English, international students must attend Portuguese as a Second Language class during their academic semester, as well as any other courses in Portuguese recommended by the coordinator.

Enrollment and Transfer of Credit: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at PUC as full-time students, for the equivalent of 9 or 10 GW credits. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner for the Elliott School M.A. program. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit.

Grade 8,0 at PUC = Grade B at GW
3 credits at PUC = 3 credits at GW

Academic Calendar:

Semester 1: approximately end of August-end of December
Semester 2: approximately end of February-beginning of July
A four-week intensive Portuguese program is offered in January and July.

Language of Instruction: Courses at PUC are taught in English and in Portuguese. Non-native Portuguese students are automatically enrolled in a “Portuguese as a Second Language” course.

Housing: PUC-Rio does not provide dorm facilities on campus but offers an enriching opportunity for students to experience the Brazilian way of life by placing students in a home-stay program. Students who elect to find their own housing should initially make temporary housing arrangements and then search for more permanent accommodations after arrival in the city.

Tuition and Fees: Students pay regular GW and Elliott School graduate tuition and fees for their participation in exchange programs, based upon 9 or 10 GW credit hours.

Universidad Torcuato di Tella

The Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (UTDT) is a private, non-profit institution founded in 1991 by the Di Tella Foundation and the Instituto Torcuato Di Tella, with support from the international philanthropic community.

The mission of the University is to educate new generations of academic, social, political, and business leaders, and to enhance research and scholarship in the arts and sciences. UTDT is a highly regarded research university in Latin America and its library, founded in 1958, is the most valuable library devoted to the social sciences in Argentina. Check out their 2024-2025 Fact Sheet.

Curriculum: UTDT offers courses in a variety of fields that will complement the Elliott School graduate curriculum for students with an interest in Latin America, political science, and economics. Students usually take 3 to 4 courses per trimester from the Maestría en Estudios Internacionales (MEI) program.
MEI Curriculum Overview
Course catalog

Enrollment and Transfer of Credit: All exchange students from the Elliott School are required to be enrolled at UTDT as full-time students, for the equivalent of 9 or 10 GW credits. Students may earn up to 10 transfer credits from the partner for the Elliott School M.A. program. Students must earn the equivalent of a B grade or higher in a given course to be eligible for transfer credit.

Grade 7 (Very Good) at UTDT = Grade B at GW
3 credits at UTDT = 3 credits at GW

Academic Calendar: MEI graduate courses at UTDT follow a trimester system:

1st trimester: approximately March – June
2nd trimester: June – September
3rd trimester: September – December.

A three-week intensive Spanish program is offered in late February and late July.

Language of Instruction: Courses at UTDT are taught in Spanish. Full oral and written Spanish language proficiency is required. UTDT recommends that students have completed two years of study at the college level or its equivalent before starting their semester at UTDT.

Housing: Students must arrange their own accommodations in Buenos Aires. Students should initially make temporary housing arrangements and then search for more permanent accommodations after arrival in the city.

Tuition and Fees: Students pay regular GW and Elliott School graduate tuition and fees for their participation in exchange programs, based upon 9 or 10 GW credit hours.