<p>Hey there!</p>
<p>I want to work for either an international organization or for our government so I want to study international studies/affairs. And would like help with finding a university:</p>
<ol>
<li>should I study in the US or maybe a US university abroad (such as American University Cairo, etc.)?</li>
<li>I want to get a job or internship related to my studies, so I'd like the university to be in the DC Metro Area, which are good?</li>
</ol>
<p>I was thinking maybe JMU, American, Virginia Tech, Loyola MD, JHU or similar.</p>
<p>Plus, I don't really want to go to the Ivies or Georgetown (which many people suggest) mainly because I rather be in a more dynamic university -and less expensive:) I would consider them for Master's degrees, but that's not really the case now.</p>
<p>THANKSSSS!</p>
<p>“Plus, I don’t really want to go to the Ivies or Georgetown mainly because I rather be in a more dynamic university” – you’re underinformed if you think any of the Ivies or Georgetown aren’t dynamic! Also, most of the schools renown for their International programs are just as expensive: besides the Ivies & Georgetown, you should look at Tufts, Chicago, American University and George Washington University.</p>
<p>A cheaper option are the very good large public universities. Try for the best you can get into (among the top publics are Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, Berkeley and UCLA) work hard, study languages, do a semester/year abroad, and as many internships as you can. This would set you on a path for a career in Int’l relations and/or a good grad school in this field.</p>
<p>thank you katliamom…
actually what i said about the ivies and georgetown are based in info from friends and family, i was told (and have read it online) that these schools are more theorical than practical in their teaching…that’s what i mean when i say less dynamic.
and i speak a couple languages already so i hope im on the right trackkk;)</p>
<p>Most (if not all) undergraduate international studies programs will be theoretical rather than “practical”. That’s just the nature of this field, especially at the undergraduate level. And all of them will require general education courses unrelated to your major. </p>
<p>The better known schools - like Georgetown of the Ivies - will have more (and probably more interesting) internship opportunities in international studies, since that’s one of their specialties. However, those top universities are also competitive and difficult to get into. </p>
<p>JHU is a very selective school but it’s primarily known for the sciences. American, George Washington University, JMU and Tufts are very good schools, with good to very good international studies programs, but not quite at the level of Georgetown/Ivies in their selectivity. </p>
<p>Virginia Tech is not known for international relations/studies. While it is good in many ways, it is less selective than the ones named above, and will likely have less in the way of international programs and internship in these fields. </p>
<p>I’m guessing you’re an international student - in which case you will pay pretty much the same at all of these schools whether it’s JMU or American or even Virginia Tech.</p>
<p>“JHU is a very selective school but it’s primarily known for the sciences. American, George Washington University, JMU and Tufts are very good schools, with good to very good international studies programs, but not quite at the level of Georgetown/Ivies in their selectivity.”</p>
<p>These choices sound perfect. And well, I’m not an international student (I’m a US citizen), but I am living abroad because of my parent’s job so I will be paying full tuition anyways. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>You may also want to look at UVA and W&M (especially for undergrad IR) as they are also fairly close to DC and are public schools.</p>