International Studies Major - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Consider your goals and needs first, then search specifically for a program that fits your needs (don't conform to the program!!). For some ideas, check out the Study Abroad (IAP)'s planning suggestions. The Center for Global Education's Study Abroad Handbook has some other useful suggestions as well.
Visit the International Academic Program (IAP)'s Study Abroad Resource Room or one of the other campus study abroad offices and conduct some preliminary research on the study abroad process and UW-sponsored programs. Check out application requirements and deadlines.
Get to know your professors. You will need to ask faculty (or teaching assistants) for recommendation letters.
Think outside the box. The UW-Madison offers so many different kinds of study abroad programs: traditional academic programs, internships, service-learning trips. Explore all possible options!
Talk with the IS Advisor about course requirements and other considerations. Make an academic plan. Attend the Study Abroad 101 session for IS Majors.
Narrow down your program choices to 3-4. Prepare a list of questions for students.
In early fall, go to the Study Abroad Fair. Talk to students who have gone on those programs. Ask lots of questions. If you can't make the Fair, talk with the IAP Advisors who can connect you with former students.
Pick one program and apply!

Considering a non-UW program? First read about the advantages of going with a UW program, then the some differences between UW and non-UW programs, and finally visit the Office of Admission's study abroad transfer process for non-UW programs.

I've been accepted into a program. Now what?

Read your acceptance. It has VERY IMPORTANT INFO in it.
Work with your study abroad advisor on making sure you know how to prepare, where to go for more information, and attend your orientation session (for UW-Madison programs)
Meet with your IS Advisor, fill out the Advising Worksheet (UW-Madison programs), and make sure you know about any relevant deadlines.
Start a file for your academic records!!! 1) Collect contact info for your academic advisor(s) and your study abroad advisor. 2) Place your recent advising sheets and a recent DARS in your file. 3) Include your Advising Worksheet and notes from your Study Abroad advising appointment. You will need all of this information when you register back at the UW-Madison, and if you bring these materials with you, you will save yourself (and your advisors!) a lot of stress.

While you're there...

General Information

Study Abroad course work may count in the major with approval from the IS advisor. Your courses will not automatically show up in your DARS, so make sure to see your advisor when you return!
Remember, if you plan right, you can bring up to 20 credits from study abroad into the major.
Course content is more important than the course equivalent's department and course number. Don't try to match courses in the IS course lists for the purpose of having courses count in the major.
You will be responsible for bringing copies of syllabi to either Study Abroad (IAP) or, for non-UW programs, the Admissions Office AND to your academic advisors.

Choose your courses wisely. Course guidelines by Option.
Use the subject lists below to identify whether your course will be an ISSUE or an ELECTIVE in the major.

Reminder for ALL OPTIONS:
Course content must fall within the time period 1800-present. Track core courses may not be taken abroad.

Global Security
ISSUES subjects: communication (e.g., means by which threats are communicated), economic security (e.g., development, personal income), health security (e.g., infectious disease), environmental security (e.g. man-made threats against nature), food security (e.g., food safety), personal security (e.g., crime), political security (e.g., freedom from political repression), national & global security, organizations that protect security, regions in the international arena, U.S. foreign policy, war & terrorism

ELECTIVE subjects: any of the ISSUES subject lists from any Option in the major

International Political Economy & Policy
ISSUES subjects: communication; global economy; comparative political & economic systems; political and economic development; global legal institutions; policies related to health, humans & the environment, land & food, social issues/technology; international organizations (e.g., IOs, NGOs); international trade; political and economic integration; international law

ELECTIVE subjects: any of the ISSUES subject lists from any Option in the major

Culture in an Age of Globalization
ISSUES subjects: migration; hybridization of culture; cultural pluralism; technology and transnational cultural flows (e.g., internet and social media); capitalism and global consumerism; contemporary arts; cultural identity (e.g., French vs. European); cultural values

ELECTIVE subjects: any of the ISSUES subject lists from any Option in the major

Global Commons/Global Environment
ISSUES subjects: environmental protection; global environmental governance; environmental impact on economics; environmental politics; environmental social movements; environmental organizations (e.g., Greenpeace); policies, laws, and regulations governing air & climate, energy, land & food, water, biological diversity & sustainable development, humans & the environment

ELECTIVE subjects: any of the ISSUES subject lists from any Option in the major

Communication with the IS Advisor

If you are not sure about where your courses will count, please email the advisor
Always include your Student ID Number and Option in the Major in your emails
Email original course titles and brief descriptions with translations (for languages other than German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch)
Keep records of your communication with your advisors.

When you get back...

Finalize the course equivalency process with your study abroad advisor
Email a copy of your finalized CERF to your IS advisor
Set up an appointment with the IS advisor to review your course work.
IMPORTANT: Once your courses have been dispersed in your transcript, notify your advisor to move appropriate courses into the major!