Education Abroad for

Social Science Majors

students talking at a table

Globalize Your Education

Social Science students are highly encouraged to study abroad. Participating in a study abroad is an ideal way to add a global perspective to your major through the first-hand experience living and studying in another country and culture. 

Review the resources here to first help decide how an international experience can fit into your degree plan. It is important to work with your Undergraduate Advisor and an Education Abroad advisor early on in the application process to make sure that you are choosing the best program to fit your goals and meet major requirements.

Why Study Abroad?

When you step out of a familiar environment and engage with another society, where cultural, political, and academic perspectives differ from the U.S., it can greatly enhance your perspective by placing domestic issues and experiences within an international context.  It helps participants negotiate differences, listen to and learn from new viewpoints, and adapt to unfamiliar situations.  The changed perspective students gain from studying abroad helps make them better informed global citizens, and they are often more competitive for employment, fellowships, and graduate school.

You can Afford to Study Abroad

Eligible for Financial Aid? Learn more about how financial aid might apply to your program. (Applies to PSU degree-seeking students, only.)

Veteran? Learn how Veterans Benefits may help cover the cost of your program fee! 

Pell Grant Recipient? You may also be eligible for the Gilman Scholarship, worth up to $5,000! 

Need Scholarships? The PSU Ed Abroad office offers scholarship workshops every term and has a multitude of resources online for students on a budget. Come meet with us so we can talk about awards ranging from $500 - $10,000.

This study abroad was one of the best experiences of my life. I met so many friends from all over the world, I learned about many different cultures, I visited so many amazing places...overall I am very happy about the program. The overall study abroad experience with PSU and CIEE is something I will recommend to all of my peers! It was the best time of my life.



Hannah Lauffer, Social Science Major
Program: CIEE Open Campus Block Program in London 

Which Education Abroad Programs Work Well for Social Science Majors?

The programs listed below are recommended because they offer the largest number and range of courses relevant to Social Science.

MULTIPLE REGIONS

IE3 Global Internships

AFRICA 

CIEE Arts and Sciences Program in Cape Town, South Africa
CIEE Summer Community Development and Social Justice:  Theory + Practice in Cape Town, South Africa
SIT Study Abroad Senegal:  Global Security and Religious Pluralism
USAC Ghana:  Accra - African Studies, International Development Studies, and courses offered directly by the University of Ghana
USAC South Africa: Stellenbosch University Undergraduate Courses

ASIA

PSU Exchange Japan:  Osaka, Kansai Gaidai University
PSU Exchange South Korea: Seoul, Hanyang University (Exchange)
PSU Exchange South Korea: Asan, Soonchunhyang University (Exchange)
USAC China: Chengdu - Chinese Language and Culture
USAC Thailand: Southeast Asian Economics, Politics, and Culture Studies
USAC India: Health and Society in Bangalore

EUROPE

ALBA Study Abroad in Barcelona
CIEE Social Sciences + Humanities Program in Amsterdam, Netherlands
DIS - Study Abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark
IE3 Global Ireland: Cork, University College Cork
USAC Italy: Education, Communications, Health, and Italian Studies in Reggio Emilia
USAC Spain: International Business, Spanish and Cultural Studies in Bilbao
PSU Faculty-Led England: Going Off-Script in London: Improvisation for Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity

LATIN AMERICA

CIEE: Global Institute - Multi Campus
IE3 Global Mexico: Queretaro, Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro - Summer
SIT Study Abroad Peru: Indigenous Peoples and Globalization
USAC Cuba:  La Habana - Cuban History, Society, Politics, and Culture

MIDDLE EAST 

CIEE Summer Middle East Studies Program in Amman, Jordan
Hebrew University: Rothberg International School - Undergraduate Study Abroad Program 
PSU Direct Enroll Turkey: Istanbul, Bogazici University
Rothberg International School - Summer Program
 

OCEANIA 

CIEE Open Campus in Sydney, Australia
IFSA - University of Auckland
USAC Australia: Griffith University Undergraduate Courses in Gold Coast or Brisbane

If you do not see a program that works for you, please email edabroad@pdx.edu.

Ready to take the Next Step?

Attend an Ed Abroad 101 session to learn more about studying abroad at PSU. These are 30 minute sessions offered when classes are in session. They cover the application process and direct you to next steps. Can't attend the live session? Watch the Ed Abroad 101 digital presentation!

Education Abroad for Social Science Majors