The Global Field Intensive (GFI) model is designed for students to maximize their in-country academic experience by engaging in comprehensive pre-departure research and project planning. Rather than simply attending a series of lectures and site-visits while abroad, students are asked to become active participants in their field intensive in-country experience. Global Field Intensives incorporate the following elements across all programs:
- Pre-departure class sessions
- Pre-departure project planning with professor
- Onsite lectures
- Onsite field visits
- Onsite individual or group information gathering
- Onsite MSGA faculty and student debrief session
- Post-trip wrap-up sessions and project presentations (this depends on the semester/timing of program)
J-Term 2025 Global Field Intensives:
- The Two Worlds of India: Leading Power and Developing Country *Program Dates: January 3 – January 17
Past & Projected Global Field Intensives:
- Greece: Great Power Competition and US Grand Strategy in the Easter Mediterranean (Summer 2024)
- Ghana: Development and Security Dynamics in Contemporary Ghana (Summer 2024) – Cancelled
- UAE: Gender and Sustainable Development in the Gulf Region (January 2024)
- Greece: Great Power Competition and US Grand Strategy in the Easter Mediterranean (Summer 2023)
- Rwanda: A Study of Justice and Reconciliation
- Israel in Its Region: Politics and Society, National Security and Foreign Policy
- The Two Worlds of India: Emerging Power and Poorest Country
- Experiential Peacebuilding in Mexico
- Bolivia: A Case Study in Sustainable Development
- Tanzania & Uganda: Humanitarian Aid in Complex Emergencies
- The Future of Taiwan: Critical Implications of Economic and Political Change in Cross-Straits Relations
- Humanitarian Aid in Complex Emergencies
- Revolutions in Sustainability: A U.S./German Perspective
- Moscow: Security, Stress, and Stability in the New Russia
- Chile: Democracy of Institutions and Social Market-Friendly Development
- Movement Building Around Sex Trafficking in India: Theory and Practice
- Prague and Beyond: Security and Transition in Central Europe
- International Organizations: A Focus on Geneva
- Ghana: A Case Study in Development
- Vietnam/ASEAN Field Intensive
- War Crimes Prosecutions in the Former Yugoslavia: The Pitfalls and Promise of International Justice (The Hague/Sarajevo/Belgrade)
- China’s Reemergence: The Changing Political, Economic and Social Landscape
- The Arab-Israeli Conflict (Jordan; Israel)
- Comparative Energy Politics (Canada)
- South Africa: Challenges of Transformation
- The Two Worlds of India: Poverty and the Economic Rise of ‘New India’
Application Process
Registration for all Global Field Intensive courses is controlled and handled by the CGA administration. Applicants are required to fill out an online application (available via the pages for each GFI) and provide a one-page statement of purpose, which should be uploaded through the application form.
Question for Statement of Purpose:
Please explain why you would like to go on the GFI, what questions/issues you’re interested in, and how the GFI relates to your academic and/or professional goals.
If you are applying to multiple GFIs, you must submit a separate application and statement of purpose for each GFI.
Students will be notified of their enrollment status within one week of the application deadline (unless otherwise specified). Please see information below regarding cancellation penalty. Priority will be given to M.S. in Global Affairs and M.S in Global Security, Conflict, and Cyber graduate students for all programs if applications are submitted by the Priority Application Deadline specified for each program. You must be matriculated in a graduate program in order to apply.
Program Costs
While costs vary by program, students will be responsible for covering the cost of the program fee, tuition for 3 credits, and airfare expenses, and other related insurance and travel medicine/vaccine expenses.Included in Program Fee
The program fee will cover student lodging, some meals and special receptions, all meetings/special guest lectures, and planned cultural excursions/tours. Program fee information can be found under the links for each specific program. The program fee will appear on your bursar bill.
NOT Included
Airfare, airport transfers, visa fees, passport fees, personal items such as wines, liquors, laundry services, lunches, dinners (other than those specified in the program), special arrangements before or after the program, and other items not specifically mentioned as included. Insurance for trip cancellation, flight cancellation, luggage loss or damage, medical and accident is not included but is strongly recommended.
Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellations are subject to full forfeiture of the program cost as well as tuition penalties. Program cancellations must be made in writing. To protect yourself, we recommend that you purchase flight cancellation insurance.