Global Humanitarian Action Program (GHAP)

We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2007 program!
Deadline Extended

DATES: August 27- December 7, 2007

Program Details are subject to change

TESTIMONIALS

“The program really has encouraged me to deeply involve myself in a cause higher than myself. I really did not begin to reflect on how I can make such a contribution until I joined the GHAP. I hate to admit this but before joining the GHAP I was very self-absorbed…the program was an excellent stepping stone for me to pursue a career in international development. I highly recommend this program for anyone who is interested in helping making the world a better place, but is not sure on which path to take.”
Luis M Garzon-Negreiros, Spring 2006, Atlantic Council Intern

“All the site visits were amazing; and most of the speakers were incredibly entertaining and relevant to our program. Some of the highlights were going to USAID and some of the smaller organizations. The trip to Switzerland and the awareness of the issue regarding humanitarian affairs has made me at least realize that I have the potential to improve the world.”
Participant, Spring 2006

“I got the full experience from United Nations Information Centre. This is the ideal internship. It gave me insight into the reality of humanitarian work. I’m definitely able to extend my internship. Switzerland was beautiful. The site visits were really great. We met with good people and they really gave us an opportunity to learn. I think I exceeded my expectations to learn and get a feel for the humanitarian field, improve my writing and interpersonal skills.”
Daniel Button, Spring 2005, United Nations Information Centre Intern

“The site visits in Geneva were awesome, the whole trip was extremely enjoyable, the Alps were a lot of fun as well”
Participant, Spring 2005

OBJECTIVE

The Global Humanitarian Action Program addresses a myriad of complex humanitarian emergencies as well as longer term needs resulting from conflict, poverty, health crises, natural disasters and environmental degradation.

As conceived by Director, Dr. Yehuda Lukacs, the Washington, DC based Global Humanitarian Action Program (GHAP) offers a unique way to earn credit while gaining valuable career experience in the field of humanitarian action. The GHAP aims to:

• Familiarize students with the types of humanitarian challenges, both natural and human made.
  
• Provide students with the methodologies of disaster prevention and risk assessment and the internal workings of organizations that provide assistance services.
  
• Expose students to case studies from complex humanitarian emergencies in order to explore various dimensions related to the relief operation and transitioning towards peace building and sustainable development.

Students have the opportunity to explore the above issues through a combination of professional internships, academic seminars, and relevant site visits in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
During the program’s final week, students travel to Geneva, Switzerland, capital of the humanitarian world. The trip includes specialized briefings at the various offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and other major humanitarian organizations.

ELIGIBILITY

The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, Mason and non-Mason students. At least a 2.5 cumulative GPA for undergrad's and 3.0 for grad students. Undergraduates must have completed at least 45 credits.

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CREDITS AND SYLLABUS

Participants can earn up to 12 undergraduate or 9 graduate credits. Students from nearly any department can get internship credit relevant to their major. Non-Mason students are registered for Mason credit and can work with their academic advisor to transfer the credits. Contact Program Officer Sarah Mournighan for further details!

How to obtain 12 undergraduate credits:
The most frequently used course credit combination at Mason are:

GOVT 496 Directed Readings and Research (3 credits)
GOVT 480 Internship (6 credits)
CAS 485 International Internship (3 credits)

OR

GOVT 496 Directed Readings and Research (3 credits)
NCLC 495 Experiential Learning (9 credits)

How to obtain 9 graduate credits:
The most frequently used course credit combination at Mason is:

PUAD 796 Directed Readings (3 credits)
PUAD 794 Internship (6 credits)

View a copy of the Spring 2007 Syllabus

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COST

Program Fee: $8,745 Fall 2007

This fee covers:

• Tuition for 12 undergrad or 9 grad credits
  
• Transportation and entrance fees for academic excursions in Washington, D.C. and Geneva
  
• Lodging in Geneva
• Welcome and farewell dinners in Washington, D.C.
  
• International Student ID Card
  
• Geneva travel guide book

The fee does not include:

• $100 non-refundable application fee
• Housing in Washington DC
  
• meals
  
• books
  
• transportation to and from internship sites
  
• passport & visa fee (if applicable)
  

In addition, participants are required to have medical insurance that covers them in the US and during the trip to Geneva.

Center for Global Education Scholarships are available for the Global Humanitarian Action program!

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APPLICATION & DEADLINE

Deadline for Fall 2007 is extended. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as many organizations establish early application deadlines for internships.

To apply, first, consult the How to Apply section and then complete the online application and submit all supplementary materials.

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INTERNSHIP

The core of the Global Humanitarian Action Program is the internship in Washington, DC. Students work with the program's Faculty Director to find an internship that matches their career goals and academic interests.

Students can earn up to 9 internship credits total for 405 internship hours worked.

For further information on internship opportunities and resources please go to: Internship Resources

In preparation for internship application, students are encouraged to make an appointment with University Career Services (in SUB 1, Room 348) for resume review, job interview practice and other professional services offered by Mason's.

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ACADEMIC SEMINARS AND SITE VISITS

Academic seminars address the basic concepts and theories of the field of international development. The seminars include topics on globalization, health and human/ecological security. Students will review literature, explore and define individual interests, and research and present a final paper in class.

Guest speakers from various international organizations participate in and provide real-world perspectives for the academic seminars.
During site visits to governmental and non-governmental organizations in the Washington, DC area, students have the opportunity to meet with practitioners in the field, engage in focused discussions and reflect on their internship experiences.

NOTE: The Center for Global Education has formed a collaborative agreement with the United States Institute of Peace to encourage our students to take their FREE online Course in Conflict Analysis. This excellent learning tool familiarizes students with two extended case studies, the ethnic conflict in Kosovo and the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. This FREE course is available, and may be taken prior to starting the Global Humanitarian Action program, by clicking on the USIP Professional Training Online.

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TRIP TO GENEVA

During the program’s final week, students travel to Geneva, Switzerland.

The trip includes specialized briefings at the various offices of the:

• United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR)
  
• United Nations Headquarters
  
• Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),
  
• International Labor Office
  
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRCS)
  
• International Museum of the Red Cross
  
• Business Humanitarian Forum (BHF)
  
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
  
• Center for Humanitarian Dialog (CHD)

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FACULTY

Lina Beydoun, PhD is Faculty Director for Global Humanitarian Action and International Development at the Center for Global Education, George Mason University. She was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone and grew up speaking English, Arabic and Krio. She received her B.A. in social and behavioral sciences at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. During the Lebanese war and in the postwar period, she interned at the Lebanese Red Cross, Save the Children Foundation, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Arab Council for Childhood and Development. She completed her Ph.D. in sociology at Wayne State University (WSU) in 2005, and obtained a minor in International Law and International Relations.

Before joining Mason, she was a lecturer at the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Wayne State University, Detroit. She has taught courses on globalization, international migration, conflict, ethnicity and race, and Arab culture. She has researched extensively Lebanese migration to Sierra Leone, examining the intersection of colonization, race, class, gender and citizenship.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, please attend an info session or contact:
Program Officer: Sarah Mournighan
Center for Global Education
Johnson Center, Room 235
4400 University Drive, MS 2B8
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-993-2106

Faculty Director: Lina Beydoun
Center for Global Education
George Mason University, Arlington Campus
Original Building, Room 310
3401 N. Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-993-2945

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Making a difference...
for a better world for all people.