Dates
January 4-19, 2014
Application Fee
$100
Programm Fee
$TBD
The Program Fee includes tuition and program expenses. Click on Program Fee for details.
International airfare and personal expenses are not included in the Program Fee and are the responsibility of the participant.
Application Deadline
October 4, 2013
Eligibility
This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students with a cumulative GPA of 2.25, including students who do not attend George Mason University.
Students should have taken at least one course in International Relations, Government Studies, Global Affairs, Conflict Resolution, Political Economy, or a similar class prior to participation in this program.
CREDITS:
Undergraduate: 3 semester credits in Global Affairs 480, Conflict Analysis 385, or Government 398
Graduate: 3 semester credits in Government 739: Issues in Comparative and International Politics
Housing
Individual rooms
Excursions
Geneva and Strasbourg
CONTACT: Sarah Mournighan via email or by calling 703.993.2106 or toll free at 866.468.1243. The toll free number does not accept calls from the 703 or 571 area code.
Downloadable Documents
University of Fribourg [html]
Syllabus available upon request
Faculty Info
Professor Trevor ThrallThis two-week study abroad survey of international organizations based in gorgeous Fribourg, Switzerland provides students with an overview of the goals, functions, and significance of such organizations in today's fast changing global environment.

2012 Program Participants in Front of the United Nations Globe
Download Keeley's testimonial [PDF]
Four full-day site visits in Geneva and Strasbourg will include:
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) pictured above
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)

International Labor Organization (ILO) pictured above
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) pictured below
World Trade Organization (WTO)
European Parliament
European Court of Human Rights
Council of Europe
The course examines the achievements and failures of the world's most important organizations from an interdisciplinary perspective. Using frameworks provided by economics, political science, international relations, and international law, the course will address the following questions:
What are functions of international organizations?
How can international organizations diminish or solve collective action problems? Are they successful in doing so?
What are the main obstacles faced by international organizations?

Fribourg, Switzerland is a very young town and an ancient city - young because 10,000 of the 40,000 inhabitants are the University's students and ancient because of its medieval heritage. It is one of Europe's most beautiful and best preserved medieval ensembles. The University students add vibrant rhythm and atmosphere to the town. Fribourg has a multitude of festivals and cultural events and also numerous little cafés and restaurants that serve first-class delicacies. A fantastic starting point for excursions, it is easily accessible by road, rail, and air from Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, and Bern,the Swiss capital.

2011 Program Participants in Front of the United Nations Globe
Academic Director
Trevor Thrall is currently an associate professor at George Mason University in the Department of Public & International Affaris and the Director of the Graduate Program in Biodefense. He teaches courses in international security, political communication, and U.S. military intervention. His recently edited book, American Foreign Policy and the Politics of Fear: Threat Inflation since 9/11 (Routledge 2009), examined why and how the Bush administration was able to build public support for the war in Iraq in 2003. The companion volume to that work, Why Did the United States Invade Iraq? (Routledge 2011), collects competing explanations about why the administration decided to go to war in the first place.
Prior to arriving at George Mason, Dr. Thrall was an associate professor at the Universtiy of Michigan-Dearborn where he directed the Master of Public Policy and Master of Public Administration programs. He received his Ph.D. in political science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Dates: January 4-19, 2014
You should plan to leave the United States at least one day prior to the program start date to arrive in Fribourg for the first day of the program. You can schedule your return to the United States from Fribourg for the last day of the program or choose to travel independently.
Do not purchase airfare until you are advised by your Program Officer.
Program Fee: $TBD
The Center for Global Education Program Fee includes:
Tuition
Housing
Excursions to Geneva and Strasbourg
Most meals
Guest lectures
Pre-departure orientation
Emergency medical insurance, including medical evacuation and repatriation
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to George Mason students. George Mason students can click here to download the CGE Global Perspectives scholarship application. Mason students may also use financial aid to cover a program's cost. If you are not a George Mason university student check with your study abroad office or office of financial aid to learn more about how to cover the cost of your study abroad.
How to Apply
Consult the How to Apply section for detailed instructions. Start by completing the online application. Pay the $100 application fee.
Note that all supplemental documents are required by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Contact the Program Officer for further application forms and instructions specific to your program.


