GLOBAL PUBLIC POLICY TRACK

GOVERNANCE, INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND MEDIA

Learn how policy is made and carried out, how development works on the ground, and how rights are defended and power held to account, alongside officials, practitioners, and advocates in six destinations in Africa and Southeast Asia. Join a Global Practicum inside a GEI development initiative, or intern with a host organization in your field, with U.S. academic credit through Hamline University, GEI’s school of record.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION

Every destination has its own Global Public Policy program page, with the programs, dates, and prices for that destination. You apply from there.
GHANA
KENYA
RWANDA
The democracy the region looks to, with peaceful transfers of power since 1992 and one of Africa’s freest presses.
Global Public Policy in Ghana >
A 2010 constitution that moved power to 47 counties, and the United Nations’ African headquarters in Nairobi.
Global Public Policy in Kenya >
A country that governs by plan, from district performance contracts to monthly community work days.
Global Public Policy in Rwanda >
SOUTH AFRICA
THAILAND
VIETNAM
A celebrated constitution meeting hard reality, tested daily by Parliament, the courts, and a free press.

Global Public Policy in South Africa >
The region’s meeting point, home to the United Nations’ Asia-Pacific headquarters.

Global Public Policy in Thailand >
A state-led development story, from a poverty reduction record few countries match to rising seas in the Mekong Delta.
Global Public Policy in Vietnam >

ENGAGE WITH POLICY AND GOVERNANCE

The Global Public Policy track explores how governments, institutions, civil society, and the media shape development, rights, and public life. Students examine how policy is made and carried out, how international development works on the ground, how rights are claimed and defended, and how journalists and media hold it all to account.

The programs emphasize applied, field-based learning rather than classroom instruction. Students learn through site visits, policy and stakeholder analysis, collaborative projects, and guided reflection, and see how policy decisions reach communities and what responsible, context-aware policy practice looks like.
In the Global Field Engagement
Visit public institutions, development organizations, advocacy groups, and newsrooms, work in small groups on field assignments, and take on a community-engaged learning project with a local host organization.
In the Global Practicum
Join one of GEI’s development initiatives with local student peers and carry the governance side of the project: the authorities, budgets, standards, and public programs a solution depends on, and the case for it, addressed to the people who can act on it.
In an Internship
Work full time with a policy or governance institution, international development organization, human rights or legal advocacy group, or media outlet, in areas from research and policy analysis to communications and reporting.

FOUR WAYS TO TAKE PART

Short-term program
3 or 4 weeks, January or Summer, 4 credits
  • Global Field Engagement, or
  • Global Practicum




Leads to course credit
Summer Program
8 weeks, June and July, 8 credits

  • Global Field Engagement
  • Global Practicum
  • Capstone portfolio



Leads to a Certificate in Global Public Policy
SEMESTER Program
15 weeks, Fall or Spring, 16 credits

  • Global Field Engagement
  • Global Practicum
  • Language Intensive Course
  • Independent Study Project & Capstone Seminar

Leads to a Certificate in Global Engagement (Global Public Policy concentration)
INTERNSHIP Program
4, 6, or 8 weeks, January or Summer, 4+ credits
  • A supervised placement with a host organization in your field, with a cohort on set dates. Placements on your own dates are also available.




Leads to course credit, or standalone

WHAT EVERY PROGRAM INCLUDES

Learning in the field
Site visits, community-engaged projects, and guided reflection rather than classroom instruction, alongside local professionals and community partners.
A full-time team in every destination
GEI's in-country coordinators, faculty, and guides host every cohort from arrival to departure, with 24/7 emergency support throughout. Housing is included.
U.S. academic credit
Credit through Hamline University, GEI's school of record, which issues the transcript. Check with your academic advisor how many credits your degree program accepts.
Who the track suits
Political science, international relations, public policy, law, development studies, and journalism students in particular. The study abroad programs are open to any major and level; internships generally to sophomores and above.

FOR POLICY SCHOOLS AND STUDY ABROAD OFFICES

Every Global Public Policy program can be co-branded with your institution and offered as your own, under your name and brand as much or as little as you prefer. There is no minimum enrollment, U.S. credit comes through Hamline University, GEI's school of record, and a named GEI contact supports you and your students from the first conversation to the transcript.

HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE?

If you have any questions or need help with your application, feel free to reach out via email or our contact form.