At Your Service

International Activities

Center for Global Education

The Center for Global Education (CGE) is the university’s study-abroad office and provides a wide array of study-abroad opportunities for Mason students and the general public. CGE also functions as a hub for international educational activities at Mason and is the depository for all memoranda of understanding concerning educational exchanges signed between Mason and institutions abroad. CGE offers short-term programming in the winter and summer months, semester or yearlong programs, an honors semester at Oxford, international internships, and intensive language programs. CGE services include advising, issuing International Student ID Cards, a travel and study-abroad resource library, as well as study-abroad information sessions.

The center’s various educational opportunities are open to students and the general public for credit and audit:

• Short-Term Study Tours. CGE’s short-term programs are our most popular and are offered during the summer and winter breaks. Study tours are led by Mason faculty and cover a variety of topics, including business, ecology, politics, geography, theater, history, culture, and trade in more than 30 countries. Short- term programs also include intensive language programs. Study French in the Caribbean, Italian in Sicily, Spanish in Granada, Mandarin in Beijing, Japanese in Osaka, or Arabic in the Middle East.

• Semester Programs, including Direct Exchanges. CGE offers exchange programs in more than 14 locations worldwide, as well as semesterlong programs in England, Ireland, Italy, Spain, France, and Costa Rica. Honors students have the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Oxford Honors program at Oxford University in England. While studying abroad, students earn up to 15 credits per semester, resident credit if the program is led by a George Mason University faculty director or transfer credit if a Mason faculty member does not accompany the group. To apply, students must have a 2.50 or above cumulative GPA and completed at least 45 credits.

• International Internships. CGE offers internships for academic credit. Our interns gain international experience that is directly related to their academic and professional goals. Internships are open to students of all majors at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, including international students. Past internships have taken place in Beijing, Buenos Aires, London, Marseille, and Israel and Palestine.

Please contact CGE for more information about these programs. CGE is located in the Johnson Center, Room 235. Call 703-993-2154 or e-mail cge@gmu.edu.

Web: globaled.gmu.edu

Office of International Programs and Services

International students, faculty, and staff are a vital part of the Mason community. Students and faculty in nonimmigrant status (in the United States temporarily for educational purposes) represent approximately 135 countries from all regions of the world. In addition, Mason is home to thousands of students who are immigrants or first-generation Americans, and many others who have an identification or connection abroad. The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) assists nonimmigrant students with regulatory matters related to their stay in the United States and works with all members of the campus community to promote international awareness and interaction. OIPS conducts international student orientation at the beginning of each semester and offers advising services, workshops, and resources about immigration regulations, taxation, employment, and cultural adjustment. OIPS also sponsors, with the Student Activities Office, the annual International Week (see Events). This weeklong event is a celebration of the cultures represented at Mason and features a variety of social and cultural activities, entertainment, international food, and many opportunities for international and intercultural experiences. OIPS works with local community groups to facilitate connections between international students and local families and enable international students to visit local public schools for cultural learning activities. Call 703-993-2970 or e-mail oips@mason.edu.

Web: oips.gmu.edu