At Your Service

International Activities

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 is also responsible for organizing International Week (see Events, page 22). 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

Center for Global Education

The Center for Global Education (CGE) is the university’s study-abroad office, which provides a wide array of study-abroad opportunities for Mason students and the general public and functions as the hub for international educational activities at Mason. CGE offers short-term, semester- or year-long, honors study abroad, international internships, and intensive language programs. CGE is the depository for all memoranda of understanding concerning educational exchanges signed between Mason and institutions abroad. CGE services include advising, issuing international student ID cards, and providing a travel and study-abroad resource library, as well as study-abroad information sessions. The center offers various educational opportunities that are open to students and the general public, for credit and audit:

• Intensive Language Programs: Intensive two-to-eight-week language programs are available in many countries, including, but not limited to, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Yemen. Participants may study at all levels, from beginner to advanced, depending on the program in which they enroll. Each program includes a rich cultural component, and exciting excursions are planned to historical sites. Intensive language programs are offered during winter and summer breaks.

• Short-Term Study Tours: CGE’s short-term programs are offered during the summer, winter, and spring breaks. Spring break programs are specially designed for those who wish to travel abroad under the guidance of Mason faculty members who provide lectures and background information to the excursions and cultural site visits. Recent spring break programs have taken particiants to Belize, Monaco, Sicily, and Rome. Winter and summer programs have focused on a variety of topics including business, ecology, politics, geography, theater, history, culture, and trade in more than 50 countries.

• Semester- and Year-Long Study-Abroad Programs: CGE offers direct exchange programs in more than 14 locations worldwide, as well as semester-long programs in England, Ireland, Italy, Spain, France, and Costa Rica. Honor students have the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Oxford Honors program at Oxford University in England.

• International Internships: CGE offers a Washington, D.C.-based internship program that focuses on humanitarian work and includes travel overseas and popular overseas internships in England, France, China, and Israel and Palestine. A summer international institute focusing on development is also available. 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