Overseas courses

The International Policy Center currently administers two study abroad programs:

  • BA Global Engagement Seminar (PubPol 480)
  • International Policy in Practice (PubPol 674)

  • PubPol 480 is an advanced undergraduate seminar designed to challenge public policy majors to consider how policy issues are framed and addressed in a non-U.S. context. It includes traditional coursework and a one-week policy study tour in a country beyond the United States. In 2025 - 26, the course will focus on international politics in Europe and culminate in a trip to Brussels. (Costa Rica has been the focus and location of the study tour in past years, and topics and destinations may vary in future iterations of the program.) Students will study a small number of contemporary policy problems, considering relevant comparative or international political, economic, historical and cultural contexts. The winter break study tour will provide students an opportunity to discuss the policy issues with local stakeholders. Upon their return to Ann Arbor, students will work in groups to produce short, formal policy reports.

    Eligibility 

    • Ford School undergraduate students.

    How to apply

    Questions?

    • If you have any questions regarding this travel course, please contact Dan Ellis (Assistant Director, IPC | [email protected]).

    PubPol 674: International Policy in Practice (IPP) is a 3-credit graduate level seminar designed to provide students with first-hand experiences and knowledge of international policy in action, focusing on the practical realities and impacts associated with a given policy's design and/or implementation. Students will explore key policy areas in a specific country other than the United States as well as bilateral and multilateral policies and programs. The course includes both traditional classroom study and a one-week trip abroad. Prior to travel, coursework explores the chosen country's history, current social and economic policies as relevant to the learning objectives, and future policy goals and priorities. Students also engage in directed reflection of study travel, and set individual and collective intentions for ethically-minded travel and international policy engagement. While abroad, students meet with stakeholders with relevant knowledge, lived experience and expertise in the policy area of focus, including key policy professionals working on policy design, implementation and/or evaluation. Upon return, students complete a set of curricular and applied deliverables. Ultimately, IPP fosters participants' abilities to engage in both international and domestic policy work in the future.

    Each year, the country and policy area of focus is determined by the Ford School, the International Policy Center, and the course faculty instructor. In Winter 2026, the course will continue its focus on international development in Colombia and travel to Bogotá. Ford School graduate students are competitively selected for the program during the Fall term prior to travel.

    This program/course was formerly called the “International Economic Development Program,” or “IEDP.”  Since its inception in 2000, participating students have studied and traveled to the following countries:

    2000: Costa Rica

    2001: Czech Republic

    2002: Venezuela

    2003: Morocco

    2004: Cuba

    2005: Ethiopia

    2006: China

    2007: Peru

    2008: Jordan

    2009: Senegal

    2010: Philippines

    2011: Grenada

    2012: Colombia

    2013: Cape Verde

    2014: Myanmar

    2015: Brazil

    2016: Cuba

    2017: Greece

    2018: Senegal

    2019: Morocco

    2020: Colombia

    2021: Kenya (virtual)

    2022: Puerto Rico, USA

    2023: Chile

    2024: Colombia

    2025: Colombia

    2026: Colombia

    Eligibility

    • Ford School graduate students.

    How to apply

    • During Fall term, IPC circulates application requirements and deadlines.

    Questions?

    • If you have any questions regarding this travel course, please contact Dan Ellis (Assistant Director, IPC | [email protected]).
Amy Beck Harris helps students understand the “how” of international development

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Amy Beck Harris helps students understand the “how” of international development

“How do we give local actors a say in the aid or government support that they’re receiving? And how do we give students tangible skills to go out in the field and make a real difference?” (Harris, PubPol 674 Lead Faculty, Winter 2024)
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