Studying Abroad

[Poli92]

Hello, 

 

I'm just wondering if all of you out there could provide a little insight as to whether or not international experience is an important factor when applying to IR/CP programs. Would it be evaluated with very much weight or just viewed as a peripheral factor? Does it vary depending on the location/substance of the experience in relation to your stated goals in grad school? 

 

Thanks! 

[veritaserum]

I would imagine that, much like any other sort of experience, relevance would be a big factor. If you're looking to study IR with a focus on European relations, and happened to have interned at the European Parliament or something, that would probably beneficial. If you went backpacking for a couple months to do some soul searching, while that's a cool anecdote, it wouldn't translate as directly into something that would affect your course of study as a grad student as concretely.