Summer Springboard
International Relations
ON THE CAMPUS OF GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
EXPLORE THE WORLD OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THROUGH IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES AND REAL-WORLD DIPLOMACY IN THE HEART OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
International Relations
- Investigate global issues by researching relationships between nation-states, cultures, and organizations like the UN and NGOs.
- Debate international conflicts, explore solutions, and practice negotiation and conflict resolution.
- Collaborate with students and staff from around the world to develop innovative strategies for global challenges.
- Participate in a Model UN simulation and receive expert feedback from professionals in international relations.
- Gain insight into global politics through topics such as diplomacy, foreign policy, international law, human rights, and environmental issues.
- Engage with foreign relations experts and former diplomats to deepen your understanding of international affairs.
Summer Springboard
International Relations
About This Course
An international relations program for teens on a university campus in Washington, D.C.
Are you curious about what drives global conflict and how peace can be achieved? This summer, dive into the world of international affairs and gain a foundational understanding of global politics. Explore the social and historical impact of global development through topics like foreign policy, international law, diplomacy, human rights, and environmental issues. Investigate the complex relationships between nations, cultures, and key organizations such as the United Nations and international NGOs.
Engage in thought-provoking debates on international conflicts, learn negotiation techniques, and develop conflict resolution skills. Collaborate with students and instructors from around the world to create innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. Take part in a Model UN simulation and receive feedback from experienced professionals in the field. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with foreign relations experts and former diplomats to gain real-world insights into how the world works.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
This program offers hands-on learning experiences that bring international affairs to life. Students will engage directly with diplomats and policy experts through visits to embassies, including Kosovo and Ukraine, and take part in meaningful discussions with ambassadors and cultural diplomacy leaders. They’ll also explore key institutions like the National Archives Museum and participate in immersive activities such as Model UN simulations and roundtables with professionals from the U.S. Department of State and the White House campus—gaining real-world insights into how diplomacy and global policy are shaped.
Career Exploration
Through direct engagement with foreign affairs professionals, diplomats, and policy leaders, this program offers valuable career exploration opportunities in international relations, diplomacy, and global policy. Students will gain firsthand insight into careers at the U.S. Department of State, embassies, and international organizations, while developing skills in negotiation, public speaking, and strategic thinking—key tools for future leaders in global affairs.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“SSB has been a completely new and valuable experience. It manages to encapsulate the feeling of a fun summer getaway while still providing valuable and enlightening experiences that educate and help to guide students through their future.”
-Emir B. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
International Relations
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Kuniko Ashizawa is a professorial lecturer at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, where she specializes in Asian politics and societies. Dr. Ashizawa has previously taught international relations courses at universities in the UK, Kosovo, and her home country, Japan. Her research interests include the USA and Japan/Asia relations, regional cooperation in Asia, and the role of international organizations in global governance. She has authored numerous academic journal articles, book chapters, and single-authored books on these topics. Her fieldwork has taken her from Afghanistan to Geneva, conducting interviews with policymakers, diplomats, and officials from major international organizations, including the United Nations. In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Ashizawa has been a visiting fellow at prestigious institutions, including the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the East-West Center in Washington. She earned her Ph.D. in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. With her broad teaching experience and deep expertise, Dr. Ashizawa provides students with invaluable perspectives on the complexities of international affairs.
DR. KUNIKO ASHIZAWA
“Overall it was an amazing experience. I felt like each day was always better than the last. I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime and I’ve also learned more about myself which is extremely valuable.”
-Andrew A. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
International Relations
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 21 – July 3, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $5,698 |
| Commuter Tuition: $2,998 |
Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: Georgetown Neighborhood |
| State: Washington, D.C. |
| Campus: Georgetown University |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.