Summer Springboard

International Relations

In Oxford

EXPLORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS AND EXAMINE HOW HISTORY AND SOCIETY HAVE SHAPED THE MODERN WORLD

THIS COURSE IS ONE WEEK LONG, AND YOU CAN EXTEND YOUR EXPERIENCE TO AS MANY AS FOUR WEEKS BY ADDING ADDITIONAL ONE-WEEK COURSES.

International Relations in Oxford

  • Investigate global issues by exploring the relationships between nations, cultures, and international organizations including the United Nations and NGOs.
  • Debate real-world conflicts, develop solutions, and practice negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
  • Collaborate with peers and staff from around the world to create innovative strategies for addressing global challenges.
  • Travel to London for a mid-week excursion to the Houses of Parliament, gaining a firsthand look at one of the world’s most influential centers of government.
  • Explore the renowned Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford, one of the world’s great collections of anthropology and world cultures.
  • Meet with distinguished guest speakers including foreign relations experts.

Summer Springboard

International Relations

About This Course

An international affairs program for teens on a university campus in Oxford. Our intimate, seminar-style courses offer small class sizes that foster close-knit collaboration and active discussion with leading academics.

Are you curious about how the world functions, what drives conflict, and what fosters peace? This summer, dive deep into international affairs and gain a comprehensive understanding of global dynamics. You’ll investigate the relationships between nations, cultures, and international organizations, explore the social and historical forces shaping global development, and debate real-world conflicts while developing negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Topics include foreign policy, international law, diplomacy, human rights, environmental challenges, and more.

Collaborate with peers and staff from around the world to create innovative strategies for addressing global challenges. Meet with distinguished guest speakers including foreign relations experts and former diplomatic professionals for firsthand insight into global affairs. Travel to London mid-week to visit the Houses of Parliament and see Big Ben, gaining a firsthand look at one of the world’s most influential centers of government. Back in Oxford, explore the renowned Pitt Rivers Museum, one of the world’s great collections of anthropology and world cultures.

TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE

Hands-on Learning

Experience hands-on learning by engaging directly with global issues through research, debates, and simulations. Collaborate with students and experts from around the world to analyze international conflicts, negotiate solutions, and develop innovative strategies. Participate in a Model UN simulation, receiving valuable feedback from professionals to sharpen your skills in diplomacy and conflict resolution.

Career Exploration

Explore potential career paths in international affairs by connecting with foreign relations experts, former diplomats, and professionals working in global organizations. Gain firsthand insight into careers in diplomacy, international law, human rights, and environmental policy through site visits and professional networking. This program provides a unique opportunity to understand the skills and experiences needed to pursue a future in global leadership and public service.

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.

“Summer Springboard has been an amazing experience that has given me a great opportunity to grow mentally, socially, and has allowed me to determine what path to take in the future. Summer Springboard is a great way to not only prepare you for the future, but also allow you to enjoy the present. It was a fun and engaging learning experience.”

-Sam B. | Alumni Student

Summer Springboard

International Relations

Meet Your Instructor

Dr. Christine Pelican earned her DPhil from the University of Oxford, where her doctoral thesis received the Winchester Prize for exceptional scholarship in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms. She specialises in political psychology, U.S. politics, elite rhetoric, and public opinion. With teaching experience across multiple Oxford colleges, her approach blends intellectual rigour with experiential learning, guiding students to analyse complex international issues critically and to apply their insights through interactive simulations.

CHRISTINE PELICAN

“Summer Springboard was an amazing experience and I am so glad I chose to do this program. It taught so much about what I want to pursue in my future.”

-Taliha B. | Alumni Student

Summer Springboard

International Relations

Dates & Tuition

2026 Dates
Session 4: July 26 – August 1, 2026

Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.

Tuition
 Residential Tuition: $5,498
 Commuter Tuition: $2,498

Oxford residential discount codes to use at checkout:

  • 1 week: $1,000 off – OXFORD1WEEK
  • 2 weeks: $1,500 off – OXFORD2WEEKS
  • 3 weeks: $2,000 off – OXFORD3WEEKS
  • 4 weeks: $2,500 off – OXFORD4WEEKS

*Each subsequent week, if combined with other one-week high school courses at Yale or Oxford: Residential Tuition: $4,498, Commuter Tuition: $1,998

Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.

Location
 City: Oxford
 Country: UK
Campus: Oxford

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.