Center for International Studies, Ohio University

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Center for International Studies, Ohio University

The Center for International Studies is committed to understanding the world in all its complexity to promote responsible development, peace, and justice.

The Center for International Studies at Ohio University is committed to understanding the world in all its complexity while utilizing curriculum, research, outreach and service to promote an educated, just and prosperous world. Central to the Center’s mission is the advancement of diversity among faculty and students, programs and academic activities. This page works to unite current stud

ents, alumni, faculty and staff as they learn and strive to promote responsible development, peace and justice in our complex world. As a degree-granting unit at Ohio University, the Center offers graduate and undergraduate academic programs and supports curriculum development with an international focus. Undergraduate students may complete a degree or certificate with concentration on a world region (Africa, East Asia, Europe, Latin America or Southeast Asia). Graduate students may also concentrate on one of three major world regions (Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia) or, they may select from either of two programs with an international thematic focus including Communication and Development Studies and International Development Studies.

08/24/2026

What a joyful way to welcome our newest graduate students to the School of International Studies and Languages! 🎉🌎

Last Tuesday was filled with new connections, warm welcomes, inspiring conversations with OHIO alumni, group photos, delicious food, and opportunities to learn more about each graduate program. 💙💚

We’re so excited to welcome this wonderful new cohort to the SISAL community and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish! Here’s to new beginnings, lifelong connections, and an amazing journey ahead! ✨🎓

08/13/2026

As part of a generous gift from the President's Circle Fund to support international experiential learning through the School of International Studies and Languages, Lily Waskiewicz, Political Science, participated in the South Africa: Law, Justice, and Transitions to Democracy program over the summer.

📷 Here is what Lily had to say about the experience:

"Our experience in South Africa was both eye-opening and life-changing. I can't even begin to express how inspiring it is to learn about the anti-apartheid movement and its leaders, who spent their lives and risked their safety to fight for the freedom of their people. It has motivated me to stay the course—despite the difficult days, despite the stress—and continue working toward a career in human rights. It reminded me that there is no greater honor than serving your fellow citizens by improving their quality of life and protecting their right to dignity, security, and equal opportunity."

💚🌎✈️🤍

08/07/2026

Meet Yousthoninsakd Rith, another one of the Summer Research Scholars at Ohio University. CIS hosted three students from Camtech University in Cambodia.

"This summer at Ohio University, I worked on a project about AI security, where I explored how to get an AI system to go past its built-in safety rules, using a competition on Kaggle. I tested different ways of giving instructions to see which ones could successfully make the AI perform restricted actions. This project introduced me to a field I had never explored before as well as giving me a great time getting to work and learning from Professor Chang Liu.

Outside of research, the program was an amazing experience overall. I met people from different backgrounds, joined both social and professional activities and tried new things like kayaking and zip lining. Some of my favorite moments were us bonding over the World Cup and creating art at Passion Works. It wasn’t just about the research, but it was also about the friendships and memories that made my summer truly special."

💚🌎🤍

07/31/2026

Today, we remember and celebrate our colleague and friend, Jill McKinney, whose kindness, dedication, and warmth touched generations of students, faculty, staff, and visitors at Ohio University's Center for International Studies.

For more than 30 years, Jill served as the trusted assistant to three department directors, helping shape a welcoming community for countless international students and scholars. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel at home—whether by introducing friends from around the world to an unforgettable American Halloween (often as her signature snaggle-toothed witch!) or by sharing stories from her month-long medical mission to Kenya, which reflected her adventurous spirit and deep commitment to serving others.

Jill's legacy lives on in the friendships she built, the lives she touched, and the joy she brought to our department every day. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Our thoughts are with Jill's family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

07/23/2026

📷 Emma Ellifritz participated in the School of International Studies and Languages (SISAL) International Internship Pilot Program this summer.

With the help of a generous gift to SISAL from the President's Circle Fund, Bobcats were able to travel to Malaysia, Cambodia, Argentina, Greece, South Africa, and Thailand! We are excited to share their experiences.

🌟 Emma had this to share about her internship:

"During the month of June, I was privileged to participate in an internship program in Rosario, Argentina, where I studied Spanish and learned how to teach English as a Foreign Language. With the help of SISAL, the Department of Modern Languages, and the College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio University, I was able to attend and student-teach at the Colegio San Bartolomé and the ISPI San Bartolomé.

There, I met amazing teachers and translators in training, as well as experienced staff and educators who mentored me throughout my stay in Rosario. As a student at ISPI San Bartolomé, I was given the opportunity to audit classes in translation, didactics, linguistics, contrastive analysis, and teaching methodology in both English and Spanish. I also led a weekly English conversation hour where university students could practice their speaking skills in English while also learning more about daily life and culture in the United States."

🤍✈️🌎💚

07/16/2026

The Linguistics Department at Ohio University is pleased to announce the Digital Approaches to Language Learning and Teaching Conference and invites you to submit an abstract! The conference will take place on October 16–17, 2026, in beautiful Athens, Ohio 📢

With a special focus on Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs) and Indigenous languages, the conference will bring together scholars and educators
in second language acquisition and instructional technology, along with developers of educational technologies, to share innovative practices, showcase emerging tools, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations. Please consider submitting an abstract, and help us grow our community of practice 🌱

Details on submission guidelines and the Call for Papers (CFP) are available here: https://acesse.one/gpatyz9

See you at the conference!

07/10/2026

As part of The School for International Studies and Languages International Internship Pilot Program, McKenna Thomas, an incoming Junior studying Environmental Pre-Law, Political Science, and Social Justice, was awarded the opportunity to intern with Theophrastus Research Institute in Mytilene, Lesvos, Greece for 7 weeks this summer.

📷 She sent us this exciting update while traveling:

"I'm about halfway into my internship and it’s been a great learning, growing, and fun experience so far! I’ve been tasked with researching the environmental, social, and political effects of the refugee camp here on Lesvos island for my internship. I’ve been interviewing many of the camp’s current and former workers for this research and additionally have been in contact with workers of Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp. This has allowed me to compare the impacts and overall similarities and differences of the two camps on their surrounding area and community.

This is my first time to Greece and first time in Europe in general, so this opportunity means the absolute world to me. Its been so amazing being able to partake in a research project on a topic that I’m very passionate about in such a beautiful place with such a supportive team at TheoRI.”

💚🌎✈️🤍

07/05/2026

Meet Vannlalune Chhay, a Summer Research Scholar at Ohio University. CIS is currently hosting three students from Camtech University in Cambodia.

"Arriving at Ohio University was truly an exciting experience for me. As I walked around campus, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful and green everything was. I've also been touched by how kind and welcoming everyone has been. It's only been a week, but I already feel like this is going to be a memorable summer."

💚🌎🤍

06/24/2026

➡️ As part of the Summer Research Scholars Program, The Center for International Studies is hosting three students from CamTech University, who arrived at Ohio University last week 🎉

They are currently getting settled into life on campus, eating at the dining halls and living in the dorms. One of their first stops was Passion Works, where they met other students, faculty, and staff in the program.

Here is what Kim Haiy Sek, featured here, had to say about the experience so far:

"Coming to Ohio University from Cambodia has been an amazing journey. My first impression of OU was how beautiful and huge the campus is and how incredibly welcoming and kind everyone in the Athens community has been. I'm so excited to be here!"

💚🌎🤍

06/04/2026

📷 With the help of a generous gift to the School of International Studies and Languages (SISAL) from the President's Circle Fund last fall to expand global internships for OHIO students, we have Bobcats who are either currently in or traveling to Malaysia, Cambodia, Argentina, Greece, Northern Ireland, and Thailand this summer!

👏💚✈️🌎🤍👏

🎓 Pictured here is AJ Gacnik, a Music Education with Instrumental Emphasis major, who is currently working with Moradok Mai Theatre and Home School in Thailand, a nationally recognized arts organization that empowers youth through theatre, music, and dance while promoting cultural understanding and community engagement. AJ has been keeping us updated on his travels:

"After arriving at Moradok Mai, the next day we drove 14 hours south to Thung Song where we are currently staying for the next 2 weeks. After getting settled here we went to Hat Yai for 2 days for the Hat Yai Jazz Festival where we performed amongst many other international jazz ensembles which an amazing experience and my first time performing on a stage like that. While I knew Thailand to be a pretty country, I'm consistently blown away by all of the beautiful sights, sounds, and smells. The foliage is so vibrant and diverse in ways I've never seen, and the wildlife here is fascinating. Not only are the views great, but the people and food especially have been amazing. Moradok Mai has been a great host to me, and they have helped to make the transition incredibly smooth given the intense traveling we've been doing, and I am so grateful for their hospitality!"

To learn more about international internships, visit this link:

https://www.ohio.edu/cas/international-studies-languages/international-internships

Address

56 E Union Street
Athens, OH
45701

Telephone

+17405931840

Website

https://www.ohio.edu/global/cis/index.cfm

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