Activities in the Department of International Relations extend beyond the classroom, ranging from student associations to study abroad.
World Affairs Club
The World Affairs Club (WAC) is a dynamic student organization that incorporates extra-curricular activities with the classroom study of international relations. Comprised of IR majors, minors, and Lehigh students with an interest in international studies, WAC strives to stimulate and educate through guest lecturers and professor discussions. This allows students the opportunity to enhance their understanding of current issues, as well as their abilities to reason through pressing concerns.
The WAC believes in providing students with access to individuals already accomplished in the field of international relations, which proves vital in finding direction for research, careers, and more. Along with its academic nature, the WAC creates a sense of community with entertaining activities such as RISK Night.
The WAC sponsors a number of activities each year, including the Model United Nations at Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania and the Model European Union in Washington, D.C.
If you are interested in WAC or have any further questions, please contact Celia Frahn, crf226@lehigh.edu
John C. Evans Fellowships for Summer housing support
John C. Evans Fellowships provide Summer housing support to IR, IR/MLL, and IR/Eco majors conducting unpaid internships with an international focus—either located abroad, or domestically with an international focus, such as international business, journalism, law, foreign policy, IGO, NGO, or advocacy work.
The awards are not competitive; the awarded compensation will depend on the availability of funds.
Eligibility:
--1. You take your internship in your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th undergraduate year.
--2. You have not previously received an Evans Fellowship.
--3. You will carry out an unpaid or your compensation is insufficient to cover housing costs.
--4. The internship does not provide housing support.
--5. The internship requires on-site work at locations outside of Bethlehem
Apply to the IR department chair with the following:
--Offer letter stating location and international focus of internship, duration, and the fact that it is unpaid.
--If not mentioned in the offer letter, your personal statement detailing any available compensation and housing costs,
--Your personal statement that you have accepted the offer and will carry out the internship.
The award will be issued upon the commencement of your internship.
Lieberman Student Research Award
*restricted to IR Majors and Minors
This program has several options to support student research:
Presentation option – Direct research funding to support approved student participation in a conference, workshop or program where students present original International Relations research. The Lieberman Student Research Award will reimburse a portion of or all of the student’s expenses for this purpose.
Thesis option – Graduation award of up to $2,000 for approved students who successfully complete a senior thesis.
Junior Semester Abroad option – to support travel and research expenses for approved students doing a junior semester abroad, if they conduct original research and write a research paper during that time). The student needs to enlist a professor in the department to supervise the research.
In each case, the student needs to apply to the department in advance to determine eligibility. The awards are competitive and only a few will be awarded in any given year.
- Applications for option 1 will be evaluated on a rolling basis.
- Applications for options 2 & 3 should be submitted at the start of the semester but will be received on a rolling basis.
- Applicants must submit a 1-page summary of the proposed project, a transcript, and a letter of support from the IR professor supervising the project.
- Applications should be submitted to Edann Brady, IR Department Coordinator (emb703@lehigh.edu).
Additional Opportunities
Additional opportunities to study International Relations are administered through Lehigh's Office of International Education, the Global Union, and Area Studies programs.
Global Union
Study abroad
Asian Studies Program
Russian Studies Program
