North Park University: Christian - Urban

Why Study Global Studies?

Broaden your worldview and experience intercultural learning by increasing your knowledge and perspective of global issues, speaking a new language, and traveling abroad to work or study—all of which will prepare you to keep pace with our global economy. Career paths include working abroad in the expanding international fields of business, diplomacy, activism, and missions, or graduate study in international relations and cultural studies.

Why North Park?

Immerse yourself in different cultures through our interdisciplinary program, which allows you to customize your major to get the international experience you want. At North Park, you will select two areas to focus on in the world, choose a foreign language to learn, and study abroad in the country of your choice. Our urban location and partnerships provide numerous internship and volunteer opportunities to enhance your international experience.

Goals In a Global Studies Major

Global studies majors often desire to work in international development with a secular or faith-based non-governmental organization; take the foreign service exam to land a job with the U.S. State Department; or pursue graduate study in international relations and cultural studies.

Chicago: An International City

North Park’s location in a global city and our strong partnerships with international consulates and nonprofits in Chicago allow you to connect with individuals from all over the world to further your cultural understanding and gain experience through internship and volunteer opportunities.

Alumni Profile

A typical day in Karen Kelly’s life might involve speaking up to four languages: English, French, Spanish, and Catalan—the official language of Andorra, where the 2012 graduate teaches on a Fulbright scholarship.

Read more about Karen’s experience.

Meet the Faculty

Linda Parkyn teaches Intro to Global Studies, where she brings a desire to introduce the global world and to create a learning environment that challenges students to learn from scholars around the globe through a study abroad experience.

Learn more about Dr. Parkyn and other faculty for the global studies major.

Study Abroad

A required element of the global studies major, you will gain true understanding of another country by immersing yourself in its culture and language. Our well-developed study abroad and exchange programs allow you to spend a semester or more in most any country you want to go.

Learn more about study abroad at North Park.

Language Minor Requirement

Language proficiency will increase your cultural understanding and ability to communicate in any part of the world. We offer opportunities to study many languages, including Arabic, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish.

Explore your language options.

Next Steps

Program Requirements