Mertie W. Buckman International Internship Program
This competitive program was initiated in 1994 by a generous gift from the Buckman family to provide outstanding international studies majors at Rhodes opportunities to live and work overseas during the summer.
The program, coordinated by International Studies faculty, the Director of International Education, and the Director of Career Services, entails an eight-week internship and a supplementary travel stipend. Students earn two hours of credit at Rhodes. In the past, students have interned for organizations ranging from multinational corporations such as FedEx to international think tanks, local human right organizations, and schools in countries as varied as Morocco, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, and Argentina.
Applications are available every October in the International Studies Department and Career Services.
Buckman-Mollerup Global Leadership Awards
These scholarships, possible thanks to the generosity of the Buckman family, were created by the International Studies Department in 2017. They are merit-based, competitive awards for IS majors or bridge majors who plan to study abroad during a full semester or year. So far, recipients of the award have studied in India, Korea, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, and Italy.
Margaux Moze and Bella Harden Awarded Buckman-Mollerup Scholarships
Margaux Moze ’20 Explores the Economics of the International Wine Trade
Rhodes Washington Connection
This week-long experience, supported through the generosity of the Buckman family, gives international studies majors the chance to visit our nation’s capital and connect their classroom learning with real-world experiences. The trip, which usually takes place in May, facilitates networking with various professionals and Rhodes alumni. Students gain a better understanding of how to seek employment and internships in the DC area.
Activities include an evening networking reception with area alumni, a day shadowing an alumni mentor, visits to important think tanks, government (federal and congressional) offices, relevant businesses and NGOs, and attendance at talks/events around the city. During past trips, students have visited the Organization of American States, the State Department, the Department of Commerce, Pew Research Center, Woodrow Wilson Center, Institute for Defense Analyses, Keybridge Public Policy Economics firm, and US Senator Bob Corker’s office.
The program is led by the International Studies Department; Dr. Erin Hillis, Executive Director of Buckman Center for Global Engagement; and Sandi George Tracy, Director of Career Services. Contact the International Studies Department for information about applying.
Read more about the 2017 Washington Connection trip.
Read more about the 2019 Washington Connection trip.
Model United Nations
The Department offers an evening course involving a simulation of the General Assembly. Teams of students also attend Model UN conferences hosted off-campus. For three decades, Rhodes has hosted the Mid-South Model United Nations Conference for high school students.
Sigma Iota Rho (SIR)
SIR is an International Studies Honor Society that promotes and rewards excellence in undergraduate scholarship. Modus Vivendi is a peer-reviewed student journal of international studies published annually at Rhodes under the auspices of Sigma Iota Rho.
SoWat? (Society of World Affairs Today)
SoWat? is a student-run group that organizes lectures, roundtable discussions, film screenings, and other events covering global politics and current events. The club’s goals are to encourage academic discussion and debate, raise awareness of global issues, and promote student-faculty engagement in an informal setting.
In recent years, SoWat? has hosted a variety of creatively framed panels: “Is Le Pen Mightier than the Sword?” (Rightist politics in Europe); “Fishing for Trouble” (South China Sea); “A Walk in the Park of Impeachment” (South Korean politics); and “Shiver me Timbers, Somalian Pirates!" are a few examples. Panels have also covered such timely topics as the protests in Hong Kong, Brazil’s economic crisis, demographic change in Russia, peace negotiations in Colombia, and the conflict in Syria and refugee crisis.
SoWat? was created in Fall 2010 and originally known as the International Studies Club. The name change in 2011 was intended to encourage students from all disciplines – rather than International Studies majors exclusively – to attend the events.
Amnesty International at Rhodes
Amnesty International at Rhodes is a student-run group that advocates for human rights on a global scale and campaigns against their abuse. For more information about the group, please visit their Instagram page.
