Internships and Off Campus Learning in History, Political Science, Languages & Cultures

Opportunities in History and Political Science

Take Advantage of Our Location

There are numerous internship opportunities available to students majoring in History, Political Science, and Global Studies. All of the department’s students benefit from the University’s proximity to the state capital and the Ohio History Connection. Global Studies majors have access to an expanding range of internships thanks to the growth of the Columbus metropolitan area and its international business connections. Internships are an ideal way of getting “real world” experience to get a head start on your career!

In recent years, students in our department have interned with:

  • The Ohio House of Representatives
  • The Ohio Senate
  • Members of the Ohio delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives
  • The Office of the President of the United States
  • Local historical societies
  • The Ohio History Connection
  • Columbus area law firms
  • The Columbus Public Library system
  • Campaign offices of candidates for state and national political offices

The Washington Semester Program

Otterbein University is a member of the Washington Semester Program, an exciting opportunity at American University in Washington, D.C. that offers 13 different programs for full credit. Students live in Washinton, D.C. for a semester while taking part in this once-in-a-life-time opportunity. Three days per week are spent on activities that include field trips, reading assignments, discussions, debates, class presentations, and over 50 lectures by guest speakers. The other two days are spent performing an internship in an area of your choosing. You might find yourself interning for a senator, the Department of Justice, or a major media outlet.

Opportunities in Languages & Cultures

Study Abroad

We encourage our students to experience the languages and cultures they are studying first-hand by participating in a study abroad program. We offer opportunities for both short-term travel courses, such as Art History Travel to Spain, and for full-semesters abroad. Our students have travelled to Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Spain, and more!

Learn more about study abroad opportunities >

Service Opportunities

The department mentors students in acquiring knowledge and developing skills beyond the classroom. We encourage our students to engage in a variety of extracurricular activities within the department, the university, and the larger academic/non-academic community.

  • Serve as a work-study tutor in languages in our department
  • Serve in our local chapter of Phi Sigma Iota
  • Volunteer for community activities related to local international cultures/communities

We are also working on several initiatives with local organizations in the Central Ohio area to provide further opportunities for our students.

Post-Study Opportunities

Our graduates have participated in a variety of service-learning and post-study experiences abroad! A few of them include:

  • Peace Corps
  • The Fulbright U.S. Student Program
  • The French Assistant Program