An Anniversary Message

In 2008 and 2009, The Ohio State University is celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Undergraduate International Studies Program (UISP).  We take great pride in proclaiming that, with the founding of UISP on May 31, 1943, we were in the national vanguard for undergraduate education.  UISP offered its first courses during Fall 1943.  From that rather modest beginning, this program is now home to one of the largest, most highly regarded majors at the university.

Hallmarks of UISP include:

• • Its scope and flexibility in offering four thematic specializations and six area studies specializations.
• • Its interdisciplinarity, in drawing dynamically from course offerings in departments across the university.
• • Its commitment to helping students to see and understand themselves, their relationships, and their work in global terms as citizens of the world.
• • Its underscoring of the importance of cultural knowledge and language expertise.

These core strengths alone speak to exemplary achievements and excellent prospects as we continue to prepare students to be 21st century leaders across all sectors of life and living.  Moreover, when we couple these basic strengths with a sparkling array of other opportunities within a comprehensive, world-class research university, we also offer evidence of  the quality of this truly distinctive undergraduate experience.  Indeed, UISP has 65 glorious years of success and counting!