From Tokyo to Seoul to Madrid: How SDSU students transform global experiences into a meaningful, career-shaping minor

The International Studies minor at San Diego State University is a unique academic program offered by the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. It is open to students of any major and enhances a semester abroad, providing a guided research experience that holds real academic and professional value.    

Compared to a traditional abroad experience, the International Studies minor (ISM) supports students in engaging intentionally through a structured sequence of courses. Students will develop a research proposal, collect data in another country, and create a capstone research project that reflects their academic interests and global experiences.  

“We wanted to make this into a program so that one, students get something substantial from the study abroad experience, and two, all students would know about this program and they know this is where they can apply and go abroad,” said Mei Zhong, director of the minor.

Since the program's launch in 2010, students from various majors at SDSU have taken on the minor to deepen their learning abroad and build valuable academic portfolios.  

The structure of the minor 

The ISM program requires a total of 18 units, which includes four core classes taken in sequence and two electives. The required courses that students start with introduce them to cultural frameworks and help them develop a research topic related to their major. After returning to campus from their global experience, students are eligible to begin the capstone course, where they analyze their findings and consolidate their research into a final paper or project. 

Zhong calls it an “extended study abroad experience” designed to give students the structure and support to make their time abroad academically meaningful.

“When they come back, they'll be sitting in the class in the capstone with other people who went to other parts of the world and did the same research project,” she said. “You have an audience that has the same identification with you.”

Current capstone student Sean Luschwitz came across the International Studies minor while trying to find a way to incorporate his plan to study abroad into his academic map. At that time, he was majoring in biochemistry and realized that few courses he wanted to take abroad would transfer back toward his degree. His global adviser recommended the minor as a solution, as it would allow him to earn credit for studying abroad.

 Luschwitz had been studying Japanese, so he decided to spend a semester in Tokyo. During his time there, he began the first half of his research, which involved a cross-cultural comparison of how Japanese and American college students understand recycling and conservation. He conducted interviews while abroad and continued to collect data after returning to SDSU.  

“It’s been very eye-opening… trying to perform my own research and get my own data and find people to participate in my study,” he said.

Alumna Edna Smith learned about the International Studies minor while searching for a way to study abroad, something she had dreamed of for years. Smith, who had been interested in South Korean culture, chose to study in Seoul through the ISEP Exchange program. Her capstone project explored a personal topic: the cross-cultural influence of K-pop fandoms in South Korea and the United States.

“My capstone focused on understanding the cross-cultural impact of K-pop and its fandoms, a comparison between the U.S and South Korea,” she said.

During her time abroad, she conducted interviews, interned at her host university, and led English conversation sessions. When returning to SDSU, she continued her research with American participants. 

Taking on the minor influenced her academic and professional growth. 

“My capstone project actually became a highlight in my job interview, and I truly believe it helped me stand out,” she said. Today, she works in human resources and credits the minor for helping her develop the interpersonal and cross-cultural skills central to her job.

Smith emphasized that studying abroad was the most meaningful part of the minor, especially as a first-generation student. 

“It gave me the chance to form friendships with people from all over the world,” she said. “I came back from that experience… with a deeper sense of global awareness, personal confidence, and understanding than I ever thought I could gain.”

A minor that supports your major 

Over the years, students in the international studies minor have enjoyed the freedom to be creative and explore a diverse array of capstone projects. These projects have explored a wide variety of topics, including cultural approaches to stress and coping in Spain and the United States, housing preferences in Mexico, fashion decision-making in France, and even illustrated storytelling.  

“Students bring all sorts of creative ideas… There are so many options for them to pursue something they’re passionate about and learn more,” Zhong said. 

Zhong said the minor offers flexibility for students to connect their research to their major or explore personal interests in a meaningful academic way.

“I want to make sure that they do something that's going to be helping them when they graduate,” Zhong said. 

Both Smith and Luschwitz encourage students to take advantage of the program if they are considering studying abroad.

“My biggest piece of advice would be to take the risk, put yourself out there,” Smith said. “If you’re considering it, go for it. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

As SDSU expands global learning opportunities, the International Studies minor remains one of the campus’s most versatile additions to a student's learning plan. An opportunity that encourages students to engage with the world and bring back meaningful experiences. 

To learn more about the minor, visit https://psfa.sdsu.edu/international/international-studies-minor.