A visiting semester program at Civitas University for students of international relations, security studies, diplomacy, and related fields.
Deepen your understanding of international security, diplomacy, conflict, and global affairs this semester or academic-year in Warsaw, one of Europe’s most geopolitically significant capitals. Located on NATO’s eastern flank and at the crossroads of the European Union and Eastern Europe, Warsaw offers a uniquely insightful setting for the study of international security, diplomacy, and regional affairs.
As a visiting student, you’ll select from a broad range of English-taught courses aligned with international relations, security studies, public diplomacy, and regional affairs. The program may be combined with optional pre-semester strategic language study and applied research opportunities.
Program Details
Academic Structure at Civitas University
Courses at Civitas University draw on Poland’s unique historical experience and contemporary role in European and transatlantic security. While providing local perspective, the courses are taught in English so as to be accessible to a broad international audience.
Select Academic Focus Areas
Students are free to mix courses across academic focus areas, with advising support to ensure coherence and credit transfer. Courses vary by semester.
Security, Conflict & Intelligence
- Hybrid Conflicts and Asymmetric Threats
- Intelligence Services in Contemporary International Relations
- International Security Studies: Research Seminar
- Climate and Energy Security
- Conflicts and International Disputes
Diplomacy, Law & Negotiation
- History of Diplomacy
- Diplomatic Protocol and Savoir Vivre
- Negotiations and Mediations in International Contexts
- International Public Law
- International Organizations
Media, Information & Public Diplomacy
- Media and Public Diplomacy
- Global Media: Politics of Conflict
- Risk and Crisis Communication
- Cybersecurity
- Social Media Platforms and Algorithms
Regional & Global Affairs
- The European Union in Contemporary International Relations
- The Post-Soviet Space
- Migration and Asylum Policy
- Global Powers and Challenges of the 21st Century
Semester Timing & Academic Calendar
Civitas University follows a European academic calendar:
- Fall (Winter) Semester: October–February
- Spring (Summer) Semester: March–June
Fall Semester & U.S. Calendar Alignment
Students enrolled in the fall semester typically return home prior to the winter holiday break (Christmas) to resume classes at their U.S. institution in January. Civitas University is experienced in accommodating visiting students during this period through:
- Hybrid instruction
- Online participation
- Remote assessments and exams
Students complete the final portion of the semester remotely, allowing them to remain enrolled full-time at their home institution in the spring.
The spring/summer semester aligns more easily with the U.S. academic calendar and typically concludes by the end of June.
Strategic Language Study (Optional)
Intensive Pre-Semester Language Program (Credit)
Students seeking substantive language acquisition may arrive four weeks prior to the Civitas semester to participate in an intensive, in-country language program.
- Languages offered: Polish Russian Ukrainian
- Format:4-week intensive immersion
- Credit: 4 U.S. semester credit
Language During the Civitas Semester
Civitas offers a limited amount of Polish language instruction during the semester.
Research Internship Option: Terrorism Research Center
Qualified students may apply to complete a research internship with the Terrorism Research Center (TRC) in Warsaw.
- Emphasis on applied research and analysis
- Mentorship from subject-matter experts
- Research conducted alongside academic coursework
- Projects may be considered for publication
This option is selective and best suited for students with prior academic preparation in security studies, international relations, or related fields.
Travel and Cultural Program
Our semester program integrates you with a local student “buddy” and with the activities of the very active student body at Civitas University. Regular excursions, trips, and other activities are planned throughout the year and you can choose to join those of interest, or take advantage of your time in Central Europe to visit the many countries within short travel time of Warsaw.
Partner University & Schools
Civitas University was founded in Warsaw, Poland, in 1997 under the auspices of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Founded at a time when Poland was still working to rebuild itself after the Communist era, Civitas University was intended to be a new, forward-looking, modern institution to help create the next generation of Polish leaders. Close ties are kept with the academy today, as well as with a range of respected international partners, and many current and former diplomats and politicians lecture regularly at Civitas. Housed in Warsaw’s historic Stalinist skyscraper, Civitas University is focused on modern issues of global importance such as security, demographics, social welfare, information security, and new media. The university is active in supporting democratic institutions and nurturing multicultural societies.
SRAS also partners with Slowianka Language School (Polish, Russian, Ukrainian) and Edu&More (Polish only). Both are within easy walking distance of Civitas.
Transcripts and Credit Transfer
(Important information for students and advisors)
Civitas University Transcript
Students not seeking U.S. credit for language study will receive their official transcript directly from Civitas University, listing the courses completed and ECTS credits earned.
U.S. School of Record: Stetson University
Students who:
- Seek U.S. credit for the intensive language module in addition to their other courses, or
- Require a U.S. School of Recordfor any reason
will receive their transcript from Stetson University (DeLand, Florida).
In this case:
- Civitas courses (typically 3 or 5 ECTS each) are grouped and transcribed as U.S. semester-credit units
- Courses are recorded in 2- or 4-credit blocks, depending on total ECTS and instructional hours
This credit conversion and transcription process is handled administratively. Students enroll in courses as normal and receive advising support; academic advisors are welcome to contact SRAS for detailed credit-mapping guidance.
For more on transcripts, credit transfer, and other academic issues, click here.
If you study during the academic year, you are responsible for your own housing. Civitas University provides some guidance with this process and we encourage you to discuss with us possible options.
Warsaw, Poland is an exceptional vantage point from which to study the complex political, security, and societal challenges shaping Europe and the wider world. Poland has been partitioned and dominated by foreign powers multiple times, and it suffered some of the worst atrocities of the Second World War and the Holocaust. This historical experience has left Poland highly conscious of its national security and regional position. Following the fall of communism, Poland moved quickly to join both the European Union and NATO, and has since played an increasingly active role in regional and transatlantic security initiatives.
Poland has strengthened ties with neighboring states, particularly Ukraine and the Baltic countries, and is an active participant in the Three Seas Initiative, the Bucharest Nine (focused on NATO’s eastern flank), and the historically important Visegrád Group. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Poland has been one of Kyiv’s most dedicated supporters, welcoming hundreds of thousands of refugees and serving as a critical hub for diplomatic, humanitarian, and security cooperation.
Today, Warsaw is a dynamic, multi-Slavic city where Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, and Belarusian are commonly heard on the streets. The city combines a vibrant student culture—with cafés, nightlife, and green spaces—with easy access to archives, policy institutions, and international organizations. Centrally located and well connected to its European Union neighbors, Warsaw also serves as an excellent base for further academic exploration of Europe.
Budget
Budget Breakdown (No Language)
Budget Breakdown (With Language)
SRAS Guide to Living in Yerevan (w/ weekly living expenses, etc.)
Scholarships and Grants:
- Federal aid can help pay for your program if your university pre-approves credit transfer and agrees to manage payment. Check with SRAS and your university for details.
- All Scholarships and Grants that we know of that can be applied to our programs are listed on our site.
- SRAS Program Grants are stackable!
- SRAS Ambassadors can write while abroad or educate students at home after their return – and earn stipends!
- SRAS Online Research Internships award partial scholarships for study abroad.
- Complete our application (press the “Apply Now” button to create your SRAS account — you will be able to return to the application later).
- Alert your home university (if you are currently a student).
Some universities have deadlines for study abroad that are much earlier than SRAS deadlines -— so involve your home university’s study abroad office in the process as early as possible! They can help ensure that all goes smoothly with credit transfer and financial aid, and perhaps point you to additional funding sources. - See our Planning Guide for more important information about academics, health and safety, and more.
If you are still unsure this is the right program for you, please join an SRAS Info Session or schedule an SRAS advising session to discuss how we can help fulfill your goals and needs!