Warsaw: Security & Diplomacy–CEE Perspectives

Academic Structure at Civitas University

At Civitas University, you’ll take English-taught courses in international relations, security studies, diplomacy, and related fields. Poland’s history and its current role in European and transatlantic affairs provide context for studying these subjects in Warsaw.

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.

Partner University & Schools

Civitas University was founded (as Collegium Civitas) 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 Edu&More (Polish, Warsaw), Liden & Denz (Russian, Riga), and Slowianka Language School (Ukrainian).

Each track begins with four weeks of intensive language study for 4 U.S. semester credits, followed by the Security & Diplomacy semester at Civitas University in Warsaw.

Russian in Riga → Semester in Warsaw

Begin in Riga, Latvia, with intensive Russian language study. Riga’s multilingual environment offers opportunities to use Russian while observing how language, identity, and public life intersect in a Baltic country. You will then move to Warsaw for English-taught coursework in security, diplomacy, and regional affairs. This sequence brings experience from two distinct settings into the same semester of study.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of Russian or equivalent.
Optional: Extend for up to 2 additional weeks in Riga (spring term only)

Polish in Warsaw → Semester in Warsaw

Begin with intensive Polish in Warsaw, then continue at Civitas University without changing cities. The language intensive helps you navigate daily life and engage more directly with the society in which you will study security and diplomacy.
Prerequisite: None.

Other Language or Semester Arrangements

Students interested in Ukrainian language study should contact SRAS to discuss an individual arrangement. The appropriate format depends on prior Ukrainian study and experience with other Slavic languages. Students seeking the Civitas semester without a pre-semester language intensive may also inquire about availability.

Qualified students may apply for a research internship with the Terrorism Research Center (TRC) in Warsaw. Working with a mentor, interns develop and complete a research project alongside their Civitas coursework. Depending on the project and its results, the work may be considered for publication.

This is a selective option best suited to students with prior preparation in security studies, international relations, or a related field.

U.S. School of Record: Stetson University

Students in both the Polish–Warsaw and Russian–Riga pathways receive a single transcript from Stetson University (DeLand, Florida) documenting their pre-semester language credit and Civitas University coursework.

The four-week language intensive carries 4 U.S. semester credits. Civitas courses are taught and assessed under its academic system, then converted for the Stetson transcript. SRAS advises students and their home institutions on course selection and credit mapping before enrollment.

Students should seek approval from their home institution for the courses and credit they intend to transfer. Academic advisors are welcome to contact SRAS for syllabi and detailed credit information. For more on transcripts and credit transfer, see SRAS’s academic credit guide.

Russian in Riga: Housing is included during the four-week language intensive in Riga. Students arrange their own housing for the subsequent semester in Warsaw.

Polish in Warsaw: Students arrange their own housing for both the language intensive and the Civitas semester.

Civitas University provides guidance on finding housing in Warsaw, and SRAS can discuss possible options with students as they plan their stay.

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.

• Living in Warsaw
• Polish Food
• Polish History
• Polish Language
• Polish Holidays
• Conversation with Dr. Katarzyna Maniszewska: Security Studies in Poland
• SRAS Debrief with Student Kat Lytkowski

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.

Budget

Budget Breakdown (with Polish)
Budget Breakdown (with Russian)

SRAS Guide to Living in Warsaw (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!

1. Complete our application (press the “Apply Now” button to create your SRAS account — you will be able to return to the application later).
2. 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.
3. 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!