Dean Rusk International Studies Program
The Dean Rusk International Studies Program embodies Davidson's belief that knowledge of other cultures and of the social, economic, political, and scientific forces that shape our world are integral to a liberal arts education.
Serving as the organizing mechanism for expanding internationalism across the Davidson experience, we encourage students to pursue an international curriculum through the many opportunities that are available with the Dean Rusk International Studies Program. Summer and winter grants, lectures, music and dance performances, and art exhibits are just some of the many ways you can internationalize your education at Davidson.
After my time in Guatemala and Mexico, I feel that I have grown and matured. I’ve learned what it means to truly push myself out of my comfort zone and expand my strengths.
While in Jordan, the things I was learning were not just important in the classroom but in my everyday life. I didn’t just travel, I really lived in a new place. For the first time in my life, I felt truly independent.
While the journey was filled with moments of joy and connection, it was also punctuated by challenges and moments of personal growth. From grappling with homesickness to navigating cultural differences, each obstacle became an opportunity for learning and self-discovery. I learned to embrace discomfort, to lean into uncertainty, and to find strength in vulnerability.
About Dean Rusk
The International Studies Program is named in honor of Class of 1931 Davidson graduate Dean Rusk. Rusk graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was named Davidson's sixth Rhodes Scholar. Into his retirement, he remained active with Davidson College, serving as a trustee and honorary chairman of the Davidson 1987 Program.