George Mason University: Global Public Relations in London

Now in its 17th year, this is an intensive, fast track immersion into professional communication. In just two weeks, students visit global leaders in public relations, public affairs and nonprofit and corporate communication. The schedule varies year to year but includes leading public relations agencies and in-house departments, corporate communication, international news media and nonprofits. Visits usually involve small group presentations on the hosts' strategic mission and tactics, case histories and questions and answers. Recent itineraries have included H+K Strategies, Edelman, Ketchum, Ogilvy, Facebook's Internet.Org, Wimbledon, The London Telegraph, the BBC, The U.S. Embassy, Northrop Grumman, Founders Factory, Socially Powerful, The Chartered Institute of Public Relations, and Selfridges, among others. Most students are communication/public relations majors although business/marketing and global affairs majors are welcome. Students selected for this program are highly motivated and academic achievers. This is a 3-credit course that requires specific readings in international communication to prepare for the program overall and for each site visit, written reports/blogs, and a final “exam” – a promotional “product” (article, slidestack, video, infographic, etc.). The schedule usually includes a morning and an afternoon visit. Several class sessions are also scheduled. Cultural visits -- a day trip to Oxford, Windsor Castle, the theater-- complement the academic focus.