George Mason University: Migration and the Refugee Crisis in Europe Internship

This distinctive semester equips students with a unique lens to closely examine topics such as the emergence of nationalist movements and political parties which aim to challenge the vision of a united Europe. Should Europe remain a borderless Union, or rather, should new veiled borders be erected to keep out foreigners who do not share the continent’s religious and racial identities? How can Europe maintain its democratic and pluralistic ethos given these challenges? Themes such as the politics of national identity, role of minorities, migrant absorption policies, border security, racism and xenophobia, opposition to the integration of refugees, cultural preservation and international cooperation are explored. Further, existing tensions between sovereignty and local nationalism on the one hand, and transnationalism on the other, as well as the growing controversy over the future viability of the European Union form the intellectual foundations of this academic program.