In sharing Notre Dame’s successes in international programming, it’s fitting to note that our own College was founded through international outreach over a century ago, when the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) traveled from Germany to Baltimore to open a school for the education of young women. 

Today our world has become a much smaller place, but Notre Dame’s commitment to developing international knowledge, intercultural competence, and values that promote positive global relationships continues to unfold. 

With the opening of the Feeley International Center on campus in September 2001, a number of initiatives have gained focus and momentum, including:

• The English Language Institute
• Language Learning Center
• Office of International Programs
• Office of Service Initiatives

Our Department of Classical and Modern Foreign Languages also plays a leading role in international education at Notre Dame, with majors and minors in Classical Studies, Spanish, French, and Modern Foreign Languages (a dual language major).

And, to give our students a richer, first-hand experience of other cultures, the College’s Office of International Programs actively sponsors 31 semester-long and 16 short-term study abroad programs in 21 countries.