Pursuing a career in international aid can be a great move—it allows you to make a massive difference in the world, and that’s what everyone dreams of, right? But a career in international aid is also incredibly challenging when your days are spent responding to conflict, humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and feeling the pressure of bettering the communities you work in. If you want to go down that path, it’s important to dedicate time to acquiring the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to do the job well.
Working in humanitarian aid won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it!
The beauty of working in international aid is that there are endless possibilities when it comes to the type of work you could do. Whether that looks like building homes, working in community development, collaborating with international officials, planning and implementing relief projects, providing welfare support, or taking an administrative approach, you have options.
While there are specific majors for humanitarian work, there are also many other degree programs that can equip you with the knowledge and skills you need, depending on what route you want to take in international aid. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about launching your humanitarian career and what to study to become an international aid worker.
Is there such a thing as a humanitarian studies major?
Wondering what to study to become a humanitarian? Well, there are certainly Humanitarian Studies degrees out there. From Fordham University in New York, USA, to Western Sydney University in Sydney, Australia, you are bound to find programs around the world that offer humanitarian studies majors.
These degree programs will give you access to courses specifically designed to teach you about the delivery of humanitarian responses. Most humanitarian majors will be taught by international aid experts and will graduate with practical skills needed on the front line after participating in work placements and internships throughout their studies.
Whether it’s policy making or field work, being humanitarian has a wide range of specialties.
However, this is not the only option for working in international aid. It is best to consider your career path in more detail—where do you want to work, how do you want to make a difference, and what are you most interested in?
To launch a successful career as a humanitarian, you’ll need an undergrad degree, language skills for the country you want to work in, excellent communication skills, and the ability to adapt and problem solve. You do not need to limit yourself to humanitarian studies majors, as there are many majors for humanitarian work that can provide you with both general skills for international aid, as well as technical roles. Combine that with real-world experience, and you’re set.
What to study if you want to be a humanitarian
What to study to become an international aid worker depends entirely on the impact you want to make as a humanitarian. From humanitarian studies majors to other specialized degrees, there are diverse options to suit every type of international aid. Here’s what to major in to become a humanitarian who loves their career path.
1. Humanitarian Studies and Human Rights
Getting your degree in human rights advocacy is great first step to a career in international aid.
Of course, at the top of the list of international aid worker majors, you have your programs in humanitarian studies and human rights. These degree programs are extremely specific for those wanting to work in humanitarian aid. Courses will teach you all about human rights, international communications, disease, poverty, conflict abroad, crime and justice, and world politics. With a degree in humanitarian studies, you’ll begin your career with a well-rounded education and all the skills you need to make it in the world of international aid.
Check out these programs:
- Bachelor of Humanitarian Studies at Fordham University
- Bachelor of Humanitarian and Development Studies at Western Sydney University
2. Humanities
International aid majors in humanities learn how to better understand and relate to people, which is an essential skill for humanitarian work. Degree programs in humanities offer a wide range of courses and a well-rounded education, allowing you to gain skills and knowledge in communication, reasoning, languages, human history, and culture. With a degree in humanities, you can provide humanitarian work in the form of teaching, counseling, human resources, or social work.
Check out these programs:
- IES Abroad Amsterdam - Social Sciences and Humanities
- Bachelor of Humanities at University of Queensland
3. Social Work
Social work is a tough field, but delivers a ton of the skills you’ll need as an international aid worker.
A Bachelor of Social Work is one of the most useful degrees for international aid workers. The degree programs offer a broad curriculum on various social issues, creating a foundation for international aid. You’ll learn how to make the world a better place—by advocating for women’s and children’s rights, studying human behavior, and learning about how to work with low-income and marginalized communities. You’ll gain practical skills through case studies and experiential assignments so that you can contribute to social services, community health, and criminal justice as a humanitarian abroad.
Check out these programs:
- Bachelor of Social Work at Curtin University
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare at University of California - Berkeley
4. Political Science
Humanitarian work is greatly needed in law and science. With a degree in political science, you’ll learn about political ideologies, global politics, humanities, cultural diversity, and environmental politics. With critical knowledge and research skills, you’ll be equipped to work in globalized political institutions and understand the inner workings of government bodies, which can be extremely beneficial when working in international aid.
Check out these programs:
- IES Abroad Santiago – Politics, Social Justice & Language
- Bachelor of Political Science at Australian National University
5. Economics
Though not always glamorous, studying economics is one of the most essential skills for humanitarians.
Studying economics is about more than just money. It is about learning economic theory, offering insight into how goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed across various economic platforms. With a degree in economics, you can make it as a humanitarian by helping organizations to become sustainable and reduce their costs. While not usually the go-to degree for future humanitarians, it is one of the best majors for humanitarian work.
Check out these programs:
6. International Relations
If you want to do humanitarian work abroad, you can’t go wrong studying international relations. A degree in international relations will teach you skills and knowledge in communication, critical thinking, managing nonprofits, global health, sustainable international development, and international security. You’ll have endless options in humanitarian work, whether you want to be working in education, public service, or government bodies.
Check out these programs:
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4 study abroad programs for humanitarian majors
Studying abroad in a related field will give you a good idea of whether it’s the right career for you.
Now that you know what to study if you want to be a humanitarian, it’s time to pick your program to study abroad. The options are endless, but here are some of the best study abroad programs out there for humanitarian majors and future international aid workers.
1. Barcelona SAE: International Business & Humanities Semester at UAB
- Barcelona SAE takes you to Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), one of the most dynamic universities in Spain, for a semester of International Business and Humanities studies. You can take courses in both English and Spanish to help improve your language skills, gain credits toward your degree, and knowledge in business and humanities, all while studying at a historic UNESCO World Heritage campus.
- Where? Barcelona, Spain
- Read Barcelona SAE reviews
2. IFSA, Institute for Study Abroad: Contemporary India, Pune
- The Institute for Study Abroad, or IFSA, offers a 15-credit semester in Pune, India, where you’ll have the opportunity to study the unique issues facing contemporary India. With courses ranging from social justice to economics, and politics to Indian culture, you’ll gain knowledge that is crucial to humanitarian work in India. In addition to your studies, you’ll be able to live with a host family and gain field-based work experience to help you understand the Indian culture on a deeper level and jumpstart a career in international aid in a country with great need.
- Where? Pune, India
- Read IFSA reviews
3. Boston University: Geneva and London: International Conflict Resolution
- Study abroad with Boston University and travel to Europe for a program in International Conflict Resolution. The first half of this program takes students to Geneva, where they will learn about contemporary conflicts and dive deep into human rights, religion, foreign intervention, intercultural communication, and conflict resolution. The next stop brings students to London to focus on conflict resolution case studies. This program combines travel, in-class learning, and casework for a well-rounded and diverse study experience.
- Where? Geneva, Switzerland and London, UK
- Read Boston University Study Abroad reviews
4. SIT Study Abroad: Nepal: Tibetan and Himalayan People
- Travel to Kathmandu to study politics and religion in the Tibetan and Himalayan regions, learning how to better understand the contemporary issues faced by those exiled communities. Through SIT Study Abroad, you’ll have the chance to dive into fieldwork that will help you explore issues related to religion, cultural change, preservation, exile, and migration of the Himalayan people. If you want to travel to the Himalayan region as an international aid worker, this program could be your foot in the door.
- Where? Kathmandu, Nepal
- Read SIT Study Abroad reviews
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Launch your career with humanitarian studies!
The right major will have a big influence on your career.
Humanitarian studies majors are not your only ticket to a career in international aid. Life as a humanitarian looks different for everyone and highly depends on your skills, interests, and passions.
Whether you choose to earn your degree in humanitarian studies, social work, politics, economics, or something else entirely, there are many paths that can lead you to the career of your dreams. Once you decide what your humanitarian career looks like, all you have to do is dive into a program that is the perfect fit for you!
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