Among others regions, students may specialize in Latin America and the Caribbean Basin, Sub-Saharan Africa, or Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The major also strongly encourages students to travel. We want students to be in close contact with the development as it happens in the field. Because the major is relatively small, it allows for greater interaction between students and faculty. Because of the shared commitment and vision, the students develop very close relationship and a real community.
Students often return from studying abroad and present their research to fellow students.
For example, Alessandra Ribeiro carried out field work in Brazil. She presented her research on the role of Afro-Brazilian religious rituals. After completing the major, students work in government positions, for international aid agencies, or apply their skills in Los Angeles public policy. Other students who graduate in the international development studies major often refine their academic pursuits at the graduate level and continue to teach. In 1990, administrators created a proposal for a masters program in international development studies.