Join us May 31, 2025 to June 28, 2025
Based at the European Parliament in France, the Intercultural Leadership Program brings together bright students from around the world for a focused exploration of leadership across cultures. Learn from the world's leading experts and practitioners, and broaden your horizons in this five-week study-abroad.
The Intercultural Leadership Program brings together students and scholars, as well as diplomats, policy-specialists, military officers, elected officials, business executives, and non-profit leaders. Students and faculty from around the world converge in Strasbourg, seat of the European Parliament and home to a dozen international institutions, to learn about leadership in a globalized world.
Join Us for a Virtual Information Session
Join us for a virtual information session to learn more about the Intercultural Leadership Program in France.
Program Goals
We believe in the transformative power of good leadership. From main street and our hometowns to parliaments and the halls of power, the challenges of the next generation will require ethical leaders--leaders who understand the interconnectedness of our globalized world and who can take an intercultural perspective. Learn and practice the skills of effective intercultural leadership:
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Stakeholder analysis
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Managing social capital
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Strategic thinking and planning
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Negotiation and dispute resolution
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Peace-building and social responsibility
Why Intercultural Leadership?
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Networking with internationally recognized leaders, executives, elected officials
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Practical, action-based learning in a diverse environment
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Exclusive access to distinguished international leaders at the European Parliament, European Court of Human Rights, U.S. Consulate General, and others
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Dynamic and interactive opportunities to practice your leadership
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Holistic approach to leadership development
Who Should Apply?
The Intercultural Leadership in France Program is suitable for all majors. We welcome any Georgia College undergraduate student to apply for admission. No particular background or experience is required, and we invite students from any major or professional path. Our courses are designed to be accessible for students from across the disciplines, freshman through senior.
Eligibility
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Completed at least one year of coursework
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Minimum GPA of 2.8
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Currently enrolled at Georgia College
We encourage students from all majors to apply.
Get the Details
A quick Summary
| Cost |
$5,990 |
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| Credit Hours | 6-7 credit hours | |
| Time Commitment | 4-5 weeks | |
| Class Size | 24 students | |
| Faculty-Student Ratio | 1:6 |
Courses and Immersive Learning
The Intercultural Leadership Program blends expert classroom instruction with action-based immersive learning opportunities. Whether a seminar in the château library with a parliamentarian or a briefing at the Eurocorps HQ by the commanding officer, our program allows participants to study leadership from those who know it best.
Global Leadership
This thought-provoking course takes students on a journey as they explore leadership philosophies and styles. Students will learn how to effectively interact in culturally appropriate and sustainable ways. Through readings, research, dialogue, critical analysis, and interactive learning, students will discover how to be global leaders in a complex world.
Intercultural Communication
This course introduces students to key concepts and theories surrounding international and intercultural communication. In our interdependent world, intercultural communication is an asset to students of all majors as they require the knowledge, skills, insights, and sensitivities to be upstanding citizens and successful leaders.
Immersive-Learning Opportunities
Behind-the-scenes visits with leaders at international political institutions, including:
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European Parliament.
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U.S. Consulate General.
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Council of Europe.
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Euro-Institut.
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Eurocorps Headquarters.
Meetings and delegation visits with leading social innovators, including:
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ARTE.
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Artenréel.
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Schwarzwald Innovation Lab.
Visits to regional historic and cultural sites, including:
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Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle.
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Struthof Concentration Camp.
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Lieu d'Europe.
A daylong visit to Heidelberg (Germany), including visits to:
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Philosophers' Walk.
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Heidelberg Castle.
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Heidelberg University.
Accommodations
For the duration of our program, your home will be the beautiful Château de Pourtalès. Across its long and storied history, the château has hosted numerous kings and queens, including Emperor Napoléon III and Empress Eugénie, and leading thinkers, from Franz Liszt to Albert Schweitzer. And today, situated just two miles from the European Parliament, the château houses many members of the European Parliament and the leaders of tomorrow through the Intercultural Leadership Program.
A graceful manor house on the outskirts of Strasbourg, the château sits just a ten minute walk from the River Rhine and is surrounded by a 75-acre park and nature preserve.
Accommodations: Additional Details
- Dormitory-style rooms in historic Château de Pourtalès. Single and double accommodation options available.
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Daily buffet-style French breakfast featuring local and regional flavors.
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Shared student living quarters, including sitting room, fully equipped kitchen, lounge and computer lab, library, and laundry room.
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Wireless internet and free international telephone.
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Complimentary bicycle rental (deposit required).
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Through the generosity of our donors and partnership with the CEPA Foundation, we award some $40K in scholarships to ensure that the Intercultural Leadership Program remains accessible to our students.
Costs: A Breakdown
Included in the Program Fee
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Tuition and applicable fees for two courses (6 or 7 credit hours)
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Lodging at the Château de Pourtalès
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Daily breakfast
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Admission for all immersive learning opportunities, including tickets, transportation, and English-speaking guides
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Group transportation for all program activities
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CTS public transportation pass, including local bus and light rail, for duration of program
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Group pickup and transfer from Frankfurt Airport on arrival day
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Select dinners, receptions, and cultural experiences
On-the-Ground Support
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Dedicated program coordinator and accessible and friendly on-site program staff
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24/7 emergency service and support
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Designated pre- and post-departure point-of-contact
Not Included
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Passport Fees. Scholarship available to pay fees for first-time passport applicants.
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Airfare. Roundtrip airfare between the U.S. and Frankfurt am Main.
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Personal Travel. Weekend excursion costs can be shared with classmates.
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Daily Expenses. Including food.
Faculty and Instructional Staff
Program Staff
Profile
Eliana Rafael serves as Strasbourg program manager for CEPA, Georgia College’s partner organization in France. In her role, Ms. Rafael organizes educational programs for CEPA and is also responsible for the students at the European Study Center at the Château de Pourtalès. She studied law at the Université de Strasbourg. Born in Portugal and raised in Haute-Savoie and Alsace, Ms. Rafael is fluent in Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Spanish, and English and also has basic knowledge in German and Italian.
Faculty
Harold Mock
Profile
Dr. Harold Mock directs the Office of Leadership Programs and teaches courses on principles of leadership. A specialist in international affairs and transatlantic relations, he is currently writing a book entitled Dangerous Power: An International History of German Unification, 1969-1993. Dr. Mock's research and teaching interests include civil-military relations, particularly related to nuclear strategy and defense planning in western Europe. He holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Virginia, where he previously served as Bradley Research Fellow. Additionally, Dr. Mock holds a master's degree in history from Virginia and bachelor's degrees in political science and history from Georgia College. He is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Royal Institute of International Affairs.
Research
- Western European security
- Civil-military relations
- Transatlantic relations
- European integration
- German foreign policy
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mock, please contact Tammie Burke, office coordinator, at (478) 445-1227 or tammie.burke@gcsu.edu.
Harald Leibrecht
Profile
Harald Leibrecht is president of the CEPA Foundation. He is previously Coordinator for Transatlantic Cooperation for the Federal Republic of Germany, appointed in 2011 by Chancellor Angela Merkel. He served as a member of the German Federal Parliament for twelve years, retiring from political life in 2013.
As a member of parliament, Mr. Leibrecht served as a member of the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Economic Cooperation and Development. He served as Deputy Chairman for the Sub-Committee on International Cultural and Educational Affairs. He also served as a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Mr. Leibrecht is a member of the Free Democratic Party.
Mr. Leibrecht is a member of the Atlantik-Brücke (Atlantic Bridge), Petersburger Dialog, DAFG German-Arab Friendship Group, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik (German Think Tank), and Rotary International.
Dr. Kevin Mac Gabhann
Profile
Dr. Kevin Mac Gabhann serves as associate professor and director of international relations at the Ecole de Management at the Université de Strasbourg. He teaches courses on management and human resources management and conducts research in ethno-cultural diversity, intercultural management, and international negotiations. He has served as a visiting scholar at Marquette University (U.S.), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), the University of Colorado Denver (U.S.), and Nottingham Trent Business School (UK), among other institutions.
Profile
Dr. Marketa Lepicovsky obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University and a Master of Arts degree from Ohio University. Prior to joining the CEPA Foundation, she managed international education and study abroad programs in Germany and in the Czech Republic. She previously worked in Taiwan, where she also obtained a Ph.D. from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. Dr. Lepicovksy is fluent in English, German, and Czech and has basic command of French and Mandarin.
Georgia's Only Carbon-Neutral Study-Abroad
The Intercultural Leadership Program stands alone as Georgia's only carbon neutral study-abroad program. Through our partner, the CEPA Foundation, we voluntarily offset the carbon emissions of our program by planting native trees at the Osa Conservation Area in Costa Rica. CEPA and the CEPA Foundation are signatories to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.