International relations (IR) is the study of global politics, international economy and world cultures. It is often taught as a part of broader multidisciplinary degrees in global politics, law or economics, but can also be studied at specialist graduate level.
One of the main purposes of IR is to promote international cooperation in order to solve global problems, such as poverty, hunger, environmental degradation, human rights abuses and the threat of a possible nuclear holocaust. IR also advocates the spread of democracy, and the idea that foreign policy should be open to public scrutiny.
As well as this, there is a strong emphasis on developing leadership skills in the field of IR. The ability to work and interact with people from all over the globe is a crucial aspect of this discipline, whether you are an international diplomat or a business executive. This can lead to a great deal of personal growth and discovery that many find incredibly fulfilling.
A large aspect of IR is understanding how to work across different cultures and this is very important in our increasingly globalised world. This is not only beneficial when negotiating with foreign governments, but in all fields of business and even daily life. This is achieved through building cultural sensitivity and understanding through group projects and discussions. It is also helped by learning about the physical environment, history and religious beliefs of other nations as this will all impact on how a person thinks and feels about different situations.