Shape your future. Change the world.
International learning that broadens perspectives, advances careers, and strengthens international cooperation.
Welcome to Arclight Institute
Welcome to Arclight Institute, where international education becomes a bridge to international cooperation.
Founded by political scientists and developed in partnership with practitioners, Arclight focuses on the study and practice of international affairs. We bring together students, educators, scholars, policymakers, and institutional partners who believe the world’s most pressing challenges are best addressed through dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning.
Whether you’re a student, educator, or institutional partner, we invite you to discover why Arclight connects scholarship with practice—and how we can help you can shape your future.
Explore Arclight
Arclight advances its mission through three interconnected areas of work: education abroad, professional conferences, and university partnerships. Each offers a different means to engage with international cooperation while reflecting our commitment to academic rigor[AA2.1][BH2.2], intercultural competence, community engagement, and operational excellence.
Education Abroad
Education Abroad
Our education abroad programs combine rigorous academic study with policy dialogue, institutional engagement, and career preparation. From our home base in Strasbourg, France, participants travel throughout Europe to meet with policymakers, institutional leaders, and experts whose work brings international cooperation to life.
Professional Conferences
Professional Conferences
Arclight conferences bring together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and emerging professionals to examine today’s most pressing international challenges, from climate change to information warfare. Participants exchange ideas, strengthen professional relationships, and explore collaborative responses that no nation or institution can achieve alone.
University Partnerships
University Partnerships
Arclight partners with colleges and universities to align their education abroad goals with their students’ career pathways. Institutional partners may offer established Arclight programs or work with us to develop custom, faculty-directed programming. We provide on-the-ground logistics and operational support so faculty can focus on teaching and learning.
Three Pillars Build the Arclight Institute Student Experience
Policy Dialogue
Thoughtful dialogue brings academic and professional perspectives together, challenging participants to examine complex global issues from multiple points of view.
Learn MoreInstitutional Engagement
International affairs come to life through firsthand encounters with the institutions and professionals turning ideas into policy and cooperation into practice.
Learn MoreProfessional Development
Professional relationships, real-world perspectives, and purposeful learning help participants discover new possibilities and prepare confidently for what comes next.
Learn MoreOur Leadership & Advisory Network
The Arclight team embodies our core belief that global challenges require meaningful collaboration between academia and practice.
Founded by political scientists, Arclight assembles academics and practitioners with distinguished careers spanning higher education, diplomacy, public policy, international security, and nonprofit leadership. Members of our Advisory Board include senior figures from the U.S. Department of State, the Foreign Service, the military and intelligence communities, leading think tanks, NGOs, and academic institutions worldwide.
Dr. Andrew Armstrong founded the Fribourg Institute to provide students with a transformative study abroad experience that bridges academic study and the professional world. With a PhD in Political Science from George Mason University and extensive teaching experience in the U.S. and internationally, he brings both academic rigor and a global outlook to the Institute’s programs. He has also collaborated with the U.S. State Department’s Sports Diplomacy program and served as a political contributor to Sweden’s national public radio.
Dr. Armstrong is dedicated to preparing students not only to succeed in the classroom but to thrive in international careers. He believes studying abroad should open doors—to institutions that shape global politics, to mentors who can illuminate career pathways, and to experiences that deepen both knowledge and perspective. Under his leadership, the Institute gives students extraordinary access to diplomats, policymakers, and global organizations while helping them develop the skills, confidence, and connections they need to step boldly into their futures.
Dr. Trevor Thrall is a recognized authority in international affairs and political science. A prolific scholar, he has published extensively on global security, foreign policy, and the power of information in shaping international relations. His expertise is sought by universities, think tanks, and media outlets, where he has contributed to national and international discussions on pressing global issues.
As Chair of the Academic Board, Dr. Thrall provides strategic academic leadership for the Fribourg Institute, guiding program design and ensuring rigorous, relevant coursework. He also serves as the instructor of record in select program years. Dr. Thrall is deeply committed to preparing students for impactful careers by connecting academic study with real-world practice and the Institute’s unmatched access to global institutions. For Dr. Thrall, studying abroad is a vital opportunity to broaden horizons, build networks, and develop the skills future leaders need in an interconnected world.
Let’s Continue the Conversation
Every meaningful partnership, educational pursuit, and person-to-person conversation begins with a single step. Whether you’re considering education abroad, exploring opportunities for your institution, attending a conference, or simply learning more about Arclight Institute, we look forward to helping you shape your future—and together, contributing to a cooperative world.