BA in Global Affairs

Emily Melton, 2026

Degree: BA in Global Affairs 

Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina  

Future plans: Emily plans to work in the global education space for a few years and then pursue a graduate program.  

Emily chose George Mason due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., as well as its unique and flexible programming. She was particularly impressed by the flexibility within her degree path and the ability to take advantage of experiences that other universities may not offer with the same level of freedom.

Favorite George Mason memory: “My favorite George Mason memory is Friday afternoon Chinese Games Club. Freshman year, I started going with my dorm room neighbors, and we have gone every Friday since. From that, we have created our own little community of Mahjong players who enjoy playing so much that we have come up with our own crazy rules to keep things interesting. It is truly the highlight of each semester!”

Advice for future Patriots: Emily encourages students to explore as many options and opportunities as possible. Even if something does not seem directly related to their field of study or career goals, she advises giving it a try. She believes there are many resources and opportunities available, but they can only be discovered through active involvement and engagement.

Global Gateway experience: The most impactful experience for Emily was participating in the Global Gateway Program. Studying abroad at Mason Korea during her freshman year broadened her perspective and opened her eyes to new ideas and possibilities for the rest of her time at Mason. She went on to study abroad additional times and secured a job in the Global Education Office. Through her Gateway semester, she formed a close group of friends who remained with her throughout her time at George Mason. The Gateway Program and her study abroad experiences made her time at George Mason especially enjoyable and unforgettable.