By definition, the overarching doctrine of human rights applies equally to every human being on the planet. It is stated in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and human rights.” This means that wherever you go in the world to earn your degree abroad in human rights, not only will the study be applicable, but each location will present a unique set of circumstances which will demand attention.

Though within a limited scope, many people intuitively associate the fight for human rights with the developing world. “Developing” countries are generally categorized as such because they remain in the process of building social institutions which promote access to a fundamental quality of life and opportunity among their citizenry. Due to lack of resources, poorer countries ranging all the way from India in the eastern hemisphere to Costa Rica in the west thus often face some of the most dire human rights situations.

Human rights abuses also take root well beyond the developing world, however, as many economically “advanced” countries still systematically oppress opportunity within targeted sectors of their populations. In countries as diverse as Russia, Argentina, and the United States, it is possible to earn your human rights degree abroad at a prestigious university, while also tackling injustices in your backyard.