Daniel Everhart:
Study Abroad is a really amazing opportunity for people to learn about new cultures and have new experiences that they wouldn’t have in their home country.
UVA in Valencia’s program is very great for the students because we have the center here and it kind of creates this unique opportunity for students to be able to experience studying and living in Spain while having the familiarity of UVA as well.
Hannah Purvis:
It’s definitely been unique taking classes here.
Justin Shalap:
I’m gaining these tools of communication, of understanding of the Spanish language, and then when I leave the classroom it’s not just that Spanish leaves my minds and I move on to the next subject.
It’s that my Spanish comes with me, it carries with me outside of the University of Virginia Center and I use it in a real-world setting every day.
Everhart:
We see a quick change because they’re put into a setting where they have to use the target language and it’s really great to see how fast students move and how fast students develop in the language.
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and it is a really big metropolis, so students have the opportunity to experience a large city.
Purvis:
Being in Valencia has been so incredible not just because of the city itself but because it has given us a chance to see other parts of Spain as well.
We went to Madrid where we saw the Royal Palace and the Real Madrid Stadium. And in Barcelona, we got to see the Sagrada Familia which is this enormous Cathedral designed by Gaudi.
Shalap:
Everyone knows that there’s this great big world full of about eight billion people but it’s easy to get caught up in your work and just the things around Grounds but once you actually go out and you experience this world, the memories and the life lessons that you take you can’t forget.
Developing a globally aware, culturally diverse education and research environment has always been a priority at UVA, and the International Studies Office (ISO) was created to support this goal. A University-wide resource offering internationally oriented activities, programs and services, the ISO provides the expertise and infrastructure needed to bring international scholars to Grounds and to facilitate education abroad for UVA students.
3K
Students Abroad in 75 Countries
2.3K
International Students
502
International Faculty
The University of Virginia is a global institution, welcoming students and faculty from all over the world. Through the International Students and Scholars Program (ISSP), we provide cultural, social, educational and legal resources that meet the unique needs of our international students, researchers, faculty and official short-term visitors. Areas of support include advising on matters related to acquiring and maintaining legal presence in the U.S.; supporting transition to American society and culture; and offering guidance on policies and procedures.
Nothing enriches – and challenges – perspective like travel. We believe that getting out of our comfort zones and exploring other cultures is the gateway to gaining a global perspective while also developing a range of practical life skills. With over 50 diverse study abroad programs, we encourage all of our students to take their educations out into the world.
