UVA in Valencia: Engineering, Academic Year 2023-2024

My education abroad experience in Valencia was truly eye-opening. Balancing my engineering coursework with the vibrant Spanish culture allowed me to see how different environments approach problem-solving and innovation. Engaging with local projects such as the Fallas during the Valencian Spring Festival and collaborating with international peers expanded my perspective on global engineering practices. This experience has not only influenced my career goals but has also fueled my aspiration to continue seeking international opportunities in my future career. I am eager to apply the global insights and adaptability I gained to tackle complex challenges on a broader scale.

Study abroad in Spain in Summer 2022 and an internship abroad in Argentina in Summer 2023

Hey y’all! My name is Rosana and I'm a 4th year doing a double major in International Relations and Latin American studies with a minor in Spanish. The past two summers, I've had the opportunity to study abroad in both Spain and Argentina, taking classes, traveling around Europe and Latin America, and experiencing the local culture! During my time in Argentina, I also did an internship working with feminist and LGBTQ+ literature and it gave me such an interesting perspective on political and social movements abroad! As I work toward a career in International Development Consulting, I'm so thankful to have my international experiences under my belt! They have helped me become a more independent and aware student! 

UVA in Morocco: Arabic Language, Summer 2023
UVA in Jordan: Cultural Authenticity in a Modern Middle Eastern Society (January Term), January 2024

My name is Jillian Manternach and I am a fourth year majoring in Public Policy and Leadership with a minor in Middle Eastern Language and Culture. I studied abroad in Meknes, Morocco during Summer 2023 and again in Amman, Jordan during J-Term 2024. The exposure to new cultures and experiences I gained through these programs not only reinforced my academic goals but also allowed me to grow as a person. In addition to furthering my second language skills, the cultural immersion I experienced while abroad strengthened my desire to explore new opportunities and greatly improved my confidence in unfamiliar environments. I firmly believe all the lessons and skills I learned during my study abroad experience will aid me immensely in my future aspirations, both academically and in any potential career I plan to pursue after graduation.

UVA in Valencia: Language and Culture, Summer 2024

If I had not participated in education abroad, I would have missed out on being fully immersed in a culture different from my own. Through this experience I learned many valuable lessons about how to navigate the world and specifically a new environment very different from what I am used to. I would have missed out on trying many new delicious foods, some of which I hope to make for myself now that I am back in the US. One of my favorite experiences I had was playing soccer with strangers, most of whom were Valencian. Communicating on the field with them in their native language and sharing the love of a sport really showed me how even though we may often think others are very different from themselves, we are all a lot more alike and able to connect with each other than we may think. My time abroad have left such a deep impression that I truly cannot imagine having missed out on all of them and am so incredibly grateful to have been able to have the experiences I did. 
 

UVA in Oxford, Summer 2023
Exchange: University College Dublin, Spring 2024

Hi! I’m Alice, and I am a 4th year Mathematics major with a minor in Data Science. I was fortunate enough to attend two Education Abroad Programs: UVA in Oxford and an exchange program at University College Dublin. If I had not participated in education abroad, I would have missed out on exploring new cultures, learning from professors around the world, and countless new friends and memories. My experience has given me a greater sense of self, perspective, and independence that I will bring forward into my continuing education and career.

Education Abroad Social Media Intern

I hope that my academic experience abroad will help immerse me in a new culture, and in doing so, teach me more about my place in this world through interacting with others who have different backgrounds than me. I'm excited to learn more about the customs, traditions, and perspectives of the place that I am in, and I can't wait to build on what I've been studying at UVA in the courses I do abroad. With that, in taking on this once-in-a-lifetime experience on my own, I hope to grow individually in my self-sufficiency, but also in connecting with other students who have chosen to pursue this opportunity. From participating in education abroad, I think the idea that "the possibilities are endless" in terms of academic opportunities and career aspirations is cemented in the wide number of experiences I can be exposed to.