UVA in Valencia: Language and Culture, Summer 2024

DIS: Scandinavia, Summer 2025

Studying abroad in Valencia and Copenhagen left a huge impact on my personal and academic life. Through my time abroad, I was immersed in cultures, dialogues and perspectives I would not have otherwise experienced. I first went to Valencia to fulfill my graduation language requirements but ended up falling in love with the Spanish language, culture and people so much that I came home as a Spanish Major. Studying in Copenhagen gave me an appreciation for new ways of living, learning and collaborating, reinvigorating my passions for my foreign affairs major. If I had not participated in education abroad, I would have missed out on meeting some of my best friends, making lifelong memories and discovering areas of study that I am passionate about. I am forever grateful to my education abroad for instilling in me a greater sense of confidence, and a deeper appreciation for the world around me!

UVA in Buenos Aires: Global Internships, Summer 2025

If I had not participated in Education Abroad, I would have missed out on discovering my passion for youth education. Through UVA in Buenos Aires: Global Internships, I got the chance to teach at a local K-12 school where I created lesson plans relating to my major, Environmental Sciences, using basic English to help introduce the students to bilingual learning. I truly loved this experience and made many personal and professional connections through the school. Now, with my resume including an internship abroad, I feel more confident and well rounded in my professional resume.

Exchange: University of Edinburgh, Spring 2027

Hello! My name is Lauren, and I am a fourth year studying Civil Engineering on the Environmental and Water Resources track. This past spring, I completed an exchange program at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, which changed the way I approach learning and the world around me. Taking classes alongside full-time Edinburgh students meant sitting in rooms where people brought completely different assumptions than I was used to; about my own field, but also about how a society decides what problems are worth solving. I especially found Scotland’s approach to climate change interesting, as they teach engineers & scientists the tools to adapt to a changing climate, rather than the status quo. As someone who is entering the environmental engineering field, this experience was eye-opening on how environmental design and resiliency works in different countries. I feel more prepared than ever to enter the workforce with a forward-thinking mindset, and am so grateful to have so many adventures under my belt from my education abroad!

Education Abroad Social Media Intern 
UVA in Italy: Florence: General Studies (in affiliation with ISI) Summer 2026
During the summer of 2026, I spent six weeks studying abroad in Florence, Italy, through the UVA in Italy: Florence program in affiliation with the International Studies Institute (ISI). As a Media Studies major and General Business minor, my study abroad experience allowed me to further explore my interests in media, storytelling, and marketing. My experience abroad was the perfect combination of academics, professional development, and travel. I packed my passions in my luggage and brought them abroad. I found the perfect opportunity to pursue my passions through a work-study position with ISI’s Marketing and Communications department, and I also did photography work as part of an ISO scholarship. With each post I made and picture I captured, I applied the creative and strategic skills I learned in my marketing and photography classes abroad. I am forever grateful for my education abroad experience, which immersed me in new cultures and allowed me to continue my professional development.

Exchange: University of Lyon 2, Spring 2025

Hi, I'm Amy, and I'm a fourth-year double majoring in Public Policy (Batten) and Global Development Studies, with a French minor. My semester in Lyon, France strengthened my French skills, broadened my cultural perspective, and enriched my academic experience. Education abroad challenged me to navigate an unfamiliar environment independently while engaging with the local community through extracurricular activities, university excursions, and international student programs. Exploring Lyon's history and museums inspired me to pursue history coursework and museum-related opportunities at UVA. As an exchange student, I also took unique courses on topics such as the French education system and European political institutions, which expanded my global perspective and shaped my academic interests. I was an undeclared second-year applying to majors during my semester abroad. My experience helped me decide what I wanted to study and fulfilled requirements for both my majors and my minor. If I had not participated in education abroad, I would have missed the opportunity to study interesting topics from an international perspective, use French every day, and gain the confidence and cultural awareness that have inspired me to consider pursuing a career abroad.