Have you considered studying abroad? Villanova provides a wide variety of study abroad programs that students should certainly take advantage of if they have can. Ranging from Italy to Australia to China, students are presented an opportunity that reaches far further than a few credits by helping them grow much faster than a class on Villanova’s campus. Students are required to be independent in a foreign country while most likely being forced to adapt to a new language and a group of people consisting of only a few familiar faces. Studying abroad is as much of a learning experience as college is, but much more of a growing experience. At the beginning of Study Abroad information sessions, Villanova staff ask important questions such as “What do you want to do with study abroad?” and “What kinds of skills are you hoping to develop during your time overseas that you can’t do here on campus?”. Students must consider these questions when beginning the process of finding a program that suits their academic goals and personal interests.

Luckily for Villanova students, the Office of Education Abroad provides 15 summer programs and 4 semester programs, which is excluding the many other cohort programs offered. As students begin to consider these many options and narrow down their choice, they should also be asking themselves how big or small of a University and town they are looking for, if they are ready for the personal and academic challenge, and if they have talked to their family about studying abroad, which includes the academic and financial policies. The amount of information that must be considered when thinking about studying abroad can be overwhelming, but there are OEA(Office of Education Abroad) advisors to assist students in this process!

http://www.villanova.edu/villanova/provost/abroad.html

I had the privilege of visiting my older sister this past summer on her Villanova study abroad trip to Rome, Italy.

This was a phenomenal experience for her to adapt to the Italian culture of a variety of cities, and she became more confident and adventurous from stepping outside of her comfort zone with a group of unfamiliar faces to live life across the globe.

To qualify for studying abroad, Villanova requires a 2.75 GPA and no financial, disciplinary, or academic holds. Transfer students must complete 3 semesters at Villanova prior to participating in a semester long program, however, summer programs are available for transfer students before 3 semesters. Students must earn a minimum grade of a “C” for overseas credit to transfer back to Villanova. Additional information about student and transfer student requirements, grade transfer, and the specific study abroad programs can be found below.

Programs: https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/provost/abroad/findprogram.html

Requirements: http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/provost/abroad/policies.html

The opportunity to live in a different country for weeks or months is not prevalent after college, so students should become apart of the massive Villanova study abroad community while they have the chance to. Last year alone, Villanova sent nearly 800 students to 37 different countries. Happy traveling!