Travel

VCUarts students have the opportunity to travel abroad in many capacities. From participating in credit bearing faculty led programs, to traveling solo and forging one’s own way through uncharted territory abroad, to exchanging with our sister campus in Doha, Qatar.  There’s something for everyone. The most important thing to remember if you’re considering studying abroad is to become informed! Speak to your advisor about your ideas, and meet with Education Abroad to learn more. A synopsis of opportunities is below.

VCUarts Faculty Led Summer Programs

From Florence to Korea to Peru, VCUarts faculty members hop all over the globe with students. These programs, which vary each year, are credit bearing. This means you pay tuition and fees to participate. They are administered through the Education Abroad office in VCU’s Global Education Office. For more information about the Faculty Led Summer Programs, and the upcoming year’s options, go here.

International Student Exchange Program (ISEP)

Over 300 universities in 50 countries participate in ISEP student exchanges which range for a semester, summer or year in length. Some programs are taught in the local language while others are taught in English. Check out the various universities at which you can study arts here. For more questions about ISEP student exchanges, please contact Education Abroad.

Semester Exchanges

Students can participate in a semester of exchange at one of VCU’s International Partnership Universities or at a university with which VCU has established an exchange in a particular department. Options for students within the arts include:
University of the West of England in Bristol, England, Curtin University in Perth, Australia and the University of Westminster in London, England for Fashion Merchandising. For more information, and to learn about other options please visit the Education Abroad website.

Approved VCU Affiliates

Students may wish to consider a program provider with whom VCU has an established agreement. Options are available in various countries with courses often taught in English. Pre-approved providers include the following:

Non-VCU programs

Students may choose to study abroad through an institution or provider beyond those previously mentioned. They must receive approval from the Education Abroad office before applying to any program, and must meet with their advisor to discuss course offerings. Students may do a search on a study abroad search engine for an appropriate program: studyabroad.com, and iiepassport.org.

Doha Exchange & Conference Participation

Select students are identified to participate in the biennial international design and art conference, Tasmeem Doha, held in Doha, Qatar. For years that the conference is not held, a group of Art Foundation students travel to Doha over spring break to participate in workshops and charettes. The criteria used to select students to participate in Tasmeem Doha varies from year to year, and the selection is run by each department.

Every semester a maximum of three Richmond students are selected from a pool of applicants to study in Doha for a semester. This opportunity is open to rising juniors and seniors in the following majors: Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Painting & Printmaking. Other majors may be able to participate with approval. For questions and deadlines, please contact Jody Symula at jlsymula@vcu.edu

Dean’s International Study Grants

Every year, the VCUarts dean’s office awards up to $25,000 to 10 students traveling abroad to pursue areas of special interest and research as it relates to one’s work. These grants will not be awarded to students who are traveling with a group on a credit-bearing trip, but are for solo travel and independent inquisitive research. Students who wish to participate in a faculty led trip with and instructor not affiliated with VCU, teaching a subject not offered at VCU, may be considered. For more information, please visit the Undergraduate Research page.

Scholarships and Funding

The Education Abroad office assists students in accessing financial aid, identifying and applying for scholarships to help pay for the cost of study abroad. There are many sources of funding available. Check out this site for more information.

National Scholarship Office

The National Scholarship Office (NSO) supports VCU students and alumni who are interested in applying for prestigious national and international scholarships such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater and Fulbright. Having an interest in the world beyond the U.S. is a criteria shared by all scholarships. For more information, and to request an appointment with the Director, please go here.

Testimonials

I discovered a lot over those six months. That time is priceless to me, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I learned much about myself and about the different cultures in the world. I know the trip has affected my artwork, and the classes there have helped me improve my style and work habits. Going abroad to England (for a semester) was one of the best decisions in my life.

Anne Lantz, student

Durban, South Africa is a cultural gem in the world. The different races and eleven languages spoken definitely took me by surprise because there were so many cultural roots I was completely unfamiliar with. This being my first international trip, I didn’t know what I would find out about the world and myself. This trip with the VCU Jazz Program has allowed the seven of us to tap into a world so unfamiliar, yet a place that we were able to grow into as musicians and individuals.

Justin Esposito, student