VCU's Study Abroad Day illuminates opportunities for study abroad through events and activities
Contact: Nicol Tinsley
VCU Global Education Office
(804) 828-6463
nctinsley@vcu.edu
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Richmond, VA (January 24, 2025) — On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Virginia Commonwealth University will celebrate Study Abroad Day, a day designed to highlight and bring awareness to the benefits of study abroad and its lasting impacts on students, campuses and the global community.
Study Abroad Day builds on International Education Week held annually in November, and gives the Global Education Office an avenue to provide more information about the myriad of programs available to students interested in studying abroad.
“Study Abroad Day will provide students with various opportunities to explore the possibilities of studying abroad and take concrete steps toward making it a reality,” said Stephanie Tignor, director of global learning.
“Whether they are just beginning to explore their options, applying for scholarships, getting a passport, or finding ways to maximize their experience upon returning home, we want every student to know that study abroad is an accessible and transformative opportunity that can fit into their time at VCU and positively impact their lives and future careers,” Tignor said.
“This is the perfect time to start planning for a summer or semester abroad, and the Global Learning team is here to help make it happen.”
To recognize the day, the Global Education Office will hold several events for students to learn about the opportunities to intern and study abroad while attending VCU. The following events are scheduled for students offering information and special services.
- Compass Tent with Hot Chocolate/Coffee: This event will be held on the VCU Compass from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., when study abroad advisors and Global Learning specialists will be available to speak to students and answer questions about study abroad opportunities, destinations and faculty-led study abroad and partner programs. In addition, hot beverages such as coffee, hot chocolate and tea will be available as VCU’s Rams in Recovery’s Coffee Bike and Recovery Roast Cart serves free beverages while providing information about the program.
- The Global Education Office will hold a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Workshop for Pell Grant recipients from 12 - 1 p.m. in the SGA Senate Chambers in the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., and via Zoom. The goal of this workshop is to help students maximize their chances of receiving this nationally competitive scholarship.
- Passport Photos: The Global Education Office will provide special drop-in hours for students, staff and faculty to obtain free passport-style photos at the GEO office, at 912 W. Grace St. on the fourth floor, from 2 - 4 p.m. Passport-style photos are regularly offered on the first Tuesday and third Wednesday of each month, and can be scheduled in advance.
- Photo and Video Contest: A contest featuring photos and videos taken by VCU students during their study abroad experiences will allow students to choose their favorites. Voting begins on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. on Instagram (@studyabroadvcu), and winners will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 29. The winning images will be displayed on the Cabell Library big screen at a later date.
- Design-a-Sticker Contest: This new contest will allow students to use their creativity to design a sticker to help promote study abroad, and will be announced at the Compass Tent event.
- Returnee Orientation: For students who studied abroad during the fall 2024 semester or winter break, this Returnee Orientation will be held from 4-5 p.m. in the Global Education Office at 912 W. Grace St., on the third floor, in room 3126. Students will be able to discuss their experiences abroad with other returnees, learn more about how their overseas experience can be leveraged on their resumés and future careers, address logistics about returning to VCU and learn about other opportunities to engage globally through VCU.