University of Richmond takes a top spot among study abroad programs — again
University News
UR is ranked No. 1 among peer institutions for the second consecutive year.
Junior Ben Pinto’s trip to the Galapagos Islands last fall brought him so near to one of the legendary tortoises that he could hear it chewing grass. “It was really incredible to be so close to an animal that large and that old — probably around 100 years or so,” Pinto recalled. “I’d never thought of myself as a nature guy before, but it’s hard not to be in that situation.”
Study abroad experiences like Pinto’s are an integral part of a UR education. The latest Open Doors Report has ranked the University of Richmond first among baccalaureate colleges for the total number of students studying abroad.
The annual survey focuses on international education opportunities, including data from the U.S. Department of State, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Institute of International Education. UR has claimed a top spot for study abroad participation for the last three years.
“It is a tremendous honor to be ranked first among our peers again this year,” said Martha Merritt, dean of global education. “The Open Doors ranking is a reflection of UR’s strong international partnerships and the faculty and staff across campus who continue to help students realize their goals for global engagement.”
Paddling along the water as the city skyline went from dusk to night was a magical and unforgettable experience.”
Pinto’s priority while in Ecuador last fall was to improve his Spanish skills. Since he’s a Latin American, Latino & Iberian studies major, he took all his classes abroad in Spanish.
“I got to take classes all about the country I was living in — Ecuadorian history, anthropology, literature, and even art history,” Pinto said. “Having that flexibility made it easy to get course credit and experience cultural immersion at the same time.”
Junior Marlo Zambrotta, a biochemistry & molecular biology major, has explored health topics on study abroad trips to New Zealand and Denmark. On a two-week trip to New Zealand last year, she examined how community organizations assist underserved populations, particularly the Māori.
“This experience was especially impactful as I am pursuing a career in medicine, a field where cultural awareness and contextual understanding are essential to providing effective and equitable care serving diverse patient populations,” Zambrotta said.
She spent a semester abroad in Copenhagen last fall and compared healthcare systems in the U.S., Denmark, Croatia, and Germany.
UR offers short-term experiences of one to two weeks through its award-winning EnCompass program.
A medium-length Summer Study Abroad program lasts from one to two months. Long-term programs include a traditional Semester Study Abroad or year-long stays.
"Even well-traveled students find that being responsible for themselves for a semester abroad is an opportunity to learn to navigate challenges successfully,” Merritt said. “Parents often comment that their student matured in unexpected and welcomed ways."