Innovative approach

The University of Richmond claimed two top-five spots in the latest “Open Doors Report” by the Institute of International Education, a reflection of its innovative problem-solving despite the pandemic.

Richmond ranked No. 5 overall and No. 2 for short-term study abroad programs based on numbers from the 2020–21 academic year, when the pandemic’s impact on global mobility was at its height. Forty-five students participated in study abroad programming that year.

Short-term abroad programs typically last from one to three weeks, are connected to a class, and take place during one of the breaks during the academic year. These short-term programs provide real-world illustrations of points made in class and provide additional opportunities to study abroad outside of the full semester or year options.

The university also earned high marks for international students. For 2021–22, UR ranked 12th for total number of international students. UR students call more than 75 countries home.

“UR remaining nationally ranked for study abroad during the pandemic reflects the hard work of our intrepid students and the international education team,” said Martha Merritt, dean of international education. “We also developed options for 54 international students who were unable to travel to Richmond so that they could study in their own country, as well as maintain contact with UR faculty and staff during this difficult period.”