Study Abroad

Students who study abroad in a regular semester (fall or spring) may earn three credits towards the requirements for graduating with University Honors. The credits are not attached to a given course, but rather are awarded for completion of activities related to the study-abroad experience as listed below.The three credits will count towards your Courses of Intention requirement. Before traveling abroad, students must inform the Honors College of their travel plans and their interest in receiving three credits towards the requirements for graduating with University Honors (by completing the honors study abroad form below...)

  • Develop, maintain and publish a blog during the study-abroad experience. Entries should be extensive and include photographs. Blogs must be updated no less than twice a month.
  • Complete a three-to-five-page paper in which you compare and contrast the educational system in your host country with the U.S. educational system.
  • Complete a 15-20-minute presentation during the Honors College Study Abroad Fair or other approved event the semester after you return to Richmond. Your presentation should include educational, cultural, and social experiences in your international location; a comparison of your international campus & campus life and VCU’s campus & campus life; and images that reflect your experiences of both the places you visited and the people you met. (You may use PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.)

Students must meet with their Honors advisor prior to their study-abroad experience to discuss these requirements. When you return to Richmond, make an appointment to meet with the Honors College Senior Associate Dean, Jacqueline Smith-Mason, Ph.D. to submit your materials and plan your presentation.

Honors Study Abroad Form