Leading or Sending Students Abroad

Students benefit greatly from the many faculty and staff at Richmond who create ways to travel abroad with students that complement courses and programs oncampus.

International Education serves as the clearinghouse for a range of information and services for faculty and staff who are planning and implementing trips abroad for students. We’re here to support the interests of the faculty, facilitate arrangements, and ensure that these experiences follow the university’s standards for academic rigor and safety.

In fact, your success is our success. Our staff works to ensure all University-affiliated programs receive planning support and approval to provide the enhancing value that travel abroad can add to courses and programs at Richmond.

If you are interested in planning a trip abroad with students or whether a specific endeavor would be considered to be University-affiliated, please review our suggestions on organizing short term trips abroad, visit our student pages on Short-Term Programming and EnCompass Programs, or contact Marina LaMastro, assistant director of study abroad, who works with short-term faculty-led programs. We suggest you begin discussing your plans with our office 6 months to a yearin advance to ensure proper time for program development.

Funding independent student travel abroad

Each year, more than 60Richmond students are awarded funding from offices across campus to attend conferences, intern, engage in volunteer projects, or to conduct research abroad around the globe. The majority of these students are funded through the UR Summer Fellowships programs. We encourage faculty and staff to have conversations with students regarding using URSF funding for an intentional and rewarding international experience. Marina LaMastro, who supports and advises students on preparing for their international experience, welcomes contact from you or your students.

UR Summer Study Abroad

UR faculty also frequently lead students on summer study abroad experiences for academic credit that allow students the opportunity to engage with their professors in another culture and context. If you are interested in proposing a summer study abroad course, please contact EllenSayles, associate dean for international education and director of education abroad, regarding the proposal process. Please visit the Summer Study Abroad site for information regardingupcoming summer programs.

EnCompass

EnCompass programs are fully funded programs designed to support the most under-represented groups in international travel (first generation, African-American, Latinx, student-athletes, STEM major, and male students) during their first couple of years at the UR. Learn more about EnCompass Programs and contact Martha Merritt, dean of international education, two years prior to travel to learn more about program selection.

Safety

While we encourage students' inquisitiveness and determination to travel abroad and engage with different cultures, the safety of our students is our top priority. Given that we live in a complex world, certain destinations or activities may pose an increased risk. The university will assess proposed locations for these risk and safety concerns. As part of this assessment, IE consults many different sources of security information, both public and private, as well as our own Risk Management office. We communicate information about health and safety to our faculty-leaders and students throughout the planning and implementation process.

The UR International Travel Policy addresses concerns about the health and safety of students during international travel to countries, especially to countrieswith a US Department of State Travel Advisory Level 3 or 4, which will require an additional petition and approval. Please review the policy for more information.

If you are uncertain about whether a specific location or activity would be considered to present substantial risk or to further discuss your plans, please contact Marina LaMastro.