Experiential Learning

Four walls can’t contain an entire education. That’s why, at Richmond, most students extend their educations by participating in experiential learning opportunities. They’re the chance to take what you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world, either via research, an internship or study abroad.

Internships

Today, internships are nearly as much a part of college life as coursework. Students know that one of the best ways to learn about the careers that interest them is to try them on for size. Internships can not only tell you what you do want in a career, but also what you don’t want—making them doubly important for students torn between a variety of interests. Especially for liberal arts majors who can be overwhelmed by the sheer number of doors that are open to them, an internship can give you the clarity you need to make career choices in the semesters ahead.

The Career Development Center can help you organize your internship search, from deciding on career fields that interest you to narrowing your application pool to prepping for interviews. Don’t overlook the fact that obtaining an internship you enjoy and at which you excel can often lead to landing your first job!

Study Abroad

Rated the “Hottest College for International Studies” by Newsweek magazine, the University of Richmond takes study abroad seriously. The School of Arts & Sciences encourages students to experience another culture through spending a summer, semester or year in another country. The key to having an incredible experience abroad and still graduating in four years is to speak to your major advisor early and to plan your coursework carefully. Because of the way most departments’ curriculums are designed, students usually prefer to spend their final two to three semesters on campus taking upper-level coursework. Therefore, the best times to study abroad are the spring semester of your sophomore year, the fall semester of your junior year or during a summer.

For information on studying abroad, visit the Office of International Education.