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Virginia Tech Students

Overview

Overview

Spend 2 months in Switzerland and 1 month in Eastern Africa! 

You will be based in Lugano, Switzerland, located in Canton Ticino -- the only Italian speaking Canton in Switzerland. You will take classes from Virginia Tech and Roanoke College professors at a local university and live at the Montarina Hostel, rated in a Washington Post article as one of the 8 top youth hostels in the world.

In September and October, you take classes from US professors and have the weekends to explore the surrounding areas of Europe. Lugano is on a major rail line between Italy and the rest of Europe. You can reach many wonderful cities in a few hours. Past students have visited cities such as Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, Barcelona, and Munich.

In November, you participate in an experiential learning project in Africa. Your project will depend on the needs of our non-profit partner organizations. Students collaborate with local schools and non-profit organizations to develop, implement, and deliver curricula in areas such as:​

  • ESL (English as a second language)

  • Cultural exchange discussions

  • Basic computer skills

  • US culture

  • Professional development

To learn more about the Africa experience, check out our Service Learning and Impact pages.

You also go on a safari excursion, reflection retreat, and other local activities. You return to Lugano for about one week to complete your semester-long project and reflect on your experiences. 

Costs

$6,594 in-state ($15,383 out-of-state) Tuition ​

 

$12,800 Program Fees

  • $1,200 non-refundable deposit billed after you accept our offer to be in the program 

  • $5,800 billed May 15, due June 15

  • $5,800 billed July 1, due August 1

  • This includes housing for the semester, dinner 4 nights a week and lunch meal card in Europe, 3 meals a day in Africa, airfare to/from Europe and Africa, Eurail Pass, safari excursion, weekly laundry, international health insurance, Visas, etc.

 

$4,000 Out of Pocket Expenses

  • Not billed, just recommended out of pocket expenses. 

    Weekend travel, textbooks, souvenirs and gifts, breakfasts & lunches, toiletries, etc. 

IN-STATE STUDENT TOTAL: $23,394

OUT-OF-STATE STUDENT TOTAL: $32,183

 

Only $4,000 more than a normal semester living on campus with a meal plan.

Financial Aid Information:

  • During your semester abroad, you are enrolled in and pay tuition to Roanoke College instead of Virginia Tech. 

  • Please read the attached document to see which scholarships, financial aid, tuition assistance, etc. can be applied to your semester abroad.

Classes

You will be enrolled in 5 Units at Roanoke College which will transfer to Virginia Tech as 19 Credits:

  • Marketing, Society, and the Public Interest (MKTG 4644, 3 credits)

  • Special Study: Legal Approaches to Change (MKTG 4984, 4 credits)

  • Consumer Behavior (MKTG 4204, 4 credits)

  • Field Study (MKTG 4964, 4 credits)

  • Study Abroad (MKTG 3954, 4 credits)

Credit Transfer Information:

  • Virginia Tech has approved the credit transfer from Roanoke College to Virginia Tech for the classes taken through the Linking Lives Study Abroad Program 

  • You must receive a C or better to transfer courses back to Virginia Tech 

  • Course credits will transfer, but GPA will not be affected

  • No more than 75% of degree requirements can be transferred from another university to Virginia Tech 

  • Of the last 45 semester hours before graduation, a maximum of 18 semester hours may be transfer hours (27 of the last 45 hours must be taken at Virginia Tech).

Academic Opportunities include:

  • Substitute MKTG 3954 for MKTG 4704 by completing additional reading and a paper that examines a topic in international marketing. 

  • Experiential field study with international organizations and semester-long grant proposal project - looks great on resume! 

  • Students in the Linking Lives study abroad program have the opportunity to pursue a minor in Leadership and Social Change at Virginia Tech.​

    • The following courses can be substituted in the minor:

      • MKTG 4644 Marketing, Society, and Public Interest for LDRS 4514 Skills for Nonprofit Leaders

      • MKTG 3954 Study abroad for LDRS 3954 Study Abroad

    • Students would still need to complete: 

      • 6 credits of LDRS core courses (including LDRS 1414 Citizen Leadership which is required)

      • 6 credits of social change electives (from group and society sections; see link below)

      • 1 credit LDRS 4044 Leadership Studies Capstone (also required)

    • More information can be found here 

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