Program Dates: May 22, 2025 – June 21, 2025

Cost: $5,500 plus airfare (subject to BOV approval) 

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General Overview
Students will be immersed in Italian culture and mathematical study during a five-week intensive course of study although no experience with the Italian language is expected. Students will earn six credits from two VMI courses:

• All cadets will take MA331X: History of Mathematics in Europe. This counts as an X course for the Civilizations and Cultures requirement at VMI.  There will be no pre-requisite for this class, but good ability in pre-calculus topics is expected.
• For the second course:
  • For cadets who have completed MA123-124, the second course will be MA311: Differential Equations.  This is required for AM, PY, CH (research track), and all engineering majors.
  • If a cadet has already taken MA311, we would work with the cadet on a case by case basis to find an independent study that meets the requirements of their major.
• Both courses are taught in English, the grades will count towards the VMI GPA, and for those students who have completed a course in Differential Equations, there are opportunities to replace this course with an independent study (on a case-by-case basis).

The program also includes travel to Pisa and Florence to see historical sites like the Leaning Tower, the Statue of David, and the Sistine Chapel, and museums such as the Galileo Museum.
Cadets will have at least one free weekend to travel on their own (at extra cost).

Eligibility

Any VMI cadet or current student in good standing with an accredited university is eligible to apply.

Room and Board

Students will be housed together in an authentic Tuscan hotel: Residence Le Santucce and breakfast is included. Some other meals such as welcome and departure dinners will be included as well.

Program Directors and Course Instructors

COL/Dr. Troy Siemers earned his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. He has been a professor at VMI since 1999 and department head since 2013. He has led previous study abroad trips to Lithuania, France, and Germany. His interests include ultrarunning, football (soccer) and all sorts of gaming.

MAJ/Dr. Blain Patterson earned his PhD from North Carolina State University. He joined VMI in 2019 and is excited to help led his first study abroad program. His academic interests include improving teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics. Blain is avid board gamer who plays tabletop, role-playing, and trading card games.

MAJ/Dr. Sarah Patterson is a professor at VMI in the Applied Mathematics Department. She earned her Ph. D. from Duke University in 2019. Her interests include mathematical modeling, pedagogy of mathematics and computation science, and hiking with her two dogs.

Study Abroad in Tuscany Overview

 

General Overview

Students will be immersed in French culture and language during a five-week intensive course of study that includes level-appropriate language instruction and French culture and history course taught in English. The program will also offer students the opportunity to travel to important historical sites in Paris and Normandy. Students will earn a total of nine hours of credit, three hours for the French culture and language course and six hours at the 100, 200, or 300 level, which can be counted toward fulfilling their VMI language requirement. It is aimed at those fulfilling a language requirement (either 2 or 3-year requirement) and French majors and minors.

Eligibility

Any current student in good standing with an accredited university is eligible to apply.  VMI students need only apply.

Room and Board

Students will be housed together in authentic Parisian apartments.  Meals are not included.

Program Director

Lt. Col. Jeff Kendrick earned his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas and has directed or co-directed the VMI Paris summer program every year since its inception. He enjoys teaching language, literature, and culture classes, especially in the medieval and Renaissance periods. His research interests include the poetry of Marguerite de Navarre and other contemporaries, the Reformation in France, medieval lyric poetry, and medieval chivalric romance.

 

General Overview
Students will be immersed in Italian culture and mathematical study during a five-week intensive course of study although no experience with the Italian language is expected. Students will earn six credits from two VMI courses:

• All cadets will take MA331X: History of Mathematics in Europe. This counts as an X course for the Civilizations and Cultures requirement at VMI.  There will be no pre-requisite for this class, but good ability in pre-calculus topics is expected.
• For the second course:
  • For cadets who have completed MA123-124, the second course will be MA311: Differential Equations.  This is required for AM, PY, CH (research track), and all engineering majors.
  • If a cadet has already taken MA311, we would work with the cadet on a case by case basis to find an independent study that meets the requirements of their major.
• Both courses are taught in English, the grades will count towards the VMI GPA, and for those students who have completed a course in Differential Equations, there are opportunities to replace this course with an independent study (on a case-by-case basis).

The program also includes travel to Pisa and Florence to see historical sites like the Leaning Tower, the Statue of David, and the Sistine Chapel, and museums such as the Galileo Museum.
Cadets will have at least one free weekend to travel on their own (at extra cost).

Eligibility

Any VMI cadet or current student in good standing with an accredited university is eligible to apply.

Room and Board

Students will be housed together in an authentic Tuscan hotel: Residence Le Santucce and breakfast is included. Some other meals such as welcome and departure dinners will be included as well.

Program Directors and Course Instructors

COL/Dr. Troy Siemers earned his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. He has been a professor at VMI since 1999 and department head since 2013. He has led previous study abroad trips to Lithuania, France, and Germany. His interests include ultrarunning, football (soccer) and all sorts of gaming.

MAJ/Dr. Blain Patterson earned his PhD from North Carolina State University. He joined VMI in 2019 and is excited to help led his first study abroad program. His academic interests include improving teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics. Blain is avid board gamer who plays tabletop, role-playing, and trading card games.

MAJ/Dr. Sarah Patterson is a professor at VMI in the Applied Mathematics Department. She earned her Ph. D. from Duke University in 2019. Her interests include mathematical modeling, pedagogy of mathematics and computation science, and hiking with her two dogs.

VMI, in partnership with John Cabot University, has presented a summer four-week program in Rome, Italy.

Program Director: Col. Jon-Michael Hardin, Professor, and Department Head of Mechanical Engineering.

Room and Board
Students will be living in a John Cabot University designated apartment. Cadets will have a one-meal a day Meal Plan at the John Cabot University Café.

Academics
No foreign language requirement.
Col. Michael Hardin will be teaching two Mechanical Engineering Courses.
ME 302 – Dynamics (transfer credit)
ME360X - Global Engineering (VMI Credit)

List of excursions, meetings and events in conjunction with the Global Engineering class:
Leonardo Da Vinci Museum
Italian Space Agency
European Space Agency
Manufacturing company that produces space launchers
Italian company that produces military vehicles and systems
Excursion to and a meeting with the Italian Corps of Engineers
Dinner with Roma Tre engineering doctoral students
Lecture and Excursion to Aqueduct Park
Lectures and presentations by Italian Engineers

Academic Facilities
The engineering classroom is located at John Cabot University – Guarini Campus.

Program:
The program allows students to take two three-credit hour VMI Biology courses: Epidemics in Society (BI-245X) Voices from Ireland – Artistic Responses to Social and Political Issues (ERH 230).

Room and Board:
Students will be housed in comfortable accommodations in town. Two open weekends are included in the program for travel in Ireland.

Program Directors:

Col. Bell is a Biology professor and Department Head in VMI’s Department of Biology. LTC Hodde is an associate professor in VMI’s Department of English, Rhetoric and Humanistic Studies. For more information about the content of the program, contact either Col. Bell (bellwe@vmi.edu) or LTC Hodde (hoddesl@vmi.edu).

 

Program:

Seoul, South Korea is ranked as the world's leading digital city and a tech capital of the world. South Korea is also among the world's most technologically advanced and digitally connected countries; it has the third most broadband Internet users among the OECD countries and is a global leader in electronics, digital displays, semiconductor devices, and mobile phones. 

Dankook University was elected as the best university in academic-industrial partnerships. 

• Accredited ‘Outstanding’ in phase 1 of the Leaders in Industry-University Cooperation (LINC) cultivation program
• Built a world-class medi-bio cluster based on industry-academia partnership
• Implemented the ‘Dasan Industry-centered Education (ICE) Academic System’ that aligns education with actual needs in industries.

Courses

Each student will take up to 2 courses. One course must be a CIS course. All courses will be taught in English.

1. VMI CIS Courses 

The CIS courses will be transferred to CIS or Free Elective credits with prior pre-approval.

• CIS 110 (Computational Thinking & Programming) – Python
• CIS 231WX (IT: Past, Present and Future)

2. Dankook: CIS Courses

The CIS courses will be transferred as CIS or Free Elective credits with prior pre-approval

• To be announced in December
• Korean Culture and Society
• History of Korea

3. Dankook Non-CIS Courses 

Will be transferred as Free Elective course(s) with prior pre-approval  

Housing: On-campus Dormitory (Included). Live with Korean and international students. 

Meal: Meals are not included. Dankook University provides meals at reasonable price (at most $4).

Cultural activities: 7 activities are included in the program cost. Transportation for activities are included.

• Korean Traditional Music and Dance
• K-Movie 
• K-pop Dance
• Taekwondo
• Craft Art
• Mud Festival 

Cadets can select and pay for additional optional activities, e.g. Temple Stay, Ceramic Arts, and Amusement Park. 

Transportation: Airfare is not included in the program. Airport pick-up service is included.

Program Director 

Dr. Youna Jung, Assistant Professor CIS Department, MH313E, jungy@vmi.edu 

CIS in Korea 2023

 

The Virginia Military Institute, in partnership with Alcalingua-Universidad de Alcalá, is pleased to present a summer five-week language and cultural immersion program (nine credit hours) in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.

General Overview

This is a language and culture program in which all participants will earn six hours of Spanish language and culture credit hours at the 100, 200 or 300*, in addition to three credit hours of an economics class on the Economics of the European Union. Students will visit the most significant sites and museums in Spain and will be introduced to the history, traditions, culture, and economy of Spain. In addition to classroom instruction, courses will include visits to the NATO Office and the European Commission Representative Office in Madrid, the Military Museum in Toledo, the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, and the Royal Palace in Madrid, among other sites. Students will be able to experience the cultural diversity of Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Granada, and Barcelona.

Eligibility

Any current student in good standing with an accredited university is eligible to apply. VMI students need only to submit an application. Applicants from other universities should include a faculty letter of recommendation, an official transcript, and a short essay outlining the applicant's personal and academic goals for the program, along with the application.

Cadets should complete the application process and provide a $250 non-refundable deposit by 19 January 2024. Cadets must pay the program fee in full or sign promissory note by 16 February 2024.

Academics

The program will allow students to take the following classes:

• 2 classes (6 credit hours) of Spanish Language at the appropriate level at the University of Alcalá in Madrid (transfer credit hours).
• 1 class (3 credit hours) of Economics of the European Union, taught by COL Dimitrova-Grajzl (VMI credit hours). This class will count as a free elective course for ECBU majors.

*Each student will take a placement test at the Universidad de Alcalá to determine their language proficiency and be enrolled in the appropriate courses.

Room and Board

Students will live in dorms on the Alcalingua-Universidad de Alcalá campus. The program fee includes three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), seven days a week. The exception is weekend trips when the program fee only covers breakfast.

Program Director

Sabrina S. Laroussi earned her Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. She is currently an associate professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures where she teaches courses on Spanish and Latin American literature, cultures, and film, in addition to Spanish language courses. Her academic research interests include metafiction, the grotesque, representations of violence and death in contemporary Latin American and Peninsular literature, culture, and visual media, as well as cultural ramifications of drug trafficking in Colombia, Mexico, and Galicia. At VMI, Dr. Laroussi directs the summer study abroad program in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid). She also serves as the chapter adviser for the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi.

Economics class instructor/professor

Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl earned her PhD in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is currently a professor in the Department of Economics and Business at the Virginia Military Institute. Her teaching and research focus on economics of institutions, American Indian economic development, law and economics, and post-socialist economies and politics. She has led two VMI study abroad programs – one in Hungary, Austria and Slovenia and another in Slovenia, Germany, and Belgium.

 

Academics: Students will be taking 2 elective courses:

1. EC 308 (International Trade), taught by Dr. Bing Jiang (VMI ECBU Professor)
2. HI 375X (Modern Germany & Eastern Europe), taught by Dr. Timothy Dowling (VMI History Professor)  

Excursions: In conjunction with the two courses offered, there will be company visits and guest lectures from business leaders, foreign relations experts, and/or policy makers in Prague. In addition, the program will also offer numerous cultural excursions to world-renown sites such as Prague’s Old Town, Český Krumlov, the Jewish Cemetery and Museum, the Czech National Museum, the Cold War Museum, Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, and many more.

Eligibility

Any VMI cadet or current student in good standing with an accredited university is eligible to apply.

Program Directors and Course Instructors

Dr. Bing Jiang is an Associate professor of Economics in the VMI’s Department of Economics & Business. She earned her Ph.D. from Emory University and joined VMI in 2013. She has taught a variety of courses including Principles of Microeconomics/Macroeconomics, Intermediate Microeconomics, International Trade, Behavioral Economics, and Statistics. Besides teaching, she is also interested in utilizing behavioral and experimental methods to study charitable giving, volunteering, coordination, and entrepreneurship. In her spare time, Dr. Jiang enjoys nature, traveling, volunteering, and exploring different countries, cultures and cuisines.  

COL Timothy Dowling has been teaching history at VMI since 2001. He has lived in Vienna, Tokyo, Berlin, and Munich. He has led study abroad programs to Budapest and completed a semester as a Fulbright Scholar at the National University of Public Service in Budapest, Hungary.

For more information about this program and the WELD Study Abroad Scholarships, please contact Dr. Jiang (jiangb@vmi.edu).

 

The Virginia Program at Oxford is a six-week summer program in British history and literature run jointly by VMI and five other schools. Cadets from any major and any class are welcome to apply. You will earn 6 hours of credit and take courses on a pass/fail basis. The cost is approximately $8500, but financial aid is available from several sources, including the VPO itself. The cost includes a room of your own, all meals, and trips to London and Stratford-on-Avon.

Eligibility: Open to any major

Academics: 6 credits studying the literature and history of Great Britain around Shakespeare’s time

For more information, visit the program website, or contact Dr. Duncan Richter (richterdj@vmi.edu).