The Lighthouse provides VWU students with the opportunity to study away, internationally or domestically, for one week to one year. VWU’s Global Engagement program provides advising, application assistance, pre-departure support, and grant opportunities. We want every student to be able to have the option of studying away to develop as global citizens and enhance their employability.

---

Virginia Wesleyan University offers students short-term, mid-length, and long-term study away options. These include VWU’s own domestic and international study away courses, independent summer study abroad, and semester and year-long exchange programs through our Global Scholars Program.

• Study Away Courses: VWU offers students the opportunity to participate in a study away course, taught by a VWU faculty member. Study away courses are short-term experiences (one to three weeks in length) that include a study away component to a domestic or international location. Many of these courses are offered during January Term and others are offered during the academic year or the Summer Session. The Lighthouse wants to make these opportunities available to as many students as possible and provides Global Engagement Course Grants to support students who enroll in a VWU study away course during the academic year. It also provides SHIPP grants to support students who enroll in a VWU study away course during the Summer Session.
• Independent Summer Study Abroad: Students may study abroad independently during the summer, typically for at least four weeks. Summer study abroad students are able to apply for the Summer High Impact Practice Program (SHIPP) grant, which provides program fee and tuition assistance grants.
• Global Scholars Program (GSP): This program is open to VWU second, third, and fourth year students to study abroad during the fall or spring semester with one of VWU’s exchange partners. Students are able to take classes to receive credit toward their major, minor, and even some general education requirements.

---

---