Roanoke College Students

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 Roanoke College and Virginia Tech 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 Rwanda. 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

$500 Deposit

Non-refundable; Billed after you accept our offer to be in the program

$18,469 Tuition

Billed in July, due in August
You will continue to receive your normal financial aid package while on the program

$8,248 Room, Board & Fees

Billed in July, due in August
This charge will pay for housing for your semester abroad, dinner 4 nights a week and lunch meal card in Europe, 3 meals a day in Rwanda, airfare to/from Europe and Africa, Eurail Pass, safari excursion, weekly laundry, international health insurance, Visas
This is the same as standard room, board, and fees for a semester on campus at Roanoke College

$4,000 Out of Pocket Expenses

Not billed, just recommended out of pocket expenses.
Weekend travel, textbooks, souvenirs and gifts, breakfasts & lunches, toiletries, etc.

TOTAL: $31,217

Your cost to participate in the program, travel throughout Europe and in Rwanda is roughly THE SAME as if you remained on campus for the semester.

Classes

You will receive 5 units:

BUAD 300 - Social Marketing (1 unit)
BUAD 343 - Buyer Behavior (1 unit)
COMM 416LL - Community Internship (1 unit)
ROA 218 - Digital Storytelling for Global Learning (0.5 unit)
ROA 219 - Digital Storytelling for Global Learning (0.5 unit)
POLI 246 - Justice, Revolution, & the Good Society (1 unit)

Experiential field study with international organizations and semester-long grant proposal project - looks great on resume! Opportunity to intern with Linking Lives the summer after participating in the program.

Overview

Spend 3 months in Switzerland with an optional travel break in Eastern Africa!

You will stay in Lugano, Switzerland which is located in Canton Ticino, the only Italian-speaking canton in Switzerland. You will take classes from Roanoke College and Virginia Tech 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, or the Franklin University dorms.

You will have the weekends and 3 one-week breaks to explore the surrounding areas of Europe. Lugano is on a major rail line between Italy and the rest of Europe and you can reach many wonderful cities in a few hours. You are required to travel to the United Kingdom for one of your breaks. Past students have visited cities such as Rome, Florence, Venice, Prague, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, and Munich.

NOTE: Students cannot remain in the Schengen region for more than 90 days in a 180 day period.

During your last break, you have the opportunity to participate in an optional experiential learning project in Rwanda. Your project will depend on the needs of our non-profit partner organizations in Africa.

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

Costs

$500 Deposit

Non-refundable; Billed after you accept our offer to be in the program

$18,469 Tuition

Billed in November, due in December
You will continue to receive your normal financial aid package while on the program

$8,248 Room, Board & Fees

Billed in November, due in December
This charge will pay for housing for your semester abroad, dinner 4 nights a week and lunch meal card in Europe, airfare to/from Europe, unlimited Eurail Pass, weekly laundry, international health insurance, Visas, etc.
This is the same as standard room, board, and fees for a semester on campus at Roanoke College

$7,000 Out of Pocket Expenses

Not billed, just recommended out of pocket expenses.

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

TOTAL: $34,217

Your cost to participate in the program, travel throughout Europe and possibly Rwanda* is roughly THE SAME as if you remained on campus for the semester.

*The optional Rwanda experience is an additional cost ($2,000) not included in the program fee.

Classes

You will receive 6 units

BUAD 300 - Social Marketing (1 unit)
BUAD 343 - Buyer Behavior (1 unit)
ROA 218 - Digital Storytelling for Global Learning (0.5 unit)
ROA 219 - Digital Storytelling for Global Learning (0.5 unit)
BUAD 433 - Marketing Research (1 unit)
BUAD 416LL - Internship (1 unit)
ITAL 101 - Elementary Italian (1 unit) - optional

Experiential learning with international organizations and semester-long grant proposal project - looks great on resume! Opportunity to intern with Linking Lives the summer after participating in the program.

Montarina group photo

Student Travel

Montarina group photo

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Safari

Local Activities

Rwanda

Safari

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