top of page
IMG_6683_edited_edited.jpg

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 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

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

 

$12,500 Program Fees

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

  • $5,600 billed May 15, due June 15

  • $5,700 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 Rwanda, 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: $23,094

OUT-OF-STATE STUDENT TOTAL: $31,883

 

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! 

  • Opportunity to intern with Linking Lives the summer after participating in the program

bottom of page