It’s hard to narrow down our favorite things about Richmond, but our high study abroad rates are definitely way up the list. For the second year in a row, we have the No. 2 spot for the total number of students studying abroad among the top baccalaureate colleges, according to the Institute of International Education’s Open Door Report.

Richmond makes global learning a priority, and this latest ranking is just another example of the strength of our international engagement. Nearly 70 percent of our Spiders head overseas to more than 30 countries. And not only do we send students to experience the world, but we welcome others to our campus, too. Richmond is also ranked seventh in the total number of international students who come to us from 79 different countries.

Whether our Spiders decide to do a semester or yearlong program, we love to hear about their classes, travels, new favorite foods, and friends from around the world. When we bring our different experiences and perspectives together, we all learn from one another. 

“We strive to expose our students to new and challenging cultures and environments, which contributes to our success as a leading liberal arts institution,” said Martha Merritt, dean of International Education.

We’re proud that our University is the type of place that values and promotes such an international view.