Listen, I know how odd it sounds. All summer I received the same response and facial expression when I explained I was going to study abroad…virtually.

My CEA Virtual Global Internship in Dublin, Ireland, has helped me discover things I didn’t know I was capable of doing.

As much as I wonder what it would be like working an in-person internship, I have found many benefits of working virtually.

Honors student and marketing major Matthew Hsieh recently won the Innovative Student Video Award from GoAbroad for his film, “Paris – La Nouvelle Experience” based on his study abroad experience in Paris, France, during the Spring 2020 semester. While Hsieh’s time in Paris was cut short due to COVID-19, he says studying abroad is one of the best decisions he has made.

University of Iowa student Changhyuk (“Jason”) Yu hoped to incorporate a study abroad experience before his intended graduation in December 2021. COVID-19 travel restrictions led Yu to explore virtual study abroad options and the Summer 2021 course offering titled Virtual International Business in Italy caught his eye. The course offered a chance to learn more about the European Union and it also fulfilled two Tippie graduation requirements: an elective for his finance major and a Tippie RISE component.

Marisol Contreras, who is a PhD candidate in chemical engineering at the University of Iowa, is the winner of a Fulbright Study/Research grant in Chemical Engineering to Germany for 2021-22

An exciting lineup of summer virtual study abroad offerings attracted nearly 100 University of Iowa students. Course topics included international business in Italy, women’s empowerment in the Dominican Republic, and cultures of Spain. After reviewing the virtual study abroad course options, Emily Gumal chose Shakespeare’s England. She found it to be a great experience and would recommend it to other students. Learn more about Gumal’s experience.

University of Iowa student Brianna Bentler is a CEA MOJO Blogger and a Virtual Global Intern for an organization in Dublin, Ireland, during the Summer 2021 term. 

Chosen from thousands of applicants nationwide, five students from the University of Iowa have been awarded a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship to study critical languages during the summer of 2021:

Boren Scholarships and Fellowships

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad

Iowa Abroad Scholarship for study abroad