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Office of Education Abroad

Major Advising Page - Communication

The Communication Department at Villanova  encourages students to study abroad during their four year degree at Villanova University.  In-class instruction and professional internships are just a few of the many opportunities that exist for communication majors.

The Communication Department sees study abroad as a way to develop a deeper understanding of self and other and true appreciation of difference; to develop a multicultural identity and commitment to being a citizen of the world; to develop intercultural communication competencies; to communicate effectively in a language other than English OR to communicate effectively in cultural variations of English; to be an effective ambassador, fostering productive ties between the US and other countries on an individual basis.

Communication majors should begin the study abroad advising process as early as possible. Tell your academic advisor that you are interested in study abroad at each registration appointment. Together, identify the best terms to go abroad,  for summer or semester, based on the courses in your four-year-plan.

Specific things to consider: 

  • Core COM courses must not be taken overseas, including COM 1000, COM 1100, all 2000-level Theories courses, COM 4001 and 4002.
  • Students are most successful taking 3000-level electives overseas.
  • When searching overseas university coursework, often students should look not for "Communication" but for the specific concentrations within the VU-COM major: journalism, media studies, critical media, cinema studies, public relations, intercultural communication, rhetorical/performance studies, organizational or interpersonal communication.

Search the OEA Course Approval History database to select from more than 3,000 study abroad courses that have already been pre-approved for liberal education requirements and a growing list of technical courses.

The Course Approval History database is not all-inclusive and students can work with an OEA advisor to submit additional courses for review.

Don't forget - CLAS has a list of policies and limitations specifically focused on study abroad. Make sure you're aware of these as you plan your overseas experience.

Timing
This image shows when students can study abroad for their specific major. For Communication majors summer study abroad is possible after the sophomore and junior year. Semester study abroad is possible during in the fall semester sophomore year, skipping spring semester sophomore year, and continuing for junior year into fall senior year. Note that senior year study abroad must be approved by CLAS. The OEA will assist with this petition.

Due to sequencing, students should work with their academic adviser to determine the best time to study abroad. Senior year study abroad requires College-level approval. 

Summer study abroad is possible after freshman, sophomore, and junior years. Semester study abroad is available in any semester as long as required courses are completed. 

The Communication Department at Villanova strongly encourages students to consider programs that provide practical experiences. Internships, field work and research are wonderful ways to gain hands-on, professional experience. 

Study abroad opportunities are not limited to formal instruction. Consider taking advantage of the unique research, internship, and fieldwork opportunities available in different regions of the world. 

In the past, students have:

  • WFI Interns at the UN have written speeches for IFAD officials, contributed to research projects and special events, blogged UN events around Italy, worked on internal IFAD communication projects, and have engaged in social media advocacy to assist in realizing IFAD's mission.
  • Produced video documentary about the struggle for affordable housing (Seville).
  • Created advertising and marketing campaign for nearby vineyard and coffee company (Urbino).

*Villanova Semester: Communication, Society and Marketing in the Italian Context (CoSMIC)
Strong complement for students interested in intercultural communication, advertising and marketing. Program is offered during fall semester each year.

*Villanova Semester: WFI Rome Internship Program (Vatican/United Nations)
The Communication Department also manages their own page which offers an introduction to the program. Only available during junior year.

CIEE Communications, New Media + Journalism in Seville
Strong social justice focus through documentary and journalism co-curricular activities

CIEE Communications, New Media + Journalism in Prague

Looking for more? 
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Visit Passport Villanova to discover other opportunities. 

Course Approval Database 
Students should consult with the  OEA Course Approval Database to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs. The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings so and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad. 

 

Non-VU partner programs under 6-weeks long must require a petition in order to be approved. Contact your OEA advisor for petition information.

*Villanova Summer Rhetoric and Performance in Greece

IES Abroad Summer Internship Program in Milan

Social Justice Documentary Program
Each year the Communication Department offers a social justice documentary course that spends a full year learning about, and then creating, documentaries that focus on societal issues. Previous locations have included Ghana, India, Italy and Costa Rica. Contact the Communication department for current offerings

Looking for more? 
If a program is not listed above, it does not limit your eligibility to study abroad. Visit Passport Villanova and explore other opportunities.

Course Approval Database 
Students should consult with the  OEA Course Approval Database  to view a full list of pre-approved courses for most programs.  The Course Approval Database may not contain updated/new courses and students may need to submit additional courses for review and approval. Programs and universities are continually updating course offerings so and the program’s website will list most accurate course offerings for the planned term abroad.  

 

It is important to plan ahead as it is not uncommon for scholarship deadlines to occur much earlier than a Villanova or program application deadlines.

The Communication department specifically manages scholarships within their department. 

There are many study abroad scholarships available for students through Villanova University, our partner programs and other external sources, like the US Government. The OEA can help students with the scholarship search and application process. If a scholarship is found outside of the OEA scholarship page, students should have it reviewed by the OEA to determine if it is a viable option. 

Browse the scholarships opportunities found on the OEA website.

CLAS

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