Study Abroad at University of Lynchburg Expands Access, Awareness for Students

By Aisha Marilyn Abdulbary-Knotts | Staff Writer

Professors Dr. Meghan McGuire and Allen TenBusschen with students in Dún Aonghasa | Braelyn Blackstone

For many students, studying abroad can feel like an opportunity meant for someone else, too expensive, too complicated, or simply out of reach. But faculty and students involved in the University of Lynchburg Global Education program say those assumptions often stem from a lack of information rather than reality.

University-led study abroad programs are structured to combine academics with travel, offering students the chance to earn credit while experiencing new cultures. According to Jennifer Wills, director of global education and resource management, the cost structure is often misunderstood.

“It might seem expensive, right? But if you think about taking a trip like this on your own, it’s probably gonna be cheaper,” Wills said. She explained that most programs bundle major expenses together, including housing, transportation within the country and planned activities, which can make the overall cost more manageable compared to organizing a similar trip independently.

At Lynchburg, students typically pay two main costs: a program fee and tuition. While the program fee covers travel-related expenses, tuition is reduced for study abroad courses.

“It’s discounted at half the rate for study abroad when they’re doing short-term, faculty-led study abroad. So you pay half the tuition,” Wills said.

That structure allows students to earn academic credit at a lower cost while participating in an international experience. Additional expenses, such as meals not included in the program, passports, or personal spending, are left to students to budget based on their needs.

Rebuilding and growing after COVID-19

Like many colleges and universities, Lynchburg saw its study abroad participation drop sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, when global travel was restricted. Programs were paused entirely, and rebuilding has taken time.

“We obviously saw everything to the client. I mean, it went to zero during COVID. And then we’ve been building it back up ever since,” Wills said.

Now, programs are returning, with some shifts in participation trends. Graduate programs have expanded their offerings, while undergraduate programs are still approaching pre-pandemic levels.

“I think we’re getting back to where we were pre-COVID,” Wills said, noting that the number of trips offered is steadily increasing.

Meghan McGuire, associate professor of English, said the pandemic’s impact is still visible in student behavior and awareness. While interest is growing again, some students remain hesitant or unaware of available opportunities.

“In 2020, obviously, study abroad programs across the country kind of got shut down,” McGuire said. “I think that all of our global studies programs are still kind of trying to bounce back from that a little bit.”

She added that, beyond the pandemic’s effects, other barriers continue to limit participation, including cost concerns and limited outreach.

“I think sometimes financial issues can be a factor. I think sometimes we just don’t market the programs as well as we could. I think a lot of students don’t know that studying abroad is sort of an option for them,” she said.

Making programs accessible across majors

One of the biggest challenges for students considering study abroad is fitting it into their academic schedules, especially for majors with strict course requirements. To address this, many Lynchburg programs are designed to be flexible.

Short-term summer programs, in particular, allow students to participate without interfering with their regular semester schedules.

“Because we have those summer programs, I think as far as schedules go, it is helpful in that way,” Wills said, noting that this format can also work well for athletes and students in demanding majors.

Faculty have also worked to make courses more inclusive by offering general education credits that apply across disciplines. McGuire said this approach significantly broadens access.

“I actually made that specifically Gen Ed courses so that students who were interested in those courses could come from any field,” she said.

These courses are intentionally designed to attract students outside of specific majors, allowing them to fulfill graduation requirements while studying abroad. McGuire emphasized that the academic component remains central to the experience.

“You’re not just traveling, you’re not just on a trip. You are engaging in coursework before and while you’re abroad,” she said.

Financial aid and planning ahead

Although program costs can initially appear high, both Wills and McGuire stressed that financial aid opportunities can significantly reduce the burden.

“Our scholarships, most of them are need-based. And so if you have financial need, you are likely to get some amount of scholarship,” Wills said.

In addition to university funding, students can apply for departmental and external scholarships. McGuire noted that combining multiple sources of aid can make a noticeable difference.

“By the time you add a global study scholarship, and possibly a scholarship in your field, that can really make that program cost a lot lower,” she said.

Wills also encouraged students to think about studying abroad early in their college careers, rather than waiting until the last minute.

“If you’re coming in as a freshman, start putting away a little bit here and there to fund that in the future,” she said.

Planning ahead, she added, gives students more time to explore scholarships and fundraising options, including potential campus-led initiatives.

The Student Perspective

For students who participate, studying abroad often becomes one of the most memorable parts of their college experience.

Satin Taylor’26, studied abroad in London through the English department’s “Mind the Gap” program. For Taylor, the combination of academic credit and travel made the decision easier.

“One of the most, like, convincing things was that it was six credits, and it was only half price for the credits,” Taylor said. “So I was getting six of my credits for a minor, and going to study abroad.”

She described the program as structured but immersive, balancing coursework with hands-on experiences in the city. Students completed assignments both before departure and while abroad, allowing them to connect what they learned in class to real-world settings.

“It was completely inclusive outside of, like, meals. The plane ticket, the state regents, plays and one of the group event things that we went to were all included in the trip, which I thought was, like, a fantastic deal,” she said.

Living in a university setting abroad also helped replicate a student experience in another country, offering a deeper understanding of daily life and culture.

“We stayed at a university in London, which I think helped a lot with the whole student experience,” Taylor said.

Beyond logistics, she emphasized the personal impact of studying abroad, particularly on cultural awareness and growth.

“I think we just grow as individuals and we are able to connect with people that we’re not usually able to connect with when we’re at home,” she said.

Study Abroad Students at Regents University | Dr. Meghan McGuire

Braelyn Blackstone ’26, who has participated in both the Mind The Gap and Discover Ireland  study abroad trips, said her experiences broadened both her academic and personal interests. She noted that her time in London played a key role in shaping her involvement on campus.

“I have loved both of my Study Abroad trips. They have expanded my interests so much and let me experience so many new things. If it weren’t for my London trip I never would’ve realized how much I love theater, a realization that led to my current involvement in the theater department here,” Blackstone said. “Both the professors and students that go on these trips really make the experience so much better, I’ve made connections with some of those people that will last a lifetime.”

She emphasized that studying abroad also strengthened her understanding of global cultures and history.

“I really think Study Abroad trips are valuable because they help students expand their understanding of different Countries, cultures, and people,” she said. “Going from a Country that’s fairly new into other Countries that have been around for millennia and getting to see the progress and accomplishments that have been achieved over the years is really inspiring.”

Blackstone added that traveling with academically driven peers enhanced the experience and created lasting connections.

“I’ve also made friends from these trips and I think traveling with a group of people that are academically like-minded is really important and enhances the experience,” she said.

A Transformative Experience

Faculty say study abroad is not just about visiting new places, but about developing skills that extend beyond the classroom.

McGuire described it as one of the most impactful forms of experiential learning offered by the university.

“If we’re an institution who says that part of our mission is to be undeniably life-changing, nothing does that better than study abroad,” she said.

Students often gain independence, confidence, and adaptability through navigating unfamiliar environments. These skills, faculty say, are valuable not only academically but also professionally.

At the same time, university-led programs provide a level of structure and safety that can make international travel less intimidating, especially for first-time travelers.

“You’re familiar with their professors and they know the places that we’re going to, so I think it just makes it a lot more meaningful,” Taylor said.

Looking ahead

As participation continues to recover, Lynchburg is working to expand both awareness and access to study abroad opportunities. The university offers a range of programs, from short-term trips to semester-long experiences at partner institutions around the world.

“We have partner institutions all across the world where students can spend a semester and have that study abroad experience,” Wills said.

Faculty hope that increased outreach and continued program development will encourage more students to consider studying abroad.

“I would love it if more of our students studied abroad,” McGuire said.

For students still unsure, faculty emphasize that the first step is simply to ask questions and explore options, because what may seem out of reach could be more accessible than expected.

For more information about Lynchburg’s study abroad opportunities, visit their website