International Education

Learn a New Language – Take a PVCC Class

The World Languages programs within the Division of Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences serve the mission of Piedmont Virginia Community College by providing students the opportunity to develop language proficiency, intercultural competence, civic responsibility and engagement, and critical thinking. The language programs at PVCC are designed to prepare students to thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world, and to offer them the possibility to internationalize their degree, thereby equipping them to be competent and competitive participants in a global society.

PVCC offers the following credit classes:

English as a Second Language
French
Spanish

To hear more about language classes at PVCC, view the Program Spotlight on World Languages.

Search classes here.

Why Study a World Language?

Studying a second language gives you…
--Improved analytical, critical-thinking, problem-solving, listening, multi-tasking, and communication skills.
--Enhanced creativity and tolerance.
--Increased job opportunities in many sectors.
--Greater understanding of your own and other cultures.
--Strengthened self-awareness and self-confidence.
--Heightened pleasure and ease when traveling abroad.

For further information on the benefits of studying a world language, consult these articles:
Three Ways Learning a Language Helps Your Brain—Even If You Never Get Fluent
Language Study as a National Imperative
Sorry Stem, Google just made the case for more foreign language education
Why learning another language can change your life

For additional articles, look here.

Expand Your Cultural Awareness – Attend, Join, Engage!

PVCC International Speaker Series

Museo Galileo

Tutto bene? Reflections on a year of life in Florence, Italy
Anne Allison, Professor of Biology
Wednesday, October 4 12 p.m.-1 p.m.
Main Builiding Auditorium (M229)

If you were unable to attend the following speaker events live, you can view the recordings of these interesting talks.

Earthquake risk on transform fault systems: Understanding why the recent Turkish earthquakes were so destructive
Callan Bentley

The New European Balance of Power: Russia, the EU, and the Ukraine Crisis
Dr. James Sofka

Buddhist Concepts of Identity
Geshe Lobsang Nyendak & Danzing Thomson

El Camino: A Life-changing Experience
Jorge Grajales-Díaz, Christine Thalwitz, Mary Jane King

Sámi people: An Indigenous Nation in the Twenty-First Century
Dr. Thomas DuBois
Professor of Scandinavian Folklore, Folklore, and Religious Studies
University of Wisconson-Madison

Living and Working Abroad in the U.S. Foreign Service
Mr. Jeremiah Howard
Career Foreign Service Officer (retired)

Historical Roots of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Dr. Colum Leckey
Professor of History
Piedmont Virginia Community College

Festival of Cultures

Enjoy the cultural exhibition of the Festival of Cultures!

Take a virtual tour and be inspired by the beauty of the Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, the Netherlands.
Enjoy other virtual tours around the world from the safety of your own home or office.

International Club @ PVCC
A service and social club designed to bring together PVCC students from other countries with the PVCC community.

Connect with the World – Travel and Study Abroad

The PVCC Educational Foundation is offering scholarships for students traveling on college affiliated and college sponsored travel programs. You can access the application here .

Opportunities offered through PVCC:

Alhambra

Spain: Land of Many Cultures
Exciting 10-day tour of includes Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo (optional), Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Costa del Sol, and Morocco (optional).
For more information and to sign up visit the tour website.
Group leader: Professor Jorge Grajales-Díaz jgrajalesdiaz@pvcc.edu

Students in Rennes

Community College in France Bootcamps
Two-week immersive programs in the summer of 2024 sponsored by the French embassy.
The five new Bootcamps have been announced on the website.
PVCC advisor: Kris Swanson (kswanson@pvcc.edu)

Argentina

Rotary Scholarship Exchange Program with Escuela Técnica Otto Krause, Buenos Aires

Each summer, the Blue Ridge Rotary Club generously sponsors one PVCC student to study in Argentina for six weeks. This Rotary scholarship covers return airfare to Buenos Aires and includes accommodation with a local family and classes at a renowned technical school.

Candidates should be currently enrolled at PVCC, 18-21 years of age and aim to have completed Spanish 202 (or equivalent) before they travel. Program dates are mid-May to the end of June. ¡Buen viaje!

To apply, complete the application which contains further details and full instructions. The completed application should be submitted by the end of the fall semester.