Spend Your First Semester Abroad
Get off the waitlist, see the world!
By spending the fall semester abroad in either Spain, Italy, or England through the New Dukes Abroad: First Semester Program, students will have the opportunity to be fully admitted to JMU. It provides a great pathway for students to be part of the JMU family, take JMU courses, and make lifelong friends.
If accepted into the program, students will be part of longstanding flagship programs at JMU: Semester in Spain, Semester in Florence, or Semester in London. Whether it's studying great works of literature in Salamanca, seeing theatre performances on the West End, or getting up-close and personal in the study of Italian art, these programs will provide courses as part of JMU's General Education program - a required component of a JMU degree.
Want to learn more? Join us for an information session.
Tuesday, March 24
7:30-8:30pm
Registration required
Applications require a short essay, unofficial transcript, a letter of recommendation, and a few other important items. Allow yourself enough tiem to apply. Applications, along with all needed materials, are due by 11:59pm on Wednesday, April 1.
How it works
Designed for students who were placed on JMU's waitlist, this program allows for an alternative pathway to become a JMU Duke. Students who are accepted into this program will be admitted to JMU like any other student, but will start their first year by spending the fall semester abroad.
After completing the application, students will be asked to participate in a quick virtual interview. Then, a selection committee within the Center for Global Engagement, with partnership from the Office of Admissions, will review the application and make a subsequent acceptance decision. Students will be informed of their status via email by Friday, April 17. While students get to rank their choice of location as part of their application, all students must be flexible and willing to study at either of the three locations. All locations offer:
- a full load of courses, with a selection of courses from the General Education cirriculum (16 credits)
- on-site housing with other JMU students
- program outings and excursions
- a combination of meal stipends and group meals
- an immersive experience as part of a different culture
If accepted to the program, participants must make a $1,000 non-refundable program deposit by May 1, 2026, to secure their spot. All students will pay the same tuition and room & board as all other JMU students, plus a $5,500 program fee (the deposit will count toward the program fee). Students are eligible for financial aid as part of this program.
In preparation for the program, students will attend a series of online pre-deparature orientations, receive support from the Center for Global Engagement, University Advising, and the Office of Orientation, and attend a mandatory in-person orientation at JMU on Monday, August 3.
Thoughts From 2025 Participants
"This was an opportunity I thought I wouldn't get otherwise. This was a great gateway program and I feel more ready for the spring."
"What I loved about the pre-departure orientation was the cooking class that was held for the incoming first yeras. For me, that's where I met my roommates and made connections."
"I learned so much without even realizing it and I've come back with a new mind on things."
Semester in Spain
Students who are part of the Semester in Spain program have the opportunity to experience the cultural richness of Salamanca, Spain as the activities organized throughout the semester complement the material taught in the classroom. Art, history, and literature come alive when you can study first-hand the works that once were only names in a textbook.
Enrolled students will take four general education courses offered, an elementary or intermediate Spanish course depending on proficiency, and a UNST 390 course for a total of 16 credit hours. All courses are taught in English during the fall semester and Spanish language knowledge is not required.
Students will stay in individual rooms with a kitchenette and a microwave, in a dorm within walking distance of the school and the city center. Students have access to all the dorm facilities, including a gym, study rooms, and (weather permitting) an outdoor swimming pool. Students will be able to learn about the Spanish way of life in an environment outside the classroom by engaging with the life in the community.
What Students Have to Say
"While being immersed in the Spanish language and culture I was able to try new foods, visit beautiful landscapes, see lots of art, meet new people, and much more."
"Studying abroad in Salamanca was an incredible opportunity and one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Living in Spain allowed me to be fully immersed in the culture and lifestyle, providing me with so many opportunities to learn and explore. Through the program, I met many new people and formed incredible friendships."
"I grew a lot both as a student and an individual, made some great friendships with Spanish students, and learned so much about Spain itself."
Semester in London
On the Semester in London program, students will study the great works and explore how history influences the present in Europe's most cosmopolitan city. Professors take you in to the culture, giving you the background and resources to inform your own discovery.
The Semester in London academic program includes five general education courses and a UNST 390 course for a total of 16 credits, with weekly outings for all students. Our courses meet in the classroom and then our professors take you to the source to learn about London by experiencing London! Outings include visits to museums, galleries, theatre performances, important historical and political sites, and other relevant locations. You may join most classes on their weekly outings, even if you're not enrolled in that specific course.
Students will live in Madison House, a flat located in the in the Bloomsbury district of central London. Not only is this area convenient to the classrooms, it is also a very short distance from the British Museum and Regent's Park, a huge complex of gardens, ponds, playing fields and walking/jogging paths. Though it is located in a quiet and safe area, Madison House is also within walking distance of 80 percent of London's major attractions! From the pulsating night life of Piccadilly Circus and SoHo, to Covent Garden and the West End theatre district. And don't forget about the shopping paradise of Oxford Street!
What Students Have to Say
"The professors were fantastic and truly passionate about their topics. Lectures as museums were interesting and being able to see so many eras of art in person was eye opening"
"The side trip to Scotland was super fun and the activities were engaging. The Scottish Higlands were beautiful and we were given freedom to explore the city."
"London is: eye-opening, welcoming, alive, bright and intuitive! Living in London for three months gave me the chance to appreciate other parts of the world, learn about a different culture and grasp myself as an individual. One reason I strongly encourage students to participate in this program is because it allows you to stay connected to JMU while being across the ocean!"
Semester in Florence
As part of the Semester in Florence program, students will be able to immerse themselves in one of the world’s richest cultures. With countless artistic treasures and dynamic commercial, gastronomical, educational, political, and social scenes, Florence offers outstanding opportunities for JMU students. Participants encounter Renaissance art; the interplay among food, wine, & Italian culture; Italian and U.S. marketing approaches; Italian and non-Italian literature about Florence; and a course on global issues and issue advocacy. No previous background in the Italian language is required and all courses are taught in English.
The curriculum promotes engaged, hands-on learning in the city that travelers routinely designate "the best city in the world." Students will enroll in General Education courses that focus on Italian cooking, society & the arts, Florence in literature, global politics and issue advocacy. Students will also enroll in one course on modern Italy, and on credit of UNST 390 for a total of 16 credits.
Semester in Florence students live and take classes in Palazzo Capponi in Via dei Michelozzi, a 14,000-square-foot palace owned by Pio Istituto de' Bardi (The Bardi Institute). The JMU facilities provide bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen space, lounge space, offices, classrooms and computer labs. The Santo Spirito neighborhood – and the city of Florence more broadly – provide an atmospheric setting for Italian adventures. The city's historic piazzas remain largely unchanged from their medieval beginnings, enabling you to tread the same streets as illustrious persons such as Michelangelo, Dante, Boccaccio, Brunelleschi, Machiavelli, Leonardo Da Vinci and Galileo, to mention just a few.
What Students Have to Say
"The best part of this program were the endless opportunities. Professors were understanding, classes involved going to museums, and you get to see the art pieces in person rather than on a slideshow."
"Italy is a breathtaking country filled with caring and hospitable people, and yes, the majority of the people in Florence speak English, but challenging yourself in the language is something you will not really be able to do back in the United States."
"I honestly cannot even begin to explain how much my study abroad experiences in Italy have changed me. I have grown on so many levels-personal, academic, and professional."
Ready to apply?
Applications for this program are competitive. We encourage you to take your time as you complete the application and ensure you're putting your best foot forward. Applications are due by Wednesday, April 1 at 11:59pm.
For additional questions, please email studyabroad@jmu.edu.
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