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UVA School of Data Science Offers Study Abroad Programs in Denmark, Sweden, and Spain for Undergraduate Students
The University of Virginia School of Data Science is offering study abroad opportunities for third-year undergraduate students enrolled in the Data Science major. Students have the option to select between three different semester international programs: DIS: Denmark, DIS: Sweden, and UVA in Valencia: Data Science.
We spoke with Liz Wellbeloved, senior Education Abroad advisor, program manager, and assistant director of UVA in Valencia, Spain; Brian Wright, associate professor of data science, and program director of undergraduate programs at the School of Data Science; and Heather Corley, student success advisor at the School of Data Science, to answer student questions about study abroad opportunities, housing options, credit requirements, extracurricular activities, and more.
Liz Wellbeloved, Senior Education Abroad Advisor, Program Manager, and Assistant Director of UVA in Valencia
Q: What courses or specializations are available for UVA Data Science students participating in the study abroad program in Valencia? Are there opportunities to take courses outside of the data science curriculum?
On the Data Science track, we are offering DS 2024 - Value I: Ethics & Policy in Data Science; DS 3022 - Data Engineering; and DS 4021 - Analytics II: Machine Learning. These courses are going to be taught in English following the UVA syllabus.
In addition to these courses, all students must take at least one Spanish-language course. Our Spanish-language course list starts at SPAN 2010 - Intermediate Spanish. Students who have not taken any Spanish at UVA but did take it in high school can place into SPAN 2010 through an SAT II score of 520-590, or place beyond SPAN 2010 with an SAT II score of 600-640 or a Spanish AP score of 4. Because this is a fall semester program, students can also work on Spanish over the summer either through the UVA Summer Language Institute, UVA Summer Session, or even by taking a Spanish course at their local community college.
We offer Intro to Social Psychology in English, two Politics courses in English, and students can also “mix and match” and take a course or two from the Engineering program. Students who have a Spanish background can select from over a dozen Spanish courses at the 3000 and 4000 level.
Q: How does financial aid work for students studying abroad in Valencia? Can students use their existing financial aid, or are there any adjustments students need to be aware of?
Most financial aid is portable for study abroad. On the Education Abroad website, the Financial Aid section provides information and links to resources. The total estimated cost for Valencia Data Science for a Virginia resident is $19,878 and for non-Virginia residents is $21,534, both of which are less than the cost to stay in Charlottesville!
Q: How are students placed in housing?
There is a questionnaire as part of the program application regarding the homestay. Our director of student services in Valencia places students based on their requests. All host families have completed a background check, interviews with our staff, and home visits. Students can live with another program participant or can opt to be the only student with the host family.
Q: What types of cultural immersion opportunities are included in the program?
We have a fully staffed center in Valencia and offer a wide range of activities during the semester. For the fall, they offer two daytrips outside of Valencia; a long weekend trip to Granada, Spain; cooking classes; sports activities; walking tours; meditation on the beach; a Halloween party; a Thanksgiving dinner; and over fall break, there is an opportunity to walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago.
Q: What activities do students typically participate in during their free time? Are there specific places they love to visit?
Most weeks, students will not have classes on Friday, so there are a lot of opportunities for travel both within Spain and around Europe. The city of Valencia is on the coast, so at the start of the semester, hanging out at the beach is a favorite pastime. The city is full of parks, museums, restaurants, and distinct neighborhoods that are fun to explore. I don’t think I’ve heard of a student being bored while in Valencia!
Q: What kind of networking opportunities are available in Valencia for School of Data Science students?
We offer a language partner program so our students can be paired with a local student for language exchange. We have internships in a wide variety of locations, and are working with Professor Wright to look at specific DS opportunities for our students.
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Brian Wright, Program Director, Undergraduate Programs, UVA School of Data Science
Q: What specific advantages do you think students gain by studying data science in places such as Denmark and Sweden?
These locations have tailored programs designed for students that are studying data science and have been around for a couple of years. So, it's great to get the cultural experience of studying aboard and still getting a cutting-edge education.
Q: What kind of impact do you believe this program has on students' personal growth and academic development?
Everything we know about the undergraduate student experience as it relates to study abroad is more or less positive. For many students this is their first experience going overseas, and the memories are some of the most visceral when alumni think back to their undergraduate careers. It also helps us serve our missing of create globally minded scholars.
Q: Can you explain how the courses offered in these study abroad opportunities are integrated with the B.S. in Data Science curriculum?
This was actually the easy part: the courses in Valenica are the same courses here at UVA, so a perfect match. The Denmark and Sweden programs are also quite similar to courses we offer locally, so finding a pathway for students was pretty straight forward.
Q: What opportunities are there for students to connect with local Data Science/STEM industries or professionals in the locations offered?
In Demark and Sweden, the programs have industry tours baked into the process, so students will get experience with how data science operates in the real world. Valencia also works to bring industry leaders into the classroom and has tailored the curriculum to be very hands on, just like we do here on Grounds.
Heather Corley, Student Success Advisor, UVA School of Data Science
Q: If students can’t study abroad for the Fall 2025 semester but are interested in earning a credit for the Data Science major, what opportunities are available to them?
DIS: Scandinavia: Summer: Mix & Match. Students can earn credit for DS 4021 (Analytics II: Machine Learning) with Artificial Neural Networks and Deep Learning this summer in Copenhagen, Denmark. This is a three-week program.
Q: During the UVA Education Abroad application process, students are required to fill out the transfer credit approval form for DIS Scandinavia. Could you walk us through the credit approval process for that program and any important steps or forms students should be aware of to ensure their credits transfer smoothly?
- Use the DIS Course Finder to search for elective credit in Stockholm and Copenhagen.
- See if your proposed elective and GenEd courses are listed in the UVA international equivalency database.
- If you are proposing credit to satisfy a minor or second major, pay extra attention to the instructions on the Transfer Credit Approval form. You must go through the approval process. The SDS Director of Undergraduate Programs, Brian Wright, cannot make these approvals. The instructions state: “For credit toward a 2nd Major or Minor, consult with the Director of Undergraduate Programs or designated faculty member in the appropriate department regarding transfer credit policies and course selection. They will assign a UVA equivalent course. Provide documentation of their approval with this form to ensure it is appropriately reflected in SIS once complete.”
- "What if I want to change my courses after my form is approved?"
Students will not fill out a new form. If a student decides to take an alternative course after their form is approved, they must communicate these changes to the Student Success Advisor to ensure the course is appropriate and the student understands how the credit will transfer.
Q: For students who are choosing between the UVA in Valencia program and DIS: Scandinavia, are there any factors they should consider to help make their decision?
Valencia — UVA in Valencia is beneficial because students will be taking the exact DS major courses as their cohorts who are remaining on Grounds in the fall. Students must be eligible to take SPAN 2010 - Intermediate Spanish this fall, and there are several ways to meet this language requirement.
DIS: Scandanavia — DIS: Scandanavia doesn't offer an equivalent of one of the required major courses, DS 3022 - Data Engineering, so those students will have to take the course when they return.
Q: If students are interested in UVA study abroad opportunities and want to learn more, who can they reach out to?
- UVA in Valencia - Liz Wellbeloved
- DIS: Scandanavia - Annia Dowell-Wiltshire
- Consult the International Studies Office for additional opportunities to study abroad in January Term, Spring Break, and Summer. Students can search and apply to programs through the International Studies Office's program search.
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Deadlines to apply for each program during the Fall semester are as follows:
DIS: Denmark - March 15
DIS: Sweden - April 1
UVA in Valencia - May 1
