UVA in the Netherlands: Applied Organic Chemistry II

Hands-On Learning in a Global Setting – Summer 2025

As educators, we understand the profound value of global experiences and cultural enrichment. Recognizing a need for expanded opportunities within our chemistry program, Dr. Samonina created a unique STEM summer program abroad, leveraging my personal connections to the Netherlands as an ideal starting point. The Netherlands is a vibrant, culturally rich country with much to offer, and I knew it would be a fantastic setting for our students to deepen their learning in an immersive environment. This kind of international experience not only enriches the curriculum but also enhances our students' employability in a competitive job market.

Dr. Frantz, having participated in a study abroad program in graduate school, understands the importance to expanding our professional networks and the rewarding challenging of learning in a new environment. Like many STEM students, she wasn’t able to fit a study abroad experience during her undergraduate education due to the regimented coursework that accompanies most STEM majors. Dr. Frantz was eager to be a part of UVA in the Netherlands program that provides this opportunity to STEM students without interrupting their courses or delay graduation.

In collaboration with the UVA Study Abroad Office and Maastricht University, we launched the first edition of the program in the summer of 2023, and it was a resounding success. Both Dr. Alicia Frantz and I taught organic chemistry while traveling with a great group of students. We became a close learning community, experiencing the beauty and culture of the Netherlands together. We explored historic cities like Amsterdam, Delft, Haarlem, and The Hague. We biked across the border to Belgium, took a boat around Amsterdam, and visited some of the most important Dutch museums, where we saw works by prominent Dutch artists such as Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh, and others. We also enjoyed a boat tour along the majestic river Maas and visited the fascinating underground caves of Zonneberg. We even made and baked traditional vlaai in the oldest bakery in Maastricht. These shared experiences brought us closer as a group and connected what we learned in class to real-life contexts. It was an incredible way to tie together history, art, and chemistry.

Some student reflections highlight the impact of the program:

“I had a great time in Europe with my fellow students in this program. While the coursework was challenging, the experiences that came along with it were fantastic. I got to see various cities throughout the Netherlands, travel to Bruges, bike to Belgium, and participate in various group activities almost daily that brought me closer to the other students, as well as reinforced what we were learning in class. The smaller classroom environment made asking questions easy, which helped me better understand the material. Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone looking for a challenging but equally rewarding and fun study abroad experience.”

“I think about the Netherlands and our trip every day! It has changed my life!”

Given the program's success, we are thrilled to offer it again in Summer 2025.

For further details, please contact Dr. Jelena Samonina or Dr. Alicia Frantz and visit the following webpage.