The mission of the Center for International Education (CIE) is to build an internationally minded UMW community in order to prepare UMW students to be globally competent citizens. The Center values diversity and offers an environment that fosters cross-cultural understanding and international cooperation and engagement through transformational programs and experiences. CIE provides support to students interested in education abroad opportunities and serves the needs of international students.

CIE oversees the numerous Faculty-Led programs abroad and UMW Approved education abroad programs. Faculty-Led Programs are conducted by UMW professors during the breaks from the regular academic calendar (winter and spring breaks) or during summer sessions. Students can study, intern, research or volunteer abroad through UMW’s Approved Programs for a summer, semester, or year. Students can plan one program or multiple as an undergraduate and earn academic credit that counts toward graduation requirements.

CIE guides international students, both degree-seeking and exchange, through the process of obtaining their visas and how to maintain status. In addition, CIE organizes and leads an international student orientation held at the beginning of each semester to help ease the transition to studying and living in the United States.