URV students do more stays abroad than ever before

551 students from the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) undertook stays abroad during the 2024/25 academic year, the highest number in history. This figure reflects the boost of international mobility at URV, key for the personal and professional development of the student body and the university community of Tarragona.

Mobility, which also affects teaching and technical staff, confirms URV as a benchmark in internationalization in the province, with a balance between incoming and outgoing participants that ensures the sustainability of its programs.

International mobility at URV: more stays and more opportunities

Why does the record number of stays abroad matter?

The growth to 551 stays abroad means that more students from Tarragona and the surrounding area have access to international educational experiences, an opportunity that goes beyond the curriculum. This increase is fundamental for a city like Tarragona, which seeks to connect with Europe and the globalized world through its university.

Which programs drive this mobility?

Erasmus+ is the dominant program, but URV also works with others such as Aurora, MOU, I-Global, ISEP, and I-Networks, which expand the offer and allow students and staff multiple pathways to undertake stays abroad or host international students and professionals.

URV as an international attraction hub in Tarragona

How does this affect the international students who come to URV?

In the 2024/25 academic year, 510 students from other countries came to URV, a figure that confirms Tarragona as an attractive and growing university destination. This flow helps diversify the campus and enriches the learning environment with global experiences.

What impact does university staff mobility leave?

47 members of the Teaching and Research Staff and 21 of the Technical and Administrative Staff undertook stays abroad, while more international staff visited URV. This exchange strengthens research and global collaboration from Tarragona.

Impact of internationalization on research and curriculum

What does research say about internationalization at URV?

53% of the more than 2,000 publications by URV researchers are in collaboration with international institutions, demonstrating Tarragona’s significant role in global research. Moreover, one third of master's and doctoral students are international, giving an intercultural character to advanced studies.

How is internationalization worked into the curriculum?

The COIL and BIP programs are essential for integrating internationalization into daily education. These initiatives promote collaboration among students from different countries without the need to travel, while maintaining the essence of global learning.

Thus, URV confirms that Tarragona not only exports talent but also acts as a magnet for students and professionals from around the world, reinforcing its position as an international university capital.

The increase in mobility in the 2024/25 academic year is a clear indicator that the province of Tarragona and URV continue to strongly commit to opening up to the world, with a balance that makes this commitment sustainable and that, undoubtedly, has positive repercussions on educational quality and the international projection of the city.

Source of the article: Rovira i Virgili University