Exciting News: U.Va. Announces New Satellite Campus at Carter Mountain!

On Monday, the University unveiled an exciting new addition to its 2030 Plan: a study abroad program centered around Carter Mountain, a beloved spot for its stunning views and popular “Sunset Series” events. Students often flock to this hilltop, making it a familiar backdrop for their social media posts. The pilot summer program, “U.Va. in Carter,” aims to create a comfortable and engaging learning environment for students.

The University’s study abroad office thinks this program is a fresh take on studying abroad. By choosing a place students already love, they believe it will help attendees thrive academically and socially. Bea Yond, the director of the study abroad office, suggests that familiar surroundings boost students’ confidence and overall experience.

Concerns about traditional study abroad programs prompted this initiative. Many students reported feeling anxious about adjusting to new cultures, navigating time zones, and using public transport. For example, Noablo Espanyol, who spent a summer in Valencia, shared his struggles with a language barrier. “After acing my Spanish class, I panicked when a stranger asked for directions and just blurted out ‘el padre’ before running away,” he said.

Additionally, students expressed frustrations over cultural shifts. Some found it challenging to adapt to European coffee shops instead of familiar spots like Starbucks, and others missed places like Juice Laundry nearby.

To ease these adjustments, students in the “U.Va. in Carter” program will stay in “Orchard Cabins” on the mountain, designed for a rustic experience. Four cabins are currently being built. They’ll dine on local fare, guided by a partnership between Carter Mountain’s cider donut team and a wellness-focused Darden student.

Classes will be held outside among the orchard trees, where professors will lecture in flannel, and students will sit on picnic blankets instead of traditional desks. Course offerings will encompass various subjects, ensuring a well-rounded academic experience.

The initiative has raised questions among locals about how it affects residents and whether their voices were heard before these plans were made. Yond defended the University’s approach, saying that residents generally appreciate student activities.

In a humorous twist, the program also introduces controlled challenges, like sporadically shutting off mountain Wi-Fi to mimic the unreliable internet at some European cafes. Students might also face potential “honor violations” for asking for ice in their drinks, and a quirky new currency, “Carter Coins,” may be introduced for purchasing cider donuts.

Virginia Isfarloafers, a third-year student, shared her thoughts: “I thought about studying in Senegal, thinking it was this cute island near France. When I discovered it wasn’t, I cried. Whatever unique experience they plan at U.Va. in Carter can’t be worse than that.”

If the program proves successful, Tucker Tuckerson, the assistant director of the study abroad office, hinted at expanding it to include semester or year-long options. Other locations in Charlottesville, like Scott Stadium or The Dairy Market, could also become new study abroad venues in the future.

“Studying abroad is all about growth,” Tuckerson noted. “If students need to be close to a Bodo’s bagel shop to flourish, we won’t stand in their way.”

Students can look forward to applying to the program in the summer of 2026, marking a new era for study abroad experiences right in their backyard.



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