Global Scholars Program

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets’ Global Scholars Program offers cadets the opportunity to travel abroad and apply history to better understand the complexities of international issues facing us today.

The program includes a three-credit-hour seminar in the spring semester focused on research and study of key battles of World War I and World War II followed by a week-long trip to the battlegrounds.

Cadets walk the restored trench system at Massignes, France. This trenchline changed hands three times during the war. Cadets were most impressed by what they saw at Massignes.

Much of the seminar is led by the cadets, who each take a deep dive into a specific topic, share their research and findings, and apply lessons learned to today’s world events.

Overseas, they walk in the shadows of those early soldiers, sailors, and airmen. They see the battlefields and the modern culture surrounding them and lead similar discussions on leadership and decision-making.

Sections offered have included:

Key battles of World War I, including Verdun, the Somme, Belleau Wood, and Chateau-Thierry
The Allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day during War War II
The World War II battles that followed D-Day, including Operation Market-Garden, the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge
The Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor

The application process happens during the fall semester. Cadets can ask their chain of command about this academic year's process.

This study abroad program is funded almost entirely by the Corps. Donor generosity pays for lodging, flights, and ground transportation for the group.

You can support this program by making a gift at givingto.vt.edu/corps. Choose "Corps of Cadets" as the area. Then choose "VTCC Global Scholars Annual Fund."