Mitch Ross's thoughtful article on "Going International" (Thursday, August 27) correctly points out the importance of study abroad. "Studying abroad is an excellent way for students to encounter learning from a different perspective," he writes. U.Va. has programs in a dozen or more countries, programs in English or in the language of the country, and thousands of students have benefitted from contact with one or more countries over the years. Mr. Ross logically could not mention all of the opportunities offered to U.Va. students, so I would like to call your readers' attention to Semester at Sea, which, since 2006, has been sponsored by U.Va. The current voyage - the 100th - is taking students to Spain, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, India, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Hawaii, and its strength is exactly the kind of experiential learning that Mr. Ross applauds in his article. Miss something at U.Va? Indeed! Students interested in more information can visit Semester at Sea's Web site.\n\nDavid T. Gies\nCommonwealth Professor of Spanish
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