By Michelle Albany
The University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) annual University Bound (UB) Summer Program 2025 once again empowered eligible high school students, equipping them with essential college preparatory skills and invaluable experiences for success in higher education. The program, which ran for five weeks, concluded with a transformative college tour in Florida. Following their intensive summer, UB students embarked on an exciting Florida college tour from July 22-29, 2025. This immersive trip provided a unique opportunity for students to experience diverse university environments firsthand, aiding them in making informed decisions about their future academic paths.
In particular, the tour included a visit to Florida International University (FIU). FIU is a National Student Exchange (NSE) school where UVI students can enhance their academic offerings and cultural perspectives. UVI students can attend one of over 700 NSE schools for one year, or one semester for the cost of UVI tuition. National Student Exchange inspires academic enrichment, personal exploration, and student development by facilitating accessible collegiate study away among member colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S Virgin Islands.
UB encourages students to make informed decisions and do their research to gain valuable information. Websites and brochures can’t fully convey the actual atmosphere of a campus. A campus visit allows students to experience student interactions, the academic setting, extracurricular activities, and the general social environment. Visiting multiple schools helps students compare different environments, academic programs, and opportunities. This can help them narrow down their choices and prioritize what’s most important to them. Often times most students are able to confirm their preference to attending the University of the Vigin Islands, rather than go away for undergraduate school.
Other schools we visited included: Miami University, Florida Memeorial University, Nova Southeastern University, and Barry University.
The UB Summer Program and subsequent college tour underscore UVI’s commitment to guiding aspiring students toward achieving their educational goals and preparing them for a seamless transition into secondary education.
To learn more about the University Bound Program visit https://www.uvi.edu/student-success/upward-bound.html
