As UMass Amherst students, we know that there are plenty of things to love about our school. We have talented professors, renowned dining options, and a consistently energetic campus culture. Our campus is also surrounded by the natural beauty of New England, especially during foliage season. But what opportunities does UMass offer beyond campus and the surrounding towns? What about communities across the Atlantic Ocean and cities in the Southern Hemisphere? In this article, we’ll explore what UMass has to offer, why students should consider taking advantage of these opportunities, and where participating in global education programs could take them.
One of the most exciting things about my experience as a prospective student at UMass Amherst was learning about its wide range of customizable global education programs. I thought it was exciting that I would have so many options to choose from when I was ready to study abroad. At other universities, study abroad options can be limited by program availability, eligibility requirements, and destination choices. Some programs also operate on a first-come, first-served basis, leaving students with less flexibility in their choices. UMass Amherst offers more than 300 programs across six continents, giving students a wide range of destinations and experiences to choose from.
Once you decide which continent you want to visit, there is still plenty to choose from. UMass Amherst offers more than 200 programs in 56 countries across six continents, with opportunities in cities around the world. If this makes you anxious instead of excited, don’t worry. UMass Amherst’s UMass Abroad Portal helps students explore programs and narrow down their options based on their interests, academic goals, and preferred destinations. Students can also use the Program Match quiz to find programs that fit their preferences. These options include specific semesters, years, program types and durations, majors, and more. If you are pursuing a highly structured major, such as nursing or engineering, there may be programs that fit your academic requirements and help you stay on track toward graduation. Florence, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain, are two possible destinations for students studying abroad, but programs are offered around the world, from South Korea to Chile.
Traveling to a foreign country can seem daunting for many reasons, including leaving home, being separated from family and friends, and navigating a language barrier. There are many reasons why students may be wary of studying abroad, and all concerns are valid. Studying in a new country is an opportunity that may be harder to pursue later in life, when full-time employment or graduate coursework leaves less room for such travel. While abroad, students can gain new perspectives, visit places they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience, build relationships with peers and professors and immerse themselves in another culture without having to establish a permanent life there. At the end of the experience, students can return home and apply what they have learned to strengthen their resumes, appeal to potential employers, and broaden their perspectives on the world.
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