Feature Stories 2023: UMassD students' studies abroad

This academic year, 67 UMass Dartmouth students from majors in every college on campus took part in study abroad programs in Asia, Central America, Europe, and Oceania, forming lifelong friendships with peers from all over the world, and establishing themselves as global citizens.

Visiting cities like San Jose, Costa Rica, Frankfurt, Germany, Athens, Greece, Florence, Italy, and Seville, Spain, UMassD students got a chance to study topics like tropical marine biology, international relations in Latin America, fashion consumer behavior, and the business of wine from other countries' points of view. Read more about some of their experiences below:

Costa Rica

Cameron Hixon '23, Spanish and History dual major (MAT track)

La Universidad Veritas (San Jose)

"After a while, classes can become a little monotonous in your home country. Studying abroad allows students to experience something new again: food, traditions, holidays, or people. I think meeting new people, whether they be locals or other international students, was my favorite part. Going to amazing scenic waterfalls and the beach in December is an amazing experience, but experiencing something new for the first time with friends who are doing the same adds to the experience. I still talk to a few of the friends I made from my program that live in Michigan and California."

"While studying abroad I learned that I am capable of way more than I ever imagined. I commute to UMass Dartmouth, so I live at home. Being able to adventure out on my own in a new country helped me gain a lot of independence."

Germany

Pushkar Bhatia '24, Economics – Healthcare Services Administration

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (Darmstadt, Hessen State)

"We had excursions to big companies like Dematic, Stihl, and Lufthansa. Visiting Lufthansa was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They presented their international marketing strategy to us, gave us a tour through the Frankfurt airport, and connected with us on LinkedIn. Learning the basics of the German language opened a whole new door for me personally and professionally, and I’m glad we were required to do that as part of the program."

Greece

Jocelyn Kingman '25, English (MAT Track)

The American College of Greece (Athens)

"I learned how to be more adaptable to new situations and that there is a whole other world out there waiting to be explored! I was able to immerse myself in Greek culture and norms, which I found to be easier than in America. Greek people add time with friends and family into their schedules. I learned that this is important and something that I will take back home with me. There is more to life than work and school; life is about the moments that are spent in good company sharing a good meal with a good view."

Italy

Mabel Ferreira '24, Operations Management

Instituto Lorenzo de' Medici (Florence)

"While studying abroad I learned that I am capable of way more than I ever imagined. I commute to UMass Dartmouth, so I live at home. Being able to adventure out on my own in a new country helped me gain a lot of independence. The best advice I could give to anyone studying abroad is to not be afraid to talk to people and make new friends; everyone is just as nervous as you are, so they are also looking for a friend. I have gained new life-long friends while living in Italy, some of which I have already flown to see again!"

Spain

Glendalis De La Cruz '23, Accounting

Universidad Pable de Olavide (Seville)

"The thing I enjoyed the most about the culture was how family-orientated people are, taking family time during the week as well as on the weekend to get together. I will for sure return to Seville, Spain because it is a beautiful place and I love the people and the food."

When asked if they would like to return to the city they studied abroad in at some point later in life, each of the above students said they planned to, including one with a flight already booked.

Other students studied in Australia, Cuba, England, Fiji, France, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, and Portugal during the fall 2022, winter 2023, spring 2023, and summer 2023 terms. Marine science and technology master's student Marcia Campbell also traveled for school this year, visiting the North Pole in the fall of 2022 to measure carbon levels at different latitudes on the way to and from the Pole.

Faculty-led study abroad groups

Individual programs aren't the only way to learn in a new country. This year, three different groups of UMassD students earned academic credit for shorter trips abroad.

Bridging the Atlantic to Portugal

Bridging the Atlantic, an international alliance in community health among American and Azorean nursing students and faculty, conducted its seventh exchange this March, sending 10 UMassD nursing students to the University of the Azores in Portugal where they visited health care centers, hospitals, and cultural sites, attended classes, and worked collaboratively on a community health project

Alternative Spring Break in Guatemala

In collaboration with the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, 11 UMassD students from a variety of majors spent their spring break in Panajachel, Guatemala, building portable and sustainable water filtration systems that can provide up to 10 years of fresh drinking water for women and children. Students volunteered through Worthy Village, a 501-C3 nonprofit organization, co-founded by UMassD alumnae Julia Rayberg '16 and Mayra Perez '08, that aims to build pathways out of poverty for women and children in Guatemala by providing economic opportunity, healthcare, and education.

Biology students in Iceland

Currently, 13 undergraduate biology students are conducting research and earning academic credit in Akureyri, Iceland with Professor Mark Silby, studying microbial diversity near the Arctic Circle in collaboration with their peers at University of Akureyri and the University of Reading (U.K.). There, students are learning about and applying ideas in research design, getting practical experience with microbiology field work to collect samples from various locations in the north of Iceland, and spending time in the lab conducting experiments that they designed.

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Iceland TV even ran a short segment on the group's mission.

Learn more about study abroad

Semester-long study abroad programs typically run for about 15 weeks, while summer programs last three to eight weeks, and winter programs last two to three weeks. Since courses are taught in English, foreign language proficiency is not required, though some programs require taking a language course.

According to International Programs Office (IPO) Assistant Director Gina Reis, many scholarships are available to help defray costs. Students are encouraged to seek advising from the IPO on selecting a program that is a good academic and financial fit that aligns with their goals.

Last summer, Corsairs studied in Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Students interested in studying abroad should contact the International Programs Office, and attend the Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The deadline to apply for winter and spring programs is in mid-October.