Congratulations Graduates!
Congratulations to all of the students graduating next week! Special shout out to one of our Study Abroad Alumna, Ada Glaser, whose college experience, including her time in South Africa, was spotlighted by UMBC! Ada is an emerging social worker with a passion for youth development. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and the rest of the Class of 2025!
If you studied abroad, are graduating next week, and you still need to pick up your graduation cords, stop by UC 207 any weekday between 8:30-4:30 before your ceremony.
Record-Breaking Year for Study Abroad Participation:
As we wrap up the semester, we also want to pause and celebrate all of our students who decided to make study abroad part of their college career. We experienced record-breaking student participation in study abroad programs in Academic Year 2024–2025, with approximately 231 students spending time studying outside of the United States between Fall 2024 and Summer 2025. This cohort of students represents the highest enrollment in study abroad in the university's history. An additional 74 students traveled abroad for non-credit global learning experiences, such as research, conferences, and service learning. These bright minds are bringing UMBC to the world, and the world to UMBC. Safe travels, everyone!
Upcoming Program/Scholarship Deadlines:
Dr. Souders is available to review all scholarship applications before submission. Contact him by emailing souders@umbc.edu. For students thinking about applying for our fall scholarships, including the Gilman Scholarship, it is never too early to start thinking about your essays - after you finish with finals, of course.Fulbright Forum:
Fulbright Base Camp #1 Getting Started!
You have come to an information session and plan to apply for this year’s competition. Now what? Come to the first of our Fulbright Base Camp series, where we learn how to navigate the Fulbright U.S. Student Program’s website and choose the program and country that best suit your skills and interests.
Saturday, May 31, 12:00 pm on Webex. Registration required at this link.
If you plan to apply for the 2026-27 Fulbright Program, but you haven’t been getting regular emails from Dr. Souders, please send him an email at <souders@umbc.edu>. He’ll add you to the mailing list.
Program Highlight:
Are you interested in immersing yourself in the world of international health policy and learning about health policy development on a global scale? Through our UMBC Faculty-Led: International Health Policy in Switzerland course, you will be able to gain crucial insights into the factors that influence policy through seminars and informal discussions while engaging with experts and policymakers in Geneva. Applications for this course, and all other Winter/Spring Break Faculty-led programs, are now open and due on September 22, 2025!
If you are interested in studying abroad in Winter 2026 or Spring 2026, Advising with our Education Abroad Advisor, Alicyn Curtis, is happening now! Be sure to attend a Study Abroad 101 session before scheduling an appointment by emailing educationabroad@umbc.edu.
Summer in the EA Office!
The Education Abroad Office is excited for summer! Check out some of the fun adventures we have planned!
Katie: Shhhh! I have some exciting (and secret) travel plans for August. If you’re curious, feel free to ask me if you see me around campus, otherwise, you’ll have to wait for the first edition of our weekly updates next semester!
Brian: Right after the semester ends, I am heading out on an accidental round-the-world trip, visiting the Philippines, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia! Later this summer I am going back to where it all began, Finland, celebrating my host father’s 90th birthday in August.
Alicyn: I am traveling with Professor Julie Oakes to Japan as a program assistant on the UMBC Faculty-Led: Art and Power in Japan program!
Sam: I will be traveling to Colombia to visit family!
Devayani: I’m graduating next week, wrapping up an incredible year as a Graduate Assistant at the Education Abroad Office! As an international student, my two years at UMBC have been nothing short of an amazing adventure — filled with growth, learning, and unforgettable moments. Working with this wonderful team has been one of the highlights of my journey here. I’m leaving with a box full of beautiful memories from this office and the UMBC campus. As for my travel plans, I’m heading to California to check off two major bucket list items: my very first Coldplay concert and a trip to Yosemite! Woohoo! What better way to celebrate graduation than that?
Kayla: I will be going to Dalaman, Turkey, with my friends from my exchange in Finland!
We hope you all have a wonderful summer! Stay tuned for summer Study Abroad 101 hours and other information sessions during the summer.
