Cork, Ireland
Being able to study abroad on a full scholarship is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While in Cork Ireland I was immersed in the traditional Irish culture while studying at a large school in the City. Additionally, Cork was the perfect location to explore other countries in Europe as well as other cities in Ireland. Receiving the George Mitchell Peace Scholarship made it so I was able to enjoy my time, make new friends, and continue my education while not having to worry about the costs. I was able to make so many memories that I will cherish forever.
Lily Grant, University College Cork – Fall 2024
George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship to Ireland
Newcastle, Australia
Completing a semester abroad allowed me to gain perspectives no class or lecture could have prepared me for. In and out of the classroom, I learned invaluable skills for my future career, education, and in my personal development. Being able to live abroad is truly a once in a lifetime experience that I hope all UMF students can do!
KT Lebakken, University of Newcastle – Fall 2024
Center for International Studies (CIS) Abroad
Gwilym R. Roberts Study Abroad Scholarship Recipient
Corinth, Greece
The program I participated in over the summer was an invaluable, unique experience that would be difficult to get somewhere else. Everything from the site itself, immersing myself in Greek culture (food, mostly), seeing all of the incredible ancient sites around the Peloponnese, and learning just what the field of archaeology entails was all equally valuable. Learning archaeological techniques in a hands-on manner like I did at Lechaion was perfectly suited to my style of learning, and the friends I made along the way were a great bonus too.
Joseph Seastrand, Archaeological Field School – Summer 2024
California State University, Long Beach
View Joseph’s Field Work Presentation
France
This course combined a virtual global experience with our French international partner Le Mans University with field work in France. This course began with an exploration of global issues of interest to the students at each university, identified in collaboration with their instructors. During the first portion of the course, the UMF & LMU students investigated their topics together, meeting virtually each week to discuss their research and compare their findings for cases in Maine/US and France. Each group then presented a summary of their findings in a report to the class in April. In May, the UMF students traveled to France where they met with their French instructors and some of their LMU classmates while exploring themes related to their group projects in Le Mans, the Loire Valley, Mont St. Michel, and Paris. Following their field experiences in France, the UMF students wrote a final reflective essay, drawing on their research and observations in France. This Global Seminar was part of UMF’s Global Classroom project funded by an Undergraduate International Studies & Foreign Language grant from the US Department of Education.
UMF Faculty-Led Global Seminar – May 2024
View France Global Seminar Presentation
Germany
This travel course wove together visits to historical sites to explore Germany’s diverse political history and understand the story of a country often misunderstood and under-appreciated. Students took a cruise on the Rhein River, visited the Cologne Cathedral, history museums in Bonn, and Leipzig where the protests began that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall. In Berlin, students saw remnants of the divided city and toured the Reichstag in Berlin. The course ended in Munich where students saw the Bavarian Alps, enjoying visits to castles and gardens in Salzburg, Austria, visited more museums, the Olympic tower, and the first Nazi concentration camp in neighboring Dachau. Each day was filled with amazing experiences, beautiful scenery and delicious food, while students developed a deeper understanding of Germany’s unique history and, more importantly, how Germans have overcome the horrors of the Third Reich and subsequent division.
UMF Faculty-Led Travel Course – May 2024
View Germany Travel Course Presentation
Iceland
This course traveled to Iceland to explore Atlantic salmon-bearing rivers on the west coast and newly de-glaciated rivers and landscapes of the south coast. The course focused on field observations of geology and ecology, with students collecting data in streams and rivers to understand the watershed processes that influence biological communities in aquatic ecosystems. Other themes of the course included climate change, Iceland’s volcanic history, and comparison to Maine’s North Atlantic ecosystem.
UMF Faculty-Led Travel Course – May 2024
View Iceland Travel Course Presentation
Washington, D.C.
This travel course to Washington, D.C. examined the political workings of the American federal government through visits to and meetings with representatives of the executive, legislative and judicial branches. During tours of the White House, Capitol, Supreme Court, and several national monuments and museums, students explored the evolution of American politics and the incredible diversity of the American public as reflected in our nation’s capital.
UMF Faculty-Led Travel Course – May 2024
View Washington D.C. Travel Course Presentation
Galway, Ireland
In Spring 2024, I had the most wonderful opportunity to study abroad at the University of Galway in Ireland. There is one word to describe my study-abroad experience in Ireland… Incredible! Not only was I able to revisit the sights I had seen in 8th grade while there for a week, but I was also able to explore new sights, such as Inishmore, Dublin, and Limerick. Furthermore, I had the incredible opportunity to take a day trip to London and a 5-day trip to Edinburgh. Those trips will stay with me forever and because they were such close destinations, a friend and I could do a day trip to London! Getting up at 3 am, our flight left at 7, and we arrived in London at 8:15. After a day of exploring London, shopping, and laughing, we arrived back in Galway at midnight. The flights, both of them, were under an hour long in each direction. Not only was I incredibly lucky, but I was even more lucky because I have family in Ireland, only 40 minutes away from Galway where my university was. Being abroad helped me build my confidence, try new and unexpected things, meet incredible people I am still in touch with today, and thoroughly grow as a person. I only wish that my time there lasted longer.
Willow Betz, University of Galway – Spring 2024
Academic Programs International (API) Abroad
View Willow’s Study Abroad Presentation
Akita, Japan
September of 2023 I got the opportunity to study abroad in Akita Japan! It was the best
experience I have ever had in my college career. I got the chance to learn the Japanese
language and the culture. During this study abroad, I got to make many friends from all over the
world, in which I flew out to see them again even after coming back home. One of the best
experiences I have done in Japan was having my photography displayed in one of the most well
known cities in Japan, Tokyo! I had never had my photos displayed before and I now get to say
that my first time was in Japan.
Through this experience my love for Japan and its culture grew and after I finish at the
University of Maine Farmington, I plan on returning and building my own career back in the
Akita Prefecture. I would have not had this opportunity without UMF and the Global Education
Council (GEC). Thank you for your support in the experience!
Rebecca Nirza, Akita International University – Fall 2023
UMF Direct Exchange Program
Gwilym R. Roberts Study Abroad Scholarship Recipient
View Becca’s Study Abroad Presentation
Akita, Japan
August Tartamella, Akita International University – Fall 2023
UMF Direct Exchange Program
View August’s Study Abroad Presentation
Edinburgh, Scotland
Choosing to study abroad in Scotland was one of the best decisions of my life. I’ve always been interested in visiting and living in another country, so I made it a point to look into the programs offered at UMF. I ultimately decided on studying at the University of Edinburgh through the partnership company API, and they made my time abroad enjoyable and relatively seamless. I was well-supported by my program advisors and other students within my API cohort, never feeling truly unsafe or worried. I was able to live with a mix of UoE students and other Americans through API, and I am happy to say that I am still close friends with them today.
I took three courses at UoE that I was able to transfer for credit at UMF, and they each had something different to offer that expanded my cultural understanding of the world. I also got to go on multiple trips within the UK and mainland Europe during my time there – some with my program and some on my own. Being across the Atlantic opened up a lot of doors when it came to traveling on a budget! I was able to explore city life in different parts of Europe, and it ultimately made me interested in pursuing international career options. Being abroad helped me discover new parts of myself, and since returning, I feel much more confident as an independent young adult.
Isabelle Couture, University of Edinburgh – Spring 2023
Academic Programs International (API) Abroad
View Isabelle’s Study Abroad Presentation
Salaya, Thailand
Tori Oliveira, Mahidol University – Spring 2024
Center for International Studies (CIS)