Umass Boston Global

While we may not be able to travel right now, there is still plenty of great travel related content that can help us indulge our Wanderlust from the safety of our homes!

Here is a list of some of the UMB Global Teams favorites. Please let us know what yours are in the comments, and check out our blog for an extended list!

Study Abroad Programs for Summer 2020 may be canceled, but why not plan ahead?
Spring of 2021 offers a great opportunity for Spanish speaking students who want to study art and design. Take the chance to study in San José, Costa Rica at the Universidad Veritas. Learn about advertising design, architecture, digital animation, interior design, photography, and even product design. Go check out this great opportunity that UMB has to offer.

@ San José, Costa Rica

Study abroad programs for 2020 might be suspended but there is still a chance for future travel plans. Here is the NEBHE Québec Exchange Program. The New England/Québec Student Exchange Program provides UMass Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell students the opportunity to spend one or two semesters at one of the participating universities in Québec. The Québec campuses offer a wide variety of learning environments and an impressive array of course offerings. While on an exchange, students also enjoy Québec’s vibrant cultural scene, natural beauty and extensive recreational opportunities, including excellent skiing. https://studyabroad.umasscs.net/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=11440 @ Québec, Canada

This is a moment which we probably all saw coming by this point.

After Closely monitoring the Covid-19 situation, UMB's office of global programs has recommended that all faculty led and student study abroad pograms for the Summer of 2020 be suspended😞.

Did any of you have your summer study abroad plans cancelled due to coronavirus? If so, how are you coping with the unfortunate news?

Annie Deng, Part2
South Korea and Mexico
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On February 29th I was 1 week into quarantine just 1 more week and I would be free to explore the city and experience Korea culture. I was really excited to try Korean food and experience K-beauty. At the time coronavirus was getting pretty bad in South Korea there were almost 3,000 cases and the numbers kept rising. I checked my email as usual and I saw that UMB was suspending all programs in South Korea. The CDC had declared South Korea a level 3: Reconsider Travel/Limit non-essential travel. In the email, it said they would work with students on a “case to case basis.” It also said I could change my study abroad program to UNAM CEPE a university in Mexico. I couldn’t even think about studying at another university when I was already in Korea and everything was paid for.
..
@ UMass Boston

Hokkaido University (HU) is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan, located in Sapporo in the northern island of Hokkaido. It has educational philosophies consisting of “Frontier Spirits” “Global Perspectives” “All-round Education,” and “Practical Learning.” The University offers undergraduate courses in Schools of Economics, Business, Education, Medicine, Law, Letters (the equivalent of Humanities), Engineering, Science and Health Sciences. There are a variety of courses offered in English in the fields of Culture and Society, Environment, Science and Technology. Japanese language proficiency is not required to apply, however, one may take a general Japanese language course if desired. International students usually apply to the Hokkaido University Short-Term Exchange Program in English (HUSTEP). Over 50 courses are offered in various disciplines in English and updated each semester. Japanese language or studies majors may apply to the Japanese Language and Cultural Studies Program (JLCSP). Students interested in participating in JLCSP may take English courses along with this program. @ Hokkaido University

Covid-19 has completely disrupted students who are studying abroad's semesters, forcing them to return home to complete the rest of the semester online. Here we have featured commentary UMB student Abe Kaplan, in which he details his experiences of having to return home after spending the first part of the year at in Israel, as well as photos of some adorable cats he met while there.

Have any of you had to cancel travel plans as a result of COVID-19? Let us know in the comments!

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"A lot has happened since the last time I did one of these. Unfortunately, in all the craziness, I did not have time to take more pictures of Israel before I left, so instead I’m giving you all the pictures I took of the cats I named while there.

Toenail, Yayin, Jellybean, and Rugelach

As I’m sure many of you know or can guess, I am no longer in Israel. I have been recalled back to the United States and am now finishing my classes online. It all happened very suddenly, a little more than a month ago. First, on Thursday March 12th, I got a notice from UMASS Boston saying to come back. Then on Friday I got a notice from my program, USAC, who had connected the UMASS Boston and University of Haifa allowing me to study abroad, to come home. On Friday I moved out of my dorm at University of Haifa, and went to stay at a friend’s house either for the rest of the semester or until I left Israel. On Sunday I got a message from the Dean of the International School at University of Haifa that I had to leave, or I wouldn’t be able to finish my classes. So, I contacted my father, and he was able to convince the airline to move up the departure flight I had to Wednesday, and changed the route from Tel Aviv to London to Chicago to Charlotte, from 9am Israeli time to 1am eastern standard time. However, by Monday morning, the airline had rescheduled it for 24 hours earlier. So on the morning of Tuesday, March 17th, I left Israel, and 31 hours of travel later, I arrived home. I was in Israel for 5 months, 3 weeks, and 4 days (or 25 weeks and 3 days, or 178 days)."

@ Haifa, Israel

This whole COVID-19 situation has us reminiscing back on when traveling was a thing😞. Right now we're missing Lisbon Pt in particular. Hopefully this situation improves so we can get back there to enjoy some amazing seafood and explore it's hilly, colorful streets. UMB business students- please feel free to inquire with us about 2021 study abroad opportunities in Lisbon.

Where do y'all miss traveling to most? Let us know in the comments!

@ Lisbon, Portugal

Ola! Any Current UMB Freshmans out there interested in learning Portuguese, or spending a summer relaxing on the beaches of Rio? Why not kill two birds with one Stone?
This summer 2021 program organized by allows you the opportunity to take intensive Portuguese language courses while living with a Brasilian family! Please visit our blog for more information, and to come one step closer to having the summer of a lifetime! Link in bio 🇧🇷 @ Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro

Interested in studying abroad but unable to be away for a full semester? Don't worry, we got you covered!

Please consider this month long study abroad program in Amsterdam, organized by This program allows you to spend January in Amsterdam while earning credits studying one of two unique course options, Public Health in The Netherlands, or Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Popular Culture. Both courses take place at CIEE Amsterdam, conveniently located in the Center of the City.

This is a great opportunity for any student who would like to earn credits and study abroad in a shorter period of time! To learn more please visit our blog or reach out to us directly!


@ Amsterdam

Does anyone have a travel story where COVID-19 effected their trip? Check out Annie Deng's experience as she traveled to South Korea......
https://umbglobalprograms.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-trip-interrupted-by-covid-19.html

Any UMB students in need of some time away once this COVID-19 crisis blows over?
If so, please consider this wonderful Spring 2021 study abroad program offered by our partners at and . Available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors, this program offers students to earn a semesters worth of credits while enjoying the legendary culture and people of Ireland. For more info or to apply, please visit the link below, or feel free to reach out directly! ☘️

https://studyabroad.umasscs.net/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10272 @ University College Dublin