UCF Abroad

Thank you to all the student who came to our last pre-departure meet up! We are so excited to have such a large Engineering cohort attending our International Centers in Rome and Barcelona this summer!

Learn about these study abroad programs that were HAND-PICKED for our Knights! ⚔️✨
🗺️ Destination 1: ITALY 🇮🇹

👀 Stay tuned next week to find out which country we're heading to next 🔜✈️

The first day of spring is here! Which means it's time to start looking forward🌷🌏
Join us for drop-in advising sessions to explore programs, ask questions & take the first step toward your global journey 🧳✈️
No appointment needed, just stop by!

Take a look at the highlighted program options designed specifically for UCF students!
🔗Link to see program options:
https://studyabroad.ucf.edu/_portal/ucf-partner-programs

*We will not be advising on reciprocal exchange programs during these sessions.
For advising or information on reciprocal exchange programs, visit the following link:
https://studyabroad.ucf.edu/_portal/outgoing-exchange
or contact Daren Caine:
[email protected] *

Keilly Cespedes is a Computer Science Major who studied abroad with UCF Exchange in Jönköping, Sweden!
📷Picture Highlights
• Crusing through fjords in Norway
• Day trip to gränna
• Ovre ceremony during kickoff week
• Gamla Stan in Stockholm
• Sweden Flags
• International students in ovres
• Fjords on my Camera
• Boat ride through the Almafi Coast in Italy
• Positano on my Camera
🌟Keilly: “Studying abroad in Jönköping, Sweden was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. While taking classes at Jönköping University, I also completed an internship, which allowed me to gain international work experience and grow professionally in a completely new environment. Balancing academics, travel, and my internship pushed me to become more independent and confident in my abilities. At first, I was intimidated by how reserved the Swedes seemed, but over time I realized how genuinely kind and welcoming they are once you get to know them. Living in a smaller town made the experience even more special because it created a community. I grew incredibly close to people from all around the world. Traveling was a huge part of my semester, in which I explored Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, Finland, Italy, and Denmark, each destination adding to the adventure, but it was the sense of connection in Jönköping that truly made the experience unforgettable.”
Tips for study abroad in Sweden
• Use public transportation, it’s reliable and makes traveling and day trips easy.
• Take time for café culture, always grab a cinnamon roll (kanelbulle) and enjoy fika.
• Pack warm layers and a heavy jacket, the weather can be colder than you expect.
• Bring an umbrella or rain jacket, cloudy and rainy days are common.
📌Favorite facts about Sweden
• Swedes may seem reserved at first, but once you get to know them, they are incredibly kind and welcoming.
• The nature in Sweden is beautiful! lakes, forests, and walking trails are always close by, making it easy to enjoy the outdoors.
• Sweden values work-life balance and personal well being.
• English is widely spoken, which makes adjusting much easier for international students.

Emmalee is a marketing student who did a UCF Exchange in South Korea at Hanyang University! To learn more about how you can do this program, DM us!

📷 Photo Highlights
- seeing the first snow of the season
- the view from Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
- visiting lotte world for the first time
- taking a weekend trip to Tokyo and stumbling across the Sensoji temple
- staying at a hanok in the Bukchon Hanok Village
- the Gamcheon village in Busan
- my school’s music festival
- putting a lock on the Namsan Tower with my family while they were visiting for Chuseok
- celebrating my 20th birthday with my friends in Suwon
- having dinner at the Han River

✨Story from Emmalee
“I was definitely nervous when I first arrived in Korea because I knew absolutely no one at my university. But I ended up naturally making so many friends on campus and they became some of my closest friends ever! Even through I traveled to so many cool places while I was abroad, some of my favorite memories I look back on, are staying out late with my friends at our favorite restaurants and cafes. Definitely one of my favorite places that I visited was Suwon, I spent my birthday there with my friends and it is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been!

📌Tips for studying abroad in South Korea
- Definitely try to learn some phrases in Korean before going. People always appreciate when you make an effort to speak their language!
- pack super light because there are such good places to go shopping (ex. Seongsu, Dongmyo, Gangnam) and you’re going to need luggage space on you’re way home (I had to pay an overweight bag fee

Happy Study Abroad Day! Studying abroad is a life changing moment for many students and today we celebrate that!

Carly Follon is studying Communication Sciences & Disorders who went abroad in Kingston, Jamaica 🇯🇲! Learn more about UCF in Jamaica by messaging us!
📷 Photo Highlights
- Sitting on the edge of the Blue Mountain
- View of Dunns River Falls
- View from the Blue Mountains
- Carly and her friend, Zoe and posing for a picture on the mountain
- View from Blue Mountain Coffee Estate
- Carly and Friend after hiking the Blue Mountain
- View of Devon House
- Kingston Craft Market entrance sign
- Artwork from the Trench Town Culture Yard

📖Story from Carly
“Hi! I had so so much fun in Jamaica! We did so many fun things like Dunns River Falls, hiking the Blue Mountain, touring Bob Marley’s home, shopping at the Kingston Craft Market, and trying all the local foods. Besides the touristy things, we spent most of our time at Camp iRead! We worked with children on the spectrum on early literacy skills and it was such a rewarding experience. Watching our kids grow in just one week is the best feeling ever! I am so thankful for everyone I met on this trip and all the experiences we shared together. I hope to visit again soon!!

📌Tips for studying abroad in Jamaica
1) Take out cash beforehand (The Orlando airport has a place to take it out before leaving!) It was so much easier to use cash since sometimes your card can get frozen when traveling.
2) Uber is super easy when wanting to go around town. They take cash as well!
3) Travel in groups
4) We walked a lot so a good pair of walking shoes!
5) Make a list of places to eat that are locally owned. The best food I had was pasta at a family owned restaurant.
6) Make sure you have cell service too!! We were gone a lot and didn’t have wifi until we were back at our dorms.

🇯🇲Favorite fact(s) about Jamaica
1) I loved learning about the Blue Mountain Coffee Estate. It is not available to buy in a lot of places.
2) Inside of Bob Marley’s home we saw his old recording studio and it was all in tact from when he lived there.
3) Kingston was the birthplace of Reggae music.

💫”My professors were the best on this trip! Dr, Webster and Mrs. Loughran!!!”

Are you interested in learning more about study abroad opportunities in South Korea, New Zealand, or Hungary?
A representative from our partner, HOP Abroad, will be hosting open advising hours tomorrow from 12:00–2:00 PM at the UCF Global Office (3rd floor of the College of Sciences Building).
This is a great opportunity to ask questions, explore program options, and learn about the application process. No appointment is necessary, just stop by!

📰🔔 Exciting news for our aspiring Summer international interns ☀️💼
The deadline for Summer 2026 International Internships has been EXTENDED to March 8th, 2026❕❕❕
💬Send us a message NOW if you would like to schedule an appointment to learn more!
There are now 🚨3 EXTRA WEEKS 🚨 to get your applications in!