For more IEW events, follow us on myUMBC or visit www.cge.umbc.edu/iew

This Week in EA

• It's International Education Week!

  The Center for Global Engagement encourages the UMBC community to get involved. We invite all to celebrate our international community, support international initiatives on campus, and share intercultural experiences with our fellow Retrievers. There will be lots of events happening throughout the week, including The International Education Week Expo, a viewing of the movie "Brief Tender Light", various panels, and campus partner events. The Center of Global Education has a full schedule of events on their website. Make sure you check it out!

• Family and Support Network Session - Hot Topic Sessions | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 12pm-12:30pm | Virtual
  

  Are your parents wondering how they can help you thrive overseas while equipping you to navigate challenges and stay independent? Are they curious about the emotional highs and lows students experience while abroad, and how they can support you without taking over? Have them join us for an overview of how they can support their study abroad student!

International Education Week Expo!

All things global at UMBC in one place! Stop by the Expo to learn more about opportunities to study, work, and volunteer abroad, meet representatives from UMBC intercultural and language majors/programs, watch cultural performances, and try international snacks and drinks! The Expo will be held from 11am-2pm on Wednesday, November 19th in the UC Ballroom. We can't wait to see you there!

Recurring Events and Deadlines

• Faculty-Led Study Abroad Virtual Drop-in Hours
  Tuesday | 3pm-4pm | Virtual

• Study Abroad 101 Sessions
  Monday | 11am-12pm | Virtual
  Tuesday | 2pm-3pm | Virtual
  Wednesday | 1pm-2pm | Virtual

• Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Academic Year 2026-2027 advising is available now! Contact educationabroad@umbc.edu to schedule an advising appointment.

• February 1st, 2026: ISEP Exchange and Nanzan University Summer '26, Fall '26, and AY 26-27 Applications due

• February 16, 2026: Summer 2026 Faculty-led Program Applications due

• March 10th, 2026: Summer (non-faculty led), Fall, and Academic Year 2026-2027 Applications due

Visit the IEW Expo for these feature performances by UMBC Dance and Music students and faculty: 

12:20PM : Trinity Bechtel (Dance, Linehan Arts Scholar, '28) 

1:15PM: Dr. Seyoung Jeong (Voice) and Dr. Eun Suk Cha (Piano) 

Thank you to our performers, as well as Brandon Russell and Shanness D. Kemp from the Department of Dance for coordinating these global arts performances. 

JUST ANNOUNCED! 

See the short film "A Shared Story of Distance" by UMBC international student Giovanna Orfali (Visual Arts, '26) before the screening of "Brief Tender Light". More information on the films here. 

NEXT WEEK: join the Center for Global Engagement at these international events! 

This Week in EA

• Summer 2026 Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Applications are open! With programs across 3 continents and courses ranging from Theater to Global Health and Social Justice to Economics, there's something for everyone! You can find course information and begin your application by visiting facultyled.umbc.edu! Apply by February 16, 2026. 

• Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Academic Year 2026-2027 advising is available now! Contact educationabroad@umbc.edu to schedule an advising appointment.

• The deadline for Summer (non-faculty-led), Fall, and Academic Year programs is March 10, 2026.

• ISEP Exchange and UMBC Exchange: Nanzan University deadline is February 1, 2026.

Next Week in EA: International Education Week

It's almost time to celebrate International Education Week (IEW), which recognizes international education in all its forms. The Center for Global Engagement encourages the UMBC community to get involved. We invite all to celebrate our international community, support international initiatives on campus, and share intercultural experiences with our fellow Retrievers. There will be lots of events happening throughout the week, including The International Education Week Expo, a viewing of the movie "Brief Tender Light", various panels, and campus partner events. The Center of Global Education has a full schedule of events on their website. Make sure you check it out!

Events this Week

• Surfrider Foundation Guest Speaker | Monday, Nov. 10 | 12pm-1pm | Admin 101

  The Surfrider Foundation works to protect and preserve the world's oceans - focused on plastic reduction, water quality, beach access, and sustaining marine ecosystems. Join the UMBC Office of Sustainability and hear from the Surfrider Foundation's East Coast Regional Director Shannon Lyons about the program, its grassroots organizing and environmental justice work, and opportunities for student club networks. 

• Midday Yoga with the Education Abroad Team | Wed., Nov. 12  | 12pm-1pm | The RAC

  Join the Education Abroad Office in a break from the hustle and bustle of the day and a relaxing yoga session! Please RSVP on myUMBC.

• Faculty-Led Study Abroad Virtual Drop-in Hours

  Tuesday | 3pm-4pm | Virtual

• Study Abroad 101 Sessions

  Monday | 11am-12pm | Virtual
  Tuesday | 2pm-3pm | Virtual
  Wednesday | 1pm-2pm | Virtual

Sharing Education Abroad Through Art!

Last summer, Ephrata Mangesha received the La Noue Award to help support her in our Faculty-Led: Global Community Engagement and Social Change in South Africa study abroad program. She captured her experience with photography and was interviewed last week by the INDS program at UMBC. Check out her interview and photos on myUMBC!

Can't get enough of our students going abroad? Follow along on the @UMBCLife and @UMBCeducationabroad!

This Week in EA

• Intercultural Communication Practices: HOT TOPIC SESSIONS | November 4, 2025 | 12:00-12:30PM | Virtual
  

  Join this session to learn about best practices for Intercultural Communication, plus get an opportunity to earn a badge through the program!

• Critical Language Scholarship Information Sessions

  Sessions to learn more about the program from the Critical Language Program, a fully funded language-intensive scholarship program, are being held this week. Applications are due on November 18, 2025 by 8:00 pm EST. Click on the link below to attend.

• Tuesday, November 4, 3:30 pm EST. Beginner Level Languages: Start Your Journey with CLS 

• Wednesday, November 5, 3:30 pm EST. Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Languages and Cultures: A CLS Info Session

• Thursday, November 6, 3:30 pm EST. Arabic and Russian Languages and Cultures: A CLS Info Session

Recurring Events

• Faculty-Led Study Abroad Virtual Drop-in Hours

  Tuesday | 3pm-4pm | Virtual
  

• Study Abroad 101 Sessions

  Monday | 11am-12pm | Virtual
  Tuesday | 2pm-3pm | Virtual
  Wednesday | 1pm-2pm | Virtual

UMBC Takeover from Japan!

Our abroad ambassador Nyssa is taking over the UMBCLife Instagram TODAY to share her experiences studying abroad in Japan! Make sure you check out her Abroad Blogs to hear about what her time in Japan has been like so far!

During International Education Week, join Center for Global Engagement staff for training and knowledge sharing in these global topics: 

Passport to Possibility: Demystifying Study Abroad

Monday, Nov 17 - 12PM - Virtual

Discover how UMBC students can take their learning global. This myth-busting brown bag session will clarify the study abroad process, highlight key resources, and explore how faculty and staff can get involved in supporting global learning.

RSVP HERE

Getting Involved in International Student Recruitment

Tuesday, Nov 18 - 12PM - UC 310

Join the International Student Recruitment team to learn about existing projects to connect with prospective international students around the world and how your program or department can connect with our team to support outreach to prospective undergraduate, masters, or doctoral international students.

RSVP HERE 

F-1, J-1, and H1-B Crash Course

Thursday, Nov 20 - 12PM - UC 310

This session will provide staff and faculty with a basic understanding of the F-1, J-1, and H-1B visa categories. We will cover the key characteristics of each visa type, focusing on employment options available to international students and scholars. This will be a fast-paced and high level discussion. Our Office of International Students and Scholars team is always available for questions about more nuanced cases upon request.

RSVP HERE 

Global Grant Application and Fellowship Support

Thursday, Nov 20 - 12 PM - UC 204

RSVP HERE 

Intercultural Connection Games

Friday, Nov 21 - 12PM- UC 204

This Week in EA

• Requesting Accommodations for Study Abroad: Hot Topic Sessions | Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 12-12:30PM | Virtual
  Do you want to study abroad but need to secure accommodations to succeed, stay healthy, and make sure your rights are fully supported? Want to navigate the process of requesting academic or accessibility accommodations with confidence while studying abroad? Come join us for an overview of how to request accommodations!

• Critical Language Scholarship Information Session | Tuesday, Oct. 29 | 3:00-4:00PM | Virtual
  The Education Abroad Office is excited to share that the application is now open for the 2026 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program! No matter your major – whether you're studying business, engineering, law, medicine, science, social sciences, arts, or humanities – everyone is encouraged to apply. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, this unique opportunity invites U.S. students across the country to spend eight weeks abroad exploring new cultures and languages – while earning academic credit and making unforgettable memories. You can choose from nine different languages and four different proficiency levels. Interested in learning more? Check out the full list here: https://clscholarship.org/languages. We'd love to help you discover which program might be right for you. We have one more virtual information session, please join if you have any questions or want to chat about the application process!

• Research In Germany Information Event | Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 12:00PM-1:00PM | Fine Arts 459
  Are you a junior faculty member, postdocs, graduate student, or someone mentoring them? Are you interested in learning about opportunities for research, collaboration, and funding in Germany? Come to the MLLI Department Information Session about how to find these opportunities and connect with UMBC Community Members that have already engaged in these programs!

Recurring Events

Tuesdays: 3pm-4pm | Virtual: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Virtual Drop-in Hours

Halloween Around the World!

Did you know that Halloween traditions have spread from their origins in the United States and Ireland, and now countries all around the world have their own Halloween celebrations? There are traditions ranging from Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico and Latin America, to Day of Dracula in Romania, and Pangangaluluwa in the Philippines! Read about some spooky Halloween traditions around the world, and make sure you check out our Abroad Blogs next week to learn more about how our Abroad Ambassadors celebrated Halloween in their host countries!

This Week in EA

• Hot Topic Session: Using Financial Aid and Scholarships for Study Abroad | Tuesday, Oct, 21 | 12pm-12:30pm | Virtual
  Are you interested in studying abroad in the future and want to learn about your options for financial assistance at UMBC? The Education Abroad Team in partnership with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is hosting a 30-minute information session about the process for using financial aid and scholarships to help pay for your study abroad experience. 

• Critical Language Scholarship Information Sessions
  The Education Abroad Office is excited to share that the application is now open for the 2026 Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program! No matter your major – whether you're studying business, engineering, law, medicine, science, social sciences, arts, or humanities – everyone is encouraged to apply. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, this unique opportunity invites U.S. students across the country to spend eight weeks abroad exploring new cultures and languages – while earning academic credit and making unforgettable memories. You can choose from nine different languages and four different proficiency levels. Interested in learning more? Check out the full list here: https://clscholarship.org/languages. We'd love to help you discover which program might be right for you. If you have any questions or want to chat about the application process, feel free to join one of our info sessions:

• October 20th, 2 to 3 PM, Virtual

• October 22nd, 2 to 3 PM, Virtual

• October 28th, 3 to 4 PM, Virtual

Recurring Events

• This week's Faculty-Led Study Abroad Virtual Drop-in Hours are canceled. If you have any questions about Faculty-Led Programs, please email educationabroad@umbc.edu. 

Go Abroad!

Newsletter exclusive! Summer 2026 Faculty-Led Program Applications Coming on November 1st!

Interested in studying in France, Kenya, Vietnam, England, Portugal, Japan, or Italy? Then one of our Summer 2026 Faculty-Led Programs could be for you! Study Economics, Theater, History, Global Health, Justice, French, Art, and more while immersing yourself in a new place and culture. Led by UMBC faculty and with a cohort of other UMBC students, make the world your classroom! Check out some of our past Abroad Blogs from Faculty-Led programs all over the world!