In this global economy, all students should take advantage of the opportunities that studying abroad can offer them — a chance to experience another culture, travel, meet people from all over the world and possibly learn another language. UMass Lowell students have studied in more than 23 countries. Students who wish to study abroad in their sophomore, junior, or senior year should get started as early as the freshman year with planning a semester, year, or summer abroad.

Study Abroad participants often call their experiences "life changing" and that's not an overstatement.  You'll have the opportunity to enhance language skills, complete degree requirements, make an impact on a developing community and build your professional network as borders and boundaries dissolve. Study abroad is a stepping stone on the road to your academic and career goals, providing you the knowledge, perspectives and understanding of yourself in relation to the world.

Meet Our Students

Maddie leaning on whiteboard
Maddie Gear '24
Marketing

Maddie Gear’s favorable first impression of UML steered her to a marketing co-op position at CarGurus.

I’m so excited to apply the skills that I’ve learned in my business classes.
Read More About Maddie Gear 
Gerrit Boldt sits at a round table with UMass Lowell students
Gerrit Boldt '17
History & Economics

Honors history and economics major Gerrit Boldt landed an internship at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, working with cities to improve conditions for low-income residents. Now he’s back on campus as an AmeriCorps volunteer, helping first-generation college students succeed.

There are few teaching assistants, so the professors do most of the teaching, and they’re excited to engage with students and share their knowledge. It’s a hallmark of the university.
Read More About Gerrit Boldt 
Franchesca Arias takes a selfie in Spain during her study abroad program with a group of students and Assoc. Teaching Prof. Thomas Piñeros-Shields
Franchesca Arias '20
Sociology & Spanish

Honors student Franchesca Arias is passionate about studying abroad after completing a summer program in Valencia, Spain.

Study abroad is one of those life-changing experiences. When you’re immersed in the culture, you realize you have the ability to learn every single aspect of that culture and what they’re going through socially and politically.
Read More About Franchesca Arias 
Dana Ibrahim, second from left in front, and fellow students touch a statue on street in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Dana Ibrahim '20, '21
Peace and Conflict Studies & Political Science

Dana Ibrahim chose UMass Lowell for its peace and conflict studies program, which lets her combine classes across the social sciences and humanities to suit her goal: to become a diplomat and aid refugees.

You’re not just getting a degree; you’re building your future as you go.
Read More About Dana Ibrahim 
Aya Oulal in Dubai while attending the COP28 summit.
Aya Oulal '23
Environmental Science

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Aya Oulal was able to study abroad in Spain, attend COP28 in Dubai and become a resident advisor.

UMass Lowell was great. I don’t think I would have done so much or even considered this path for myself without the university.
Read More About Aya Oulal 
Chemical engineering student Nicholas Langberg presenting on stage
Nicholas Langberg '20
Chemical Engineering

By working with the Office of International Experiences & Study Abroad, chemical engineering major Nicholas Langberg was able to add a two-month internship to his summer school program in Germany.

It ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. Not only was I able to have this great experience abroad, but I was able to gain real-world experience in my field of study.
Read More About Nicholas Langberg 
UMass Lowell student David Levenson shakes hands with another student on stairs leading to a campus building.
David Levenson '25
Psychology

David Levenson’s Mock Trial team experience led to a real legal internship.

The opportunities I’m getting through Mock Trial are so exciting.
Read More About David Levenson 
Kevin Harrington poses with the the Eiffel Tower and city of Paris in the background.
Kevin Harrington '25
French

Kevin Harrington’s love of the French language has translated into transformative academic research and a semester abroad in France.

I want to do what Prof. (Mercédès) Baillargeon does: academic research, publishing and teaching.
Read More About Kevin Harrington 
George Dylan Bistany and friends at the Outdoor Adventure program
George Dylan Bistany '19, '20
Electrical Engineering

George Dylan Bistany completed his master’s degree abroad in fall 2019 at the Czech Technical University in Prague.

I think energy is one of the biggest issues we have to face, and I want to use my education to help make that transition to renewables.
Read More About George Dylan Bistany 
James Joutras poses with a group of students in Japan
James Wilson Joutras '19
Liberal Arts – Digital Media and Theatre Arts

James Joutras came to UMass Lowell to discover himself. His experiences instilled confidence – and took him to Japan, where he plans to work after graduation.

I discovered I was good at editing – taking a bunch of different elements that don’t necessarily make sense and putting them together in a way that creates a coherent story.
Read More About James Wilson Joutras 

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