This Week in EA

• EA Pop-Up in PUP | Thursday, Dec. 4th | 9am-12pm | PUP354

  Are you planning to go abroad this winter or spring and have last minute questions? Do you want to get a jump start on planning your study abroad during Summer or Fall '26? Then stop by the Education Abroad Pop-Up Drop-In Advising hours in Room 354 of the Public Policy building! We can't wait to see you there!

• EA Pop-Up in the Commons | Thursday, Dec. 4th | 12:30pm-1:30pm | Commons Main Street

  Are you interested in studying abroad but don't know where to start? Do you have questions for the EA team? Stop by our table on Commons Main Street!

• Identity among Japan Exchange and Teaching Participants - Thesis Defense | Thursday, Dec. 4th | 10am-12pm | Sherman 445 or Virtual
  

  MA TESOL Candidate MV Kizer Ball will be defending her thesis on identity among Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) programme participants on 4 December from 10.00-12.00 in person and on zoom. The format for the hearing, which is scheduled for 90 minutes is as follows. Note, only a portion is open to the public and this should last no more than 60 minutes. 1. Introduction of committee, 2. Thesis presentation - MV will then present a short overview of her thesis using Powerpoint. This will not last more than 20 minutes, 3. Question and Answers - The committee will pose comments and questions to MV. If there is additional time, guests may be invited to make comments or ask questions, 4. Committee Deliberation - Guests will be thanked and invited to step out. MV will also step out but rejoin when the committee invites her back to receive feedback and the overall decision. 

• The Global Studies Program is seeking digital marketing interns!

  Have you ever considered a career in global education or marketing? The Global Studies Program is seeking three digital marketing interns who will create and publish content for the program's website and social media in spring 2026. Interns must be GLBL majors with at least 60 completed credits and demonstrate a strong interest in global education marketing. This is an unpaid internship where students earn three upper-level elective credits (GLBL 401), involving 7.5 hours of work per week. For more information, please contact Dr. Filomeno (filomeno@umbc.edu). Use this link to apply by January 7th.

Recurring Events and Deadlines

• February 1st, 2026: ISEP Exchange and Nanzan University 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

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

• 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

Faculty-Led Study Abroad Corner

• French in France
  What better place to learn French than in France? Take a French language course in Angers, a city in western France, specifically in the Pays de la Loire region. It's conveniently located to access Paris, Nantes, and other large cities via high speed train and the Loire Valley castles. This faculty-led study abroad course will allow students to earn credit for any French language course: 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, or 304. Students above level FREN 304 will receive credit for FREN 399. Work towards or complete your language requirement, Cultures GEP requirement, or a French major, minor, or certificate! Students will stay in homestays and share meals with French families, attend courses with students from across the globe, participate in a French cooking class and river-boat tour, and select two day-long excursions that will take them outside the city of Angers.

• Justice, Agency and Culture in Kenya
  Are you interested in learning about the Maasai people and other local communities of Kenya while exploring the relationship between community, culture, and social justice? Over the course of three weeks, explore Nairobi and the Maasai Mara region. This will include visiting organizations and significant historical sites that emphasize Kenya's people and history, particularly in terms of de-colonization. Deepen your understanding of the connection between the environment and its people by engaging with organizations like The Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies (The Green Belt Movement), the Brackenhurst Indigenous Forest, and the Centre for Ecosystem Restoration-Kenya. You will also spend time with organizations that focus on women's and girl's rights. In the Maasai Mara, we will go on safari and learn more about Maasai culture.

This Week in EA

• Being Black Abroad - Hot Topic Sessions | Tuesday, Nov. 25 | 12pm-1:00pm | Virtual
  

  What does it truly mean to navigate the world as a Black traveler, and how can understanding your racial identity abroad shape your experiences? How can you connect with others, build community, and find support while embracing your Black identity in a new cultural setting? Come join us for an overview of what it means to be black abroad, tips, sharing experiences and building community!

• Adam Baji UMBC Life Takeover | Tuesday, Nov. 25

  Follow along on the @UMBCLife Instagram as our Abroad Ambassador Adam does a "Day in the Life" from Newcastle, U.K! Catch up on his study abroad so far by reading his blogs!

Study Abroad with ISEP Exchange

Did you know that you can study abroad for the same cost as studying at UMBC? With ISEP Exchange, you pay UMBC tuition and room and board and receive the equivalent abroad! With hundreds of university partnerships around the world, ISEP can help you study abroad almost anywhere! With ISEP Exchange, you rank up to 10 universities in order of preference. Then, based on available space, you will get placed at one of your choice universities. The UMBC deadline for ISEP Exchange Programs in Fall '26, and AY 26-27 is February 1st, 2026. ISEP's deadline is March 1st. You must submit both applications.

Recurring Events and Deadlines

• February 1st, 2026: ISEP Exchange and Nanzan University 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

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

• 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

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! 

• Duration: Spring 2026 Semester (January 26, 2026 - June 5, 2026 )
• Time Commitment: Minimum 15 hours per week, with at least one day in the office
• Location: World Trade Center Baltimore, 401 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
• Compensation: Semester stipend of $4,000 provided
• Application Deadline: November 30, 2025

• Direct interaction with business executives and foreign diplomats
• Attendance at all WTCI prestigious networking events
• Professional mentorship and references
• Real-world project experience in areas such as:
• Global engagement and public diplomacy
• International program management
• Business development and membership services
• Marketing and communications
• Event planning and execution
• Opportunity to work with visiting international delegations
• Access to Maryland's top international companies and industries

• Interested in international relations, global business, and cross-cultural engagement
• Professional, motivated, and eager to learn
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, small-team environment
• Available during standard business hours