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!

Join Curl Pwr for a fun GBM where we'll be rating crazy hairstyles! Come ready to show off your creativity and Halloween spirit :)

Monday, October 20th • 12-1 PM

ILSB 301

Do you have an idea for a class, program, or project to help UMBC community members (including students) engage in social change? Need some funding to make it real?

The BreakingGround initiative provides grants of up to $2,500 to UMBC faculty, staff, and students who want to launch or strengthen educational and community-building projects. These projects should, as a part of their work, foster civic agency: the ability to initiate and make meaningful contributions to social change. 

Funding can be used flexibly. Past awardees have supported:

• Experiential learning opportunities that immerse learners in real-world problem solving.

• Collaborative research projects with students and community partners.

• Major redesigns of existing courses to center civic agency and engagement.

• Connections with social changemakers and local communities.

Explore examples of previous projects.

How to apply: Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis, and applicants are notified within four weeks. Visit the BreakingGround website for details: https://civiclife.umbc.edu/breakingground/

Info session: Join us virtually on October 29, 2025 at noon to learn more about the program and ask questions. Visit the myUMBC event page (click here) and select "Going Virtually" to RSVP.

If you'd like to discuss an idea before applying, please reach out to us at civiclife@umbc.edu.