There is still time to apply to study abroad in the spring but you need to act fast. Many of the study abroad programs’ deadlines are in October, so it’s important to research the programs that you are interested in and talk to an advisor at the International Programs Office (IPO) soon. 

The International Programs Office is located next to Gorman Hall and behind the construction of the new Catholic center. You can stop by without an advising appointment Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are peer advisors who can help you through the process and answer any questions you may have. 

On Monday, Sept. 26, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, there will be an Education Abroad Fair. There will be representatives from 60 countries to talk about their universities and the study abroad programs that they offer. If you aren’t sure where you want to go, this is a good place to start. 

You can browse programs on UMass’s Study Abroad Portal and log in to save your favorite programs, or to browse the options. To better understand the process, there is a step-by-step guide you can follow called Steps to Study Abroad that clearly explains the whole process.

When you apply, there will be a deadline for UMass and a deadline for the program you are applying to, and the deadlines may be different. It’s important to act fast and be conscious of all the due dates.

Some exchange programs can only accept a certain amount of people, so the option to enroll in those programs for the spring semester might already be gone. However, most programs can accept any student that wants to go abroad as long as they are in good academic standing. 

According to IPO Peer Advisor Kamila Calle, the most popular destinations that UMass students go to are Barcelona, Spain and Florence, Italy.

If your major has a rigorous academic class schedule that you need to follow, there are still options for you. It is encouraged that you talk to your academic advisor to plan which semester is a good time for you to study abroad. There may also be options for you to take general education requirements abroad as well. To browse what classes are available for major requirements at different universities, search the UMass Database of International Course Equivalency (DICE). 

Other classes in a program may be eligible for major requirement credits as well. You have to submit the syllabus and an International Course Approval Form to your academic advisor. There are more details about this on DICE or you can speak to an advisor at the IPO office who can help. However, there are many pre-approved courses already being offered. 

Deciding to study abroad is a big decision, and so considering all of your options and doing a lot of research is important to find the country and program that is right for you.