Italy

"I had a level of independence that allowed me to explore Italy at my own pace, but still, a community of my peers to socialize with. The perfect mix of support and freedom helped me get the most immersive experience while learning new course material."

"I gained writing skills and knowledge about how customs and food traditions can differ in other countries. These skills will allow me to write better and also better understand and appreciate people who have different cultures from my own."

"The sheer number of options available to students makes it so easy to find the best fit for you, whether it be a semester term or even a shorter trip in the winter or summer; there literally is something for everyone!"

"There are so many programs out there, and there is at least one that will work for everyone! I was told it wouldn't be possible to study abroad because of my pre-med requirements and double major, but I talked to the EA office and we found a summer program that fit into my schedule perfectly. "

"Be respectful of the culture, yet also very cautious and responsible. It’s easy to get caught up in all the fun, but remember why you went there and the image you’re representing."

"The ease of access to countries with different cultures allowed me to grow my respect for people who are different than me and also see how it compares to other cultures by experiencing it. With this new knowledge, I believe it will help me understand and relate to people who are different than me in an easier way in the future work place."

"Journalism majors can study abroad!!! It's advised by the college to not study abroad because there are very limited programs that have any sort of media or journalism classes, but if you plan ahead of time, you can still study abroad."

"Studying abroad was the best decision I've ever made! It helped me step out of my comfort zone and become more confident in myself."

"I was able to make lots of new friendships and talk to people I may not have been able to interact with before. I expanded my social network greatly as I met people from all over the world and also a lot of students from UMD that I may not met without study abroad!"