Is a Global Launch program right for me?
UMass Amherst Global Launch is a unique way to start your time as a UMass Amherst student. Selected students are invited to spend their first semester living and learning in one of four global cities – Dublin, London, Madrid, or Paris – earning UMass Amherst credits that keep them on track for their major. Each location's curriculum is designed for students from specific degree paths.
UMass Amherst Global Launch began in Fall 2022. With four successful cohorts and just over 150 program alumni, UMass Amherst Global Launch programs are poised to provide an unforgettable experience to first year UMass students.
The UMass Amherst Global Launch programs are a great match for a variety of students. Are you open-minded, curious, and adventurous? Are you flexible, independent, and adaptable? If that sounds like you, then a Global Launch Program could be a perfect fit.
This program will help you build important skills such as global awareness, cross-cultural communication, and problem-solving while immersing you in a new environment. You will gain hands-on experience, develop your academic and personal growth, and create lasting connections with peers. Whether you are looking for a unique way to start your college career at UMass or simply want to broaden your horizons, the Global Launch Program at UMass Amherst offers an enriching and transformative experience.
Yes! Global Launch students are fully matriculated UMass Amherst students, which means you can use your awarded financial aid toward program costs, and all courses count toward your degree requirements - no credit transferring needed!
Selected admitted and waitlisted students to UMass Amherst will be invited to join the Global Launch program appropriate to their academic program of study. Students are selected by the UMass Amherst Admissions team based on admitted major eligibility and academic achievement. If you feel you meet these eligibility requirements, and have not been invited by Admissions, you may email @email.
No. All classes, with the exception of specific language courses, are conducted in English.
All communication will happen via email. Follow our Instagram @globallaunch_umass for a look at what your first semester of college could look like! Email @email with questions.
Accepting your admissions offer to Global Launch.
Admitted UMass Students
If invited, to secure your spot on the Global Launch program, you must:
- Complete and submit the interest form. Submitting the form is not an indication of commitment on your of the university's behalf, but an indication for the administration of your program interest.
- Once notified of your acceptance (rolling basis), you must pay both your UMass Amherst $500 nonrefundable enrollment deposit and a nonrefundable $300 program deposit.
Due to limited spots available, participation in Global Launch is based on a first-come, first served basis. The date deposits are made will be used to determine who will participate in the program. These programs have filled in past years.
Waitlisted Students
If you have been waitlisted to UMass Amherst and offered a chance to start on a Launch program, you must:
- Submit the Waitlist Form, indicating your interest in the Global Launch program you are eligible for.
- After submitting the form, students will be reviewed and admitted on a rolling basis. If admitted, you must pay both your UMass Amherst $500 nonrefundable enrollment deposit and a nonrefundable $300 program deposit.
Due to limited spots available, participation in Global Launch is based on a first-come, first served basis. The date deposits are made will be used to determine who will participate in the program.
Important Note for Waitlisted Students:
- Once admitted to the program, students cannot choose to start on the Amherst campus in the Fall
- Students will be admitted to the Launch programs on a space-available basis. Students have until May 1 to deposit, but programs may hit capacity before that date.
Admitted UMass Students
Global Launch deposits are non-refundable. After June 1, you will be responsible for any monies paid by you or committed by UMass Amherst on your behalf and not retrievable by UMass Amherst. This includes flight deposits and visa fees. Once you arrive in-country, no fees are refundable.
If you decide to rescind your acceptance to Global Launch, please contact the Global Launch Team at @email to discuss your options.
Waitlisted Students
Global Launch deposits are non-refundable. After June 1, you will be responsible for any monies paid by you or committed by UMass Amherst on your behalf and not retrievable by UMass Amherst. This includes flight deposits and visa fees. Once you arrive in-country, no fees are refundable.
Once admitted to the program, students that were waitlisted to UMass Amherst cannot choose to start on the Amherst campus in the Fall. If you decide to rescind your commitment to UMass Amherst through the Global Launch program, please contact the Global Launch Team at @email.
Due to the degree-specific curriculum at each location, students are only eligible to attend the Global Launch program to which they were invited.
If you are interested in changing your major, you must submit a request to the Admissions Office. Additionally, please inform @email, as we will need to manually update your Global Launch invitation to the appropriate location. Please email @email with questions.
Pre-departure: Before you go
All Global Launch students will gather at the Charles River Campus of UMass Amherst in Newton, MA for a two day, one night pre-departure orientation immediately before departure.
The Charles River Orientation is mandatory for ALL students participating on a Global Launch program.
In addition, Global Launch students will participate in standard UMass New Student Experience activities as well as Global Launch specific Zoom orientation calls throughout the summer.
All Global Launch students are required to travel on the group flight from Boston Logan International Airport to their host country. Students, Program Assistants, and an On-Site staff member will depart from the Charles River Campus of UMass Amherst to Boston Logan.
Students will receive information on how to secure their seat on the group flight after enrolling in the program.
Yes. Students are required to have a passport to travel internationally. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months* after your program end date If you do not have a passport or you need to renew an existing passport, please start that process ASAP.
*For students participating on the Global Launch in Madrid program, your passport must be valid for at least one year after the program end date.
Yes! You must maintain primary US-based health insurance while abroad. If you are covered by a family health insurance plan, you do not also need the UMass student health insurance plan and can waive it on SPIRE.
In addition, all UMass students travelling abroad are covered by UMass Emergency International Travel Insurance (ISOS). This covers students for medically urgent or emergency situations abroad. You can expect to pay out of pocket for care and seek reimbursement from the insurance company.
You will also be covered by insurance provided by your partner program. Information about utilizing this insurance will be provided closer to departure. You can expect to pay out of pocket for care and seek reimbursement from the insurance company.
While Abroad
Yes! UMass Amherst and our on-site partner will plan a number of cultural and social activities in and around your host city during the semester. Students may also travel independently on the weekends or during the mid-semester break.
Students are NOT permitted to travel outside of their host country or overnight in-country excursions during the first 30 days of the program to acclimate to college and life abroad. Day trips from host city are permitted and encouraged.
The UMass Amherst Global Launch programs provide strong support through Program Assistants (UMass alumni who live on-site with students), and staff from our on-site program partners. With small class sizes, students develop close relationships with instructors, fostering a personal and interactive learning environment. This support network ensures students can thrive academically, socially, and personally throughout the program. The Office of Global Affairs also offers ongoing support, coordinating with university learning resources and other campus services and units.
The Global Launch programs are designed to be close to the cost of a semester on the UMass campus, barring additional costs such as airfare, immigration expenses, and other personal expenses. Students can use the financial aid they receive to pay for this program. Review the Cost of Attendance page for more details.
Returning to Campus
Check out the Spring Transition to UMass page for details about housing, course selection and transitioning to life in Amherst.
Past students report that starting in Amherst in the spring semester can sometime be challenging, but that the close friendships, flexibility and resilience they developed while abroad helped them adjust to life on campus.
Yes, absolutely!