Every year over the past few years, our students have spent semesters abroad in Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Other destinations include China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Israel, Japan, Nepal, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, and Turkey.
The history department is particularly proud of our summer program in Oxford, England, Oxford Summer Seminar, and the variety of study abroad scholarships available for our students.
The Office of Global Affairs maintains up-to-date files and records regarding study abroad. As soon as you begin thinking about studying abroad, you should visit the office and take advantage of its staff and resources. Obtaining credit for your work abroad is a two-step process. First, you must arrange with the IPO to convert your credits from your program abroad to UMass course credits. Once this is done, you will need to consult with the Department to satisfy requirements for the major.
Student Spotlight: Lila Ives
“The histories of marginalized people allow us to see the world from different points of view. It was so rewarding to share women’s history with people from all over the world.”
—Lila Ives ’25
Lila Ives ’25 came to UMass to study psychology, but during her first year, an introductory world history class inspired her to switch to history—an area of study that spurs her curiosity, deepens her critical thinking skills, and enriches her understanding of the world. As she dug into her coursework, she found herself enthralled with Italian, medieval, and art history, prompting her to pursue a second major in Italian studies and a certificate in medieval studies. Along the way, she also earned recognition for her excellence in history as a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society.
As a senior, she followed her passion for art history to Paris, where she took classes alongside students from all over the world and landed an internship with a women’s history tour company, Women of Paris. There, she drafted the script of their newest tour, a women’s history tour of the Musée d’Orsay. Inspired by her experience studying abroad and by her family’s Italian heritage, Ives taught English in Milan after graduation.