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Welcome to UMaine
Explore the Office of International Programs
International Student Association
ISA serves as a network and a support base for all other internationally-focused clubs
Gratitude Corner: Study Abroad Edition
UMaine alumni, Jessica Canatsey ’92 and Tracey Graffam-Dickson ’93, reconnected with Terri Beyer from the UMaine Foundation and Orlina Boteva from OIP on October 30, 2025 in Yarmouth, ME. Jessica and Tracey studied abroad in 1990-1991 through the Salzburg program in Austria, which was a transformational experience for them. They wanted to give back to their alma mater and created the “Global Perspectives for Humanities Explorations Fund” which provides scholarships each year to UMaine students to immerse themselves in a new culture, gain fresh perspectives, and improve their language skills. We are grateful for their support, which helps our students…Gratitude Corner: Kannan’s Story
Kannan Sockalingam ’00, ’02G was an involved international student at UMaine while working on his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering. Two decades after graduation, Kannan remains involved with his alma mater by serving on the OIP Advisory Board and through his philanthropy. His friendships from his student days at UMaine remain strong. Last year, he took his younger son for a UMaine visit, visited several of his UMaine friends, cheered at a UMaine men’s ice hockey game, and went ice fishing. Kannan and his brother Senthil Sockalingam ’08, ’10G, also a UMaine alum, created the Sockalingam Family Scholarship as a…Ece Yeldan
My experience as an international student at the University of Maine has been nothing short of transformative. From the friendships forged to the knowledge gained, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a vibrant and welcoming community.Nara Narith
There are always times when I ask myself, why I am here, and why I am doing my major. There are times when I can not see how this part of life would fit in with my future. However, the people I met here never made me doubt my choice in choosing UMaine!!! We are all here learning together and learning from each other.Iaryna Iasenytska
I think UMaine’s education had a big role to play in building up the first steps to who I am striving to become. In other words, UMaine gave an opportunity to learn from many great people who have taught me and challenged me to dig and think deeper.
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Black Bears on the World Stage
Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics The University of Maine was proudly represented at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with seven Black Bear alumni that competed on the world’s biggest stage. From the ice rink to the bobsled run, these former UMaine student-athletes represented their countries and their alma mater in Milan-Cortina 2026. Ice HockeyJeremy Swayman ’20 – Team […]2026 Spirit of Maine Achievement Award
Dr. Fatemeh Afghah Dr. Fatemeh Afghah ’13 has been selected to receive the Spirit of Maine Achievement Award, which honors University of Maine alumni who, within fifteen years of graduation, have achieved outstanding professional, scholarly, and public impact. Dr. Afghah’s accomplishments reflect the strength of her UMaine education and her continued commitment to applying advanced […]Global Voices in the Classroom: IEI Student Presents to Orono Middle Schoolers
Intensive English Institute(IEI) students have successfully continued their presentation series for the Social Studies classes at Orono Middle School.This ongoing collaboration serves to integrate global perspectives into the middle school curriculum, allowing Orono students to engage directly with individuals from diverse international backgrounds. The IEI participants prepare and deliver talks focused on their home countries, […]Culturefest 2025: A World of Cultures Unites on Campus
Our 38th annual Culturefest held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, was another success. We had more than 100 participating students represent the culture, food, and traditions of over 30 countries. More than 1,000 people were in attendance from the University and local communities. It was a wonderful celebration of international talent and tradition! Enjoy the […]International Student Coffee Hour: Homecoming Edition 2025
This fall marked the first time that the Office of International Programs (OIP) and the International Student Association (ISA) participated in the UMaine Homecoming celebration. On Friday, October 24, 2025, OIP & ISA hosted a special alumni edition of the International Coffee Hour, bringing together current and past UMaine students for an afternoon of connection […]OIP Hosts the 2025 USAC Summit
In October 2025, the University of Maine’s Office of International Programs had the pleasure of hosting the annual University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Summit. We welcomed 55 international educators, including USAC’s central office leadership, 18 resident directors from USAC programs around the world, and education abroad colleagues from USAC affiliate universities in the United States. […]













