Newsletter Archives - International Programs

Frank wearing cultural garb while presenting to young students

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, […]

Two students sitting at booth table, presenting cultural information

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 […]

Group photo of international alumni at coffee hour

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. […]

Poonam and Subrata Ghosh posing for photo

Subrata and Poonam Ghosh Giving Back

Originally published in the University of Maine Foundation’s Legacies newsletter. Subrata Ghosh came to Orono to study for an MBA at UMaine after completing hisundergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in India. Like many other Black Bearsbefore and since, Subrata recalls renting an apartment on Mill Street and walking tocampus on frigid February mornings. That ultimately […]

Students in line next to a table being served drinks in the North Pod

Save the Date: Homecoming’s International Coffee Hour

OIP hosts a weekly Coffee Hour to connect students, scholars, staff, and other community members in a casual meeting space. If you are coming to Homecoming this fall, we hope you will join us for International Coffee Hour on Friday, October 24, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. It will be hosted in the […]

IEI group sits in living room space facing camera

IEI Tours the ASCC

The Intensive English Institute (IEI) recently toured the Advanced Structures & Composite Center (ASCC). Led by Joseph, a Ph.D. student in the Mechanical Engineering program, they got an insider look at some of the facility’s current research projects. The ASCC is a world-renowned research hub focused on creating innovative materials and structures. They’ve been a […]

International Students Join IEI at CCAR

This summer, international students from UMaine joined IEI on a trip to Sullivan, Maine, to visit CCAR —UMaine’s Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research. We learned about CCAR’s educational outreach, aquaculture research projects, and business incubator. CCAR serves as a hub for aquaculture business development. Plus, it is located in a beautiful setting on Taunton Bay. […]

Mireille, guest, and Sarah in group photo on a boat

Cocktails on the Coast with OIP!

Mid June, Sarah Joughin and Mireille Le Gal attended “Cocktails on the Coast,” hosted by the UMaine Alumni Association. An open invitation to international alumni from Portland and Boston areas was sent out prior via social media. They convened in Portland before boarding a ferry ship named the Bay Mist at the historic docks of […]

Orlina Boteva, and international student and alumni in group photo

Chicago Reunion

OIP hosted a mini reunion in Chicago in mid March and a wonderful group of UMaine alumni joined. From left to right: (top row) Wing Wong ’18, Aleynne Aular – current UMaine student attending a conference in Chicago, Leon Cortes ’19, Ella Wu’14 and former OIP staff, (bottom) Orlina Boteva ’04G, ’05G, ’23G and Leon’s […]