umass boston travel abroad

UMass Boston

• Current Students
• Parents & Families
• Faculty & Staff
• Study Abroad

Getting Started

• Majors & Programs
• Colleges & Schools
• Student Equity, Access & Success
• Global Programs
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Student Stories
• Study Abroad Programs
• Faculty Taught International Programs
• Requirements
• Financing Study Abroad
• Health & Safety
• Before You Go
• When You Return
• Fellowships
• Provost's Office

Steps to Study Abroad

Need advising? Meet with us!  

• Hear from UMass Boston students about their experiences studying abroad on our blog site .
• Create your UMass Boston Abroad Profile
•   Apply for your passport  now if you don’t have one! If you have one, check the expiration date, so you have plenty of time to renew it before you apply to your program
• Identify Your Goals  
• Diversity & Inclusion Resources
• Understand the Application Process & Apply
• Prepare to Go Abroad .

Goals for Study Abroad

Before you start looking at programs, ask yourself “ Why do I want to go abroad? ” 

What do you hope to gain personally, professionally, and academically? 

What kind of academic experience do you want? Classroom or field study? Internship or research? 

Do you want to study a foreign language? Most programs offer courses taught in English, even when English isn't the primary language of the host country. 

How long do you want to be abroad? Programs are available from 10-days to 1-year.

What do you need outside of the classroom to be your best self?  Consider climate, food, student life, university and city size, mental health and physical health needs. Where do you feel the most successful and what could that look like abroad?

What is your budget?  We offer programs that are less than, equal to, and more than UMass in-state tuition.  You can use your UMass financial aid to pay for education abroad!

10 Reasons Why You Should Study Abroad

1. Earn academic credit toward your UMass Boston degree, while traveling the world!

With planning, you can take courses specific to your 

major(s), minor, general education, or elective requirements. You may also do internships and independent study projects abroad, with approval from your academic department. All grades and credits from abroad will become part of your transcript and be applied toward your degree, as long as you follow the academic policies and procedures for study abroad.

2. Enhance your resume

Studying abroad will set you apart from other graduates in the increasingly competitive global job marketplace.  Did you know that more than 50% of students entering college want to study abroad, while fewer than 5% actually do? Or, that fewer than 10% of state university students study overseas while more than 60% of private college students do? Be counted among the growing number of UMass Boston students to successfully achieve this goal.

3. Immerse yourself in another culture

Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to actually live in another culture, not simply be a tourist or observer. Being a student in another country allows you an opportunity to experience the traditions, culture, and society from the inside.

4. Improve your foreign language skills

Intimidated by another language? Maybe you're ready to become fluent in your second or even third language? Everyone can enhance their language skills when studying abroad. Learn a language by living it, not by reading it in a textbook, and complete your language requirement, abroad.

English only? Many programs take place in English-only institutions, such as universities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, South Korea, Japan, the West Indies and more. Other programs offer the opportunity to take courses in English in a non-English speaking country.

5. Make new friendships that will last a lifetime

You are likely to become "globally-minded" by studying abroad because you will have the advantage of meeting people from other cultures and countries. You will make lifetime friends who are from all over the U.S., your host country, and around the world. You will be a personal ambassador and link to the U.S for those in your host country, and will bring that global mindedness back to friends and family members who have never been abroad.

6. Gain a new perspective about the U.S.

See your home from the perspective of others. You will gain a more informed perspective on world affairs and the global community when you engage in conversations with students and citizens from your host country and other countries. You will begin to understand the range of opinions and complexities when you're in a totally different place in the world. You will bring those insights home when you return.

7. Studying abroad is affordable!

Study abroad usually does cost more than studying on campus, but, with planning, all undergraduate students can afford to go abroad. If you currently receive financial aid, your aid can be applied to your program abroad. There are also scholarships (need- and merit-based), grants, and low-interest loans available to students studying abroad. The costs of education abroad programs vary. It is possible to find a program that fits your budget.

8. Gain invaluable life-changing and life-enhancing skills.

Increased self-confidence, independence, self-sufficiency, patience, adaptability, cross-cultural communications skills, and a willingness to take on new challenges are all examples of the many personal benefits of studying abroad. The skills you gain while studying abroad will last a lifetime.

9. Impress Graduate schools & Employers!

Your experiences abroad as an undergraduate will enhance your application and give you additional information that helps you stand apart in the selection and/or hiring process. Refer to reason #2: "Studying abroad will set you apart from other graduates in the increasingly competitive global job marketplace. The skills you gain while living abroad will give you an advantage in just about any career field."

10. Have fun!

Meet new people, try new foods, have new adventures! Take advantage of your time abroad to expand your horizons academically and personally. At the end of a summer, semester or year abroad, come home filled with stories about your experiences, and excited to share them with others!

UMass Boston

• Current Students
• Parents & Families
• Faculty & Staff
• Study Abroad

Before You Go

• Majors & Programs
• Colleges & Schools
• Student Equity, Access & Success
• Global Programs
• Getting Started
• Study Abroad Programs
• Faculty Taught International Programs
• Requirements
• Financing Study Abroad
• Health & Safety
• Parents & Family
• When You Return
• Fellowships
• Provost's Office

Congratulations on your approval to study abroad through UMass Boston.

There are a number of steps to complete after you have been accepted to your program abroad.

• Passport: If you don't have one already,   apply   for one as soon as possible. Make sure your passport will be valid for at least six months after the end date of your study abroad program, or the date of your departure.
• Do you need a visa? : You are responsible for obtaining the correct visa before you travel. 
• Complete all UMass Boston requirements in your study abroad application .
• Attend a Pre-Departure Orientation & Pay your Study Abroad Fee
• Health & Safety Preparation
• Prepare for your Study Abroad Destination , Book your Flights , and go abroad!

Visa Requirements:

More than likely, you will need to obtain a student visa for your study abroad program. Please check here to see if you need to obtain a visa:  https://travel.state.gov/content/studentsabroad/en/visa.html

A visa is the government document required by your host country and is often a stamp in your passport. Some visas can take several weeks to obtain. Make sure you understand the requirements for your specific visa. Check where the consulate is for your study abroad country.   This is where you will need to submit your visa application documents. Specific visa requirements can always be found on the nearest consulate website . For example, if a student is traveling to Spain, check the Consolate of Spain in Boston's   website   very early in the process to understand exactly what is needed once you recieve your acceptance letter to apply for it. You can find the specific visa under Consular services and navigate to the appropriate study visa. Many visas have longer processing time and it is vital you get your application in as soon as possible to ensure you get your visa on time for your departure. More information on visa's and requirements can be found here .

Contact your program provider or sending institution and   embassy or consulate   of the country you plan to study in for specific requirements and regulations and specific instructions about how to apply and obtain a visa for your destination.

The visa process for many countries can be found on the   NAFSA website . Be sure to check if your host country is listed on the website.   Here   is an excel of common program locations and consulate websites. 

Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation

Each semester the Office of Global Programs holds a pre-departure orientation for all outgoing students studying abroad. For students studying abroad in Summer/Fall, orientation is held in May. For students studying abroad in Winter/Spring, orientation is held in December. All students must attend this very important session in order to study abroad through UMass Boston. Attendance is mandatory. Topics include the Dean of Students and Expectations, Health Abroad from University Health Services, safety abroad, financial aid reminders from the Office of Financial Aid, culture shock and other important topics to prepare to go abroad. Details of the orientation session will be sent to all approved students to RSVP.

Study Abroad Advising & Application Fee: $250

All students participating on Reciprocal Exchange, Affiliate, and Alternate Study Abroad Provider Programs or directly enrolling  are required to pay a $250 fee. This fee, along with UMass Boston required forms and documents will assure the following: maintenance of fulltime UMass student status while on approved program abroad; WISER remains active; Financial aid can be applied to overseas program; pre-approval of courses toward the UMass degree program; transcript processing; credits will be interpreted and applied to the UMass transcript upon return. In addition, students are provided with ongoing advising throughout the process. Pre-departure orientations are offered the semester before studying abroad. All UMass Boston students are also covered by UMass International Travel & Emergency Insurance while participating on an approved, overseas program. This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE. 

Prepare for your Study Abroad Destination:

Responsible, sustainable international travel: impact.

Study abroad exposes students to the world. It also exposes the world to the environmental, social, and economic impacts of international travel. Make an effort to take into account the ways in which you may impact the world while studying, living, working, traveling, or volunteering abroad.

Learn About Your Destination

Before you go, read as much as possible about the country where you will reside. Libraries, bookstores, and tourist bureaus are good resources to find out more information about the country. Check out YouTube videos, student blogs, and travel guides for particularly rich resources. You can also visit a country's   embassy website   to locate consulate information and services. Country-specific consulate websites are full of information for visitors: tourists, students, businesses.

Talk to a Peer

Returned students (students who have been abroad before) will give you information that you can't get from a guidebook. They can give you advice on what to pack, how to make friends, and the cheapest way to call home. If you don't know anyone who has studied abroad, ask your advisor for names and contact information of students who have studied abroad. We have created a   Study Abroad Blog   where you can learn from other UMass Boston students who studied abroad. 

Airline Tickets

Start researching flights so you can budget your money. Check out   www.studentuniverse.com   for cheap, no-overhead flight prices just for students!   Kayak.com   is a good website to compare flights from many different airline companies. 

Time and Money

Quick Currency Converter   - Interactive web services on the Internet and the world's most popular Internet currency tool. Provides immediate current exchanges for over 180 of the worlds' currencies.

World Clock/Time Zones   - Current local times around the world.

Sunrise and Sunset Times   - Daily report on the sunrise, sunset and various twilight times for your location.

Be sure to let your bank know all the locations you will be traveling! Also research what banks have lesser fee's associated with withdrawals from abroad. 

Arrange Your Arrival from Airport to Destination

Some universities arrange to have you picked up at the airport. Be sure to arrange, or at least research this prior to your departure from the U.S. Many universities and programs also provide you with clear instructions on your arrival and what to do to get from the airport to your next destination. It's also a good idea to travel with contact information for people you may be meeting upon arrival.

Keeping in Touch

For many people, the hardest thing about traveling is being away from family and friends. There are plenty of cost efficient ways of maintaining contact with the important people in your life while you are away. If you plan to call anyone while traveling abroad, you definitely need a pre-paid phone card because calling from overseas can be extremely expensive if you don't have one.

• Skype   - Stay in touch using the phone and Internet while you are traveling.
• WhatsApp   - Make calls to anywhere in the world while on wifi with this app. 
• Viber   - Free text, calling, photo messages and location-sharing with Viber users
• Unlock your phone - Buy a SIM card upon arrival and connect to the local cellphone network

World Electricity Guides For information on the electrical systems in use in most countries of the world.

Gain Global Experience

With umass boston & api, special umass pricing & api scholarships available   learn more >>.

API's Newest Locations!

API has new and exciting programs in locations around the world! Experience Athens , Seoul , Tokyo and more while earning credit towards your degree.

Internships Abroad

Get a closer look at an API global internship in Australia ! Follow Patrick Kasper and hear from him about his hands-on projects and insights gained while interning in Sydney with TGL, a prominent tech company.

NEW - Fare Finder!

In an effort to reduce financial barriers and increase access, we are offering the Fare Finder™ app right inside of APIConnect to provide access to discounted airfare for academic travel. With Fare Finder, we’re making educational travel simpler and more accessible than ever before. 

Financial Aid Resources

You might be surprised to hear that you can use financial aid to study abroad! API does accept all forms of financial aid  according to approval from your home university or organization.

Scholarships

API offers a number of scholarships, and has assembled a list of other potential scholarship options from 3rd party sources to help you prepare to go abroad! Check them out on our scholarships page .

Passport Resources

Don't let a missing passport derail your study abroad plans! International travelers are itching to get back out there so processing time for passport applications and renewals has increased. Apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible to ensure your study abroad plans stay on track!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

API believes in the importance of promoting acceptance, dignity, and respect among people of all backgrounds. No matter who you are or where you come from, API will support you during your journey abroad.

Special Pricing & Cost Info

Viewing your umass price in apiconnect.

• Click here to sign into or create your profile
• Login to the platform
• Explore the options

That’s it! The pricing for UMass students will be visible when exploring while logged into the APIConnect platform .

You can also view prices by selecting UMass Boston on the list when you personalize your program.

UMass Boston Financial Aid

Learn how to get started by reviewing:

• Using Financial Aid Info
• UMass Boston Financial Aid Information

For questions about using financial aid on API programs, please contact [email protected] in the UMB Financial Aid office.

Program Cost Comparison

Many API programs are on par with the cost you pay for UMass Boston in-state tuition. But, in addition to tuition and housing, you get cultural excursions and the global learning experience of a lifetime that will serve you in your future endeavors.

UMass Boston – API Program Cost Comparison

Barcelona, Spain

Easily earn credit in spain.

UMass Boston and API have worked with host universities in Spain to ensure you get credit and stay on track to graduate! Check out the pre-approved courses for Barcelona and Seville below, and keep in mind that UMass students get special pricing and more scholarship opportunities to make learning abroad more accessible.

PRE-APPROVED COURSES: BARCELONA

• International Business (MGT 434)
• Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation (MGT 470)
• Human Resources Management (MGT 401)
• International Finance (AF 455)
• International Marketing Strategies (MKT 430)

Seville, Spain

Pre-approved courses: seville.

• International Management (MGT 430)
• International Human Resource Management (MGT 434)
• Corporate Management Business Ethics (MGT 401)
• Organizational Theory (MGT 331)
• International Business and Emerging Markets (MGT 303)
• Enterprising Initiative and Family Business (MGT 303)
• Operations Management I AF 455
• Management Information Systems (MSIS 110)
• International Marketing (MKT 430)
• Introduction to Financial Accounting (AF 210)

UMass Boston Students Abroad

Merlandie p..

Get budgeting tips for your experience from Merlandie and friends! Click here to learn more.

Education Abroad

Go beyond the classroom , expand your horizons, gain cultural awareness, and develop skills to help you become more successful in a globalized community.

Earn global experience and credit toward your degree. Work with an advisor to make this career-boosting opportunity a reality!

Why Study & Intern Abroad?

Studying and interning abroad can give you a real edge upon graduation .

• Increase your career readiness
• Develop skills in a global setting
• Become a global citizen
• Enjoy a life-transforming experience that sets you up for success

International experiential education is not only a fantastic way to differentiate your resume when you enter the global workforce, many programs can cost less than a semester at U.S. universities . With so many options, financial aid, and scholarship assistance, it is a worthy investment in your future!

Explore the many study abroad options with our partner API—many of which have special pricing and possible scholarship opportunities for UMass students—then m ake an appointment with a UMB study abroad advisor.

The Truth About Studying & Interning Abroad

Many of the common concerns students have about education abroad are easily addressed; it is easier than you think to gain the career-boosting, life-changing experience by studying or interning abroad.

Cost: ICYMI, UMass students get special pricing on approved API programs! Many programs can cost the same or  less than your semester tuition. Do not let finances get in the way of this experience: the IPO & API are here to help you make it happen!

Falling behind: Studies say  if you work with your advisor to choose the right program for your major, study abroad can improve time to graduation!

Finding classes for my major: There truly is a program for nearly every major. More and more students in the STEM, business, and other fields are finding great coursework abroad! From biochemistry to public health to computer science… there IS a program for you.

Support: From applying through your abroad experience, API provides advising services and assistance so you have help every step of the way. API is committed to inclusiveness by providing affordable, accessible programs, individualized support and resources , and on-site staff with diversity education and training.

No matter who you are or where you come from, API will support you during your experiential learning journey.

Affording Your Program

Studying and interning abroad is a valuable investment you can afford to make!

Read more on our blog about how API’s programs can be more affordable than the average cost of a semester at a U.S. university .

Use scholarships AND financial aid to help cover the cost to explore the globe & prepare for your future!

Better yet: UMass Boston students get special pricing on approved API programs!

Budget-Friendly Programs

We’ve rounded up our most popular and most affordable programs in one place. On this list you’ll find everything from a semester long study abroad program in Spain, a summer in Costa Rica, short-term language opportunities, international internships, and a variety of virtual experiences… many under the cost of in-state tuition .

Going abroad without breaking the bank just got easier!

Learn More >>

Internships

API’s career readiness services involve a wide variety of options.

International internships can give you an edge in the global economy. With an internship, you will build skills and experiences that employers value, differentiate your resume from peers, expand your employment options, and improve your odds of being hired faster and your chances of a higher starting salary. 

Application Process

All UMass Boston students must first apply through the Office of Global Programs .

• Meet with a study abroad advisor to ensure you enroll in the best program to meet your academic goals
• Select your program (it is best to sign into APIConnect to ensure you see UMass program pricing)
• Request special scholarship funding only available to UMass Boston students
• Apply for or renew your passport
• Apply with UMass Boston
• Apply for your API program & pay your confirmation fee

From there API will help guide you through any other requirements, such as visas and housing preferences.

Policies & Other Resources

UMass Boston Campus Events

API Financial Aid information

API Payment Policy

API Withdrawal Policy

DEI Resources

What’s Included in API Programs

Study Abroad Myths

Student’s Top FAQs

Umass boston Featured Programs

Multidisciplinary & environmental studies - costa rica.

Universidad Veritas and API offer you the opportunity to enroll in Spanish language classes alongside a wide array of courses (conducted in both English and Spanish)!

Spanish Culture Studies in English - Seville

This program at the renowned Universidad de Sevilla offers you the opportunity to enroll in an array of courses focused on Spanish culture and history, conducted in English.

Semester Business & Liberal Arts - Barcelona

The Universitat Autònoma of Barcelona offers a wide selection of easily transferable business and liberal arts courses conducted in English. Spanish couses also conducted at all levels!

Multidisciplinary Studies in English & Spanish - Seville

This program allows you to enroll in classes in either English or Spanish in a broad array of subjects, including business, natural sciences with labs, social sciences, and much more!

International Business & Humanities - Budapest

Choose from a wide array of courses conducted in English in the fields of business, economics, humanities and social sciences, as well as volunteer opportunities.

Multidisciplinary Studies - Kraków

We invite you to study abroad in Kraków, Poland, and select courses from across a broad range of subjects at the Jagiellonian University of Kraków. 

Semester Spanish Language & Culture for Advanced Speakers - Granada

Study abroad in Spain with API at the Universidad de Granada, and experience Spanish art, history, language, culture and more!

Semester Spanish Language & Culture for Beginning/Intermediate Speakers - Granada

We invite you to study abroad in Spain with API at the Universidad de Granada, and select from an array of courses conducted in either English or Spanish focused on Spanish art, culture, history, literature and more.

Spanish Language & Humanities for Advanced Speakers - Seville

We invite you to experience this program at the renowned Universidad de Sevilla, and enroll in a broad array of courses focused on Spanish language and culture (conducted in Spanish).

Business & International Studies - Salamanca

Study abroad with API in Spain at the prestigious Universidad de Salamanca, the oldest university in Spain! Designed for students of all language backgrounds this program offers an array of business and international studies courses in English, in addition to optional language and culture courses conducted in Spanish.

Semester Argentine & Latin American Studies - Buenos Aires

We invite you to study abroad with in Buenos Aires with API at Universidad de Belgrano! This exciting program offers you the opportunity to study Argentine and Latin American culture while living in the political, social, and cultural heart of Argentina. 

Human & Social Sciences Program in English - Barcelona

Study abroad with API in beautiful Barcelona at the prestigious Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and choose from an array of human and social sciences courses conducted in English, as well as Spanish language courses at all levels.

Multidisciplinary Studies for Advanced Spanish Speakers - Barcelona

This exciting program at the prestigious Universitat Pompeu Fabra offers you the opportunity to enroll in a wide array of courses across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, including business, communications, humanities, social sciences, and more!

Semester Spanish Language, Humanities, & Business Studies - Madrid

Study abroad in Madrid at Universidad Nebrija and take classes in English in both business and the humanities, as well as Spanish language courses at all levels. 

Multidisciplinary Studies for Spanish Speakers - Madrid

We invite you to study abroad in Madrid with API at Universidad Nebrija! This program offers you the opportunity to select from a wide array courses with local students across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines.

Let’s Get You Abroad!

Complete the form to get in touch, and we’ll follow up to answer any questions you may have!

If you’re ready to apply, click below to begin your application.

Connect with Your School

For more information on studying abroad or how to get the process started at your school, reach out to the Office of Global Programs.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

API is committed to providing enriching international experiences to its participants. We believe in the importance of promoting acceptance, dignity, and respect among people of all backgrounds. No matter who you are or where you come from, API will support you during your journey abroad.

API offers best-in-class programming, with student well-being a high priority.

Our mission is to create better global citizens through international experiential learning. API programs are developed to be transformative, career-boosting experiences that include:

• Community involvement through optional volunteer programs with API Gives Back
• Cultural awareness through relevant coursework and time spent in multicultural student groups
• High-touch student support throughout the program 

Academic Programs International (API) was founded in 1997 and is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable experiential learning programs. Their extensive pre-departure preparation, coupled with strong support services on-site, facilitates academic, cultural and linguistic learning. Within the supportive environment of the API programs, API participants are encouraged to explore their host communities and become increasingly independent and confident in their own abilities. They strive to make international educational experiences accessible to as many participants as possible, and, as such, works to provide multiple program components at a low program cost.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Contact API About Our Programs Email: [email protected]

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UMass Boston

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Announcements

• New Travel Process 4/15/24:   Beginning on Monday, April 15th, 2024, the university has transitioned to a new travel pre-approval platform (Concur) and travel risk management platform (Healix Sentinel).  Those looking to travel must request pre-travel approval through Concur and make sure approved travel information has been added to Healix Sentinel.  More information is available on the UMass President's Office Travel & Expense website.

Travel Planning Steps

University Travelers must complete the following  three  steps in the order presented below: 

• Note: For International Group Travel, UMass Boston requires submission of the Conditions of Agreement Form .  This international travel liability release form must be filled out and signed by each UMass Boston student (including minors) and volunteer traveling as part of a group internationally and then uploaded to the Concur Travel Request.
• Book Travel Arrangements:  University Travelers can book their travel after pre-travel authorization is obtained. University travelers are encouraged to book travel through Concur.  See  Booking Travel  section for additional information.
• Register Travel:  University Travelers must register travel once travel is booked.  See Travel Registration section for additional information.

Visit the Travel & Expense website for all available resources including step-by-step instructions, forms, and trainings. General guidance is also available in the Instructions section.

University Travel

Most University Travel requires prior approval, also known as pre-travel authorization.  University Travelers must submit a request to travel in Concur for all overnight, out-of-state, and international University Travel. Approval must must be obtained by the Traveler  prior to booking travel.

All international travel will require Export Control review.  Any travel to High-Risk Destinations will be subject to High Risk Review.

A High-Risk Destination is  any domestic or international country, region, province or city designated by the Systemwide   Travel Risk Management Advisory Committee  (TARMAC) or a campus  as posing substantive health, safety, security risk to a University Traveler and/or the University.  High-Risk Destinations are inclusive of comprehensively sanctioned countries.  For the most up-to-date list of High-Risk Destinations, visit the Before Booking Travel page under the "Travel to High-Risk or Elevated Cybersecurity Risk Destinations" section.

When should I register?

Travel requests must be submitted 21 days before departure, or as soon as travel dates are known. Travel requests to high risk destinations should be submitted 30 days in advance of departure, or upon notice of change in the systemwide list of High-Risk Destinations.

Need Help?

• Trainings are available on the Travel & Expense Concur Rollout website .
• Concur and Healix questions, contact the Travel & Expense Services Team
• Concur Log-in questions, contact the IT Help Desk
• Travel Reimbursement  questions, contact the Controller’s Office - 617.287.5120
• Legacy (Terra Dotta) questions  - [email protected]

UMass Amherst calls in police to disperse new pro-Palestinian encampment

AMHERST — Student protesters established an encampment at the University of Massachusetts on Tuesday afternoon, as campus protests over the war in Gaza continued to create unrest at colleges across the country, but police in riot gear soon moved in and took dozens of demonstrators into custody.

More than a dozen police vehicles arrived on campus in the late afternoon, a few hours after the pro-Palestinian encampment was set up on the student union’s south lawn. Police and protesters initially did not engage with each other as student leaders met with UMass administrators, including Chancellor Javier A. Reyes, to discuss their demands, which include that the university disclose partnerships with companies affiliated with Israel.

Around 1 p.m., student protesters had set up a camp of about 20 tents and enclosed it using wooden fences and pallets. The demonstrators grouped themselves into teams based on their willingness to be arrested by police, with the “red team” inside the encampment willing to face arrest and the “orange team” of 20 to 30 protesters keeping watch outside. Some protesters linked arms around the camp.

Protest leaders from Students for Justice in Palestine and UMass Dissenters said they had met with the administration at 4:30 p.m. and requested that UMass meet at least two of their demands, which were to divest from those profiting from the war, cut ties with Raytheon and study abroad programs with Israel, and drop civil charges on 57 students arrested in October during another protest.

The meeting had not gone as they hoped, they said, and they encouraged demonstrators to remain there and protect the encampment.

The university’s Demonstration Response and Safety Team gave protesters several warnings to disperse and told students they were trespassing.

A spokesperson for Students for Justice in Palestine, who only gave her camp name, “Lavender,” said the protesters risking arrest are receiving legal support and have raised bail money.

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“We set up today … because Israel has begun their siege in Rafah,” she said. “There has been a call from national SJP to escalate today to further support the people in Rafah and Gaza, because everything we do is in support and in solidarity with them.”

“Administration has not been supportive or cooperative with us in the slightest,” she added.

By late afternoon, at least 22 police vehicles were visible on campus, representing a combination of UMass police, Amherst police, and State Police.

At 7:25 p.m., about 30 officers in riot gear from the three departments started to move into the protest area and instructed everyone to disperse. Roughly 100 protesters linked arms and surrounded the encampment, while about 300 others were pushed off the lawn and police began taking protesters into custody, in groups of five, from inside the enclosure.

As the night went on, protesters began moving around the lawn and into the inner encampment. Students began barricading the area with large wooden signs and their bodies. By 9:32 p.m., about 25 protesters had been taken into custody and placed into plastic handcuffs, and 15 minutes later about 80 more officers were brought onto campus, holding riot batons.

At 10:42 p.m., roughly 60 protesters had been taken into custody and 200 remained in the encampment area. The students taken into custody were placed in vans, and it was unclear late Tuesday night where they were taken.

UMass police and Amherst police declined to comment on the apprehensions late Tuesday night. State Police could not immediately be reached.

Reyes said in a statement Tuesday night that he had asked UMass police to clear the encampment and disperse the crowd as “the absolute last resort” after attempts to negotiate with student protesters proved fruitless.

“It saddens me to send this message tonight, but I am hopeful that our campus community will persevere to find common ground and come together in these challenging times,” he said.

Reyes said he and members of his leadership team had met with student demonstrators for more than an hour and a half earlier in the day, discussing student demands that included financial divestment from Israel, as well as questions about civil court cases related to the arrests of students who refused to leave an administration building on campus last fall. There are no criminal cases pending related to that incident, he said.

“I also assured the student protest leaders that I am actively reviewing the cases submitted for Code of Student Conduct appeals related to the arrests that have come before me as of today,” Reyes said.

He told protest leaders that their camp must be taken down but offered to continue discussions with the protesters “to bridge our differences,” and he said the university’s board of trustees will consider divestment from defense firms at its June meeting, according to the statement.

But the students rejected the offers and refused to dismantle the camp, according to Reyes.

“While we may not agree to all the demands presented to us today, including those which would violate the university’s founding values of the free and open exchange of ideas, today’s meeting could have been a significant step forward in establishing a meaningful dialogue,” he said. “I asked the students to help UMass Amherst set a model for how civil discourse can progress by dismantling their encampment and engaging with us in constructive discussions — not further confrontations and outright violations of university policy and the law.”

Globe correspondent Maria Elena Little Endara contributed to this report.

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• Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenses

Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Child Sexual Abuse Material Offenses After HSI Investigation

BOSTON — A Bourne man was sentenced April 30 in a federal court in Boston for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material and violating the terms of his supervised release.

Bryan C. Mileikis, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to eight years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Talwani also ordered him to pay $18,000 in restitution. Mileikis received a two-year concurrent sentence for violating the terms of his supervised release on two prior federal armed bank robbery convictions unrelated to the child sexual abuse material case. In October 2023, he pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

An HSI New England cybercrime investigation identified Mileikis as the owner of a Kik messaging account distributing child sexual abuse material online. When HSI special agents searched Mileikis’ residence in June 2019, they seized his iPhone and conducted a forensic examination that revealed approximately 156 images and 22 videos depicting child sexual abuse of prepubescent and pubescent boys and girls, including children ranging from approximately one year old to approximately 17 years old. The files also included depictions of adults sexually abusing children. At the time of the offense, Mileikis was on federal supervised release for two armed bank robbery convictions for which he was sentenced to 110 months in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy, HSI Boston Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen and Bourne Police Chief Brandon Esip made the announcement May 1. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

HSI is a global leader in the fight against child exploitation. Last year, HSI special agents dedicated 1.2 million case hours to investigating child exploitation. This heinous crime harms the most vulnerable in our society: Our kids. As technology evolves and more people have access to the internet, children are at a greater risk than ever. HSI’s special agents and analysts around the world are dedicated to countering this threat.

Report suspected child exploitation to the HSI tip line at 877-4-HSI-TIP or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

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How Parents of College Seniors Are Reacting to Campus Disruptions

No matter their opinions on pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, many parents are angry that final semesters and graduations have been upended.

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By Claire Fahy and Connor Michael Greene

The college experience for many of the parents of the Class of 2024 did not begin with the quintessential moment of loading up the car to drive to campus. Instead, parents wished their freshly minted college students luck as they logged on to classes online.

The pandemic meant that for many, there had been no high school graduation ceremonies. Now, some of the families who had to forgo college traditions are facing a graduation season that has been thrown into chaos by a wave of student-led protests sweeping colleges across the country.

Bunting and school banners have been replaced with tents and barricades as students have faced off with chants and dialogue that occasionally has veered into antisemitism, leading to police crackdowns and student suspensions. Some clashes between protesters and counterprotesters have even turned violent .

Many parents interviewed this week said they had been worried about their children’s safety on campus, while others were proud of their participation. Regardless of parents’ politics or feelings about the Israel-Hamas war, many are furious at how administrations have responded — by bringing in the police to tamp down protests, canceling events and communicating sporadically, if at all.

Columbia University in New York canceled its main graduation ceremony on Monday after weeks of unrest on its campus. Separate, smaller ceremonies for each of its 19 colleges will still be held.

Shamsa Merchant, whose daughter, Fayre Khalique, is graduating from Columbia this month, plans to travel from Atlanta to New York City to celebrate with family members. She was disappointed that, once again, her daughter’s graduation would not go according to plan.

“These are the kids hit by Covid,” Ms. Merchant said. “I was hoping she was going to shine and get what she deserves with all of her friends. So, yes, I’m very sad.”

Emory University in Atlanta also announced on Monday that it was moving its universitywide commencement to an indoor complex off campus. And the University of Southern California decided last week to host a commencement “celebration” at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum instead of having its traditional on-campus graduation ceremony.

Natalie Moss’s daughter, Isabella Fenn, is also graduating from Columbia. Ms. Moss, who lives in White Plains, N.Y., said she was upset that her daughter had been denied a full graduation experience.

“It felt like a jab to the stomach,” Ms. Moss said of the news that Columbia’s commencement had been canceled.

Even on campuses where graduation ceremonies were not curtailed, parents bristled with frustration after weeks of disruption to their children’s education and, in some cases, emotional distress caused by the protests.

In a letter sent to administrators at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Friday, a group of concerned parents said that by permitting a protest encampment on campus to continue, the school had “created a poisonous reality” for students who “cannot walk freely” across campus, are “concealing their Jewish identities” and are routinely experiencing stress and trauma.

“Students previously happy to attend M.I.T. cannot wait until the semester is finished to flee from campus,” the parents wrote. “This extends to graduating students and their families who cannot wait to leave the school, as opposed to looking forward to celebrating their commencement and achievements.”

Dr. Elad Levy, an Israeli-born surgeon in western New York and a member of the parents’ group, said it had been a “brutal” year for his daughter, a 19-year-old sophomore.

“Last year, it was, ‘I found my people, it feels like home,’ and this year it’s 180 degrees different,” he said. “I tell her to find strength in the turmoil, that the world is not an easy place, and that she is stronger than hate.”

Other parents were frustrated by schools’ communication with students and their parents. Lynn Taska, a clinical psychologist in New Jersey and the mother of a student at Emerson College in Boston, where the police dismantled a protest encampment last month, said she had not received enough substantive information about decisions made by administrators.

“We get these nice emails from the president, but I don’t feel I know enough,” Ms. Taska, who supported students’ right to protest, said. “Colleges don’t want parents involved, and so I don’t think parents at any institution are getting the transparency we would want.”

But some parents said they saw the protests as part of the essence of a college experience.

Albert Yaboni, whose daughter is graduating this spring from Columbia and has participated in campus protests, said that campuses have long been hotbeds of this kind of discourse. Mr. Yaboni and his family are from Smithtown on Long Island and, despite being saddened by the cancellation of the school’s main commencement, support his daughter’s activism, he said.

“I think that college campuses are for the purpose of expressing your opinion and for protests — going back to 1968 and to apartheid,” Mr. Yaboni said. “I don’t know if you can divorce the two things.”

Regardless of their stance on the protests’ merit, many parents just wanted to be able to mark this moment with their children. Claudette Khachatourian, a single mother whose daughter is graduating from N.Y.U. this month, said she was afraid her daughter’s school would follow Columbia’s lead and cancel commencement.

“I’ve done everything and anything to fulfill my kids’ dreams to come true,” Ms. Khachatourian said. “This is going to be a lifetime scar on kids who aren’t going to graduate.”

Ms. Moss, the Columbia parent, had similar sentiments but said that the adversity the Class of 2024 had faced over the past four years would be good for them in the future.

“I had to stop and say, ‘She’s going to be OK,’” Ms. Moss said of her daughter. “The whole class is meant for something more.”

Jenna Russell contributed reporting.

Claire Fahy reports on New York City and the surrounding area for The Times. She can be reached at [email protected]. More about Claire Fahy

Our Coverage of the U.S. Campus Protests

News and Analysis

Columbia : After weeks of student protests, Columbia University announced that it would be canceling its main commencement ceremony .

UChicago : The University of Chicago, which says that free speech is sacred, has allowed protest encampments. But they have also disrupted campus life, and the school’s leaders want the tents down .

U.S.C.:  The Los Angeles Police Department and campus police removed a pro-Palestinian encampment for the second time  at the University of Southern California.

Outside Agitators:  Officials in New York City have blamed “external actors” for escalating demonstrations at Columbia, but student protesters reject the claim .

Clashes at U.C.L.A.: A New York Times examination of more than 100 videos from clashes at the University of California, Los Angeles, shows how counterprotesters provoked the violence .

Reactions Abroad:  The world is watching what is happening on American campuses with shock, pride, relish and alarm. Here is a selection of views from outside the United States .

A Spotlight on Student Journalists:  Columbia’s radio station and other student-led news outlets have provided some of the most detailed coverage  of the turmoil engulfing campuses.

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