Author Archives: ctrafton

Do a Dual Degree

In my experience, many people outside of UMass are incredibly unfamiliar with the term “dual degree” and it does not hold much significance to them. However, it is an underrated opportunity that UMass provides to all of its students and it deserves more recognition and promotion than the school currently provides. Dual degree is different from a double major in that you can actually receive two separate degrees from two separate colleges simultaneously, rather than one degree with a primary and secondary major. I found this opportunity by doing some research on my own, I was never actually formally introduced to pursuing a dual degree by any teacher, classmate, or even advisor, which is quite disappointing because I might have missed out if I had not found out these details by myself.

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Summer Study Abroad

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When I came to UMass I had every intention to study abroad. I had no idea where or when I wanted to go, but I knew it would be to a Spanish-speaking country and that I would not let it come too far into my college career because I was itching to travel. Sure enough, in my first Spanish class of my freshman year, Patricia Gubitosi came to advertise the summer program to Salamanca, Spain and I instantly became obsessed with the idea of participating the following summer. So when the spring came, I applied and figured out the financials with my family and the International Programs Office and officially signed onto the trip.

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Ask a Question or Two

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I thought that I was incredibly unqualified for writing a blog post because I am a sophomore with no concrete study abroad, internship, or career plans. Nor do I have plans really beyond the next few months. And I realize that statement might induce a heart attack for UMass professors, advisors, and any other faculty members. That is not to say I do not think about the future at all, because I do constantly. I just hate deciding on one life path, and I frequently get antsy and need to change my environment, which leads my life to be semi-unpredictable. Perhaps that is just my excuse for lacking in preparing myself for the future, but it is true. It is also true that I am pretty clueless about what I want to do, where I want to live, and who I want to be in life. But, I am slowly learning it, as well as what I do not want to do, where I do not want to live, and who I do not want to be. Continue reading →