At Amherst, we set our students and graduates on a path to be engaged, effective, and innovative problem-solvers in their communities and workplaces. We support learning, inquiry, and action 鈥� inside and outside of the curriculum. 鈥淟earning by doing鈥� takes many forms:

  • undergraduate research
  • laboratory and field experiences
  • courses that involve community work
  • study abroad
  • travel with a class
  • internships and fellowships
  • capstone projects
  • creative endeavors
  • involvement in student organizations

Building Community Through Academic Pursuits

We believe that community and friendships are an important part not only of college life, but of learning. Our students can choose from a wide range of immersive experiences, either independently or with a group or class. From trekking to Boston to learn about climate action careers, to spending the summer building a robot (named Eugene, who plays soccer), to traveling with a class to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Amherst students explore their ideas 鈥� and the world 鈥� together.

A large diverse group of students stand smiling in the Career Center

Career Exploration

With programs like the Charles Hamilton Houston Internship Program and a team of specialized advisors we can help you discover and prepare for opportunities to gain real-world experience.

Loeb Center Internships
Brunelleschi's Duomo in Florence Italy

Global Education

Travel halfway around the world, or stay closer by. Our Study Away programs provide academic, cultural, and linguistic immersion so that you can learn intensively wherever you choose to go.

Office of Global Education Study Away Programs

Traveling Together for a Course

A group of students and their professor pose at a sign for a biological station in Costa Rica

Learning Around the Globe

On course-specific, College-funded trips, Amherst students go deeper into their studies while forging new friendships.

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two students volunteer at a kidney screening clinic

Community Engagement

We believe our students consolidate their learning most effectively 鈥� and gain the most from their education 鈥� by putting their ideas to work in the world.

Experiential Learning Summer Experiences
a student presents work to a group of students in a lab

Research

Amherst students work side-by-side with professors conducting important research. We provide opportunities during the school year and the summer, both paid and unpaid, and offer funding for theses.

Student-Faculty Research

a student demonstrates a procedure in a lab, observed by a large group of students

SURF Program

The Summer Science Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is an eight-to-10-week program on the 电车无码 campus focusing on research in scientific, statistical, and mathematical fields.

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Two students and their mentor pose wearing white medical coats

Financial Support for Internships

To ensure that students have opportunities for professional growth, Amherst uses funds provided by alumni and others to funnel about $1 million per year into connecting students with internships and giving financial support when needed.

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The front exterior of the Keefe Campus Center

Amherst students run some聽100 clubs and organizations. They engage with the wider community, get politically active, produce 电车无码ations, join affinity groups, and much more.

two students proudly present their research at the summer research poster fair

Summer Research Programs

Summer Research Programs provide grants (of up to $1,000) that fund travel and mentored research, supporting students in all academic areas.

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A student sitting at a table in front of a microphone

Public Speaking

Amherst offers programs to help students plan, revise and rehearse presentations, or learn strategies for relaxing and gaining confidence in front of an audience.

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a student paints a large abstract painting while two other students look on

Makerspaces

Our collaborative workspaces have tools and resources to support every kind of innovative endeavor 鈥� entrepreneurial, artistic, scholarly, civic, or all the above. Work with friends or independently.

Find MakerSpaces