Education Abroad Program (EAP)
Summary of EAP Opportunities by Country
OFFICE: Programs Abroad Office in the International Center (corner
of Gilman Drive and Library Walk)
(858) 534-1123
http://www.ucsd.edu/icenter/pao
David Mares, Political Science, Faculty Director
Ramon Piñon, Biology, Faculty Director
Vicente Rafael, Communication, Faculty Director
Pasquale Verdicchio, Literature, Faculty Director
Mary Dhooge, Dean of International Education
Kimberly Burton, Director for Programs Abroad
Molly Ann McCarren, EAP Adviser
Bill Clabby, EAP Adviser
Joan Adamo, EAP Adviser
Tonia Luo, EAP Adviser
Administered by the University of California, the Education Abroad
Program (EAP) has established study centers in Australia, Barbados,
Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt,
France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong (S.A.R.), Hungary, India, Ireland,
Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines,
Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey,
the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. EAP offers full-year and short-term
programs in a wide range of academic disciplines. EAP participants are
eligible for financial aid and many scholarships. Please see the EAP
Web site (http://eap.ucop.edu) for
the most up-to-date information about all aspects of the program. Other
non-EAP study-abroad opportunities at UCSD are described at the end
of this section.
Purpose
The Education Abroad Program offers undergraduate (sophomores, juniors,
and seniors) and graduate students opportunities to integrate into the
academic and social life of select foreign universities while continuing
to work in major fields of study or otherwise fulfilling UC requirements.
EAP provides students access to distinguished academic programs that
complement those of the UC campuses and where students can make normal
progress toward their degrees at a cost as close as possible to that
of education on a UC campus. EAP helps students acquire the knowledge
and skills necessary to function confidently and compete successfully
in our global environment.
The program stimulates the intellectual development of the participants,
broadening their general education, and giving a new depth to their
particular academic interests. Most gain fluency in a language other
than their own, and all grow in their ability to engage in independent
study. Perhaps most valuable of all are increased self-understanding,
clarified life purposes, and a broadening and deepening of personal
values.
The Academic Program
The Education Abroad Program places students at the finest universities
abroad. In most cases students take courses side by side with local
students in a wide range of academic fields. In some programs EAP students
pursue language study and take special courses designed for foreign
students. In others, they pursue specialized studies in their major,
take courses to add breadth to their general education, concentrate
on language or area studies, and conduct research.
Each student is concurrently enrolled on the home campus of the University
of California and at the host university. Full academic credit is received
for courses satisfactorily completed. The selection of courses is such
that, by advance planning and wise choice, most students can make normal
progress toward completion of major, minor, and/or general-education
requirements for their UCSD degree.
Academic Planning and Advising
Students who wish to make normal progress toward graduation should
counsel in advance with departmental advisers and an academic adviser
in their college provosts office in order to ascertain how participation
will affect their academic program. Descriptions of individual courses
currently approved for UC credit may be found in the Programs Abroad
Resource Library and on the EAP Web site (http://eap/ucop/edu/coursefinder).
Many of the same or similar courses will be available in future years,
but students should plan programs that are sufficiently flexible to
allow them to take alternate courses. Each year new courses are added
to a centers approved offerings as needed by UC students attending
and as available at the host university. Although courses approved by
the University of California carry full credit, each department retains
the right to determine the extent to which it will accept specific courses
to fulfill requirements for its own majors.
In order to facilitate the academic work of the students, University
of California professors serve as directors and associate directors
of the study centers. They work with their counterparts in the host
university in developing the academic program and advise students on
any problem pertaining to their work. In addition, the directors are
responsible for all aspects of student welfare and conduct.
Cost, Financial Aid, and Scholarships
The regents endeavor to bring the program within the reach of all students,
regardless of their financial resources. The cost of studying abroad
is usually comparable to the cost of studying on a UC campus. The only
additional costs directly related to the program are for round-trip
transportation, on-site orientation and vacation travel, and personal
expenses beyond what normally would be spent at home. Programs in some
countries actually cost less than a comparable period of study at a
UC campus.
Many forms of financial assistance are available to EAP students. Those
already receiving UC financial aid maintain their eligibility for grants,
loans, and scholarships while studying on EAP. Financial aid is based
on the cost of studying at each EAP location and on individual need.
Students who might not normally be eligible for financial aid may qualify
for the period they are on EAP. In addition to UC financial aid, scholarships
are also available from EAP, the Friends of the International Center,
and various campus offices and departments. Annually, UCSD students
access more than $460,000 of special scholarships available only for
study abroad. Information about some of these scholarships is available
on the student financial services web site (http://www.ucsd.edu/finaid).
Prospective participants who require financial assistance should counsel
early with the Student Financial Services Office. Study abroad scholarship
information is available in the Programs Abroad Office.
Applications
Application forms for admission to the Education Abroad Program are
available in the Programs Abroad Office at the International Center
and are given to students following a discussion of various aspects
of the program with an EAP adviser. Information on deadlines and related
matters such as course offerings, selection, schedules of departures,
and payment of fees may be obtained from the Programs Abroad Office.
It is not too early to begin planning for an experience abroad prior
to or during ones freshman year. Students are then able to take
the language classes needed for certain programs, as well as plan which
degree requirements to fulfill at UCSD and which to take abroad. Early
planning also allows students to apply for the many programs now open
to sophomores. General group information sessions about the programs
are held during Welcome Week and in October and January.
Selection
Undergraduate selection is generally open to students with the following
qualifications: 3.0 cumulative grade-point average at the time of departure
(some programs are available to students with at least a 2.5 gpa); sophomore
or junior standing by time of departure, depending on the specific program;
support of the UCSD EAP Selection Committee; and completion of university-level
language courses when required (one, two, or three years, depending
on the host institution) with a 3.0 grade-point average in language.
Exceptions to these requirements can be made on a case by case basis,
in consultation with the EAP adviser.
In addition to academic criteria for selection, the faculty committee
looks for indications of the students seriousness of purpose,
maturity, and capacity to adapt to the experience of study abroad. As
part of the planning process, students are required to consult with
their college academic and department advisers.
Graduate Students
Graduate students can be accommodated at most EAP-affiliated host universities.
Graduate students may take courses, conduct research, and participate
in short-term language programs for a semester or year. Students must
meet EAP minimum requirements, including language prerequisites, have
completed at least one year of graduate work, and have the support of
their academic department and graduate dean.
Transfer Students
Transfer students from other colleges and universities are eligible
for EAP. Applications may be submitted prior to their first quarter
at UCSD if appropriate for the specific program. Please contact the
Programs Abroad Office for further information.
Safety, Student Conduct, and Parental Approval
EAP considers student health and safety while abroad one of its top
priorities. All participants in EAP are covered by a mandatory health
insurance policy while abroad. While no one can guarantee student security
either in the U.S. or abroad, the program makes every reasonable effort
to assure a safe environment in its programs abroad, and to counsel
students on potential risks and necessary precautions. In return, participants
have a responsibility to pay careful attention to safety and health
information provided in pre-departure materials and at orientations
in the U.S. and abroad.
It is anticipated that the students selected for the Education Abroad
Program will be of high caliber, committed to profiting from both the
intellectual and social aspects of the experience. Since they will be
guests in another country and another university, their conduct will
reflect on both the University of California and the United States.
Participation in the program by students who are minors must be approved
by their parents or guardians. In approving such participation, parents
and guardians should be aware that a greater degree of personal freedom
is afforded to students in the foreign university and that the University
of California cannot take responsibility for closely supervising the
activities of individual students. The directors of the centers will
be available to students with problems and will maintain close contact
with the student group as a whole. The university provides for comprehensive
medical and hospitalization coverage for all participants.
UCSD Opportunities Abroad Program
OFFICE: Programs Abroad Office in the International Center (corner
of Gilman Drive and Library Walk)
(858) 534-1123
http://www.ucsd.edu/icenter/pao
David Mares, Political Science, Faculty Director
Ramon Piñon, Biology, Faculty Director
Vicente Rafael, Communication, Faculty Director
Pasquale Verdicchio, Literature, Faculty Director
Mary Dhooge, Dean of International Education
Kimberly Burton, William Clabby, Advisers
Students interested in going abroad should also investigate possibilities
through the Opportunities Abroad Program which can assist with placement
in a wide range of other academic programs. These programs include study
for an academic year, semester, quarter, or summer. They may be sponsored
by other U.S. universities, or include direct enrollment in foreign
institutions. Academic credit may also be earned on a number of overseas
internship programs which combine work experience and courses.
Students going abroad through the Opportunities Abroad Program earn
transfer credit from the sponsoring institution. Courses taken abroad
may satisfy general-education, major or minor requirements, depending
on department or college approval. Financial aid for approved plans
of study abroad is available to students who enroll concurrently at
UCSD through the Opportunities Abroad Program. Special study abroad
scholarships are also available.
In addition to these academic programs, the Programs Abroad Office
and its extensive resource library can assist students in selecting
a wide range of volunteer, paid work, and educational travel programs.
Education Abroad Program (EAP)
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