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://programsabroad.ucsd.edu
E-mail: abroad@ucsd.edu

David Mares, Political Science, Faculty Director
Lynne Anderson, Dean of International Education
Kimberly Burton, Director for Programs Abroad
Molly Ann McCarren, EAP Advisor
Bill Clabby, EAP Advisor
Marisa Alioto, EAP Advisor
Tonia Luo, EAP Advisor
Maribeth Binnie, EAP Advisor
Rachel Rigoli, EAP Advisor
Kathleen McLaren-Hawking, EAP Advisor
Kelly O'Sullivan, Academic Integration Officer
Christine Trinidad, Office Manager

Administered by the University of California, the Education Abroad Program (EAP) has established study centers in Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, 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. Please see the EAP Web site (http://eap.ucop.edu) for the most up-to-date information about all aspects of the program. Students may use the EAP Program Wizard (http://eap.ucop.edu/programwizard) to search for programs by country, specific areas of study, language of instruction, etc. EAP participants are eligible for financial aid and many scholarships. 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, sensitivities, 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. Many 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 purpose, 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. With advance planning and wise choice of courses abroad, most students can make normal progress toward completion of major, minor, and/or general-education requirements for their UCSD degree.

Academic Planning and Advising

In order to make normal progress toward graduation students should counsel in advance with departmental advisors and an academic advisor in their college provost’s 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 taken by UC students are added to a center’s approved offerings. 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 their coursework. 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 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, various campus offices and departments, and outside organizations. Annually, UCSD students access about $500,000 in special scholarships available only for study abroad. Information about these scholarships is available in the Programs Abroad Office, and on the UCSD Financial Aid Web site (http://fao.ucsd.edu).

Prospective participants who require financial assistance should counsel early with the Student Financial Services Office.

Applications

Applications for admission to the Education Abroad Program are given to students following a discussion of various aspects of the program with an EAP advisor in the Programs Abroad Office. 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, and online at http://eap.ucop.edu and http://programsabroad.ucsd.edu.

It is not too early to begin planning for an experience abroad prior to or during one’s 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. "First Steps" workshops are held throughout the year.

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); at least 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 advisor.

In addition to academic criteria for selection, the faculty committee looks for indications of the student’s 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 advisors.

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 and staff of the centers will be available to students with problems and will maintain 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://programsabroad.ucsd.edu

David Mares, Political Science, Faculty Director
Lynn Anderson, Dean of International Education
Kimberly Burton, Director for Programs Abroad
Jim Galvin, OAP Director
Marisa Alioto, OAP Advisor
Tonia Luo, OAP Advisor
Maribeth Binnie, OAP Advisor
Rachel Rigoli, EAP Advisor
Kathleen McLaren-Hawking, EAP Advisor
Kelly O'Sullivan, Academic Integration Officer
Christine Trinidad, Office Manager

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. Federal and state financial aid for approved plans of study abroad is available. Special study abroad scholarships are also available.

In addition to these academic programs, the Programs Abroad Office can assist students in selecting a wide range of volunteer, paid work, and educational travel programs.