EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAM

Vivian-Lee Nyitray, Ph.D., Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director, UCEAP Systemwide Office, Goleta, CA

UCR Contact Office Education Abroad Surge Bldg, Room 321

• (951) 827-4113

ea.ucr.edu

Search for programs by specific areas at uc.eap.ucop.edu

Since 1962, the Education Abroad Program (EAP) has served as the University of California’s systemwide international exchange program. EAP offers undergraduate and graduate students opportunities to integrate into the aca- demic and social life of prestigious international universities while earning UC credit. Available programs complement courses taken at UC campuses and help students acquire the knowl- edge, understanding, and skills for work and life in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world.

The program stimulates the intellectual devel- opment 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 and confidence, clarified life and professional purpose, and a broadening and deepening of personal values.

See uc.eap.ucop.edu for partner universities and study options. Participants may fulfill lower-di- vision, degree, major, or elective requirements and often enhance their UC education by taking courses not available at UCR. The study center director facilitates the academic work of the students through liaison with faculty at the host university. The study center director or EAP liai- son facilitates the academic work of the students with faculty at the host university.

Spanning all continents, EAP offers traditional academic year, short-term, and summer pro- grams. Students who want to gain basic foreign language skills have Language and Culture options. Thematic options include Engineering in Hong Kong and Japan, Tropical Biology in Costa Rica, and Health Sciences. Students anticipat- ing a business career have a broad range of locations to enhance their preparation, including in-depth study on NAFTA, the European Union, and Central Europe. Internship opportunities are growing in nearly all fields of study. Future teach- ers, in particular, have benefited from teaching opportunities in China, Japan, and Mexico. Undergraduates have several possibilities to conduct field research in Costa Rica, Ghana, Mexico, and South Africa.

Depending on the program, EAP also provides a 5- to 10-week Intensive Language Program, which prepares students for the new country and academic system by augmenting the pre- requisite language background.

Interested students should consult well in advance with their academic advisor and college counselor to determine how participation in the program would affect their degree progress. Students with a double major or minor must pay particular attention to pre-departure planning.

Search for programs by specific areas of study at uc.eap.ucop.edu.

Seniors and transfer students must receive clearance of the university’s graduation resi- dence requirement from their college dean. Refer to the Residence Requirement section under Academic Regulations.

To record units and grade points earned through EAP on the participant’s UCR transcript, students are concurrently enrolled at UCR and at the host university. Subsequent fulfillment of major and degree requirements depends upon UC departmental and campus criteria.

Requirements vary widely by program option. For most programs, students must meet the cumulative grade point average requirements of partner universities at the time of selection and maintain the support of the UCR Selection Com- mittee throughout the pre-departure period.

In addition to academic criteria, selection is also based on the student’s seriousness of purpose, maturity, clear goals, and the capacity to adapt to the experience of study abroad.

Prior to departure, selected students must par- ticipate in a series of seminars and pre-depar- ture orientations facilitated by the International Student Resource Center. They must also obtain clearance from UCR’s Campus Health Center.

Graduate students who have completed at least one year of graduate work and have the approval of their department and the Graduate Division are eligible for some EAP programs. For- eign language proficiency, if required, must be demonstrated. Graduate students remain under the academic direction of their UCR graduate advisor. An EAP experience may prove especially valuable to doctoral candidates who have been advanced to candidacy and are engaged in independent study and research directed toward their dissertation.

Depending on the program, EAP can cost more than, equal to, or less than studying at UCR. Additional costs directly related to the program are round-trip transportation, health clearance, on-site orientation, and, if required, intensive language instruction. The university shares the cost of comprehensive medical and hospitaliza- tion coverage for all participants.

Many forms of financial assistance are avail- able to EAP participants. Students who do not currently receive UC financial aid may qualify for aid while on EAP. Students receiving state and federal financial aid may use their schol- arships, grants, loans, and veteran’s benefits to finance their program abroad. In addition to campus-awarded financial aid, EAP provides support through various scholarships and grants. Prospective participants should consult early with EAP counselors for national scholar- ship opportunities.

Students selected for the EAP program have made a serious commitment to benefit from all aspects of their international experience. As guests in another country and another university, their conduct reflects on both the UC and the United States. Students are responsible to the study center director, to the director of EAP, and to the faculty of the UC and the host university related to the program. The director of EAP reserves the right to terminate the participation in the program of any student whose conduct (in either academic or nonacademic matters), after careful consideration and full review, is judged to be contrary to the standards and regulations of the UC and the host university.

Study center directors and/or EAP staff on loca- tion are available to students and are responsible for all aspects of student welfare and conduct.

Applications for 2018-2019 will be available be- ginning September 2017. Students are encour- aged to consult EAP advisors early in the EAP planning process to avoid missing application deadlines. The office is located in Surge Bldg., Room 321, or call (951) 827-4113. Program details are available at ea.ucr.edu.

See the following page (285) for a complete list of EAP Opportunities and Countries.