PURPOSE

Recognizing its role in preparing tomorrow's citizens, the Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers students the opportunity to experience a different culture while earning UC credit. Established in 1961, the EAP serves students at all UC campuses and is centrally administered from UC Santa Barbara. International study options are available in 35 countries throughout the world, and more than 2,000 UC students annually take part in the program. One of the distinctive features of EAP is the emphasis placed on the full integration of the UC students into the curricular and extra-curricular life of the host university.

Most of the program study centers are directed by a UC faculty member in residence. The directors and staff advise students on academic, cultural, social, and personal matters and the centers serve as an information center for cultural and social opportunities.

Benefits of the international experience affect a student's academic achievement, personal life, and future career. Stimulation of general intellectual development, enhancement of independent study and second language skills, an increase of self-awareness, clarification of life purposes, and a broadening and deepening of personal values are a few of the advantages gained from this opportunity.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The academic programs at each center vary widely. Students at most locations are directly enrolled in the regular, foreign university system. Participants may take courses for credit in their UC major 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.

Spanning all continents, EAP offers traditional academic year and short-term programs. Students who want to gain basic foreign language skills have Language and Society options. Thematic options include Engineering in Hong Kong and Japan, Tropical Biology in Costa Rica, Asian Development Studies, and Health Sciences. Students anticipating 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. Internships can be arranged in nearly all fields of study. Future teachers, in particular, have benefited from teaching opportunities in China, Japan, and Mexico. Undergraduates have several possibilities to conduct field research in Costa Rica, Ghana, Israel, Mexico, and South Africa.

Depending upon the study center, EAP also provides a 5 to 10 week Intensive Language Program (ILP) which prepares students for the new country and academic system by augmenting the prerequisite language background.

Information on specific areas of strengths and excellence for host institutions is available at the International Services Center. Below is a list of countries and universities participating in the EAP during the 2000-2001 academic year:

Armenia

Yerevan-American University of Armenia

Academic Planning

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.

Seniors and transfer students must receive clearance of the University's graduation residence 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. Students are expected to complete a minimum of 36 units during the academic year in addition to units earned in the intensive language program. Subsequent fulfillment of major and degree requirements depends upon UC departmental and campus criteria.

Eligibility and Selection

Selection of UC undergraduates is subject to the following minimum qualifications for most programs: 3.00 cumulative grade point average from the time of application through departure; junior standing by departure (except for specific short-term programs); support of the UCR Selection Committee; and completion with a "B" average of any required language courses. In addition to academic criteria, the Selection Committee attaches much importance to indications of the student's seriousness of purpose, maturity, knowledge of the host country and the United States, and the capacity to adapt to the experience of study abroad. Prior to departure, selected students are required to obtain clearance from the University's Student Health Service and, for purposes of placement, to take a language proficiency test where applicable.

Eligible transfer students must have completed at least one quarter in residence in the University of California prior to EAP participation. 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 study centers. Foreign 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.

Financial Matters

EAP participants pay the same UC and campus fees and are responsible for room and board, books and academic supplies, and personal expenses. The only additional costs directly related to the program are for round-trip transportation, on-site orientation, and, if required, intensive language instruction.

The University shares the cost of comprehensive medical and hospitalization coverage for all participants.

Many forms of financial assistance are available to EAP participants. Students receiving state and federal financial aid may use their scholarships, grants, and loans 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 the Financial Aid Office and the EAP counselor.

Student Conduct

Students selected for the Education Abroad Program will have made a serious commitment to profit from all aspects of their international experience. As guests in another country and another university, their conduct will reflect on both the University of California and the United States. Students are responsible to the study center director, to the Director of EAP, to the faculty of UC, and to the faculty of 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 University of California and the host university.

Study center directors are available to students and are responsible for all aspects of student welfare and conduct.

Application

Applications for 2001-2002 will be available beginning September 2000. Students are encouraged to consult counselors in the International Services Center early since filing dates are one year prior to participation. The Center is located in Watkins House, next to Bannockburn, or call (909) 787-4113. Program details are available at http://www.ucr.edu/intlsvcs.