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Frequently Asked Questions
EligibilityTo study abroad on EAP, you must be a currently registered UC student in good academic standing. Requirements vary by program. Prerequisites generally include a 2.5 to 3.0 GPA. Most students study abroad during their junior year; however, many sophomores, seniors, and graduate students also participate. Some programs also require one to three years of university-level language training in the host country language. See the Campus EAP Office and the country pages of this website for specific details. In 2006-2007 about 4,000 UC students are expected to study on EAP at one of 150 institutions in some 35 countries. Most students come from the humanities and social sciences; however, an increasing number of students are from the biological sciences, physical sciences, business, and engineering. Laboratory work and field research programs are often available for students who study abroad. Students in all majors have access to many excellent courses and unique academic opportunities abroad that are not available at their UC campus. HOW WILL I BENEFIT FROM STUDYING ABROAD?
DO I HAVE TO SPEAK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE? No. While full-immersion programs typically require two years of university-level language training in the host country language, EAP offers many programs where classes are taught in English as well as programs for foreign language acquisition in addition.
CAN I APPLY IF I'M A TRANSFER STUDENT? California Community College transfer students can participate in programs during their junior or senior year at all UC campuses. Transfer student participation on EAP is growing. At UC Davis, UC Irvine, and UC Santa Barbara transfer students may submit UC and EAP applications simultaneously and study abroad their first term at UC. At most other UC campuses, transfer students can study abroad in their junior year on programs that begin in the winter or spring. For campus specific requirements, check with the EAP Office at the campus you are interested in attending. CAN I PARTICIPATE IF I HAVE A DISABILITY? EAP makes every effort to ensure that students with disabilities can participate successfully on UC programs abroad. While EAP cannot guarantee that facilities and/or support services will be available at each location abroad in the same range and quality as students may be accustomed to on a UC campus, EAP does assume a proactive stance in seeking the best possible accommodation for students with disabilities. CAN I TAKE MY SPOUSE AND/OR CHILDREN WITH ME? Some programs allow students to be accompanied by spouses and/or dependents. Students must make special financial, housing, insurance, and transportation arrangements for the spouse or dependent(s) accompanying them. The Campus EAP Office will provide interested students with a special packet of forms to complete and return to the Campus EAP Office at the time of application (forms are also available online). All provisions for the support of a student’s family while abroad are the student’s responsibility. In many situations it is not practical or advisable to have family members along, and some programs do not permit students to bring either a spouse or children. AcademicsCareful planning should ensure that you make normal progress toward graduation. Before departure, meet with your major adviser(s) to pre-approve the EAP courses you plan (and need) to take. You can...
Once familiar with options, talk to an adviser in your Campus EAP Office. Most campuses have information workshops to address questions about studying abroad. DO I HAVE TO STUDY IN MY MAJOR FIELD WHILE ABROAD? Some host institutions, such as those in the United Kingdom, require that you take most of your courses in your major field. However, many students, particularly those in technical fields, choose courses outside their major while abroad, take advantage of academic opportunities not available on campus, or fulfill UC breadth requirements. HOW DO I DECIDE WHAT COURSES I SHOULD TAKE? If you decide to apply to EAP, you will work with your college/major adviser to determine the classes you will need in order to complete your major requirements and graduate. See the EAP Course Finder for courses taken by previous EAP students, and host institution web pages and catalogs accessed from the country pages (see Web Links for each country). Campus EAP Offices have print copies of many catalogs as well. The Academic Planning Form (part of the EAP application) will help you identify the types of courses you need and those that you may take abroad. HOW IS EAP COURSE WORK APPROVED? Following EAP you will meet with your adviser again to review the courses you took abroad and determine whether they apply to your major, minor, electives, etc. You should save all course descriptions, written work, syllabi, and grade reports you obtain abroad—you might have to show how a course you took abroad compares to a UC course. DOES EAP COURSE WORK COUNT TOWARD UC GRADUATION? All classes you take abroad earn UC units toward graduation and will be recorded on your official UC transcript. Your college and major program advisers will determine how these classes count toward your major, minor, elective, and GE or breadth requirements. Before departure, do some research and get some academic advice about the kinds of courses you should take abroad. HOW MANY UNITS DO I HAVE TO TAKE? Students are required to carry a normal course load of 42-48 UC quarter units during the academic year. Students earn UC units for all courses, including Intensive Language Program courses, if applicable to the program. In programs that include an Intensive Language Program, the minimum unit load is 18 UC quarter units for semester programs, 12 UC quarter units for quarter programs, and 36 UC quarter units for the year. In programs that do not have an Intensive Language Program requirement, the minimum load for EAP participants is based on the host university’s normal course load, usually 21 to 24 UC quarter units per semester, 14 to 16 UC quarter units per quarter, and 42 to 48 UC quarter units for the year. Some programs have specific unit requirements that differ from these norms. With the Study Center Director’s approval, students may take additional units. DO I HAVE TO GO FOR A FULL YEAR? No. EAP offers many short-term programs in addition to year-long opportunities. Some programs offer students the choice of study for a year or semester and some programs are offered during the summer. Some of these short-term programs focus on a specific discipline, language acquisition, and/or area studies. WHAT HAPPENS TO MY STATUS AT UC WHILE I'M ON EAP? You continue to be enrolled and registered at UC while you are abroad. Before your departure, the Campus EAP Office notifies the Registrar’s Office that you will be participating in EAP. Your EAP status will be reflected on your student records and transcript. WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO QUIT EAP? By withdrawing from EAP you are also withdrawing from UC. Your home campus dean or provost has the final authority to determine the conditions of readmission. You will be held responsible for any financial aid that has been advanced to you as well as payments due to EAP. CAN I SPEND MY LAST UC TERM ABROAD? Although students can spend their last term on EAP, graduation is not usually possible immediately after the program. Students will have to plan carefully in consultation with their college/major adviser to confirm that all college/major requirements will be completed by the end of their term abroad. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GRADUATE IMMEDIATELY AFTER EAP? No. Since it can take 90 days or more for your grades from EAP to be posted to your UC record, you must set your official graduation date for at least one term after the program finishes. EAP can provide written documentation to graduate schools and other programs to verify your participation and the posting process of your grades. Application ProcessApplications typically are due six months to a year prior to the program’s start date.
WHERE CAN I GET AN APPLICATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION? Contact your Campus EAP Office. WHEN SHOULD I START PLANNING FOR EAP? Begin planning for EAP as early as possible. Many programs have specific language and other academic prerequisites. Consider which requirements (general breadth, elective, and major) you should complete at UC and which you should complete abroad. Determining the right program and completing the application process takes time. The application deadlines for some programs are an entire year before departure, so beware! CAN I GO TO MORE THAN ONE COUNTRY THROUGH EAP? Yes. But some UC campuses do not allow you to apply for a second program while you are overseas. Check with your Campus EAP Office. CAN I EXTEND MY PARTICIPATION ONCE ABROAD? Yes, in many cases. Students often extend participation from one term to a year, or extend enrollment beyond the regular one-year academic period. In order to facilitate this process while you are abroad, submit the Departmental Pre-Approval to Extend form with your application. The Universitywide Office of EAP will approve extension requests if they meet certain criteria. TravelCAN I GO EARLY OR DO I HAVE TO TRAVEL WITH THE GROUP? Usually students make their own transportation arrangements and some travel before the start of the program. The date of entry into your host country may be regulated by visa requirements. Check the visa procedures before departing the U.S. You will be responsible for yourself until the official start of the EAP program abroad. Official start dates are listed in the Study Center calendars, which can be accessed via the country pages. WILL I HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL? Most students who go on EAP find the time to travel during school breaks and long weekends. CAN I STAY IN THE COUNTRY AFTER THE PROGRAM ENDS? Possibly, if your visa allows it. Keep in mind that once the program has ended, you are responsible for yourself in every way, including housing. Some students stay an extra few weeks or months so they can travel. You can purchase up to three months of extra health insurance through EAP for coverage during this period. Financial/BillingHOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO STUDY ABROAD? EAP is affordable. The cost to study abroad at many Study Centers is comparable to the cost of spending a year at UC. Participants pay the same UC education and registration fees normally paid for a similar period at UC, plus room, board, books, round-trip transportation, on-site orientation, intensive language program expenses (where applicable), and personal expenses. In some countries costs may be greater due to higher living expenses, program length (some programs are 12 months instead of 9), and less favorable exchange rates. Detailed cost information for each program can be accessed via the finances link on the country pages. Yes. UC financial aid is applicable to EAP. The Financial Aid Office increases your aid package if the estimated budget for your country is higher than at your UC home campus.Students who do not currently receive UC financial support may qualify for aid while on EAP. Eligibility and the amount of assistance are determined by each student’s UC campus.
Yes. There are many different types of scholarships and funding opportunities. See EAP’s general scholarship page and explore options with your Campus EAP and Financial Aid Offices. How does financial aid disbursement work? The Universitywide EAP Office (UOEAP) will distribute financial aid while a student is abroad. The campus Financial Aid Office must notify UOEAP in writing of the financial aid awarded for an EAP participant. Those awards committed by the Financial Aid Office will be credited to the student’s EAP account. EAP Program Fees are deducted from the student’s financial aid commitments, and if there is a remaining credit balance, the money is disbursed to the student in one payment or a series of payments, as outlined in the General Information Guide. Disbursements can be automatically deposited in an account that a student designates to EAP (see the EFT form) or a check will be sent to a U.S. address indicated on the EAP Financial Address form. In some cases, the financial aid may be sent directly to the student first, without being applied to the EAP Program fees. To verify what will be applied towards the students EAP account and what will be mailed directly from the UC Campus to the student, the Campus Financial Aid Office should be contacted. Q. How can I update my financial address information? Q. What happens if my U.S. bank account is closed after my EFT
is set up? WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT FINANCES?
DO OUT-OF-STATE UC TUITION FEES APPLY WHILE I'M ON EAP? Yes, out-of-state students still pay non-resident tuition and registration fees, in addition to specific program costs. Please refer to the Non-Resident Program Fees, also linked from the EAP Student Budget Worksheet for your program. HousingWHAT ARE MY HOUSING OPTIONS ABROAD? Students live in apartments, boarding houses, university dormitories, or with families. Housing arrangements vary by location. Housing information for each program can be accessed via EAP’s country pages. Review the student budget to see if housing fees are included in ‘Personal Expenses’ or are charged in the ‘Program Fee’ section. CAN EAP HELP ME SUBLET MY CALIFORNIA HOUSING OR SECURE HOUSING FOR MY RETURN TO CALIFORNIA? The EAP Housing Bulletin Board is a forum that allows you to communicate with EAP Reciprocal Exchange students (coming to California from abroad), regular EAP participants, and EAP returnees. You can advertise your room for subletting while you are abroad, secure housing for your return from EAP, and connect with other EAP participants from your campus to find roommates. Student CommentsWHAT DO EAP ALUMNI SAY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES?
Here is what a few students have said: “It was the best year of my life, and I would not trade my experiences for anything! The entire country became my classroom, and I was learning by living! What a refreshing change!” (UK) “Even though I had studied Japanese for two years in college, no classroom instruction prepared me for living in another country. Being exposed to another language 24 hours a day is the only way to master a language. I felt a little awkward at first, but now I feel confident in my abilities to communicate and am seeking a career in which I can utilize my language skills.” (Japan) “Being an American student in a prestigious Indian university gave me a unique opportunity to transcend caste barriers and get to know all types of students. One weekend, I traveled with a friend to his village, rode a camel, and drank fresh water buffalo milk. Two days later, my roommate introduced me to the Prime Minister!” (India)
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