Education Abroad Program

A printable PDF chart listing partner universities and study options is available.
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UCR Representatives
Lynda Bell, Ph.D., Director, EAP
Diane Elton, Director,
International Services Center
Office, Watkins House,
International Services Center
(951) 827-4113
internationalcenter.ucr.edu

The Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers students the opportunity to experience a different culture while earning UC credit. Established in 1961, the EAP is an overseas study program that serves students at all UC campuses. International study options are available in 35 countries throughout the world at the finest universities abroad.

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 information centers for cultural and social opportunities.

Stimulation of general intellectual development, enhancement of independent study and second language skills, improved prospects for graduate and professional school admission, an increase of self-awareness, clarification of career and life purposes, and a broadening and deepening of personal values are a few of the advantages gained from this opportunity.

See the charts on the following pages for partner universities and study options. Participants may fulfill lower-division, 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.

Spanning all continents, EAP offers traditional academic year, short-term, and summer programs. Students who want to gain basic foreign language skills have Language and Culture options. Thematic options include Engineering in Hong Kong and Japan, Environmental Sciences in Australia, 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, which prepares students for the new country and academic system by augmenting the prerequisite 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.

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. Subsequent fulfillment of major and degree requirements depends upon UC departmental and campus criteria.

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 (some program options permit participation with at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA)

• 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, clear goals, and the capacity to adapt to the experience of study abroad.

Prior to departure, selected students must obtain clearance from the university's Student Health Service, participate in orientation activities, and take a language placement proficiency test, where applicable.

Eligible transfer students must have completed at least one quarter in residence in the UC 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.

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 round-trip transportation, health clearance, 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, 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 the Financial Aid Office and the EAP counselor for national scholarship opportunities.

Students selected for the EAP program have made a serious commitment to profit 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 are available to students and are responsible for all aspects of student welfare and conduct.

Applications for 2005–2006 will be available beginning September 2004. 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 (951) 827-4113. Program details are available at internationalcenter.ucr.edu.