Geography is an extremely hands-on discipline devoted to the study of the Earth
as home to humans. The Education Abroad Program (EAP) provides Geography majors the opportunity to gain new perspectives and achieve a greater understanding of the world in which we live. Whether your area of interest is in the physical and biological processes of the environment; the way in which humans perceive, interact with, and modify the environment; or the way techniques are used for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of geospatial data, studying abroad will expand your comprehension of the discipline and will enrich your educational experience.
In general, studying abroad will widen your personal cultural horizon, expand
your comprehension and appreciation of the effects of globalization, and give you the opportunity to improve your communication and language skills. It can help you better understand the discipline, insofar as geography is an international discipline which has continually been influenced by ideas and methodologies from all over the world. Last, but not least, it could give you the opportunity to enhance your studies and your future career by pursuing unique fieldwork in a country or region specific to your area of interest.
The benefits of studying and living abroad are tremendous. You can:
*Take advantage of unique academic coursework opportunities
*Learn a new language and culture
*Advance your cross-cultural and problem-solving skills
*Receive academic credit for research or independent study projects conducted under the supervision of local faculty mentors
*Gain new perspectives on American society, culture, and influence
*Arrange an internship in a local corporate, governmental, public, or private organization
*Develop self-confidence and independence
*Prepare for a career in an internationally competitive world
*Enhance your resume for job or graduate school applications
Returning EAP students often describe their experience abroad as a life-changing and uniquely valuable one for future choices of professional and
personal goals. College is the time for exploration. Don’t miss out on an EAP
experience!
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EAP offers study abroad programs at numerous excellent universities with strong geography departments. Go to the EAP website (www.eap.ucop.edu) to
explore the various program options. There are a surprising number of EAP
programs taught in English around the world. Through the EAP website, navigate to the host universities’ websites to learn more about their departments
and course offerings.
Countries with geography departments offering courses in English you may
want to consider include:
Australia -- Denmark -- Hong Kong -- Ireland -- New Zealand -- Singapore
South Africa -- Sweden -- Taiwan -- United Kingdon
You may want to consider learning a foreign language or fulfilling your GE requirements abroad. With short and long-term programs in over 32
countries and 130 universities to choose from, you have many options.
UCSB Geography students have successfully studied in such diverse countries as Brazil, South Africa, the U.K., Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, Costa Rica,
Germany, Barbados, and Hong Kong. Your choice of where to study should be
made in coordination with your undergraduate advisor and the EAP office.
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We recommend that Geography majors study abroad in their junior or senior
year, after they have completed the bulk of the lower-division requirements.
Depending upon the length of study abroad, it is advisable to have time at the end of your senior year to complete your degree requirements after studying abroad. However, the guidelines are not written in stone, and it is recommended
that you consult with the department undergraduate advisor and the Education
Abroad Program office. EAP applications are due well in advance of departure, so start planning NOW!
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All EAP students automatically earn UC credit for the work they complete abroad. However, the application of credit to major requirements or GE
requirements is subject to the discretion of the department and the college.
Geography is the most interdisciplinary department on the UCSB campus. It is
also the most integrated discipline on campus, insofar as the material taught
in our classes about environmental processes can be found in other disciplines,
but are only put together as a whole story in Geography. Above all, Geography is “spatial”-- virtually everything has a spatial component, from the distribution of subatomic particles to the choices we make when we buy groceries. Therefore, as a geographer, you can choose to study an enormous range of subjects while abroad. The Department does recommend that our students take all of their Geographical Techniques course requirements at UCSB.
The EAP website has a course catalog where you can search courses EAP students have taken by subject, keyword and/or location. This is a particularly useful tool for geography majors since so many applicable courses are offered through different departments.
Consult with the undergraduate advisor regarding the courses you plan to take
abroad before leaving and while abroad. Save all syllabi, papers, and other
relevant course information to help you successfully petition courses for specific
requirements.
Keep in mind that at least 20 units of upper-division major coursework (or
12 upper-division minor units) must be completed in residence at UCSB
along with other residence requirements. Consult an advisor in the College of Letters & Science for more information.
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Consult the EAP web pages to see what programs best suit you. Navigate to host universities’ websites on the available links.
Come by the EAP office, 2431 South Hall, to speak with staff advisors and peer advisors who have recently returned from studying abroad.
Go see your department undergraduate advisor. Make an appointment with
a Letters & Science advisor to discuss general education, residence and other
requirements.
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Department of Geography
1832 Ellison Hall
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-4060
Phone: (805) 893-3663
www.geog.ucsb.edu
