Study Abroad for Undeclared Majors

Even if you haven’t yet decided on a major, there are opportunities for you to study abroad through the Education Abroad Program as early as the spring of your freshman year. You can spend a summer, quarter, semester or year abroad. You can begin or advance the study of a foreign language in countries such as Germany, Mexico or Sweden. You can elect to fulfill General Education requirements in such places as Sussex (UK), Yonsei University (Korea), London, Berlin, or Rome. Or you can take pre-major requirements while you are abroad.

Why study abroad?
A study abroad summer or semester in your second year could help you choose a major and provide a direction for a longer study-abroad term in your junior or senior year. Possibilities are numerous to study in many countries around the world.

The benefits of studying and living abroad are tremendous. You can:

• Learn a new language and culture.
• Advance your cross-cultural and problem-solving skills.
• Gain new perspectives on American society, culture and influence.
• Take advantage of unique academic coursework opportunities.
• Improve critical thinking skills.
• Arrange an internship in a local corporate, governmental, public, or private organization.
• Expand your world view by experiencing another culture firsthand.
• 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. Regardless of the reasons for going, nearly all return with a new perspective not only on the social, cultural, and political context of a foreign country, but a new appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of their own country as well. Some students find their lives or career choices transformed by their study abroad experience. Many find that adjusting to a foreign way of living and studying is a time of great personal growth that enhances their confidence and sense of self in ways that translate to many other pursuits. College is the time for exploration. Don’t miss out on an EAP experience!

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Where should I study abroad?
Do you want to explore a particular academic field when you are abroad? Do you want to gain language and cultural knowledge of a particular country or region? Do you want to want to fulfill some of your General Education requirements? Your answers to these questions will help you identify the best EAP destination for you.

You should target EAP programs which are open to sophomores. Some of these are language and culture programs, in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and Sweden. In addition to language and culture programs, sophomores can study abroad over the summer or during the year on EAP programs in countries such as Ghana, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, UK and Vietnam. Identify your goals for your study abroad experience and then explore the various program options on the EAP web site (www.eap.ucop.edu). Using the Program Search function, you can look for programs specifically open to sophomores.

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When should I study abroad?
UCSB students must declare a major by their junior year. If you will become a junior while abroad, you should declare your major prior to your departure. Undeclared students will be considering study abroad the summer before or during their sophomore year.

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What classes should I take?
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 your college. Plan ahead and consult with your advisors before leaving and while abroad.

If you are selecting courses to fulfill GE requirements, refer to the guidelines
found through the College of Letters & Science web site: http://www.advising. ltsc.ucsb.edu/transfer/trtips.php#guidelines.

Save all syllabi, papers and other relevant course information for courses you may want to petition for G.E. or major requirements.

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How do I get started?
Begin by identifying your goals for study abroad and then consult the EAP web pages (http://eap.ucop.edu/) to identify appropriate EAP programs. To find programs which offer particular disciplines or to search courses taken by EAP students over the last 5 years by subject, keyword and/or location, explore the resources found under Program and Course Search. Navigate to host universities’ web sites on the available links to learn more about the schools and their departments.

Stop by the EAP office at 2431 South Hall. Peer advisors who have recently returned from studying abroad as well as staff advisors are eager to answer your questions. If you plan to take requirements for a potential major, go see the department Undergraduate Advisor to discuss this possibility. Make an appointment with a Letters & Science advisor to discuss general education, residence and other requirements.

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