<p>First of all, if this is in the wrong forum, I apologize. I wasn't sure if this fit better here or in the UC threads.</p>
<p>I'm a transfer student trying to figure out which UC to go to, and a big factor for me is the possibility of studying abroad. I'd prefer a full year, but a semester would do if that was all that was available to me. </p>
<p>Anyhow, here's my problem. I was initially under the impression that all the UCs had a communal study abroad thing set up - the options available to someone at Berkeley were the same as those for a student at UCLA, Davis, San Diego, etc. There is one big website with UC study abroad information, but the schools also tend to have their own sites, and the information isn't always consistent. Some brag about their relations with a particular university. So, I was hoping someone could clarify this for me for starters - is it one program between all the UCs, or do they have their own programs? If they have different programs, does anyone know who's got the best/most diverse programs? Is it easier to get into study abroad at some UCs than others?</p>
<p>My second question is a little trickier: Does anyone know whether UC students can take regular university courses at the host institutions while studying abroad? I've got enough of a background in German (and maybe French) for that to be a very appealing option, as it would both allow me to be more intergrated in the host institution and better ensure that I could get the courses I'll need to graduate.</p>
<p>Thanks for any advice/help. I've been trying to get answers from a variety of sources but haven't gotten any conclusions so far. The rep from UCLA helpfully offered that some students stay an extra year just to do study abroad, but this isn't a good option for me. Things I've found online have only confused me more.</p>
<p>My daughter os a sophomore at UCLA and will be studying in Paris the fall. She will not be going with a UC program but through a company called Abroadco. She had a applied and was accepted to the UC program but ended up having too much French for that program. It was meant for lower level French students. That program is taught at the UC Center with students from all of the UCs. Some of the programs UCLA offered were in other French cities attending French Universities for example in Bordeaux or Lyon. I am pretty sure that you need to work with the study abroad office at your particular UC. They have been very helpful to my daughter.</p>
<p>Once she found she was not longer eligible for their fall Paris program she decided to research independent study abroad programs and found one that will work best for her. There are MANY study abroad programs out there that are excellent and you can go through them instead of the UC program without any problem. The study abroad office at school will help you with these other programs. In the meantime google some of the following programs and look for programs in Germany. You will find that some are at German Universities and some will be at study centers where you take classes on with students in that program, many classes being taught in English. The following programs are all well known, respected and credited: API, CIEE, Abroadco, GSA, ISA, etc. So just google for instance, API study abroad…good luck. </p>
<p>Many programs will give you the option of a semester or a year. My daughter is doing a fall semester program and will only be missing fall quarter at UCLA. She will be back in Dec. to do her winter and spring quarter at UCLA. If you do a semester you can definitely graduate in 4 years but if you want to do a year you may need and extra quarter, semester or year. But it would be worth it!</p>
<p>I will do my best to help you navigate the UC system and would be happy to help clarify the study abroad processes for students studying at a UC campus. The UC system has established their own study abroad programs, call Education Abroad Programs (EAP) - ([University</a> of California Education Abroad Program](<a href=“http://eap.ucop.edu/]University”>http://eap.ucop.edu/)), where students can earn UC credit, utilize all their financial aid, and study abroad for a summer, quarter, semester or academic year, depending on the location. Where each UC campus differs is how they support and promote the non-EAP study abroad options. What is non-EAP? Basically, there are a number of ways to study abroad and if a student doesn’t find an EAP program they are interested in or they don’t meet the minimum requirements, there is a plethora of independent study abroad organizations that collaborate with UC campuses to increase the number of study abroad options for their students.</p>
<p>You also mentioned some UCs promote their individual relationships with foreign universities. These relationships are usually referred to as exchange agreements, where one student from the foreign university would study in California in exchange for a UC student studying abroad. Participating in an exchange agreement is another way to study abroad, and in general, they are also more cost effective, but offer less in terms of student services.</p>
<p>Some UCs also offer their own individual faculty led study abroad program predominantly, during the summer months. Basically, these are academic discipline specific 3-5 week programs where a UC professor accompanies the students abroad and teaches one to two courses. Some UCs offer more of these programs than others.</p>
<p>To answer your second question regarding what courses you can take abroad, I would refer to the academic section of the EAP ([University</a> of California Education Abroad Program, Disciplines/Majors, Study Abroad in Your Major](<a href=“http://eap.ucop.edu/our_programs/disciplines/]University”>http://eap.ucop.edu/our_programs/disciplines/)) website for details regarding their programs. As a rule of thumb, you can take courses in your major, minor, general elective and general education courses while abroad on EAP and non-EAP programs, but you need to get the courses you plan to take pre-approved by the university before you go. If you would like to take language courses in French or German, or learn a new language, you can also receive credit that will transfer back to your UC campus. If you have a high fluency in a foreign language, you can also take major or minor content courses in that language. </p>
<p>I hope this answers some of your questions. Don’t hesitate if I can help with anything in the future.</p>