<p>Hey guys, newly admitted freshman here, I'm interesting in studying abroad for a semester (especially if I end up taking up a language as a major). I believe it is a requirement for the language majors to study abroad for at least a semester (and even if it isn't, I will). Do any of you know if summer would count as a 'semester'? Fall or Spring seems a little long, and summer would be great if it counted. Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>It depends on your units. I think 16 is the standard. But taking 16 units full time in summer is foolish, imo. Taking, say, 8 half of the summer and 8 the other half is doable but it’s probably difficult to find a program like that.</p>
<p>Also summer study abroad will not give you the culture and “school experience” a semester will. I had thought semester study abroad was too long too, but I’m off to Spain in the spring. I don’t think I’ll regret it.</p>
<p>I see, thank you. I have to agree with you that summer is too short now that I think about it. Actually, I am planning on Spanish, French, or Portuguese (better decide soon!) as the language of my study, most likely Spanish, and Spain is on the top of my list for studying abroad. (so don’t mind me if I indulge in a few questions).</p>
<p>So how exactly does it work, do you go abroad senior year fall or junior spring? And are the classes taught in Spanish in the full immersion program or are they mainly in English…? Also, do you go with a group of other students?</p>
<p>I know google would serve me well here ahaha, but I’d prefer a real Berkeley student’s perspective.</p>
<p>Yeah, and most of the summer programs aren’t study abroad at all, but summer school that invites international students.</p>
<p>You should check out [University</a> of California Education Abroad Program, Our Programs, EAP Countries](<a href=“http://eap.ucop.edu/our_programs/countries/]University”>http://eap.ucop.edu/our_programs/countries/) if you haven’t already. There are many programs that you can study abroad under, but these are just the easiest in terms of paperwork and planning.</p>
<p>My specific program allows sophomores and up to go, and is offered in fall and spring. I’m a junior going in the spring. My program is to learn the culture and language, and more or less does nothing for my major (maybe one course will transfer over) but I can afford that because I took my major courses early. It’s entirely in Spanish.</p>
<p>My friend is an upcoming senior, and he just started his fall program in Mexico, where he is doing research. It’s entirely in Spanish.</p>
<p>My other friend is going to France in Spring, and all of his classes will transfer back to the major because of his program. He’s taking everything in French, but there’s an option to take courses in English too.</p>
<p>Some programs are UC Center, which means you’re basically around other UC students all the time, though you get to interact with natives. Others are the typical study abroad program, where you stay in dorms and whatnot and are actually a student.</p>
<p>Mine is a weird one–I’m studying at the school, living with a host family, but my fellow students will be UC students.</p>
<p>There are many options, just spend a few hours looking. The process of applying is very easy. Unless you come off as a psychopath or unless the program is very intense academically, you’ll get into any that you apply.</p>
<p>Haha wow I’m even more excited for studying abroad. Sounds great, and yes I did check the EAP programs, and I assume there are a lot more options provided you look further. I’ll check out the other links you posted as well. Thanks again and I hope you have a blast in the program!</p>
<p>dottler, my daughter is an upcoming senior at LMU (son a sophomore at Cal) and spent spring semester her junior year studying abroad in Madrid. She loved it. Let me know if you have any questions. Congratulations on Cal. Go Bears!</p>
<p>You can do 15 units in one summer session, as long as most of them are ‘fluff’ units.</p>
<p>^ You can? The session A/C overlap would be complete slaughter though, and it’s the last 1/3 of session A and the first 1/4 of session C. I’m taking 12.5 units this summer and I thought it was pretty bad (4.5 session A, 8 session C). During the A/C overlap, I went to class from 8am-6pm everyday (with a lunch break). I can’t imagine taking another 3-4 unit class on top of that.</p>
<p>especially if its abroad and you’re trying to learn the language as well…</p>
<p>@momfirst3: That’s great, I’d love to go to Madrid! Thanks, I’ll definitely contact you if I have any questions.</p>
<p>@187: Personally I think the trick is really to take the right kind of classes. Don’t do more than one with intensive reading. If something involves daily homework sets, make sure you get your hands on the solutions. Take lower divs if possible. Avoid labs if possible.</p>
<p>I’m doing 15 units in session C, but that includes French 2 and Music 20A. You see what I mean by ‘fluff’ units. I have a friend doing 18 units split evenly across sessions A and D, no overlap, and yet she’s in much worse condition, simply because all her classes are upper div and require lots of reading and essay-writing.</p>
<p>My schedule is 10-4, 5-6.30… how on earth did you have to do 8-6 with fewer units? That’s awful.</p>
<p>Yeah, my 0.5 unit PE sucked up two hours. It’s really not worth it in the summer since it’s pretty much like any 3-4 unit class in terms of class hours. At least it’s over with though.</p>
<p>two hours a day for 0.5 units…</p>
<p>you have my ultimate respect, my friend.</p>
<p>i wouldn’t take more than 8 units in a summer semester ahaha</p>