Most Frequently Asked Questions about Education Abroad

My major is kind of specific, can I study abroad?

Yes!  Any UC student can study abroad – we have sent everyone from chemical engineering majors to violin majors abroad. We have an extensive Study Abroad Resource Library with information about thousands of various programs in all fields of study. We will advise you individually to help you find a program with the kinds of classes you would like or need to take. 

I was looking on your website and I wanted to go to a country that wasn’t listed – is this possible? 

Yes!  You can study anywhere in the world you want to go. In our Study Abroad Library, we have information about programs on every continent but Antarctica. Currently, we have students studying anywhere from Canada to Gambia to El Salvador, Korea, and New Zealand. If UC doesn’t have a program there we will find you one where you want to go. 

So students can study places where UC doesn’t have a specific program? 

Yes!  You can study abroad through any other university or study abroad company anywhere in the world.  You just need approval from your academic advisor and you have to bring back a transcript from your school abroad so that all your credits will transfer properly. 

Won’t studying abroad delay my graduation?

No! Many students even receive more credits when they are abroad!  Everything will transfer back to UC as long as you work with your academic advisor to make sure your classes can count towards your UC degree. 

How long can I study abroad? 

You can chose a program as short as a week or as long as a year.  Shorter 1-3 week programs are often study tours led by UC faculty.  There are also many opportunities to study for a summer, quarter, semester or full academic year. 

I can’t decide where I want to go; can I study abroad more than once?

Yes!  Many students study abroad multiple times at UC. Just work with your advisors to make sure it all fits into your academic plan. 

I’m not exactly rich, how am I going to pay for this?

First of all, you can apply for a UC International Student Grant. We give about $100,000 in grant money to UC students studying abroad each year to help pay for airfare. Also, almost all financial aid can apply to your program.  We will work with you to make sure that you can apply all of your grants, loans and scholarships. We also help students apply for national study abroad scholarships.  Many students receive awards for up to $10,000 to help pay for their program overseas.  Also, some programs abroad even cost less than UC tuition! 

Is it possible to find a job or volunteer abroad? 

Yes!  Some co-op students at UC participate in the International Co-op Program and are paid to work in Chile, Germany or Japan.  Other co-op students find job placements in other countries or participate in a travel quarter.  If you aren’t a co-op student, there are many opportunities for international internships where you can receive academic credit.  There are also service learning programs where you can get academic credit to do service abroad, such as Habitat for Humanity in Costa Rica.   Again, we have information about international internships, jobs and service learning opportunities in our Study Abroad Library. 

Will I be all alone?

If you want to travel with a group of UC students, there are many opportunities where you will be with UC faculty and students at all times. Many other programs have other American students from other US universities.  However, if you are looking for something more independent, you can enroll directly into a foreign university to really integrate with local students.

I’ve never been to another country before, will I be okay? 

Yes! We give pre-departure orientations for all students before they depart to give health and safety information and travel advice. We will provide you the current Consular Information about the country you are going to and answer any questions you have about safety.

What if I don’t speak any other languages?

Studying abroad is a good time to learn a new language; however there are many programs in English – even in non-English speaking countries!

When is a good time for me to study abroad? 

We usually recommend freshman to wait until after they study a few quarters at UC, however you can study abroad at any time that works best for you. It’s best to start planning as early as possible. 

So I decided I want to study abroad, what do I do next?

You first look at our website and also make an appointment for a First Timers Session.  This way one of our advisors will discuss your plans with you and show you our Study Abroad Library to help you search for a program.  Also sign up for our Listserv!