The UCLA International Education Office offers a wide variety of different study abroad programs, all with different aims and thus various pros and cons. The four programs are the UCLA Travel Study, UCLA Global Internships, UCEAP Programs and UCLA Exchange.
If you are looking for a fast-tracked, less commitment-oriented way to experience a city or country, I definitely recommend browsing the UCLA Travel Study Programs. Instead of spending multiple months or a full semester studying abroad, Travel Study allows students to spend three to five weeks experiencing their host city. These programs are also great for those not necessarily fluent in the language of their host country, and are taught by a UCLA professor. Travel study programs are great for those looking for class credits, as all classes through these programs offer direct UCLA credits that can satisfy degree and/or general education requirements.
If you are looking for a great resume-booster and direct work experience overseas, a UCLA Global Internship would be an excellent option for you. Global Internships allow students to intern with an organization or company in a variety of locations. Additionally, internships typically run for 8 weeks: the perfect amount of time to acquaint oneself to a foreign country.
If you want access to an expansive selection of locations and program options, I would recommend browsing the multiple UCEAP Programs. UCEAP, or the UC Education Abroad Program, is the official, system-wide study abroad program for the entire University of California system. UCEAP offers programs with 115 partnered-universities overseas in 42 different countries. Additionally, students can participate in a UCEAP program while maintaining their UCLA student status. All UCEAP courses are UC-approved, and thus students earn class credits during their program.
If you are looking for a longer stay in your host country, I definitely recommend considering a UCEAP Program. UCEAP students can choose from summer-long, semester and even full year abroad programs.
If you are looking for a truly authentic international experience, the UCLA Exchange program might be right for you. The following departments are partnered with these institutions in this smaller study abroad program:
- Hertie School – Berlin, Germany – UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
- Korea University (KU) – Seoul, South Korea – UCLA Center for Korean Studies
- KU Leuven – Leuven, Belgium – UCLA Center for European and Russian Studies
- Sciences Po – Paris, France – UCLA Luskin School – Urban Planning
- Scuola Normale Superiore (SNS) – Pisa, Italy – UCLA Humanities Division
- University of Geneva – Geneva, Switzerland – UCLA Luskin School – Urban Planning
- University of Tokyo, GraSPP – Tokyo, Japan – UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
- Utrecht University – Utrecht, the Netherlands – UCLA Center for European and Russian Studies
Since this program is so small, if you are interested in participating in any of these overseas exchanges, I would recommend immediately getting in contact with the respective department to convey your interest.
Now that you have a better idea of the variety of study abroad programs offered by UCLA’s International Education Office, you may be wondering if there are any resources available to you to learn more. The International Education Office offers numerous pre-recorded webinars supplying important information like how to apply for a passport, how to apply for financial aid for a study abroad program and how to navigate various identities while traveling abroad. Students can access these webinars at the following link:
UCLA Study Abroad | International Education Office | Webinars
Furthermore, there are a variety of both UCLA and outside scholarships specifically for study abroad students. Students can look and apply to some of these scholarships at the following link:
UCLA Study Abroad | International Education Office | Scholarships
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