It’s never too early to start planning for your study abroad or away experience. Global Learning offers a broad range of programs to choose from, including a diversity of locations, program types, and lengths, from short-term summer to quarter-long to a full academic year.
Create an Account in the Global Learning Portal
Your first step is to create an account in the Global Learning Portal. The Global Learning Portal is your resource to explore program options, learn about important program details (including costs, academics, and the student experience), submit an application, and ultimately complete pre-departure requirements.
Explore Programs
Visit the Programs page to learn about the many types of Global Learning opportunities available to you. As you explore the program types, consider which will best fit your academic and personal needs, and attend any upcoming information sessions or events to learn more about different programs and/or the study abroad/away process. Important things to consider when you explore program options include destination, program type or structure, and alignment with your academic interests, career goals, and/or personal goals.
As you explore abroad or away programs, we also recommend the following considerations:
Program Eligibility
All programs have eligibility requirements that you will need to meet either at the time of application or by the time you depart on your program. These requirements include minimum cumulative GPA, class standing, and good academic and disciplinary standing. Some programs have additional eligibility requirements that may include major declaration, course and/or language prerequisites, certain majors, or other program-specific requirements.
While some programs require students to have junior or senior class standing by the time of departure, many programs allow students with sophomore standing to participate. This means you could go abroad as early as the summer following your first academic year as a UCSC student if you have completed a minimum of 45 credits. If you are a transfer student, you must be in residence your first quarter at UCSC and have earned a UCSC GPA, which means the first term you could study abroad or away is your second quarter at UCSC.
With careful planning, it is possible to study abroad or away two or even three times before you graduate.
Meet with Academic Advisors
Meet with your college and major advisors to determine if there is an ideal time for you to study abroad or away that would best fit your academic plan and time to degree. It may be possible to fulfill General Education or major requirements while abroad or away. Important things to discuss are your timeline to major declaration, GE course completions, how to satisfy major requirements while abroad and the course substitution process, as well as the timing of prerequisites and sequenced courses that may not be offered every quarter. Some departments have pre-approved study abroad courses.
Meet with Global Learning Advisor
Meeting with a Global Learning Advisor early on will provide you with several advantages for making the most of your Global Learning experience. They can answer questions about the process of applying or about specific programs and help you identify what programs may be a good academic fit for you. Important things to discuss are the application process, deadlines, program academics, program options, and other program details.
Work on Language Skills
Most Global Learning programs do not require you to have previous language skills before your departure or to be eligible to apply. However, some programs do have language course prerequisites, particularly those where courses abroad are taught in the local language. Make sure you check program eligibility requirements to determine if your program requires previous language study. An important thing to consider is that having a basic familiarity with the language will enhance your experience considerably, even for programs where knowing the local language is not a requirement. You could consider taking an introductory language course or exploring an online language tool (such as Duolingo) before you depart.
Identify Goals
Think about what you want to accomplish when studying abroad or away. This may be as simple as gaining self-confidence or experiencing a new culture, or there may be concrete academic or professional goals you would like to achieve. An important thing to consider is which program may best help you accomplish your objectives and goals.
Think About Finances
You might start budgeting and saving money for your time abroad or away now, or you may want to explore applying for scholarships. Visit the Finances page to learn more about the cost of participation, how financial aid applies, and scholarship opportunities. Important things to consider are costs, financial aid eligibility, funding opportunities, and budget planning.
Prepare for Deadlines
Application deadlines occur at different times of the year, depending on the dates of the program you are applying for. If you want to study abroad or away on a summer, fall, or academic year program, you should start planning the Fall prior. Applications for Summer, Fall, and Academic Year programs can open as early as October the year prior. Applications for Winter and Spring programs can open as early as April the year prior.
Keep in mind that deadlines are typically 4-8 months in advance of program start dates. For more information about application deadlines and program dates, see the information on the Deadlines web page for the program or program type you are interested in.