University of California Education Abroad Program

University of California Education Abroad Program Ready to Study Abroad? Explore your options today at uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu

Studying abroad is an adventure that builds self-confidence, valuable skills, and global perspectives on your major. There is no better time in life to travel, meet people from around the world who share your passions and goals, experience foreign cultures, taste new foods, and grow in your understanding of the world. Whether you join our program for four weeks or a full year, in a big city or in the forest, we are confident you’ll love it.

Feeling some new emotions upon returning home from studying abroad? Nia McGee of UCLA wants you to know: that's normal, ...
08/13/2026

Feeling some new emotions upon returning home from studying abroad? Nia McGee of UCLA wants you to know: that's normal, and it's a beautiful part of the education abroad experience. 🫶

Read Nia's story on The Californian Abroad: https://blog.uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu/navigating-the-after-of-study-abroad-reverse-culture-shock/

Image transcript:
Navigating the “After” of Study Abroad: What’s Not Talked About Enough
Nia McGee, UCLA
Studied in New Zealand

“The pounamu necklace I wear...represents lives colliding and everlasting friendship. It’s a reminder that no matter your diverging paths, you are eternally connected to these people and this place.”

“To go abroad is to enter a world where everything may be new or different from what you know, and that can be as desirable as it is intimidating. I adjusted to this amazing place in no time, even when the cultural differences exposed me as a “silly outsider.”

“I wasn’t just leaving a country—I was abandoning an entirely new whānau, or family, that had become part of me...Before I knew it, I was back in California, and I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

“On the harder days, when New Zealand feels a world away, I cling to my pounamu necklace. It reminds me that even if our paths have diverged for now, the connection is everlasting, and the experience is forever with me.”

Read more on The Californian Abroad

Participating in research abroad gives you access to unique resources, international mentors, and opportunities that wil...
07/30/2026

Participating in research abroad gives you access to unique resources, international mentors, and opportunities that will go on to define your academic career. 🔬✈️ Learn more on The Californian Abroad: https://blog.uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu/global-careers-research-abroad/

Image Transcript:

Global Careers Start Here:
Why Your Research Breakthrough Starts Abroad

Find advantages over local opportunities
Publish reports co-authored with an international team
Challenge yourself to build resilience and maturity

Why a research study abroad program offers opportunities you can’t find in California:
Access to One-of-a-Kind Resources
Diverse Methodologies and Local Expertise
An Immersive Laboratory
Building a Global Professional Network
Testing Your Resilience

Access Granted: Special Study
UCEAP students can take advantage of study in specific topics, including Special Study: Independent Research. These electives are dedicated opportunities for you to dive into a research project with international supervision.

High-Powered Tech & Specialized Labs
Sometimes, the breakthrough happens because of the technology behind the scientist.
The Osaka Cluster Computer
Mammalian Cell Expertise
The ICube Research Subgroup

Physical Archives & Living History
For social science and humanities students, access means being in the room where history happened.
The Gwangju Archives
Declassified Diplomatic Telegrams
Brazilian Experiences with Racial Identity

From Lab Bench to Career Launch
Move from the lecture hall to a global lab with access to:
International Research Teams
Expert Mentorship
Cross-Continental Collaboration

Read more on The Californian Abroad

This year, we've been reflecting on who we are and the impact we want to have on UC and the world. We're excited to anno...
07/22/2026

This year, we've been reflecting on who we are and the impact we want to have on UC and the world. We're excited to announce our renewed mission, vision and values! These statements of identity and purpose help us guide our decision-making and investment as an organization, and they remind us of the shared institutional ideals that serve as the foundation for all of our work in global education.

Learn more: https://uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu/about-uceap

Image transcript:

UCEAP
University of California Education Abroad Program
We inspire and empower global learning

Learn more about our renewed mission, vision and values →

UCEAP Mission
As the University of California systemwide education abroad organization, we inspire and empower global learning.

UCEAP Vision
UCEAP envisions a University of California where international education is an academically integrated and accessible part of the student experience, empowering graduates to lead, serve, and contribute in California and around the world.

UCEAP Values

Integrity
We act with honesty, humility, transparency, and accountability, building trust through our decisions and actions.

Collaboration
We work across teams, perspectives, campuses, and partners to articulate and achieve shared goals and better outcomes for students.

Agility
We embrace change, adapt to emerging needs, and continuously improve our work, services, and processes.

Inclusion
We create welcoming and accessible opportunities where all students and colleagues can contribute and thrive.

Stewardship
We responsibly manage the resources, relationships, and trust placed in us in service of students and the University of California.

Jordan Shellow's time in Australia had him reconnecting with all the versions of himself whose hopes, dreams, and fears ...
07/20/2026

Jordan Shellow's time in Australia had him reconnecting with all the versions of himself whose hopes, dreams, and fears all came to a head through education abroad with UCEAP. ✈️

Read more: https://blog.uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu/letter-to-my-past-selves/

Text Transcript:

FIFTEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING: A Letter to My Past Selves
Jordan Shellow, UC Berkeley
Studied in Sydney, Australia

“You were so worried about making friends and finding travel companions. I’m beyond pleased to tell you that it came with ease... Now, every Tuesday is trivia night, and every Thursday is musical bingo and karaoke.”

“Remember how much you wanted to explore? You did it all: New Zealand, Tasmania, The Great Barrier Reef...”

“Back home, you often settled into a comfortable routine, but Australia taught you how to push your limits. You decided to make the most of your time by adopting a new mindset to overcome the things that previously made you afraid to commit.”

“In the end, to all my past selves: You did it. You achieved your 15-year goal. You finally went to Sydney, and it was so much better than you ever imagined. To anyone reading this: Stay true to yourself even in new and uncomfortable situations.”

Read more on The Californian Abroad!

“Study abroad gave me so much more than the opportunity to travel. It gave me friendships, confidence, new goals and mem...
07/09/2026

“Study abroad gave me so much more than the opportunity to travel. It gave me friendships, confidence, new goals and memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. If you're considering studying abroad for the first time, my advice is simple - take the chance, you never know where it might lead to. And stay curious about everything!”

Learn how Kari Davila, a UC Santa Cruz student, overcame the initial challenges and learned to balance her life and responsibilities back home in California, with a life-changing semester abroad in Italy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD8knHNU5js

Congrats to Denmark Harris, UC Berkeley, who earned a first-prize award for his entry to The Californian Abroad Blog Wri...
06/24/2026

Congrats to Denmark Harris, UC Berkeley, who earned a first-prize award for his entry to The Californian Abroad Blog Writing Contest this year! Denmark writes about his experiences in Japan, learning and going out of his comfort zone. ⁠
⁠
Read Denmark's full story on The Californian Abroad: https://blog.uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu/showing-up-in-japan/⁠
⁠
--⁠
⁠
Image text:⁠
⁠
How I Showed Up as a Black American Student in Japan⁠
⁠
“I was excited to study abroad in Japan—but I was also afraid. As a person of color, I knew I was heading to a country where the vast majority of people wouldn’t look like me.“⁠
⁠
Denmark Harris, UC Berkeley⁠
⁠
"Determined to break down those social walls, I turned to a classic university move: joining a club. I signed up for a Doshisha University “circle” called ESS, a group that brings Japanese and international students together to practice language and build cross-cultural bridges.”⁠
⁠
“On the night of my first meeting at Shinmachi Student Hall, I stood outside the door for nearly ten minutes. I was paralyzed by the same old questions: How will they see me? Will they be intimidated? Will I be accepted?”⁠
⁠
“One of my favorite memories is heading to a Starbucks near the Imadegawa River with a few friends, then to Sushiro for dinner, a popular conveyor belt sushi chain. It was my first time trying unagi (eel) sushi from a moving belt, and it was delicious.”⁠
⁠
“The harsh truth is that I did still face moments of prejudice in Japan. Some people gave me distrustful looks or showed impatience when I struggled with my Japanese. But those moments were the exception, not the rule. I experienced far more smiles and kindness than I ever expected.”⁠
⁠
Read more on The Californian Abroad

Congrats to Casey Lopez, UCSB, who earned a first-prize award for her entry to The Californian Abroad Blog Writing Conte...
06/18/2026

Congrats to Casey Lopez, UCSB, who earned a first-prize award for her entry to The Californian Abroad Blog Writing Contest this year! Casey writes about a surprising source of wisdom and guidance during her time abroad: Italian coffee. ☕️

Read Casey's full story on The Californian Abroad: https://blog.uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-italian-coffee-culture-transformed-my-year-abroad/

--

Image text:

My Moka And Me: How Italian Coffee Culture Transformed My Year Abroad

“Coffee evolved into more than a pick-me-up or a means to stay awake during lectures. It became a daily reminder to appreciate life’s subtleties, venture outside my comfort zone, and find presence in fleeting moments.“

Casey Lopez, UCSB

“Brewing fostered a daily moment of mindfulness, regardless of the assignment, travel plans, or other stressors occupying my mind. Learning to use my Moka pot – much like studying abroad – taught me how to trust the process and enjoy it, too.”

“I found walking to be my favorite way to experience the city. The more I explored Padova, the more deeply I felt a part of it. Finding coffee created an opportunity to interact with my host country in an exciting yet comforting way.”

“Before living abroad, I struggled with social anxiety and frequently isolated myself from others. Italian culture’s normalcy in inviting people out for coffee gave me the courage to seek out connection.”

“Italian coffee culture challenged me to take life slow, to find beauty in the mundane, and to never underestimate the value of community. My experiences in Italy inspired me to become a full-time barista, where I embody these lessons every day.”

Read more on The Californian Abroad

Transfer students: Curious about how to fit study abroad in your college experience? "There's really no better way to gr...
06/15/2026

Transfer students: Curious about how to fit study abroad in your college experience?

"There's really no better way to grow personally than through studying abroad. And while yes, as a transfer, you do only have a limited amount of time left in college compared to other students, it's truly such a special experience that I think it's something that should be a must do." - Michael Chu, UCSB transfer student

Watch this video for advice from Michael and several UC campus staff members: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc41O4noZ8U

College is a time to figure out who you are, and sometimes the journey is even more meaningful when you’re halfway acros...
06/10/2026

College is a time to figure out who you are, and sometimes the journey is even more meaningful when you’re halfway across the world. 🌏 This story by Emily Hsi, UCLA, earned a first-prize honor in The Californian Abroad Blog Writing Contest this year!

Read Emily's full story on The Californian Abroad: https://blog.uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu/grappling-with-being-american-in-asia/
⁠
--⁠
⁠
Text transcript:⁠

Grappling with Studying Abroad in Asia as a Chinese American
Blog Highlight
Emily Hsi, UCLA, National University of Singapore

Losing my American Label (and Finding it Again)
“I decided that going to Asia would fix me, filling a hole in me, one inherently driven by where I had been born....Studying abroad was the perfect opportunity.”

Learning to Embrace the In-Between
“I had been afraid that because I was an American citizen, it meant that I had to prove my Asian-ness to be recognized for my ethnic heritage. But after being in Singapore... I quickly realized that there was no standard for what it means to be Asian.”

Growth in the Grappling
“This realization could never have been taught in the classroom. I have been told many times over the years that I never had to qualify my identity, but it wasn’t until living in Asia that I could internalize it.”

My Heritage is My Own
“Asia, a continent that had once seemed so far, was in fact small enough for me to cherish the fact that it didn’t matter that I was Chinese American instead of Singaporean Chinese, or mainland Chinese, or Malaysian Chinese, or any of the many variants of people. What we shared was this vast world.”

Read more on The Californian Abroad

Address

420 S Fairview Avenue Suite 202
Goleta, CA
93117

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18058934762

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when University of California Education Abroad Program posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category