Study Abroad in
Latin American Studies

Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies, UCSD
Gildred Latin American Studies Building, Room #1
Institute of the Americas Complex
http://cilas.ucsd.edu/programs/

Latin American Studies encourages their majors and minors to study abroad. Students will find programs in which to improve their Spanish language skills or integrate themselves into one of the many different cultures and countries in Latin America through the University of California’s Education Abroad Program (EAP) or UCSD’s Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP).

"Our aim for our students is to encourage them to expand their cultural and political perspective. Education abroad programs are fundamental in this endeavor because our students gain first-hand experience while abroad, making them respectful and knowledgeable of international issues. Most importantly, our students become exceptional candidates for academic and professional career placement as a result of their experiences abroad."
--Leon Zamosc, Associate Director of Latin American Studies

"My time studying in Costa Rica was amazing. Immersing yourself in a different culture forces you to see the world from a new viewpoint and challenges what you thought you knew about it. I learned a lot from the professors and my fellow students, but I learned as much outside the classroom as I did inside." --Elisabeth Suiter, Latin American Studies Major, '03.

Why study abroad?

Regardless of your future career choice, study abroad will help you develop skills that are critical to a liberal arts education.  Former UCSD Latin American Studies students are currently enrolled in graduate studies in such areas as public administration, political science and forced migration studies.  They are in student affairs positions in higher education, working for nonprofit organizations around the world, and in such diverse fields as business, medicine, government, education...you name it!

Consider your value to an employer or a graduate program if you’ve:

  • Participated in a different educational system and gained a new cultural perspective
  • Increased your proficiency in another language
  • Improved your critical thinking skills
  • Expanded your worldview by experiencing another culture firsthand
  • Developed self-confidence and independence
  • Prepared for a career in an internationally competitive world
  • Enhanced résumés and/or applications for graduate school

When should I study abroad?

While it is possible for Latin American Studies students to go abroad at almost any point in their academic careers, the particular quarter, semester, summer or year that you study abroad depends on your individual progress in your major and what courses you plan to take while abroad. 

Students are advised to take one to three upper division courses at UCSD before they leave.  See Requirements section below for more information.

Where should I study abroad?

You will find coursework relevant to your major in Latin American Studies at many EAP study centers. Program Wizard (http://eap.ucop.edu/programwizard) can help you find programs that meet your needs.

If you can’t find a program, university or country that suits your needs through EAP, try OAP! Two sites that will help you in your search are http://www.goabroad.com/ and http://www.studyabroad.com/.

Here are just a few of the universities where LAS students have studied:

University of Belgrano, Buenos Aires, Argentina

University of Concepción, Chile

University of Chile, Santiago

University of the West Indies, Barbados

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Pontifical Catholic University of Santiago, Dominican Republic

University of Guanajuato, Mexico

Tec de Monterrey, Mexico

Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

University of Costa Rica

University of Córdoba, Spain

University of Alcalá,Spain

University of Barcelona, Spain

 

What will it cost?

Study on EAP/OAP can be comparable to the cost of study at UC. In some cases, it is less. EAP participants pay UC fees and continue to receive UC financial aid while abroad. Furthermore, EAP students are eligible for special grants and scholarships from UC, the host country, and other sources.

OAP students may retain all or some of their funding while abroad, including special study abroad scholarships, but because of the variety of the programs found through OAP, costs for individual programs can vary greatly.

Check here for specific information about scholarships and financial aid: http://programsabroad.ucsd.edu/pao/funding.htm

HINT: If you took courses in another language while abroad, have your proficiency tested immediately upon return.

 

What are my first steps?

  1. Attend a First Steps meeting at the International Center
    (call 534-1123 for schedule)
  2. Visit http://pao.ucsd.edu
  3. Start your research in the Programs Abroad Library
  4. Meet with a Programs Abroad advisor
  5. Schedule a visit with the Advisor in Latin American Studies (lasmail@weber.ucsd.edu or 858-534-7967)
  6. Visit your college advising office

Requirements

The Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies allows a maximum of six courses taken outside of UCSD to count towards major requirements and two towards the minor.  You must complete LATI 50 (offered FALL ONLY), Introduction to Latin American Studies, with a letter grade before studying abroad.

What classes should I take?

Latin American Studies' undergraduate advisor will help students select courses that can meet major and minor requirements.

EAP students automatically earn UC credit for the work they complete abroad. However, application of credit to major requirements is subject to the discretion of the department. The EAP Coursefinder (http://eap.ucop.edu/coursefinder) lets you search courses taken by UC students over the last 5 years. OAP students earn transfer credit for the work they complete abroad, and application of credit to major requirements is also subject to the discretion of the department.

What happens when I return?

Students must bring all coursework material from their abroad program to the Latin American Studies advisor with a general petition for each course. The Faculty advisor of the program will review the petitions and make final approval on coursework – if courses are approved the information will be transferred to the appropriate colleges.

Yeah, but ...

Still not sure if study abroad is for you? Want to discuss it with your parents, or need to convince them?  Check out UCEAP’s “Top Ten Reasons to Study Abroad” (http://eap.ucop.edu/eap/whystudyabroad.shtm) and the “Top Ten Myths about Studying Abroad on EAP” (http://eap.ucop.edu/eap/myths.htm).

 

University of California, San Diego
OAP
Opportunities Abroad Program
If you don't find your perfect fit with EAP check out the infinite options for other academic programs available through UCSD's Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP). Follow the link below to find more information on OAP.
http://pao.ucsd.edu/pao/started.html
UCSD
Programs Abroad Office
International Center
Second Floor
 (858) 534-1123 
FAX  (858) 822-5726
abroad@ucsd.edu

programsabroad.ucsd.edu