Study Abroad in
History

Department of History, UCSD
Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Room #5029
http://historyweb.ucsd.edu/

History students are encouraged to participate in the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) or UCSD's Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP) while still making progress towards completing their major or minor.

"There are many ways of studying. One possibility is sitting on a bench reading a good book, doing homework, preparing for an exam, watching a movie, diving into the internet. All this may open your eyes to the riches of our world. But there is another way of learning: traveling, engaging in understanding different cultures and different people, different ways of doing things, exposing yourself and putting yourself in the heart of an inspiring challenge. EAP allows for both ways of learning and enriching your life. There is no reason of not wanting to do it." --Christine Hunefeldt, Professor of History, UCSD

"I study Middle Eastern History and had the opportunity to study at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, which is one of the world's premier institutions for my area of focus. It was amazing to be able to study history in such a unique place and I really gained a new perspective on a lot of the issues I'm interested in. In addition to that, the History Department at UCSD was incredibly helpful in advising me before, during, and after my experience abroad.... I was able to finish my major in four years and actually began to develop the idea for my honor's thesis while I was abroad. I would highly recommend studying abroad to any UCSD student, and specifically to those in the History Department." --Michael Freedman, History, Near East Emphasis, '05.

Why study abroad?

“Today’s workplace requires you to be quick on your feet and highly adaptable.  You will work for, and with, professionals from diverse backgrounds whose personal styles may be quite different from your own.  Study Abroad is an outstanding way to build your skills, to see the world through another’s eyes, and to demonstrate to employers that you are tested and ready to pursue the global workplace.” --Andrew T. Ceperley, Director, Career Services Center, UCSD

Regardless of your future career choice, study abroad will help you develop skills that are critical to a liberal arts education. 

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 History 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 History 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 History majors have studied:

  • University of Sydney, Australia
  • Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago
  • University of Copenhagen, Denmark
  • The American University in Cairo, Egypt
  • The American University of Paris
  • University of Grenoble, France
  • University of Bordeaux, France
  • Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
  • University College Cork, Ireland
  • UC Study Center in Rome, Italy
  • Global Studies Program, Meiji Gakuin University, Japan
  • Utrecht University , the Netherlands
  • University of Otago, New Zealand
  • University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
  • University of Granada, Spain
  • University of Barcelona, Spain
  • University of London
  • Pembroke College, United Kingdom
  • University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • University of Sussex, United Kingdom

 

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
  2. Visit http://programsabroad.ucsd.edu to find out more!
  3. Start your research in the Programs Abroad Library
  4. Meet with a Programs Abroad advisor
  5. Complete your Academic Planning Form
  6. Schedule a visit with Cynthia Truant, the study abroad faculty advisor in History
  7. Visit your college advising office

Requirements

Students are advised to take one to three upper division courses at UCSD before they leave and to chart their major course requirements well in advance with an advisor. This is particularly important for students who must graduate in little more than four years, as well as those who anticipate writing a senior honors thesis.

Students who plan to write a senior honors thesis, but will be abroad during the spring quarter of their junior year, should plan ahead before leaving. This means completing four upper division courses at UCSD before going abroad, discussing possible thesis topics with faculty, and considering the possibility of using course work abroad as background for the thesis.

What classes should I take?

The key to success is planning and pre-approval!  Students considering studying abroad should discuss their plans with Cynthia Truant, Study Abroad Faculty Advisor, before going abroad. Professor Truant will sign all abroad forms. Be sure to take your completed Academic Planning Form with you to your meeting.  Students should note that:

* courses to be transferred toward the major or minor, must be the equivalent of at least four quarter upper-division units at UCSD.

* these courses, must involve as much work in history as UCSD upper-division history courses.

IMPORTANT: Student will need to be able to provide supporting evidence of all abroad courses to be applied to their major or minor.

The Department ordinarily transfers no more than four upper-division courses toward the major, and two upper-division courses for the minor. Petitions for exceptions will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

The EAP Coursefinder (http://eap.ucop.edu/coursefinder) lets you search courses taken by UC students over the last 5 years.

EAP students automatically earn UC credit for the work they complete abroad, but application of credit to major requirements is subject to the discretion of the department. 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?

Please follow the instructions carefully to petition abroad courses toward a History Major or Minor.

Undergraduate Student Petitions forms are available from the Undergraduate Student Affairs Advisor, HSS 5029, or you can print the online version http://registrar.ucsd.edu/forms/UNstudentpetition.pdf. Please see the Undergraduate Student Affairs Advisor for assistance in filling out petition(s).

1. Fill out an Undergraduate Student Petition form for each course.
2. Include department course number and course title.
3. If abroad transcript has been forwarded to UCSD, attach a copy from TritonLink to the petition. (Students may petition abroad courses pending receipt of official transcript verifying appropriate transfer credits and grade.)
4. Students will need to see the Study Abroad Faculty Advisor, who will review course documents (syllabus, papers, and/or exams).
5. After receiving approval from the Study Abroad Faculty Advisor, turn in Undergraduate Student Petition(s) to the Undergraduate Student Affairs Advisor.
6. The Director of Undergraduate Studies will have final approval of all abroad courses to be applied for the Major or Minor.

NOTE: The Department ordinarily transfers no more than four upper-division courses toward the major, and two upper-division courses for the minor. Petitions for exceptions will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

For more information contact Chia Her, Undergraduate Student Affairs Advisor at (858) 534-3613 or fax (858) 534-7283.

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).

 

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