Study Abroad in
Political Science

Department of Political Science, UCSD
Social Sciences Building, Room 301
http://polisci.ucsd.edu/

The Department of Political Science encourages its major and minors to study abroad. Poli Sci students can study all over the world through the University of California’s Education Abroad Program (EAP) or UCSD’s Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP). Study the Politics of Development in Barbados or Ghana. Debate International Relations, Political Economy, and Security Studies with students in Canada, France, Hong Kong, or Turkey. Learn through recent historical events the effects of democratization, state-building, and political transformation in Chile, Mexico, or Vietnam. Gain a new understanding of how ethnicity and national identity influence politics in the Czech Republic or the Republic of Ireland.

"No one has ever come back from studying abroad saying, 'I wish I had stayed at UCSD instead.'" --Gary Jacobson, UCSD Professor of Political Science

"Studying abroad in Oxford was an experience I will never forget. It not only helped me grow as a student, it helped me grow as a person. I hope everyone gets to experience studying abroad." -- Derek Bartlett, Poli Sci major, '04

Why study abroad?

Cloth salesman, Savelegu, Ghana

Political Science students are encouraged to take full advantage of the breadth of options that exist because study abroad can be an opportunity to complement political science courses offered at UCSD (by taking courses abroad which are not offered at UCSD). Students might also consider taking courses in archaeology, anthropology, history, economics, literature, or other subjects which may expand their liberal arts education. Regardless of your future career choice, study abroad will help you develop skills that are critical to a liberal arts education. However, Political Science majors who intend to incorporate their education into a career will find the benefits of study abroad invaluable.

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 Political Science majors 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.  See Requirements section below for more information.

Where should I study abroad?

You will find coursework relevant to your major in Political Science at most of EAP's 150 partner institutions in 35 countries worldwide! 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 programs and universities where Political Science majors have studied:

  • NEW--UCSD's Mexican Migration and Field Research Training Program in Jalisca or Zacatecas, Mexico
  • School for Political and Social Inquiry, Monash Univ., Australia
  • Institute of International Relations, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • UC-Peking University Joint Center for International Studies, Beijing, China
  • Political Science Department, The American University in Cairo, Egypt
  • Institute d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, France
  • Political Science Department, University of Ghana
  • Department of Government, National University of Ireland, Cork
  • Global Studies Program, Meiji Gakuin University, Japan
  • Mexico-U.S. Comparative Perspectives Program, EAP Study Center, Mexico City

EAP system-wide recommendations for students of political science can be found at http://eap.ucop.edu/eap/discipline/polisci.htm

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://programsabroad.ucsd.edu
  3. Start your research in the Programs Abroad Library
  4. Meet with a Programs Abroad advisor
  5. Fill out your Academic Planning Form
  6. Schedule a visit with the faculty advisor in Political Science, Gary Jacobson (gjacobson@ucsd.edu or 858-534-4295)
  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 some 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. For some students, it may be best to stay an additional two quarters of a fifth year during which they write the honors thesis. This allows more time to complete upper division courses in residence at UCSD and to work with faculty prior to the thesis.

What classes should I take?

The Political Science undergraduate faculty advisor, Gary Jacobson, will help students select courses that can meet major and minor requirements.

Please review the department's POLICIES ON CONTENT AND EVALUATION OF COURSES taken while abroad.

To help you in your planning, please follow this LINK TO COURSES that have been approved by the Poli Sci Department in the past. Remember that courses must still be petitioned and approved for credit upon return.

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.

Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris

What happens when I return?

You will find all the information you will need to TRANSFER CREDIT TO YOUR POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR OR MINOR here.

Please read these GUIDELINES FOR REQUESTING ACADEMIC CREDIT earned abroad after returning to UCSD.

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.htm) 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