Contributors: Cynthia Chen (UC Berkeley), Jerry Wu (UC Santa Barbara), and Leslie Amarachi Duru (UC Los Angeles), 2024 blog contestants

Story highlights:

  • Course structures, grading systems, teaching styles—so many academic differences to consider!
  • Tips and resources for researching programs that align with your degree requirements
  • How to balance academics with the cultural experience of a lifetime

Choosing a study abroad program isn’t just about picking a dream destination—it’s about making sure the academic experience will actually work for your degree, your learning style, and your future goals. You don’t want to arrive in Madrid only to discover that your final exam is worth 100% of your grade (no pressure!), or land in Seoul to find out the psychology courses you planned to take are only taught in Korean.

The good news? A little research before you apply can save you from academic surprises and help you choose a program where you’ll actually thrive. Let’s break down everything you need to think about from an academic perspective before you commit to a study abroad program.

Library and work room with bookshelves

Will the courses count toward your degree?

This is the big one. Before you fall in love with a program because of its location or Instagram-worthy campus, you need to figure out how the courses will apply to your specific degree requirements.

Here’s the good news: Students on UCEAP programs receive direct UC credit for the courses they take abroad. The credits transfer automatically—no need to worry about whether your units will count. Your UC campus department, college or school will determine whether UCEAP units earned abroad fulfill specific degree requirements.

The catch? How those credits apply varies by UC campus. The same course might count as a major requirement at one campus or as a general education credit at another. That’s why research is essential. Here’s how to do that research.

Step 1: Check course availability (and confirm with your advisors)

Start by visiting the UCEAP course catalog to see what courses previous study abroad participants took and how those courses transferred to each UC campus with regard to subject area, course division designation, and quarter or semester units.

For the most up-to-date course lists, check the Catalogs and Resources section of the Academics page for the program you’re interested in taking.

Step 2: Talk with your academic advisors

Meet with your major advisor and study abroad advisor before you apply. Bring a list of courses from your potential program and ask:

  • Will these courses fulfill major requirements, general education, or just fulfill unit degree credits?
  • Are there any restrictions on how many study abroad courses can count toward my major?
  • Do I have room in my degree plan for electives, or do I need every course to fulfill a specific requirement?

If you’re later in your academic career and still need major requirements, you may need to be more strategic about selecting a program with the courses that will give you major credit.

I chose a program that reflected my interests at UCLA, as I had only electives left to fulfill and wanted to enjoy both classroom and cultural experiences.

Leslie Amarachi Duru (UC Los Angeles)

Student with backpack in Asian country looking down street

Step 3: Have a backup plan

Even with careful planning, things can go wrong, so it’s good to have a list of backup courses in case your first choices aren’t available. Courses may not be available during your planned term abroad, prerequisites aren’t always clear, and sometimes the course you need just isn’t available in your preferred language.

I was under the impression that I could take upper-division psychology courses at Yonsei to fulfill requirements—boy was I wrong. Nearly all the courses offered in the psychology department were taught in Korean and the one available in English was not open to exchange students. At this point, it was too late to turn back so I made the willing sacrifice to take summer school to make up for the credits.

Jerry Wu (UC Santa Barbara)

Students around a table working together

What language will your courses be taught in?

This seems obvious, but it’s easy to overlook the details.

Step 1: Confirm the language of instruction

Even in countries where English is widely spoken, university courses may be taught in the local language. Check the program’s Academics page carefully and verify the language the course is taught in on the host university’s website (also linked on the Academics page).

Step 2: Assess your language skills honestly

If you plan to take courses in a language other than English, be realistic about your proficiency. Can you:

  • Understand lectures delivered at a normal pace?
  • Read academic texts and research papers?
  • Write essays and exams?
  • Participate in class discussions?

If you’re not quite there yet, look for programs that offer courses in English. Alternatively, there are a small number of programs with intensive language courses designed for international students, so if you really want to elevate your language skills to be able to take courses taught in the language abroad, that’s an option in some places.

Step 3: Consider cultural and language courses

Even if you can’t take your major courses abroad, cultural and language courses can be incredibly valuable—and they may count toward general education requirements.

I opted to take cultural and language courses to be further immersed in Korean culture. These courses are open to everybody and the knowledge is invaluable. My favorite course by far is Steven D. Capener’s course on the ‘Korean Wave’ which is a deep dive into the Korean struggle for ‘Korean-ness’ and how a country with so much global influence struggles to find an identity of its own.

Jerry Wu (UC Santa Barbara)

These courses can deepen your understanding of your host country and make your entire experience more meaningful.

How is the teaching style different?

Teaching styles vary dramatically around the world, and what you’re used to at your UC campus might be completely different abroad.

Step 1: Research the teaching pedagogy

Look up information about the host university’s teaching approach. Start with the program’s Academic page and consider the following questions:

  • Are classes lecture-based or discussion-based?
  • Is there a lot of group work?
  • How much independent study is expected?
  • Are professors accessible outside of class?

The change of pace in this learning environment was refreshing. I had so much control over my education and found myself in a setting that nurtured my curiosity and passion. From peer-led and teacherless discussions about the confounding papers detailing the role of emotion in motivation to unraveling the causal role of brain lesions and the development of regions within the frontal cortex with professors, much of my fun during those two months was truly had in the classroom as well.

Leslie Amarachi Duru (UC Los Angeles)

Teacher abroad in front of whiteboard talking to class

Step 2: Understand the workload structure

The rhythm of coursework and academic expectations can be very different abroad. Some programs have:

  • Minimal homework throughout the term
  • Heavy independent reading expectations
  • Major projects instead of weekly assignments
  • Strict attendance requirements
  • Final exams that count for most or all of your grade – or are delivered orally!

I had to adjust to a very different academic structure than what I was used to at Berkeley. Because my teachers didn’t regularly assign homework, when I came home every day, my mind was everywhere but school. Since I wasn’t applying the lecture material immediately, I found that I had to relearn a lot of the material again for the final.

Cynthia Chen (UC Berkeley)

If you’re someone who thrives on consistent deadlines and regular feedback, a program with minimal homework and high-stakes finals might be challenging.

Step 3: Look for internship or research opportunities

To enhance your academic experience abroad, consider investigating whether the program offers internships or research opportunities. Some UCEAP programs include local internships as part of the curriculum, giving you hands-on experience in your field while immersing you in the local professional culture. Other programs offer the opportunity to work on a research project with a mentor or design and complete a research project on a topic you’re passionate about.

These opportunities can:

  • Strengthen your resume and graduate school applications
  • Help you build international professional networks
  • Give you practical experience applying classroom knowledge
  • Provide insight into how your field operates in different countries

As you explore your options, be sure to review your role in securing an internship or research opportunity abroad. Some UCEAP programs offer more hands-on support than others.

 

Learn more about the academic opportunities that are offered when you study abroad: