by Virginia O'Connor | Aug 19, 2026 | Personal Growth, UCLA
By Stacey Valentin (UC Los Angeles) Editor’s Note: Did you know you can study abroad before your very first quarter or semester on a UC campus? Stacey participated in a special UCEAP pre-freshman Global Start program in Italy, during the fall before starting her...
by Jennifer Monroe | Jun 1, 2026 | Asia, Home Feature, Personal Growth, UCLA
By Emily Hsi (UC Los Angeles) studied abroad at the National University of Singapore. When I first decided to study abroad, all I knew was that I wanted to be in Asia. As a Chinese American born and raised in California, I had my fair share of identity crises. I was...
by Jennifer Monroe | Apr 20, 2026 | Personal Growth, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, UCLA
Contributors: Keren Dror (UC Los Angeles), Annika Jorgensen (UC Berkeley), and Mercedes Lefiti (UC Santa Cruz) We all pack certain things for study abroad: maybe a favorite snack, a photo, a childhood stuffie to remind us of home. Each of us also carries something...
by Virginia O'Connor | Mar 31, 2026 | Americas, Local Living, UCLA
By Jamie Stickelmaier (UC Los Angeles), studied abroad in Santiago, Chile There are countless reasons why people study abroad—I was motivated to become fluent in Spanish. While Spanish was my mother’s first language, it was rarely spoken at home. My childhood is full...
by Virginia O'Connor | Mar 31, 2026 | Europe, Personal Growth, UCLA
Jillian Jimenez (UC Los Angeles) studied abroad in Edinburgh Making the decision to study abroad—leaving behind friends, family, and everything familiar—can be daunting. For introverts, or anyone who recharges or feels the most relaxed during moments of solitude, the...
by Virginia O'Connor | Mar 30, 2026 | Australia and Oceania, Choosing a Program, UC Merced, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UCLA
Contributors: Aliyah Flamson Rubalcava (UC Santa Cruz), Elias Veran (UC Santa Barbara), Sarah Schecter (UC Los Angeles), Shaun Colegado (UC Merced), and Sophia Chang (UC San Diego), 2024 blog writing contestants UCEAP alums agree that when it comes to studying...
