Scholars Abroad
The Mind, the Brain, and Berlin: Why This Neuroscience Major is Heading Back to Germany
By Wayne Dewing (UC Riverside) Just two years ago, if you told me I would soon be nearly fluent in German and living in Berlin for a year, I wouldn't have given it a second thought. I study neuroscience. I want to be a research scientist. I don't have a German family...
Freshman Year, Italian Style
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...
UCEAP Named Finalist for the 2026 PIEoneer Award – University of Glasgow, UK & UCEAP, US – Summer Physics Program
We have some exciting news to share with the UC community! The University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2026 PIEoneer Awards. Often referred to as the "Oscars of international education," the PIEoneer...
How Study Abroad Taught Me to Slow Down and Dream Bigger
By Terra Alvarez (UC Santa Cruz) Growing up in East Los Angeles, traveling beyond Mexico was considered a dream. For most people around me, Mexico was the furthest place our families’ stories reached. Anything beyond that felt distant, expensive, and unrealistic. Our...
What Study Abroad Taught Me About Friendship and Travel
Clark Boyce (UC Berkeley) went to Singapore with a close friend from home, expecting to explore Southeast Asia together. But after their first trip to Thailand revealed completely different travel styles, Clark made a surprising discovery: branching out on his own didn’t weaken their friendship—it strengthened it. From summiting an active volcano in Indonesia to diving solo in Bali, Clark learned that different friendships serve different purposes abroad, and that’s not just okay—it’s essential for personal growth.
Fifteen Years in the Making: A Letter to my Past Selves
Fifteen years ago, a trip to LEGOLand sparked a dream for Jordan Shellow (UCB): seeing the Sydney Opera House in real life. From conquering a fear of heights in Queenstown to finding a ‘travel family’ in a 60-person group chat, Jordan shares a letter to their past selves proving that the wait was beyond worth it.
Navigating the “After” of Study Abroad: What’s Not Talked About Enough
For UCLA student Nia McGee, the hardest part of studying abroad wasn’t navigating New Zealand as a “silly outsider,” it was the challenge of coming home. From the sacred meaning of the pounamu stone to the reverse culture shock of returning to California, Nia shares a vulnerable look at why the journey doesn’t end when the plane lands, and how to integrate the new you into your old world.
Global Careers Start Here: Why Your Research Breakthrough Starts Abroad
Story highlights: International research offers unique advantages over local opportunities Participate in co-authored reports with an international team, broadening your professional network Challenge yourself to build resilience and maturity—competitive...
Grappling with Studying Abroad in Asia as a Chinese American
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...
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Phone: 805-893-4762
Editorial Team: californianabroad@uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu
Media Inquiries: communications@uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am – 4 pm
UCEAP
420 S Fairview Ave
Suite 202
Goleta, Calif. 93117