As the academic year approaches, many Bruins are impatient to study abroad and immerse yourself in a different culture for a quarter or a semester.
The UCLA offers three main study opportunities abroad: global internships, travel studies and exchange programs. World internships provide students with the opportunity to work with international organizations, Travel studies allow students to take courses on UCLA teaching abroad, and exchange programs allow students to take courses in universities around the world. In addition, UCLA students can participate in the University of California’s university education program, which is a system across the system, bringing UC students to international universities. More details on these programs can be found through the UCLA International Education Office.
Christopher Looby, English professor and director of a summer travel study program in Florence, Italy, said in a statement sent by e-mail that the IEO promotes summer travel study programs via emails and leaflets. He also declared in the press release that some teachers as visited by class to do announcements and distribute leaflets.
Jennifer Rivera, a fourth year student of Chicana and Chicano in studies and work studies who studied abroad in Rome via UCEAP, said that she had discovered the program through information sessions, webinaries and social media. She added that she had also done her own research as a way to see how the experience was for different people by consulting friends on advice and application experiences.
The fourth year student of global studies, Leila Chiddick, said that her decision to study abroad in Japan was influenced by her main requirements and her personal interests.
“I had three options with the major in global studies. It was Japan, The Hague and … Paris, “she said. “My parents had already lived in Japan, so I had an idea of what it was there, but not personally, just them. And I said to myself:” I really want to go. I really want to experience it. “”
Choosing to study abroad is only the first of the many steps to take.
Looby said in the press release that the IEO helps students resolve logistical concerns before and during their visit. He added in the declaration that apart from the IEO, resources specific to the program exist, such as the staff of the Florence accent center.
Rivera said that she thought that the faculty and program staff were attentive to providing her information she needed during her stay abroad.
“They sent us PDFs and guides on how to sail in Italy itself, culture, then what to do when we arrived, then how to navigate ourselves,” said Rivera. “If it was not affiliated with school, I think it would have been much more difficult to know my way.”
However, Chiddick said that she had met several challenges during her time abroad, one of them being the insufficient level of assistance of the IEO to prepare students and communicate the programs.
“The program itself was very chaotic. I don’t think they had something planned for a few weeks before our arrival,” said Chiddick. “Even when we were there, people were very confused when we know where we were supposed to go.”
She added that once students arrived in Japan, many were concerned about the organization and management of the program. For example, there were problems to provide students with enough funds for the transport and overload costs that had to be disputed, added Chiddick. Despite these setbacks, Chiddick said that she appreciated the staff on the spot who helped solve the problems.
Beyond the logistical challenges, security and inclusion are also a consideration for Bruins abroad. In fact, a study From the United States Department of State found that for a decade, there has been an increase in students from under-represented racial and ethnic groups that study abroad-from 17% of all students in 2005-2006 to 28.4% in 2015-2016.
Looby said in the press release that maintaining a safe space for all students is a priority abroad.
“It is impossible to control the circumstances in public places, … But in the past, the various groups of students who have joined the program have felt safe and welcomed,” said Looby in the press release. “All UCLA policies governing diversity, equity and inclusion are in force during studies abroad.”
Security precautions and procedures are established for each program in the event of concerns and emergencies. For example, the UCLA study programs require Bruins to record their trips to a United States Embassy as an additional security measure, Chiddick added.
Chiddick also said that the IEO took the safety of travel seriously. For its program, all participants had to fill out several forms providing information for their emergency contacts, she added.
While logistical and security risks exist, Rivera said She would recommend Bruins interested in studying abroad to do so because of the precious experiences and memories that the program has brought to her.
In fact, a study From the Institute of International Education has revealed that employers consider international studies to be important because they show the awareness and world competence of a candidate in their field of studies. In addition, the same study revealed that, for first generation students, the chances of graduate in the first four years of college are 11.6% higher for those who study abroad than those who do not.
Looby added in the declaration that the study abroad can help students meet major requirements and create opportunities to meet peers pursuing different majors.
In addition, Rivera said that his experience in travel through the continents helped him grow as a student and as an individual.
“I made the plane by myself from Los Angeles to Rome, so it was something that was a very big step for me,” said Rivera. “Because of this, I am more comfortable doing things alone or getting out of my UCLA comfort zone, outside the UCLA as well.”
Chiddick added that his experience has exposed her to new global perspectives and cultural customs.
“The professor and your did a very good job to teach different cultural values, and they connected us to different alumni who work in Japan, so it was really cool to engage in different things in a country in this way,” said Chiddick.
Overall, study abroad is delivered with difficult choices throughout the application and program process. Rivera said that it encourages students to seek solutions to concerns that could hinder their decision to study abroad – the best solution by talking to other students to learn from their experiences.
“Talk to them (with their) their experience, how they could afford it Financially, “said Rivera.” There are always resources. “”