This document provides information and guidance for students at UCSD who are interested in studying abroad. It outlines the main options for studying abroad through UCSD, including the Education Abroad Program (EAP), Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP), and Global Seminars (GS). It provides details on academics, funding, scholarships, and how to research programs and countries. The document advises students to identify their study abroad goals and start the application process early to meet deadlines. It includes contact information for the Programs Abroad Office (PAO) at UCSD for advising and assistance.

1. First Steps
to Study Abroad
pao.ucsd.edu
abroad@ucsd.edu
(858) 534-1123

2. Study Abroad Goals Worksheet
1. Please rank the following in order of importance. One being the most
important and eight being the least important to you.
Rank Criteria
Courses (major/minor/G.E.)
Location (region/country/city)
Length (year/semester/quarter/summer)
Experience (immersion, island program, travel, etc.)
Language (courses in English/native language of
country)
Housing (dorm/homestay)
Internship/Research
Cost
2. ACADEMICS: Do I want to fulfill major, minor, or general
education requirements? Or do I just need units toward graduation? Are there
specific courses or subjects that I would like to study?

3. 3. EXPERIENCE: Do I want to be in classes with native students? Do I want
to be with other U.S. students in a different country?
4. LANGUAGE: Do I want to learn a new language? Do I want to take courses
in English?
5. LOCATION: Do I want to be in a particular region, country, or city? Do I
want to be in a big city or a small town?
6. COST: Do I receive financial aid (loans, scholarships, grants, etc.)? Do I
plan to use my financial aid abroad? Do I have a budget for my program? Do I
want to pay for the program by myself or do I want to include others (parents,
guardians, etc.)?

4. Where to get more information:
eap.ucop.edu
Administered through the UC providing programs to
approximately 35 countries
Academics
Grades appear on your transcript and degree audit
Grades are factored into your UC GPA
Can count for major/minor/GE
Acacdemics
UCSD Units GPA credit Minor credit Major credit GE credit
X X X X X
Funding
All UCSD, state, and federal financial aid applies to your
EAP program
Scholarships are available
Financial Aid
UCSD Grants State/ Federal
Grants
Cal Vet Schoalrships Loans
X X* X X X
* For summer only programs: availability of summer aid changes every year. Talk to
Financial Aid about what type of aid is available over the summer.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Education Abroad Program (EAP)

5. Where to get more information:
www.studyabroad.com
www.goabroad.com
Non-UC operated options for study, work, internships, and volunteer
experiences abroad
Academics
Grades appear on your transcript under transfer work and do
not factor into your UC GPA
CAN count for major/minor/GE
Acacdemics
UCSD Units GPA credit Minor credit Major credit GE credit
X X X X
Funding
All state and federal aid applies to your OAP program
Scholarships are available
Financial Aid
UCSD Grants State/ Federal
Grants
Cal Vet Schoalrships Loans
X* X X
* For summer only programs: availability of summer aid changes every year. Talk to
Financial Aid about what type of aid is available over the summer.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP)

6. Where to get more information:
globalseminar.ucsd.edu
Administered through UC San Diego Programs Abroad Office
Academics
Global Seminars are two UC San Diego courses (4 units
each) with UC San Diego faculty abroad
Grades are factored into your GPA
Can count for major/minor/GE
Acacdemics
UCSD Units GPA credit Minor credit Major credit GE credit
X X X X X
Funding
All UCSD, state, and federal financial aid applies to your GS
program
Scholarships are available
Financial Aid
UCSD Grants State/ Federal
Grants
Cal Vet Schoalrships Loans
X X* X X X
*Availability of summer aid changes every year. Talk to Financial Aid about what type
of aid is available over the summer.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Global Seminars (GS)

7. Scholarships & Funding
Education Abroad Program (EAP)
Students who receive financial aid maintain their eligibility to apply their
UCSD specific aid, grants, loans, and scholarships.
Amount of aid received is based on the cost of the EAP program and on
individual need, as determined by FAFSA. Depending on the study abroad
program, students may qualify for aid.
•
•
Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP)
OAP students must submit completed OAP paperwork to the Programs
Abroad Office to receive financial aid.
Federal and state financial aid, as determined by FAFSA, may be used
abroad.
•
•
Global Seminars (GS)
All UCSD, state, and federal financial aid can go toward your study abroad
program.
You may also use any remaining aid from the previous
school year.
•
•
Summer-only Study Abroad Participants (EAP/OAP/GS)
May use any remaining aid from the previous academic year to help pay for
program expenses.
Students must apply for summer financial aid with the Financial Aid Office
and complete the “UCSD Summer Financial Aid Application” in order to be
considered for financial aid.
FAFSA from current academic year is used to determine need. Any changes
in circumstance should be discussed with financial aid.
Availability of summer funding changes from year to year.
•
•
•
•
Need and/or merit-based scholarships are available for all programs.

8. How to Research
Program and Country searches:
Education Abroad Program (EAP):
eap.ucop.edu
After finding a program, search possible courses on the
my EAP course catalog:
https://myeap.eap.ucop.edu/Galileo/
Service/CourseCatalog/CourseCatalog.aspx
Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP):
Various search engines can be used to research through
the internet
goabroad.com
studyabroad.com
Check out opportunities by other universities and col-
leges
Global Seminars (GS):
Program options found on globalseminar.ucsd.edu
Courses vary summer to summer
Helpful tips for all programs:
Make sure to note the requirements
and deadlines
Stop by the office for more info and brochures
Don’t forget to take your study abroad goals
into account
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

9. Start the process early! Each program has different
deadlines. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE.
Your responsiblities in the next
steps of the process...
Solidify your individual goals by completing the “Study Abroad
Goals Worksheet” in the First Steps Booklet
Use your goals to research your program options
Make an appointment to meet with the appropriate advisors, if
necessary.
If you have a disability that will require special assistance while
abroad, we recommend that you discuss this early with your study
abroad advisor.
Complete an Interest Profile Online through MyPAO for EACH
program you are interested in, even if you don’t meet with
an advisor.
•
•
•
•
•
Programs Abroad Office Info
Address:
9500 Gilman Drive #0018
La Jolla CA 92093-0018
Website:
http://pao.ucsd.edu
The MyPAO portal is accessible from the PAO website
Appointment & General Info Line: (858) 534-1123
Email: abroad@ucsd.edu
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday, 9 am- 4 pm
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

10. pao: events/ programmming: first steps: first steps booklet revised 9/15/11