Why Study Abroad
The International Relations (IR) Program at UC Davis strongly encourages all IR majors to study abroad. Following a recent change to the curriculum, students who begin university study in fall 2005 and who opt for Track 4 (Peoples and Nationalities) will be required to study abroad.
Study abroad gives UC Davis students experience living in a different culture, providing them with new perspectives on the culture, social structure, economic system and political milieu of their host country. It also enables them to view the U.S. from a new perspective that may be quite different from their past experience. Studying abroad and living in a new culture foster important and permanent changes in perspective that are crucial for students graduating with a degree in International Relations. Study abroad should also increase fluency in a second language, useful for many occupations available to IR graduates.
When to Study Abroad
The best time for an IR major to study abroad varies greatly by individual, depending on focus within the major, when it was begun, and personal circumstances. Study abroad programs are available at all class levels (some as early as 3rd quarter first year, others as late as the last quarter of the senior year). The choice of timing and duration for study abroad depends on individual progress in the major, what coursework one plans to complete abroad, and immediate plans after graduation.
Students should consult with an IR advisor as soon as they start to think about study abroad, to review study plans and consider optimal timing.
Where to go
The system wide UC Education Abroad Program has more than 40 different locations, with more than 100 different program options. UC Davis also offers special programs abroad for a single quarter or during the summer. Some offer only intensive language and culture courses, while others offer “set” courses that may or may not fit the IR major. The majority allow choices from regular host university courses, offered in English or the host country language. To help make this decision, look over the program options and consult with the Education Abroad Center advisors and the IR advisor.
The UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers two special features to help you choose: the Coursefinder database and the Program Wizard.
- The Coursefinder database includes descriptions of all courses taken by UC students while on EAP programs. Please note that it does not include all courses offered by the host university, only those that have been taken and submitted for approval by UC students. You may search courses by subject, location, or language of instruction.
- The Program Wizard uses the Coursefinder database to help you find possible programs of interest. You enter such variables as your major, length of study abroad program you desire, applicable language, etc. and the Program Wizard will identify several programs that fit your "profile." Again, please note that the Program Wizard is limited by the fact that the Coursefinder database only includes courses previously taken by UC students while on EAP.
Note: When searching the Coursefinder database, be sure to search all IR-related disciplines: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, and Sociology, as well as such areas as European Studies, Latin American Studies, and the like.
What classes to take:
Courses taken on UC Davis Quarter Abroad and UC Davis Summer Abroad programs are regular UC Davis courses with UC Davis course numbers. They fulfill major, college, and university requirements just as they would as if taken while in residence on campus. Be sure to consult the UC Davis General Catalog for specifics.
All classes taken on the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) are listed individually with their accompanying grades on your UC Davis transcript. The courses are UC approved courses and count toward the minimum 180 units required for graduation; however, the major has the final authority to determine how the coursework is used to fulfill specific major requirements.
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General Education and EAP courses
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Major requirements for the International Relations major and EAP courses:
| Preparatory Subject Matter: | May not be taken abroad |
| Depth Subject Matter: | May use EAP courses to satisfy this requirement (discuss with IR advisor) |
| Restricted Electives: | May not be taken abroad |
| Methodology/Capstone Seminar: | A maximum of five upper division elective courses taken through EAP may count toward the International Relations major. (Courses must be substantially similar in focus. See the IR advisor for specific criteria.) |
During the application process, students should attend an IR EAP workshop, offered several times a week in the fall quarter. Using Coursefinder and other resources, the student should discuss relevant course descriptions with an IR advisor, who will approve the Preliminary Academic Planning Form. A handout summarizing criteria for course selection is available for students before departure. There will be inevitable changes in course offerings once students are actually in country; an IR advisor is available for e-mail consultation and review of courses while abroad. In any case, students should remain in contact with the IR advisor as questions or problems arise.
Students who wish to participate in EAP and also participate in the IR Honors Seminar should plan carefully. Those who want to study abroad and return to Davis to write an Honors thesis should be sure to discuss this, in advance of studying abroad, with both the IR advisor and the professor who will be teaching the Honors seminar.