Education Abroad Program open house showcases travel-study opportunities around the world

Each year, upward of 1200 UC Santa Barbara students set off to faraway lands to expand their world view as they accumulate academic credit toward graduation. Such is the appeal of studying tropical botany in Costa Rica, public health in Botswana, monument conservation in Scotland, marine biology in Australia or cutting-edge engineering in Tokyo - just to name a handful of destinations offered by the Education Abroad Program (EAP).

"The Education Abroad Program is really one of the jewels of UCSB," said director Fabio Rambelli. "There's a very big interest on campus, and it's our mission to educate students about how this can be a great part of their education to gain firsthand experience of how the world works beyond Santa Barbara."In each student cohort at UCSB, roughly 20% study abroad, the highest among all UC campuses, he added.

"It had always been a dream of mine to study abroad," said EAP peer advisor Elijah Holton, who took classes for a year at the University of Bologna in Italy, where she earned credits toward a double major in Italian and classics. "I would definitely recommend it. The experience helped me grow. I've become a better person."

While a yearlong stay "really maximizes the immersion experience," Rambelli said, the programalso offers six-week summer trips and quarter-long academic and internship opportunities. "Internships are very popular, some even come with a stipend or fellowship," he added.

EAP also offers domestic opportunities linking travel and education, through the Capital Internship Program(CIP).

Each year, living in furnished apartments just a few blocks from the White House, upward of 1000 students from across the nine UC campuses spend a term in Washington, D.C. A typical schedule will have students spending four days a week at an internship and one day in class. While internships and coursework in political science are the most popular, greater D.C. is also brimming with learning opportunities related to U.S. history and law, the National Institutes of Health, the private sector and the nation's largest collection of museums.

In California, the UC Center Sacramento (UCCS) program offers full-time course loads and part-time internships at the hub of state politics, where students can study public policy related to specific interests, such as environmental issues, technology and the arts, among many others.

Students interested in learning more about EAP and CIP are encouraged to attend an open house from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the program's new location in room 2201 of the Student Affairs and Administrative Services Building, next to the Coral Tree Cafe.

The office's seven staffers (pictured) and more than a dozen experienced peer advisors will be on hand to help students explore educational and internship opportunities in more than 40 countries and offer guidance on related scholarships and other financial assistance.

"Our peer advisors share their stories about what it's like to study abroad and they can answer a lot of questions and soothe any concerns," said the EAP's associate director, Emily Tom-Atzberger.

The UCSB Education Abroad Program is located in room 2201 of the Student Affairs and Administrative Services Building (SAASB) and is open Mon-Thurs 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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