Choosing a Program

The success of your study abroad experience depends on careful planning. From academic considerations such as how your course will fulfill university requirements to more personal ones such as the food and climate in your location, you need to research your options and choose the program that’s right for you. The information available in the left bar will help you narrow your focus and make a well-informed decision.

As you look for the Summer Abroad program that is right for you, you might want to start by considering the questions below.

Why do you want to study abroad?

Are you interested in a specific location or field of study?
Do you want to

Widen your global perspective?
Immerse yourself in a new culture?
Practice your language skills?

What kind of experience are you looking for?

Summer Abroad programs offer varied housing options. Do you prefer—

Living in a dorm?
Sharing an apartment suite?
Staying in a hotel or hostel?
Living with a host family?

Do you want to travel to several different locations or stay in one city?
Do you prefer an urban environment or a rural one?

What type of credit will you earn abroad?

UC Davis Summer Abroad courses can count toward major and/or minor requirements and many carry General Education credits. Meet with your Academic Advisor to determine how a particular Summer Abroad course meets your needs. All Summer Abroad courses are in the UC Davis General Catalog.
For UC Davis students, any course taken abroad may be applied to the Global and International Studies (GIS) minor. For more information on selecting Summer Abroad courses, visit the Academics page.

What resources are available to help you research your options?

To learn more about how a specific Summer Abroad programs can help you achieve your goals:

Visit the program webpage. Be sure to check out the “On Location” section which includes a description of the housing, meal options, and links to resources that will help you research that destination. Many programs also include a podcast of a past information session hosted by the instructor—look for it under “Announcements.”
For a quick preview of each location, check out the Photo Gallery
Stop by the Education Abroad Center where you can talk with students who have participated in the past programs or with a program coordinator.
Send an email to the program instructor. He or she is the expert on the program! You can also find a biography of your instructor on the program webpage. Many Summer Abroad instructors are award-winning educators who have a lot of experience at the program location. They would love to hear from you!

What other things should you consider when selecting your program?

Don’t forget to consider the following:

What’s the next step?

After you have selected a program or programs that may meet your goals, you can create a list of your preferred programs in your Summer Abroad profile. You will then receive updates about information sessions, prices, deadlines and other news for those selected programs.

Still have questions?

You can also ask a past participant about their perspective of the program. Look for the "Ask a Returnee" link under the Announcements for each program.

The Summer Abroad Student Handbook (SASH) includes answers to your general questions about how to enroll, including information about deadlines and financial obligations.