Study Abroad

STUDY ABROAD

EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAM (EAP)

Study abroad provides an opportunity to expand your academic and cultural experiences while staying on track to complete your major in Economics. Economics programs are widely available in universities worldwide, with many excellent opportunities.

Taking Courses Abroad

All classes taken on the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) are listed individually with their accompanying grades on your UC Berkeley transcript. The courses are UC approved courses and count toward your 120 unit requirement for graduation. The units taken from non-EAP programs are transferred to your UC Berkeley transcript from an outside school, which means that the grades do not count in your UC GPA, but the units are counted towards your 120 unit requirement for graduation. The Undergraduate Chair will determine if coursework taken abroad is appropriate to fulfill a major requirement. Once you have a preliminary idea of where you are going, the courses you wish to take and copies of the syllabi (.pdf format only), please fill out the course equivalency request form. The Undergraduate Chair will review the course content, and students will be notified via email if the course has been approved. Courses must transfer back to Berkeley as at least 2.7 upper division units to count for the Economics major, and it is the student's responsibility to verify the units. Course descriptions are not an acceptable substitution for course syllabi and will not be reviewed. Course reviews take 2-4 weeks.

COURSE EQUIVALENCY REQUEST FORM

Why to Study Abroad

Studying abroad can provide you with many unique skills and experiences that are valuable to future employers, such as

  • Language skills
  • Flexible thinking and open mindedness
  • Independence
  • International and Cultural Awareness
  • Self-Confidence
  • Communication Skills

When to Study Abroad

Study abroad programs are available at all class levels. The particular semester, summer or year that you study abroad depends on your individual progress in the major, what coursework you plan to complete abroad, and your immediate plans after graduation. Consult with your major advisor to determine the best time period for your study abroad experience.

Students must take intermediate economics theory and econometrics here at UC Berkeley. Of the eight upper division courses required for the Economics major, no more than two of these courses can come from departments outside the UC Berkeley Economics Department. Depending on your course selection, you may be able to take up to two courses toward the Economics major abroad.

Where to go

Looking at programs run by the UC Berkeley EAP office, you have over 40 locations from which to choose (and over 100 different program options in those countries). Some offer only intensive language and culture programs, others offer “set” courses which may or may not fit your major. The majority allow you to choose from regular host university course choices (offered in English or the host country language). The best way to choose is to look over the options and consult with the Education Abroad Center advisors (located at 160 Stephens Hall). You may want to talk with the Economics Undergraduate Advisor to help you decide which EAP University would be a good fit with the UC Berkeley Economics major.

Additionally, there are many programs run by other universities and organizations. The course approval process is the same, though you should talk with an L&S advisor about transferring your units back to Berkeley.

A Note about EAP and Graduation Requirements

All prospective EAP applicants, particularly students who intend to study abroad during their senior year, should consult with the College of Letters & Science Advising Office for information on the university residence requirement. Recognizing the special value of study abroad, the faculty has approved certain exceptions to the usual residence requirement for students participating in EAP. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with an L&S advisor early in the EAP planning process for specific information on satisfying this requirement.

For more information on studying abroad as an Economics major, visit the Berkeley Programs for Study Abroad (BPSA) Office in 160 Stephens Hall, on the web at http://studyabroad.berkeley.edu or the Economics Undergraduate Advisor in 539 Evans Hall.