Studying abroad is one of eleven high-impact teaching and learning practices identified by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU). High-impact practices have significant education benefits for students, especially those from historically underserved groups, in higher education. Studying abroad has shown to increase levels of self-confidence, independence, and adaptability. It can also boost students’ intercultural competencies, GPA upon return, and graduation rates. Learn more about the benefits of study abroad in What Families Want to Know. 

Global Start offers you a number of benefits. Rather than attending class in large, impersonal lecture halls, you receive personal attention from instructors while taking UC courses that incorporate local academic, historical, and cultural resources into student learning. Small classes, experiential learning, and personalized attention create an intimate, liberal arts college atmosphere for you to thrive in as you transition from high school to UC. Every class earns UC units and can fulfill UC general education requirements and count toward your degree. The experiences, friendships, and skills you gain abroad will create a foundation for success throughout the rest of your UC career and beyond. 

The Global Start program is open to incoming first-year students who meet the following criteria: 

• Recently admitted to UC Irvine or UC Los Angeles
• Be 18 years old by September 20, 2024  

First-year students admitted to UC Irvine or UC Los Angeles can apply online via the UCEAP website starting April 1. The application deadline for UC Irvine students is May 17, and the application deadline for UCLA students is May 22.

Yes. If you don’t have one yet, apply as soon as possible so you will have your passport in your possession by MONTH, DAY, YEAR. Your passport must not expire before June 14, 2025. You can learn more about the passport application process and get started today by visiting travel.state.gov.

US passport holders do not need a visa for this program. If you have a passport from another country, you can check the European Union visa requirements to determine if you will need a Schengen visa in order to participate.   

US passport holders are not required or able to obtain a visa for this program because it is under 90 days. Travel within the Schengen Area for more than a week outside of the program dates is not allowed unless you hold a valid passport from an EU country or Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, or Switzerland. The law allows travelers to be in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days out of the previous 180 days. Your program runs for about 80 days, and your 90-day travel period will need to be reserved mainly for your time in the program. If you travel in the Schengen Area during the summer before the program begins for longer than a week, you face fines, deportation, and travel bans, in addition to being withdrawn from the program.

Yes. Instructions will be provided after students are accepted.  

All UCEAP students are automatically enrolled in the required travel insurance for UC students. It will be your primary insurance while abroad. You also need to maintain insurance in the US, either through UC campus insurance or private insurance. Additional instructions will be provided after you are accepted.  

Once accepted into the program, you can withdraw without financial penalty until July 1. Please be aware, however, that withdrawing from the Global Start program this late in the summer may impact your options for course enrollment and housing at your UC campus for fall quarter. 

During the Global Start summer orientation you will meet other participants from your UC in person or virtually, and you will travel with your UC peers as a group to your study abroad location where you will meet participants from other UC campuses.

All students are required to use the travel options organized by the program to Europe for the start of the program and back to the US after the program ends. Global Start staff will accompany you on this journey. Upon arrival abroad, you will be transported from the airport to your accommodations.

Global Start students are required to live in the program-arranged housing. You will complete a housing preference form prior to departure that program staff will use for housing assignments. Specific addresses and roommate information will be provided when you check in at your program location. 

Classes abroad are similar to classes on your UC campus, and you’ll have the local city and country to enhance your experience. You will take UC classes that have been intentionally designed to use the program location as a classroom by integrating local cultural and historical sites, museums, and organizations into the curriculum. There are STEM, social science, and humanities courses to choose from, so you can take the courses that best fit your academic goals. Class sizes are small, which allows instructors to provide more personalized attention and foster critical skills and competencies. Classes are taught in English (except for Italian language classes) and each will fulfill your campus’ general education requirements.

While travel may be possible on some weekends, you are strongly urged to wait before making travel plans for the first few weeks until you have adjusted to college life abroad and know your detailed program schedule before planning additional travel. Additionally, travel booked while in Europe may be cheaper.

Yes, but please encourage them to wait until you have had time to adjust to life abroad and know your detailed program schedule. Friends and family will need to secure their own accommodations because guests are not allowed in program housing. Plan to visit with them during your free time, since program activities and facilities are only open to program participants. 

Meal plans are not available, and that’s part of the independent living skills you’ll build abroad. The program housing has shared kitchen facilities you can use, and you’ll find markets where you can buy local ingredients nearby. Enjoy preparing and sharing meals with friends at your student housing, get take-out meals, or eat out at the many cafés and restaurants around the city – it's all part of the experience!

Planning for your return will start in the fall through virtual appointments. You will meet with UC advisors and enroll in your winter classes while abroad. UC campus housing is guaranteed upon your return, so there’s no need to spend time finding accommodations for your return. You will be fully supported by campus staff before and after your return.  

While you will not be physically on campus in the fall, you are still part of your campus community throughout the entire Global Start experience. You will be creating tight bonds with fellow UC students that often translate into lifelong friendships and a support system when you return to campus. You’ll meet with academic advisors and staff just like your peers back at home to plan for winter courses. Keep up with what’s happening on campus, like cheering on your campus team at a livestreamed get-together. When you return in the winter, you will have the opportunity to join clubs and organizations on your campus and tighten your connection with your UC.