prepare

<p>For the first half of her semester in Rio de Janeiro, Katherine Rodriguez (UC Berkeley) found herself living in two time zones—checking good morning texts after full days of classes and lying awake at night for responses from California. Through therapy and establishing healthy boundaries, she learned that staying connected doesn't mean sacrificing sleep or the once-in-a-lifetime experience of studying abroad in Brazil.</p>

<p>For the first half of her semester in Rio de Janeiro, Katherine Rodriguez (UC Berkeley) found herself living in two time zones—checking good morning texts after full days of classes and lying awake at night for responses from California. Through therapy and establishing healthy boundaries, she learned that staying connected doesn't mean sacrificing sleep or the once-in-a-lifetime experience of studying abroad in Brazil.</p>

<p>When Marisol Mendoza (UC San Diego) arrived in Barcelona, she thought her Spanish language skills and previous travel experience would help her avoid culture shock. Instead, this nanoengineering student discovered that embracing cultural differences – from quiet Sundays to new perspectives on work-life balance – became one of the most valuable parts of her study abroad experience. Through nine months in Spain, she learned that culture shock isn't something to fear but rather an opportunity for growth that can reshape your future plans and global outlook.</p>

<p>Three UC students share heartfelt advice on navigating family concerns about study abroad, especially for first-generation and Hispanic students. Drawing from personal experience, they offer a step-by-step guide to transform parental worry into support, emphasizing how thoughtful planning and open communication can help students pursue their dreams while honoring family bonds.</p>

<p>Building resilience means you'll have the resources to bounce back more easily from unexpected difficulties that arise. Here's how, and why you should, develop resilience before you study abroad.</p>

<p>When you hear you should "research the location" before you leave for study abroad, what do you do? Here's a list of all the things to research before you leave the US on your study abroad adventure.</p>

<p>The quality and availability of common medicines and health supplies cannot always be guaranteed. For this reason, it's a good idea for students studying abroad to have their own personal travel health kit. Use this checklist to prepare for your adventure abroad.</p>

<p>Scholarships can make your study abroad dream come true. One UC Santa Barbara student, Matthew Hernandez, paid for his entire trip with scholarships—find out how he did it.</p>

<p>All UCEAP students have to get a health clearance before studying abroad. We promise, it's not hard. Read on to discover answers to the questions students always ask about health clearances.</p>

<p>Studying abroad is an amazing way to get credit in your major. Here’s how to get credit in your major while studying abroad from students who’ve done it!</p>