We hope you enjoyed your UCEAP experience! Now that you’re back, there are many ways for you to stay involved with UCSB EAP. Check out the need-to-know information below for a successful transition back to campus and for ways to build upon your experience abroad.
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| Important Reminders |
Academic Information
Now that your UCEAP program has ended, be sure that you understand how the process for the following important items works for you. View the Credits & Grades section for details on the topics listed below:
Final Grades - When will they appear in GOLD?
Course Registration - What should I consider regarding this process?
Major/Minor/GE Credits - Do I need to petition for these requirements?
Residence Requirement - Will I fulfill this in order to graduate on time?
Logistical Information
Clear your financial accounts in your UCEAP Portal and BARC
Make sure that you have a $0 balance on both accounts. Existing balances will result in a variety of holds and blocks on your grades, registration and graduation status. It takes time for holds and blocks to be removed, so get any remaining balances resolved today.
Mandatory UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)
Enrollment in UC SHIP is automatic unless you have an approved waiver on file with Student Health. Have questions? Need to submit a waiver? Check out the SHS UC SHIP webpage for details.
Current contact information in GOLD
Now that you’re back at UCSB, be sure to update your local mailing address and phone number.
Housing needs
If you’re still looking for housing or have availability in your apartment, view and/or post listings on the UCSB Community Housing Office Rental Listings.
| Re-Entry Shock |
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Readjusting to Life After Study Abroad |
Re-entry shock, also referred to as reverse culture shock, is REAL and it is NORMAL. 85% of people returning from abroad have some kind of difficulty with re-entry. If you are having difficulty re-adjusting to life in the U.S., you are not alone.
Difficulty re-adjusting might include:
- Restlessness
- Rootlessness
- Depression
- Boredom
- Uncertainty and/or confusion about the future
- Changes in life goals and priorities
- Alienation, isolation, wanting to be alone
- Others don't seem to understand you
- Negativity or intolerance toward the U.S., including common behaviors, attitudes, and customs
- Reverse homesickness: missing people, places, attitudes or lifestyles of your host country
How is it different than culture shock?
Re-entry shock can be surprising and challenging in a different way. You expect to go through an adjustment period when living in a new country. You don't expect to need to re-adjust to life in your home country. You don't realize how much you've grown and changed until you return home.
Tips for re-adjustment:
- Be flexible and expect the unexpected
- Let yourself be sad and miss the people and places that you left
- Read up on current events from abroad
- Get involved with international organizations or clubs
- Give yourself time to reflect on how this experience has changed you
- Focus on the positive ways you have grown because of the experiences you had and what you have learned
- Keep a journal of your observations, memories and reflections - and don't forget to keep a sense of humor!
- Accept that you have changed and things won't be the same as when you left - and that's OK!
- Don't isolate yourself - stay involved with activities that you enjoy!
- Give yourself TIME!
Who can I talk to about my experiences abroad?
Even though your experiences abroad may have been transformative, some friends or family may tune you out when you want to talk about it with them. This is a very common experience - don't take it personally. Here are a couple of things you can do instead:
- Meet up with people who have had similar experiences, such as international students or other returnees, to share your experiences, frustrations and joys
- Share your experience with others who are eager to hear about it: volunteer to talk to other students who are interested in studying abroad
Check out the UCSB EAP Events page to learn more about workshops and opportunities for returnees.
If you are experiencing significant difficulty with re-entry, seek out professional help. You can make an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) or access 24/7 phone counseling by calling 805-893-4411.
- Did you come in contact with new and different values, beliefs or attitudes during your time abroad that resonate with you?
- What values, beliefs and attitudes from home do you continue to identify with?
- In what ways do your new values, beliefs and attitudes conflict with your old ones?
- In what ways can your old values, beliefs and attitudes be redefined and integrated with the new in your daily activities, interactions and relationships?
- Are there any old values, beliefs or attitudes that you feel you need to give up? How would that affect your daily life and relationships?
| Photo Contest |
EAP Photo Contest 2024
Who can enter?
- CURRENT UCSB students who have studied abroad on a UCEAP program
What photos can be submitted?
- Photos taken during your study abroad experience. This can include travels outside your EAP country during the duration of your program.
- Photos taken by you or owned by you (the person submitting the photo).
Where to enter?
- Review the guidelines below and submit your entries in this Google form.
Submission Guidelines
- Eligible participants may submit up to three (3) photos per category. You may only win from one category.
- Categories:
1. Views: Show us views from abroad! This includes landscapes, sceneries, or architecture.
2. Gauchos Abroad: Show us cool shots of you abroad or group shots abroad, especially in UCSB gear!
3.Local Living: Show us a glimpse of the local culture! This can include local people, food, activities, etc.
- Images should be high quality
- Entries must be submitted online through this google form.
- Photos may not be digitally altered beyond basic color correction.
- Photos can be color, or black & white.
- Photo file types accepted are .JPEG or .PNG
- Filenames must be formatted accordingly:
EAP Country_LocationofPhoto_ShortPhotoTitle_Category_LastNameFirstName.jpg
Cultural Sensitivity
Photography is a useful tool to help convey an experience or a memory, but it is important to recognize the power photos can have and to share them ethically. Photos must be culturally appropriate and sensitive.
Please avoid submitting images that
- Stereotype
- Exploit
- Disrespect
- Make false generalizations
- Lead to inaccuracy or misrepresentations of the host country, people, or setting.
- Contain excessive alcohol & partying
Tips:
- Save your photos onto your computer or google drive so that you can rename and upload easily.
- This google form autosave, so you do not have to worry about starting over
Each participant must provide consent for EAP to use any material submitted in this Google form. This will be at the end of the Google form.
Deadline to submit: March 8, 2024 11:59PM
Winners will be contacted in the Spring quarter
| Post-Graduate Opportunities |
View the Life After UCSB packet for information regarding:
- Working and interning abroad
- Graduate schools abroad
- Teaching English abroad
- U.S.-based international careers
- Creating a job search portfolio
- Informational interviews
Hear from 3 fellow UCSB EAP alumni about the paths they pursued after graduation and the impact of their UCEAP experience.
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UCSB EAP Alumni Stories: |
UCSB EAP Alumni Stories: |
UCSB EAP Alumni Stories: |
| Staying Involved with UCSB EAP |
Join the UCSB Education Abroad Program Alumni Group on LinkedIn!
Apply to become a UCSB EAP Peer Advisor!
The UCSB Education Abroad Program (EAP) has one paid position available for student Peer Advisor (PA) for the 2024 spring-summer term. Peer Advisors are the primary contact for students interested in studying abroad through the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP). They will have numerous responsibilities in our department, such as advising prospective UCSB EAP students, planning outreach programs, presenting to various groups of students, and general administrative duties. This is a terrific opportunity to remain involved with UCSB EAP, the international sphere, and to utilize the ideas and skills that you have developed through your experiences abroad.
https://fs11.formsite.com/peeradvisor/fobjzlydei/index
Application due date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 @ 11:59pm PT
Join the Global Intern Program!
Looking for ways to talk about your study abroad experience while also building your professional skills? Then join the UCSB EAP Global Intern program! Student voices are more important than ever, and becoming a UCSB EAP Global Intern provides you, our dedicated returned students, with the opportunity to continue your involvement with UCSB EAP and to help keep the dream of studying abroad alive. From this experience, you will serve as a vital contact for future UCEAP students and will be able to incorporate this volunteer opportunity into your résumé!
Being a UCSB EAP Global Intern is simple, fun, and flexible. Your duties will include:
- Serving as a resource for students who have questions about your UCEAP country and program
- Tabling on campus
- Committing a minimum of 1 hour per week to the program
- Inspiring prospective students at country-specific, major-specific, or other informational meetings
- Helping prepare outbound students at pre-departure orientations
Other acitivies you could do are:
- A 1-day or multi-day social media takeover
- Hosting a Travel Workshop
- Creating videos
- And more!
Sign ups are due on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 11:59pm. Click here to enroll!
Make International Friends & Join the UCSB EAP Buddies Program!
We welcome 100+ UCEAP reciprocal exchange (short-term international) students each year. To help them ease into UCSB life and to provide you an opportunity to make friends and build international connections, we are forming UCSB EAP Buddies, small groups of UCSB students and UCEAP reciprocal exchange students. In addition to expanding your social circle, you could serve as a key resource in helping them transition into college life here at UCSB.
Ideas of activities to do together at the beginning of the quarter:
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Suggest where to purchase a bike, phone, home furnishings, and food
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Give a tour of campus and Isla Vista, and help locate classrooms
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Ride the bus downtown together
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Share opportunities and events that are happening on or off campus. UCSB EAP will be hosting events throughout the quarter for you to bring your UCSB EAP Buddies to, so stay tuned!
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Check items of things to do at UCSB, in Santa Barbara/Goleta, and California off the Reciprocity Bucket List.
Keep a look out for the google form to sign up.