The Four Program Types

Key Questions to Ask Yourself

Narrowing Your Choices

Using the Program Self-Assessment Worksheet as a Tool

Additional How to Choose Tools

EAP offers a wide range of options from summer programs with few pre-requisites to full immersion, academic year programs requiring two years of language study. With over 250 program options from which to choose, finding the right program can be a time consuming task. Here are some key questions to ask yourself in order to determine which EAP option is best for you:

1. What are my academic goals? Study abroad is a learning experience in many ways, but setting specific objectives concerning what you expect to learn truly defines the success of your endeavor. These objectives will also act as a guiding star by which to steer your academic course. An example of academic goals might be: To satisfy Political Science major requirements, and to attain greater proficiency in French. Being clear about your goals will result in a lucid EAP application statement and strengthen your candidacy.

2. How flexible are my academic needs? If you have 60 units or more and have a number of major requirements yet to fulfill, your academic needs are less flexible than those of a student who has fewer units or has completed more of his/her major requirements. For example: if you need a course to satisfy Spanish 102A, a requirement for the Spanish major, you must bring a course description to the Spanish Department to obtain approval for that department-specific requirement. Bottom line: Be sure the program you choose is likely to have the course work you need.

3. Do I need upper-division credit for the courses I take abroad? Most departments will require upper-division credit from abroad to satisfy major requirements. If you intend to make progress toward your major, choose a program that has upper-division course work available AND obtain approval from your departmental adviser.

4. What is my level of self-sufficiency in a foreign country? Though you will have a pre-departure orientation and an on-site orientation upon arrival, each person has different prerequisites to feeling comfortable in a foreign environment. Assess your skills for coping with new challenges. For example: do you like to be shown the ins and outs of a new place, or do you prefer to explore on your own?

5. What type of learning environment do I want to experience? If you prefer to be enrolled in courses alongside students native to that country, aim for an immersion program. If you prefer to take classes with other foreign students, or only with other EAP students, consider a short term, course work in English program or a language and culture program.

6. What is my level of language proficiency? Many EAP programs are available in English. However, if you're applying for a program taught in another language, be sure your proficiency level matches the program's language requirement.

7. What type of housing would I prefer? Some EAP options have limited housing options, so be sure to research the exact meaning of home-stay, university-owned flats, dormitory, and/or apartment living,- which can have somewhat different meanings in other cultures.