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TOP 10 MYTHS ABOUT STUDYING
ABROAD ON EAP
MYTH #1: "YOU HAVE
TO BE A JUNIOR TO GO ON EAP."
FACT: Sophomores are
eligible to participate in many programs now. Check for details about eligibility
on our EAP Quick Reference.
FACT: Seniors are often able to participate as well, even in
their last semester (and sometimes in their last year)! Check our EAP Quick Reference for details about eligibility.
MYTH #2: "YOU HAVE
TO HAVE A 3.0 GPA FOR EAP."
FACT: A GPA of 2.5
is now enough for many programs. Check our EAP Quick Reference for program-specific GPA requirements.
MYTH #3: "EAP HAS ONLY
YEAR-LONG OPTIONS."
FACT: EAP has
many summer and semester options, including summer or spring in Shanghai,
and fall or spring in Berlin, Rome, Singapore or Budapest (no prior foreign language required!) plus many more options worldwide.
MYTH #4: "YOU HAVE
TO BE FLUENT IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE."
FACT: Almost all
EAP countries have options that don't require prior knowledge of a foreign
language, even though a foreign language is used in some of those countries.
There are also many Language and Culture programs with no or low language
prerequisites. Even the full-immersion options that require prior knowledge
begin with an Intensive Language Program abroad that provides excellent
preparation. Germany and Italy have a pre-Intensive Language Program for students who want to do an immersion option, but who don't have time to finish more than the first year of the language before departure.
MYTH #5: "IT'S TOO
EXPENSIVE; I COULD NEVER AFFORD IT."
FACT: Many EAP
countries cost about as much as staying at Cal. Some are cheaper
(and a few are MUCH cheaper!) And that includes airfare and all living
expenses.
FACT: About 70% of Cal EAP participants receive Financial Aid.
FACT: All Financial Aid applies on EAP (except work-study which
becomes a loan). For students on full Financial Aid going on programs that are more expensive than Cal, Financial Aid offers additional loans to cover the extra cost.
FACT: Many scholarships (both need and non-need-based)
are available from EAP, the federal government, and outside sources.
MYTH #6: "IT'S TOO
COMPETITIVE --- I'D NEVER GET ACCEPTED."
FACT: Most EAP applicants
who meet minimum qualifications are accepted to go abroad. There is
room in many countries for more Berkeley students. Only a few programs
are impacted. The most impacted programs (typically Rome, American University of Paris, and a few others) use a rolling deadline system. Complete applications from qualified applicants are accepted on a first-come, first served basis until the slots are full.
MYTH #7: "STUDYING
ABROAD WOULD DELAY MY GRADUATION."
FACT: With careful
planning, you can make normal progress toward your degree. Most EAP
students do just that. The College of Letters and Science's senior residency and maximum unit ceiling policies are quite flexible and enable more students to go on EAP. Ask your college for details
or, if you are in L&S, check out the College of Letters and Science's EAP Guidelines page.
MYTH #8: "EAP IS JUST
FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT TO GO TO EUROPE."
FACT: EAP sends students
to every continent except Antarctica. About two thirds of EAP countries are
NOT in Western Europe. A few examples: South Africa, Chile,
Korea, Vietnam, Canada, Hungary, Turkey, India, New Zealand, and many
more. Check out our EAP Quick Reference for
all the options!
MYTH #9: "THERE'S NO
VALUE IN STUDYING ABROAD UNLESS YOU'RE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAJOR."
FACT: Students from
every major (including sciences, Engineering, and Architecture) have
studied abroad on EAP and have told us how much they gained from the
experience, even if they didn't study their major while abroad.
MYTH #10: "IT'S TOO
LATE TO APPLY."
EAP has deadlines throughout the year. See our EAP Quick Reference for specific dates.
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