University of California Education Abroad Program
Global Start Program for First-Year Students

Fostered by UC’s very own world-class study abroad program, the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), UCI’s first-year freshman are invited to jump start their college career by studying abroad during their first quarter. This high impact program allows participants to complete general education requirements in small classes, while exploring global culture in a safe and supportive group environment. 

Interested students will join newly admitted first-year students from UC Irvine, UCLA, and UC Davis. Students will have the support of UCEAP and UCI every step of the way. For more than 60 years, UCEAP has committed to excellence in study abroad programs, by collaborating with world-class partners that boost the educational experience for students.

Upcoming Info Sessions

Hear from local staff in Italy, UCEAP, and UC campus representatives!
Date: Thursday, May 15
Time: 4:00 PM PST
Location: Zoom Link

Student Testimonials

Global Start, an immersive program initiated in one of the safest cities in Sicily, exceeded my expectations with all of its experiential learning opportunities. The social, cultural, and academic circumstances of the program allowed me to bear witness to historically-rich architecture and cuisine, learn to thrive in uncomfortable situations, and to adopt a flexible mindset for a rapidly ever-changing environment. Returning home, I feel like this unique exposure to a distinctively different culture than my own has opened up a path in unfamiliar territory I was once afraid to explore.”

– Helene, Italy 2025

Pre-Approved Courses

The UCEAP courses below were offered in Fall 2024 and are still subject to change. They have been pre-approved by the UCI Dean of Undergraduate Education to fulfill the General Education (GE) requirements as listed below. Please note that any other possible course equivalency or credit for school, major, or minor requirements must be approved separately by the corresponding academic unit at UCI.

How & When to Apply

First, you must be admitted to UCI through the student application portal, and must confirm your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by May 1, 2025, 11:59 PM (PT).

Next, you must complete the below two bullets by May 21, 2025, 11:59 PM (PT):

• Submit the UCI Campus Approval Request
  • After creating a login, use the Program Search bar to type in “global start” and click APPLY.
  • Per UCI policy, all students participating in global educational opportunities must meet the UCI eligibility requirements for Student International Activities and be approved to participate through this UCI Campus Approval Request process.
• Submit the UCEAP Global Start Program Application
  • UCEAP will confirm your eligibility to participate through this application.

Submissions will be processed on a rolling basis and because space is limited, we highly recommend that you apply as soon as possible after you confirm your intent to register! Your application is only considered complete once you have submitted both the UCI Campus Approval Request & UCEAP Global Start Program Application by May 21, 2025.

Global Start Roadmap

Program Contacts

UCI Study Abroad Center
Lead Outbound Study Abroad Advisor
Bonnie Hooes
bchooes@uci.edu

UCEAP
International Program Specialist
Katerina Georgieva
kgeorgieva@uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu