UCR’s Theatre Department encourages its students to study abroad at some point during their undergraduate program through the University of California’s Education Abroad Program (EAP) or Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP). Study abroad is an opportunity for students to explore another culture while continuing their theatrical training at one of many universities around the world. Through this international experience, you can enrich your overall artistic development by learning how other cultures apply and/or explore various approaches and technical components to theatre. In addition, you may increase your proficiency in another language through everyday practical use and expand your global perspective.
"I believe that studying abroad is
one of the most effective means
of gaining real education because
no matter how much research you
conduct on a place or people, you
can only truly understand that place
by being in it. Every student that I
have talked to who has studied
abroad has returned with the desire
to do more traveling and with
newfound insight into themselves
as well as the world."
Rickerby Hinds
Assistant Professor
UCR Theatre Department
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Why study abroad?
As a Theatre major, your studies incorporate various important international
genres and periods, e.g. Euripides (Ancient-Greece), Goldoni (Commedia
dell’arte-Italy), Shakespeare (Elizabethan-Britain), Brecht (Absurdism-
Germany), Stanislavsky (Method-Russia). Why not take your interest a step
further and have a transforming and life-enriching experience? Study abroad
and learn in the countries where some of the theatre giants began their
careers.
Regardless of your future career choice, studying abroad will help you develop
skills that go beyond your college education. The unique opportunity to
immerse yourself in a different environment will not only provide for intellectual
growth, but a personal one as well. Increased self-confidence and
independence, and improved critical thinking skills, will better prepare you for
graduate school or a career in an internationally competitive world.
Where should I study abroad?
EAP/OAP offers a variety of semester, summer, and year-long programs in a variety of locations around the world. Possibilities include:
La Trobe University - Australia Monash University - Australia
University of New South Wales - Australia University of Wollongong - Australia
Cave Hill University - Barbados Univ. of British Colombia - Canada
University of Chile - Chile Peking University - China
University of Costa Rica - Costa Rica University of Copenhagen - Denmark
Kent University - England University of Birmingham - England
Royal Holloway, UOL - England Queen Mary, UOL - England
University of Sussex - England University of Bordeaux - France
University of Lyon - France Göttingen - Germany
University of Ghana, Legon – Ghana University of Dublin/Trinity - Ireland
University of Bologna - Italy Sophia University - Japan
University of Glasgow - Scotland University of St. Andrews - Scotland
When should I study abroad?
While it is possible for Theatre students to go abroad at almost any point in their academic careers, the Department recommends that majors study abroad during their junior year, so that the senior year can be used to prepare for and apply to graduate school. Since some required classes are only offered every other year, students should check with the department academic advisor to insure that they can complete all course requirements.
Students are advised to plan ahead!!! Applications are typically due six months to a year prior to the program’s start date and some programs have academic or language prerequisites that must be satisfied in advance. Please check the International Education Center (IEC) website for EAP application deadlines: www.internationalcenter.ucr.edu. See an IEC advisor for OAP
application deadlines.
What are the requirements?
EAP prerequisites generally include a 2.5 to 3.0 GPA. Some programs also require one to three years of university-level language training in the host country language. Refer to the country specific pages on the UCEAP’s website (http://eap.ucop.edu/eap/country/) for specific details.
For OAP, requirements vary by program. Prerequisites generally range from a 2.5 to 3.5 GPA. Some programs also require one to three years of university-level language training in the host country language. Refer to the program provider’s requirement section for specific details.
What classes should I take?
The EAP Coursefinder (http://eap.ucop.edu/coursefinder/) lets you search courses taken by UC students over the last 5 years. The same information can be found in the International Education Center’s Library.
For an OAP course...check with the program provider for their course list. Course offerings will vary with each program.
You are advised to discuss your course selections with the Department academic advisor before studying abroad.
Will I get credit?
EAP students automatically earn UC credit for the work they complete abroad and it is most likely that you will receive departmental credit for appropriate courses. When you arrange your classes, talk to the departmental academic advisor who will, in collaboration with the chair, work with you to ensure that your courses meet major requirements.
OAP students earn transfer credit for the work they complete abroad, and application of credit to major requirements is also subject to the discretion of the department.
How much does it cost?
Studying abroad can be comparable to the cost of study at UC. In some cases, it is less.
EAP participants pay UC fees and continue to receive UC financial aid while abroad. Furthermore, EAP students are eligible for special grants and scholarships from UC, the host country, and other sources.
At present, OAP students do not retain their funding while abroad. However, you may be eligible for special grants and scholarships. Due to the variety of the programs found through OAP, costs for individual programs varies greatly.
Check here for specific information about scholarships and financial aid: http://eap.ucop.edu/eap/scholarship/default.htm
How do I get started?
Come by the International Education Center office in the Statistics Computer Bldg, Rm 1669 and sign up for an Information Session to learn about study abroad opportunities and options.
Staff advisors and student interns who have recently returned from studying abroad are eager to answer your questions.
What happens when I return?
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“As a theatre major studying abroad one
gains a huge perspective on the power of
expression. Being able to study in England,
I was able to experience a culture very
proud of its theatre accomplishments. I
was able to experience Shakespeare and
also a bit of modern performance. Within
the first three weeks of being in England,
I had already seen two performances.
Inside the classroom, one learns from
educators about theories and history,
and students are expected to do practical
performance on their own time, but with the
university’s assistance. All in all, studying
theatre in England is much different than
here in America. In England you do not
wait for the Fall Production to get cast,
you create the Fall production to cast.”
Neil Sampson
UCR Theatre Student
Kent University 2005-2006
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Students are strongly encouraged to bring all coursework materials from their abroad program to the Theatre undergraduate advisor with a general petition for each course. The faculty advisor of the program will review the petitions and make final approval on coursework – if courses are approved the information will be transferred appropriately.
Still Unsure?
Still not sure if study abroad is for you?
Want to discuss it with your parents, or need to convince them? Check out UCEAP’s “Top Ten Reasons to Study Abroad”
(http://eap.ucop.edu/eap/whystudyabroad.shtm) and the “Top Ten Myths about Studying Abroad on EAP”
(http://eap.ucop.edu/staff/SharedLibrary/TOP10MYTHS.rtf).