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The Department of Spanish and Portuguese encourages all students to complete part of their undergraduate studies through the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP). By studying at a foreign university, majors in Spanish and Portuguese can deepen their understanding of Spanish, Latin American, Portuguese, and Brazilian literatures and cultures, while also adding an international dimension to their academic experience. Since all UCEAP courses are accepted as UC credit, students can, with thoughtful planning, spend up to a full year abroad without delaying their progress toward graduation. |
Benefits of Studying Abroad
Academic
Taking classes abroad deepens understanding of academic discipline and can expose you to alternative learning strategies. Learning from a non-U.S. perspective will enhance your education experience by providing you with a diverse set of tools that you can bring back to UCSB. It's a common misconception that students who go abroad will fall behind academically, but all credits earned through UCEAP will transfer to your host university. With intentional planning, you can even fulfill major requirements with classes abroad.
Professional
Students are encouraged to gain practical experience abroad through internships and research. You can demonstrate to future employers that you're able to navigate other cultures and languages in a professional environment. We understand that building your resume is important, so various internships or research opportunities are available for a wide range of disciplines.
Personal
We understand that going abroad is out of most students' comfort zone, but that is precisely what makes the experience so invaluable. Exposing yourself to different cultures will expand your understanding of the world as much as yourself. Those who go abroad develop professional, academic, and personal networks with fellow UCEAP students as well as locals from your chosen university. Returnees often share that going abroad transformed them into confident, independent adults, and that they can't imagine their college experience without it.
FAQs
For information about available programs and destinations, visit the Education Abroad Program (EAP) office in South Hall 2431 or explore their website.
Yes, we maintain a list of pre-approved courses, and you’re always welcome to consult with the Undergraduate Staff Advisor about any course you’re considering taking.
The Spanish and Portuguese majors and minors primarily focus on the study of Literature and Linguistics. While abroad, Spanish majors and minors should prioritize courses that fulfill the "Peninsular Spanish Studies" and "Latin American Studies" requirements within the designated time periods. Portuguese majors should look for equivalents to the Port 102A: Advanced Grammar and Composition, Port 105 or 105E: Survey of Portuguese Literature from the Middle Ages to the Present, or Port 106 or 106E: Survey of Brazilian Literature from its Beginnings to the Present. For electives, there is no limit to how many Literature and Linguistics courses taken abroad may count toward the major or minor. Keep in mind that not all upper-division courses taught in Spanish or Portuguese will automatically apply to your major—please consult the Undergraduate Staff Advisor with any questions.
You can find this information in the Gaucho Credit Abroad database. Keep in mind that it is a historical reference—courses listed are not guaranteed to be available during your term abroad. Although past students received major credit for these courses, you will still need to petition the Department of Spanish and Portuguese for major credit approval.
Yes. If you want a course to count toward your major or minor, you must submit a petition. Note that Span 30 and 100 are introductory courses and are unlikely to have direct equivalents abroad. It's strongly recommended that you speak with the Undergraduate Staff Advisor—preferably before going abroad—to confirm whether a course will count toward your major or minor.
The course may still count as an upper-division elective. For example, a class on “Short Stories in Hispanic Literature Through the Ages” might not fulfill a specific requirement due to its broad scope, but since it’s literature in Spanish, it can be petitioned as a literature elective for the major or minor. Keep in mind that final approval is at the discretion of the Undergraduate Faculty Advisor.
All EAP courses count toward graduation units. However, to receive credit toward your Spanish or Portuguese major or minor, you must petition the relevant courses after returning to UC Santa Barbara. Before going abroad, we strongly recommend that you consult with Undergraduate Staff Advisor and bringing course descriptions or syllabi for review. They can give preliminary feedback on whether your selected courses are likely to meet major or minor requirements.
If you study abroad through a non-EAP program, UC Santa Barbara Office of Admissions must first accept the courses before they can be petitioned for major credit. Only courses approved by the Office of Admissions are eligible. We strongly recommend choosing an EAP program, as all units earned through EAP automatically count toward your overall graduation requirements at UC Santa Barbara