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Suggested Programs for Anthropology

Old Jerusalem

Study abroad in anthropology offers many unique opportunities to add new perspective to those areas most important to anthropologists, whether it is migration patterns from the Middle East and Africa across the West, or archaeological digs in the Middle, or socio-cultural challenges across Latin America. With three upper-division general anthropology electives and electives in socio-cultural anthropology and anthropological archaeology, there is plenty of flexibility in the major.

Programs Specifically Selected for Anthropology

Canada: Univ. of British Columbia

Known for the strength of its anthropology program and its research and connections to the First Nations in the Northwest, UBC is a strong choice. UCEAP at UBC offers your choice of regular university courses at the Vancouver campus with opportunities for study in a wide range of most academic disciplines.

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Italy: Crossroads of Culture in the Mediterranean

Study the relationship between Italy and the Mediterranean Sea on this four week summer program in Procida. As the result of the program, you will be able to explain how the Mediterranean influenced the history of southern Italy, from ancient times to present. Additionally, you will be able to discuss sea-bound rather than land-bound views of nation-state and national identity formation.

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Israel: Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, city of storied landmarks and spiritual centers, is also a hub of rapid development and leading industries. In this exciting city, you can study archaeology or contemporary Israeli or Middle East issues in courses taught in English.

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Italy: Art, Food & Society

Take courses that are specially designed to use the city of Rome to understand Italian history, culture, and society. All elective courses include site visits in Rome and beyond that bring each subject to life. Expert local professors teach in the city’s piazzas, churches, and museums, exploring many of Rome’s most interesting neighborhoods.

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Immersion & Exchange Programs Suggested for Anthropology

Denmark: Univ. of Copenhagen

Copenhagen ranks as the #1 choice of UC Merced anthropology students over the years. It is also arguably UCEAP's best partner university for anthropology in all of mainland Europe with courses taught in English across a wide variety of fields.

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United Kingdom: Univ. of Edinburgh

While the Univ. of Edinburgh is the most highly ranked for anthropology, Scotland’s wealth of history, culture, scenic beauty, and academic excellence are yours as you choose among three world-renowned universities in the historic cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, or St. Andrews.

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United Kingdom: London's Calling

A rigorous curriculum highlighting London as a global crossroads of major social and cultural forces. The city’s unique resources and exciting activities outside the classroom enrich your experience.

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Australia: Univ. of Melbourne

With a special emphasis on aboriginal studies, Austalian universities should catch the anthropologist's eye, particularly the highly ranked Univ. of Melbourne. Attend world-class host universities in the alluring “Land Down Under.”

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United Kingdom: Summer in Sussex

Intensive learning in a friendly, cosmopolitan environment just an hour from London. Get ahead of your degree requirement and enjoy an array of course offerings, from film and anthropology to physics.

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Singapore: National Univ. of Singapore (NUS)

Take anthropology courses at arguably the highest ranked university in Asia through UCEAP. Take classes in most UC majors taught by faculty from around the world, and engage with this top level university community through research, clubs, sports, and cultural activities.

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Norway: Univ. of Oslo

If you have an interest in the Vikings or modern Scandinavian culture, consider the highly ranked Univ. of Oslo for study abroad. Take courses taught in English in a wide range of fields at the highest ranked university in Norway. Enjoy beautiful Oslo, a small capital city surrounded by sea, forests and the Oslo Fjord.

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Sweden: Lund Univ.

Another favorite for students studying the Vikings or modern Scandinavian culture, Lund Univ. is another highly ranked university for anthropology. Courses in English in a wide range of academic fields. Lively college town environment in a charming medieval city.

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Internship Opportunities for MAJOR Majors

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Research Opportunities for MAJOR Majors

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Global & International Opportunities

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Summer Physics Abroad

One potential route to study abroad for STEM students is to tackle a full year of introductory physics over the summer. Typically, this is the summer between students’ first and second year at UC Merced. Consider these options:

Australia: Sydney Summer Physics

Earn a full year of calculus-based physics credit in just eight weeks. Fulfill math requirements for the life sciences or get a jump on pre-med coursework and experience life in Sydney, Australia.

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Cyprus: Nicosia Summer Physics

Study intensive physics for the life sciences in beautiful Cyprus. Note that this program is better suited to biological sciences students than other STEM students.

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Ireland: Cork Summer Physics

In just eight weeks at the University College Cork, you can earn a full year of calculus-based physics credit, get a jump on math coursework, or prepare for a pre-med track. Lab experiments and group workshops expand your science knowledge with students from around the world.

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Spain: Madrid Summer Physics

Add some sizzle to your summer—study in Madrid and return with a full year of physics credit. This intense 8-week program is ideal for life sciences majors who want to get a quick boost in academics.

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United Kingdom: Glasgow Science & Engineering

As the home to the James Watt School of Engineering and the School of Life Sciences, the University of Glasgow offers the perfect environment for this intensive physics summer program.

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United Kingdom: Summer in Sussex

Minutes from the sparkling seafront, Sussex is quintessentially English, with spectacular castles, greenery, and attractions fit for royals. Pre-med and life sciences majors can earn up to a year of physics credit in two months!

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Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Opportunities

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Human Bio Opportunities

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Engineering-Specific Opportunities

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Advanced MAJOR Opportunities

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Completing Other SSHA Requirements Abroad

SSHA students, in general, can take advantage of the requirement to complete four (4) non-major upper-division general education courses—or equivalent—from SSHA areas as varied as English literature to economics. Most SSHA students complete one or more of these required courses while studying abroad. These courses must be reviewed through the   SSHA course approval form.

SSHA students must also complete a total of 60.0 semester units in order to graduate. SSHA students complete many of these units within their major but often need more and can complete these requirements abroad.

Course Approval and Course Approval Forms

With a few exceptions of previously approved courses (ask your academic advisor), courses will need to be approved to meet individual degree requirements. In these cases, students will use the Course Approval Form for the school that would typically offer such a course at UC Merced:

 

The school will often require a syllabus or equivalent in order to do a review. Keep in mind that syllabi may be protected intellectual property of certain professors or universities and may not be publicly posted online. If it is a UC Center program, you may be able to acquire syllabi through your study abroad advisor. If the program is with a local host university and the course is not posted online, you may be able to inquire with the instructor or host university in some cases.

Academic Planning

No matter your academic intentions while studying abroad, you should consult your academic advisor and your MyDegreePath report to plan out your study abroad academic goals. Once you narrow your search to 1-3 study abroad programs consult your program page or ask your study abroad advisor about resources for researching courses in your program.

 

Start planning for study abroad with your academic advisor as soon as you can. One of the keys to maximizing academic success abroad is early planning and scheduling course loads before, during, and after study abroad. This includes strategies such as targeting a study abroad term to exploit areas of flexibility in your academic plan.

Be sure to make use of UCEAP course credit resources below, too.

 

UC Merced Campus Credit through UCEAP

How to Explore Database of Courses Previously Taken

 

Campus Credit Abroad

Planning the courses you’ll take on study abroad is as important as figuring out when and where to go. All courses taken on the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) are guaranteed UC credit, but understanding how each class may fit into your academic plan is a critical part of the planning process.

UCEAP Database of Courses Previously Taken

How to Find Courses for UCEAP

One of the challenges with academic planning and completing the Academic Planning Form is finding courses. While there is never any certainty with course offerings and study abroad always requires a little calculated academic risk, there are some techniques to minimize the risk and exploit unique educational opportunities through study abroad.

Courses & Credit Tab

For nearly every UCEAP program page, there will be a tab labeled “Courses & Credit.” Within this tab you will find information and links in the “Course Opportunities” area. The course resources are listed in order of relevance. Depending on the program, you might find any of the following resources:

  1. Course syllabi
  2. Links to academic majors or programs with courses
  3. A bulleted list of courses

UCEAP Course Catalog

All UCEAP coursework taken in the last five (5) years is listed in the UCEAP Course Catalog. There are a few things you should consider when using the UCEAP Course Catalog:

  1. The list of courses is not comprehensive.
  2. Course units are listed in quarter units (to convert to semester units, divide by 1.5).
  3. Syllabi are not included.
  4. You may need to search less intuitive subject areas to find coursework (e.g. health sciences for public health, "engineering" for bioengineering, business for management and business economics).

Check Previously Approved Courses

There are a few resources available showing coursework previously approved for study abroad online. The resources are limited but they do represent some of the more recent course approvals:

A Note on Course Syllabi

Your academic advisor or school may insist that you need syllabi in order to determine whether a course abroad will substitute a particular degree requirement. While this is generally true, this does not prevent you from planning out your academic schedule abroad and determining what type of degree requirements a course may fulfill.

Sometimes your study abroad advisor or UCEAP can acquire a syllabus on your behalf; however, this is not always the case. Please understand that syllabi are often considered intellectual property and may not be shared until the course begins. Previously approved courses (see above) are often your first go-to resource to select courses.