UCEAP Global Start Program For Freshman Admits
Start your UCLA education abroad with Global Start!
The program consists of two parts: a special UCLA orientation in the summer and fall quarter with UCEAP.
- Summer Experience: You will start with a curated summer experience at UCLA where you’ll meet your new friends on the program. You will be welcomed by the UCLA community and learn about organizations and resources on campus.
- Fall Quarter: You will spend fall quarter in Italy with a tight community of UC students, making lasting friendships while fulfilling general education requirements for your UCLA degree.
Global Start is an experience unlike anything you will find on campus, helping you ease the transition from high school to university life against an international backdrop. Furthermore, courses have been approved to satisfy general education and foreign language requirements at UCLA.
Eligible students may apply their UCLA Financial Aid* to Global Start
*Despite FAFSA delays, interested students are encouraged to apply to secure their spot since this is a first-come-first-served program. You can apply before your financial aid award is made. We will work with all financial aid eligible students to make sure Global Start is a right fit before you commit.Â
The program includes services related to:
- Preparation for returning to campus in the winter
- Study Habits
- Writing Skills
- Living Independently
- Career Readiness
- Mental Health
- Connection with local communities to help you thrive and flourish abroad.
Spaces are limited. Applications open on April 15th at 5pm PST and will be reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis.Â
TO APPLY: Visit the UCEAP Global Start page, and click “Apply Now” on the top right corner. Note: Instead of UC unofficial transcripts, upload a blank PDF.
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Program Features
- Pre-departure and on-site orientations to answer all your questions
- Tailored summer orientation experience at UCLA to welcome you to the UC community
- Students can apply their UCLA financial aid to this program
- Group travel from California to your program location
- Small UC classes with supportive and engaging instructors
- Weekly extracurricular activities and excursions like market tours, museum visits, performances, walking tours, and sporting events to learn more about the host culture
- Volunteer and service opportunities in your host community
- 24/7 health and safety support
- Student health and travel insurance
- Support from UCLA, UCEAP, and on-site staff throughout the program
- Re-entry prep and advising to ensure a smooth transition back to your campus in the winter
- Campus housing guaranteed for when you return to UCLA
Program Benefits
- Enjoy a liberal arts experience with small classes and personalized attention
- Satisfy general education requirements
- Learn a foreign language
- Hone academic skills needed to succeed at UCLA while gaining a sense of community and belonging
- Make connections and build a strong network of peers
- Build confidence, independence, and life skills
- Increase your intercultural understanding and adaptability
Program Dates
Summer through Fall quarter
- Summer Orientation in person at UCLA (August 15-16)
- Fall quarter abroad (September 20–December 14, 2024)
Eligibility
Open to incoming first year students who meet the following criteria:
- Recently admitted to the UCLA College of Letters & Science; students can apply anytime during the application window as long as they submit the Statement of Intent to Register to UCLA by May 15, 2024.
- Be 18 years old by September 20, 2024
- Have a US or EU passport by September 20, 2024 that is valid at least three months beyond date of departure (other nationalities may require a visa)
- Must attend the mandatory summer orientation in person at UCLA taking place from August 15-16
- Students who anticipate needing to take Math 1, Math 31AL, and/or Chem 17 Fall Quarter 2024 are not eligible. Please reach out to our office if you are unsure of what this means.
Location
Syracuse, Italy
In the bustling city of Syracuse, students will find the ideal setting to immerse themselves in the local culture, a unique combination of Italian and Mediterranean, marked by distinctive traditions and some of the best food in Europe. Sicily’s long history as a crossroad of civilizations makes it a perfect place for a cross-cultural learning experience. Syracuse offers a rich and colorful tapestry of street markets, delightful cafés, and the majestic Greek temples of Apollo and Athena, used over the centuries as a place of worship by Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Christians.
Application and Program Timeline
Eligible applicants will be admitted on a first-come-first-served basis. Financial aid recipients are encouraged to apply while waiting for provisional award letters.
| Application opens | April 15, 2024 at 5PM PST |
| Application closes | May 22, 2024 at 11:59PM |
| Admissions decisions released by | May 28, 2024 |
| Mandatory summer campus experience | August 15-16, 2024 |
| Fall quarter abroad starts | September 20, 2024 |
| Fall quarter abroad ends | December 14, 2024 |
Program Cost
Financial aid eligible students will receive aid to cover all expenses.
| Cost Estimate | |
| Program Length | 12 weeks |
| Program Fees | $10,023 |
| Other Expenses | $7,181 or $8,181 – depending on room type |
| Roundtrip Airfare | $1,000 |
| Total | $19,204* – single room
$18,204* – double/triple room |
Program Contacts
UCLA contact: Kelly Zuniga (kzuniga@ieo.ucla.edu) and Robert Rodriguez (rrodriguez@ieo.ucla.edu)
UCEAP contacts found on this page: https://uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu/student-resources/uceap-global-start