University of California Santa Cruz - Office of International Education

International Friends Program

Photo by Andrew Laing, Fudan Univ. EAP China

This program aims to connect EAP returnees with new international students. We are hoping to both enhance the international student's experience by providing them with an opportunity to build a personal connection when they first arrive and provide them with a social network through regular social events throughout the academic year, and also provide a way for our EAP returnees to stay connected to their international experience.

We are currently recruiting for this year's program.

If you are a recent EAP returnee and would like to be paired up with an international student during the 2008-2009 school year, please contact

Kate Gioia at kgioia@ucsc.edu

EAP Photo Contest

Photo by Darren Schreher, Australia Marine Bio student

Do you have great pictures from your EAP experience abroad? If you do,
enter your photos from EAP and you could possibly win BIG prizes!! Each contest is held in the spring, so start sorting through your photos for next year!

Check out this year's winners at: http://oie.ucsc.edu/eap/photocontestwinners.shtml

Check out photo contest archives here.

First and foremost, welcome back to UCSC! Returning home can be just as culturally challenging as studying abroad. As you transition back to UCSC, take some time to reflect on the new perspectives you may have developed while abroad. You can stay connected to your international experience by sharing your stories, pictures, et cetera. We hope that you will make the most of this life-altering experience by continuing to interact with UCSC's international community.

Stay connected to the international community by submitting the Returnee Form. We will use this information to keep you connected in your areas of interest. You can also use the below links to gain more information about events and opportunities for EAP alumni.

Many students return to UCSC and experience what is known as "reverse culture shock." Reverse culture shock is totally normal, and takes time to overcome. As strange as it was to adjust to another culture, returning home can be just as challenging. There are many ways to stay connected to your EAP experience AND have a smooth transition. Check out our Strategies for Successful Re-entry. Within a couple of months, you should feel more balanced again. However, if you are still struggling after you've been home for some time, you might want to seek counseling. You can contact UCSC's Counseling and Psychological Services by calling the Health Center at 459-2628.

EAP hosts a number of International Mingles throughout the year. We invite our prospective, selected, returning, and international students to meet and mingle! Here you can share pictures, hear stories, tell stories, and meet lots of new people! To check out when the next International Mingle is, visit our OIE Calendar.

As you may remember at your Pre-Departure Orientation, we invite returnees to come and to help us prepare departing students for study abroad. If you are interested, please contact the country advisor for more information.

Each summer EAP hires a team of Peer Advisors for a year-long paid internship. This is a fun and unique opportunity for you to assist students who want to study abroad! It is a rewarding and exciting work experience and definitely keeps you connected to your EAP experience. We only hire once a year, and only during the summer. If you are interested in working as a Peer Advisor, please contact OIE Office Manager Alice Hancock.


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