UCEAP home page  
 

Economics

Economics on EAP

Summary

Through EAP, you will observe different economic systems, issues, and policies in action and witness how other countries are responding to an increasingly interrelated economic world. At the same time, you can take advantage of unique course work and gain exposure to various schools of thought in the discipline of economics. All of this will help you obtain the broader perspectives, knowledge, and skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.

Imagine the possibilities when the world is your campus...

  • Follow in the footsteps of Adam Smith (the father of modern economics) at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, where he once studied and taught
  • Investigate China’s “socialist market economy” and the effects of the country’s rapid economic growth
  • Observe the economic processes of European Union enlargement in accession candidate Turkey
  • Research the effects of NAFTA on the trading relationships between the US and its neighbors, Mexico and Canada
  • Discover why Hong Kong’s economy is considered “the freest in the world”

These are only a few of the opportunities available to you on EAP!

“Every student of economics should seriously consider EAP. Studying abroad allows students to learn about the field of economics from an international perspective, developing a deeper understanding not only of the implications of increasing globalization, but also of how differences in political and other institutions matter for economic outcomes. Students sharpen their cross-cultural communication and problem-solving skills, making them better prepared for whatever careers they choose to pursue.”

—Professor Michelle Garfinkel
Department of Economics
UC Irvine

 

Program Options

Economics courses are available at many of EAP’s partner universities worldwide. You can choose from a wide variety of short-term and year programs taught in English or in a foreign language. In addition, EAP offers special-focus programs designed specifically for economics and business majors in China, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Use the following resources to find the right programs for you:

  • Review information provided by Your Department about study abroad.
  • View a chart of which EAP programs offer economics courses.
  • Browse the EAP Course Catalog for economics courses previously taken by EAP students. Additional courses may be available and not all courses may still be offered.
  • For additional course information, check the Academic Focus section found on all the program summary pages for each country.

Related Pages: Business

Your Department

Many departments provide information specifically for their students interested in study abroad. Where available, these resources are linked below.

Berkeley

Davis

Irvine

Los Angeles

San Diego

Santa Barbara

Santa Cruz

 

Internships & Research

While on EAP, you can extend your education beyond the classroom through an internship or research project focused on your specific interests. Below are some examples. Check the main Internships, Research, & Independent Study page for EAP's policies governing academic credit for such activities.

Sample Internships

Internship opportunities vary term to term and placements CANNOT be guaranteed or arranged prior to arrival at your program site. The following are past examples only and do not indicate future availability.
  • The Federal Parliament of Australia. Duties included researching emissions trading schemes as part of a national and global response to climate change, and evaluating the potential outcomes, impacts, costs, and benefits to the economy, various industries, environment, and society. (Australia)
  • Acción Emprendedora, a non-profit organization that assists low-income entrepreneurs. Duties included evaluating public and private financial mechanisms to fund micro loan programs and training courses, as well as participating in business classes and mentoring. (Chile)
  • The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL), which promotes the economic and social development of the region. Duties included researching and writing summaries of foreign investment in Latin America or by Latin American countries. (Chile)
  • The Foreign Commercial Service office of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, which helps U.S. firms enter and expand in the Chinese market. Duties included writing market research on new banking technology and competing countries’ market strategies in China. (China)
  • PKF-Audiec, an international auditing firm specializing in accounting and consulting practices. Duties included assisting in the auditing of clients in the Barcelona area by analyzing accounting records, expense reports, and invoices. (Spain)

Sample Research or Independent Study Projects

  • Informal markets and merchants in greater Accra. Research focused on the informal sector as a system of wealth distribution, alternative methods of exchange, employment, and means of empowerment for women. (Ghana)
  • The impact of Home Town Associations (HTAs) in Los Angeles on economic development in Oaxaca. Research topics included the history and development of HTAs and their impact on small business development and employment opportunities in several Mexican towns. (Mexico)
  • The effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic liberalization on the Mexican economy. Research topics included the degree to which the current FDI regime is helping to integrate domestic Mexican companies, particularly suppliers, into the export processes of transnational firms, focusing on the auto parts industry of Querétaro. (Mexico)
  • The current state of Japan’s health economy. Research topics included the history and organization of Japan’s health care system, the effect of increasing life expectancy coupled with a declining birth rate on that system, and a comparison of similar trends in the U.S. (Japan)
  • The bubble economy of Japan. Research topics included the economic models used during the nearly 20 years of rapid growth, reasons for the collapse of the bubble economy, and subsequent actions taken by the government to stabilize the economy. (Japan)

 

Student Comments

"I took a class on Latin American Economic Development and did an internship at a microcredit organization. These experiences really helped me to understand how I want to pursue a career in economic development."
— Diane Charlton, Chile

"My experience abroad has given me passion and direction. Before going I had little idea of where I was headed after graduating. Now I've come to realize my passion for Ecological Economics and its incorporation of sustainability in contemporary economic thought. I feel confident that more opportunities are out there for me because of what I learned in class and in my life in Mexico. Travel to gain real experience, something you can ever expect to gain through any textbook."
—Ty Teissere, Mexico

"My EAP experience helped me to look at economics from a global perspective. I was able to apply what I learned at UC to examples in foreign environments. The biggest regret a lot of students face after they graduate is not studying abroad and, believe me, you do not want to be wondering what you missed because it really is monumental."
—Patrick Liao, Singapore

"As a UC student pursuing an economics degree, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to broaden my perspective about the global economy and to understand the intricacies of international trade and monetary policies. Going to Thailand to study economics was the best academic decision I could’ve made."
— Matthew Stevens, Thailand

"EAP was, without a doubt, the most valuable experience of my college education. You get to apply everything you’ve learned in the textbooks and see how the world’s economy is affected. I got to understand the workings of the European Union and how the euro affects the world’s economy."
— My-Dung Pham, United Kingdom

 

 
x

Copyright © the Regents of the University of California
Site map | Webmaster e-mail