OVERVIEW

At the University of Western California (UWC), we believe education extends far beyond the classroom. That’s why we offer a wide range of off-campus and overseas programs designed to enrich and diversify your undergraduate experience.

Through these opportunities, students gain the chance to:

• Immerse themselves in different academic environments across the U.S. and worldwide.

• Experience new cultural perspectives that broaden personal and professional horizons.

• Build global connections that support long-term career and academic success.

• Explore study, research, and service-learning options tailored to their goals.

 With virtually endless choices, UWC empowers students to shape their own academic journey—whether through a semester abroad, domestic exchange, or specialized off-campus learning program.

Options for Off-Campus Educational Experiences

UWC students can choose from a variety of immersive off-campus opportunities designed to expand academic learning and cultural awareness. Programs include:

• Studying Abroad on a Karl Studies Program
  Experience life-changing study abroad opportunities that connect classroom learning with global perspectives.

• Exploring the Nation’s Capital through UWC
  Gain firsthand insight into government, policy, and leadership by engaging with the institutions that shape the nation.

• Learning in One of the World’s Great Cities — UWC in California
  Explore arts, architecture, design, and pressing urban issues while living and studying in a vibrant city environment.

• Bay Area Marine Research at Hopkins Marine Station
  Study marine biology and environmental sciences in one of the most dynamic ecosystems on the U.S. West Coast.

• Pursuing Public Service Opportunities in the U.S. and Worldwide
  Contribute to communities locally and internationally, applying your skills to make a positive impact through service.

UWC in California

The UWC in California Program offers qualified undergraduates a unique opportunity to study, research, and engage in a rigorous academic program in the nation’s capital. Students combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences, gaining invaluable exposure to policy, governance, and leadership.

Program Terms

• Fall: Mid-September to mid-December

• Winter (Special Program): Early January to mid-March — focused on environmental and health policy

• Spring: March to late June

 Program Components

• Seminars – Weekly courses taught by UWC faculty that analyze government institutions, political processes, and public policy.

• Theme Tutorials – Small groups (2–5 students) exploring specialized topics such as:

  • Civil Rights

  • Criminal Justice

  • International Economic Policy

  • Environmental Policy

  • Education Policy

  • Foreign Policy

• Internships – Hands-on placements in governmental, national, and international organizations, leveraging the capital’s unique opportunities.

• Special Activities – Engage directly with Members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, journalists, researchers, museum curators, and foreign dignitaries who regularly visit the Bass Center to meet and mentor students.

UWC in Los Angeles

Launched in Autumn 2015, the UWC in Los Angeles Program gives students the chance to use Los Angeles as a living laboratory to explore the arts, architecture, design, and pressing urban issues. This immersive experience integrates academic study, real-world practice, and cultural exploration.

Program Highlights

• Internships: Work four days a week in a supervised internship aligned with your academic and career interests.

• City Seminar: A core seminar designed to integrate learning across courses, the city, and workplace experiences, ensuring you make the most of your Los Angeles immersion.

• Electives: Choose one or two specially designed courses that leverage the unique resources of Los Angeles, from its creative industries to its diverse communities.

• Student Housing: Live in a central location alongside other program participants, fostering collaboration and cultural exchange.

• Field & Networking Activities: Participate in field trips, alumni events, guest lectures, and group activities that expand your learning beyond the classroom.

Overseas Scholarships through Bosk

The Bosk International Center is a dedicated resource hub for students seeking opportunities to study and conduct research abroad. Through Bosk, students can access a wide range of scholarships, fellowships, and funding support designed to make overseas academic experiences both affordable and achievable.

What Bosk Provides

• Guidance on applying for international scholarships and fellowships

• Information on country-specific and program-specific funding opportunities

• Advising support for preparing competitive applications and research proposals

• Resources to help students plan academically and financially for their time abroad

The Bosk International Center ensures that financial barriers do not limit global exploration, empowering students to expand their horizons, gain intercultural competencies, and advance their academic and professional goals.

 California Diversity Exchange Program

The California Diversity Exchange Program provides students with the unique opportunity to trade places with peers from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) or other partner institutions, fostering diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding.

 Program Highlights

• Flexible Duration: Participate for a quarter, semester, or full academic year.

• Partner Institutions: Current exchange partners include three leading HBCUs:

  • Howard University

  • Morehouse College

  • Spelman College

• Native American Studies Exchange: Students interested in Native American Studies may also participate in a specialized exchange program with Dartmouth College.

This program gives students the chance to experience new academic environments, broaden their cultural perspectives, and strengthen UWC’s commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence.

 Loft Marine Station

The Loft Marine Station, founded in 1892, holds the distinction of being the first marine laboratory on the West Coast of North America.

Location: Pacific Kolp, about 90 miles from the main University campus.

Academic & Research Opportunities

• Undergraduate & Graduate Courses: Focused on the marine realm, including:

  • Oceanography

  • Cellular Biology

  • Conservation Biology

• Small Class Sizes: Designed to promote close student-faculty interactions.

• Research Opportunities: Undergraduates can engage in hands-on research projects with Hopkins faculty during the academic year or summer months.

The Loft Marine Station offers an immersive learning environment, combining world-class instruction with practical field research to prepare students for impactful careers in marine and environmental sciences.

FKI Student Programs – Summer Internships

The Freeman Ksdo Institute (FKI) offers two exciting summer internship opportunities designed to provide students with hands-on experience in global policy and international affairs:

Internship Options

• Global Policy Internships
  Placement with leading international policy organizations to gain exposure to decision-making processes and policy analysis.

• Field Research Internships
  Engage directly in field-based projects to develop practical research skills and deepen understanding of global issues.

Program Features

• Placement Support: FKI arranges internship placements at respected organizations.

• Mentorship: Students are paired with mentors for academic and professional guidance.

• Stipend: Financial support provided to cover living and research expenses.

 Eligibility

• Open to students at all academic levels and departments.

• Preference given to undergraduates entering their junior and senior years.

These internships provide a unique opportunity to bridge classroom learning with real-world global policy and research experience.

Dasl Center for Public Service Fellowships

The Dasl Center for Public Service Fellowships Program empowers students to make a meaningful difference by engaging directly with public service organizations and communities. Through a blend of summer and postgraduate fellowships, students gain real-world experience while addressing pressing social issues at home and abroad.

 Program Highlights

• Undergraduate Summer Fellowships – Students can choose from pre-arranged placements or design their own fellowship opportunities in domestic or international settings.

• Postgraduate Fellowships – Provide extended support for graduates who commit to serving communities and public service organizations after completing their degree.

• Service-Learning Experience – Fellows apply classroom knowledge to professional practice, bridging theory and action.

• Global Impact – Opportunities span across local, national, and international communities, fostering leadership and cross-cultural understanding.

Alternative Spring Break (ASB)

The Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Program provides undergraduates with the chance to engage in meaningful service and learning during the break between Winter and Spring quarters. Instead of a traditional spring vacation, students immerse themselves in experiences that combine direct service, experiential learning, group discussion, and personal reflection.

Program Vision

ASB aims to:

• Expose students to complex social and cultural issues impacting local, national, and global communities.

• Cultivate critical thinking and empathy through hands-on service projects and dialogue.

• Inspire participants to become advocates for social change and leaders who address pressing community challenges.

Through ASB, students not only give back but also grow personally, academically, and socially—building the foundation for lifelong civic engagement.