Different May Not Be All That Different

Academic Differences:

·         Workloads are similar with many Students enrolled in the UCSC international curriculum taking 4 area courses and 1 of Italian language

·         Typical amount of hours spent in class 12-15 per week

·         Most of my classes will have a final exam (consisting of written and/or oral sections), reports, midterms, presentations, essays, and group projects which is very similar to what my classes have had here at MC.

·         We are not required, but expected to attend class.

·         I hope that the relationship with the faculty will be somewhat similar to here at MC. What I have witnessed through email contact with the ISEP coordinator there at UCSC it is fairly decent.

Credits:

·         The classes are worth 6 ECTS credits which is equivalent to 3 US credits

·         Course work and load are pretty similar in both institutions.

·         Some classes are lectures and some are seminar and some field trips most will meet 3 hours a week I believe most are not clearly stated until you receive a syllabus for the class

·         My credits will transfer for 3 US credits instead of the 6 ECTS credits at the host institution.

Grades:

·         The letter grades seem to be quite similar to the US grading system.

·         Though they are a few points different so an “A” in the US is 29-30 while in Italy an “A” is 27-30

·         Meaning the grading scale is slightly less demanding than the US scale

Support:

·         Well you will have the ISEP coordinator and the International education staff here at UCSC

·         You are given a tutor that can help you integrate into the school and study habits, etc. at the school

·         The Italian language office ad international office are available to help as well

Full-Time Status:

·         At MC we have to have at least 12 credit hours to be considered full-time students

·         Most students here take around 5 classes and at 6 ECTS credits that’s 30 ECTS credits which is roughly 15 US credit hours.

·         I am currently at 16 US Credit hours at MC and looking at 15 US Credits (30 ECTS Credits) at UCSC

 

Over all I am looking forward to my experience and I hope that you as future study abroad participants will find this helpful in your own journeys.