Multicultural opportunities
In many unique ways, our diverse campus environment lets you learn more about yourself, others, and the world in which we live.

International House (I-House)
Explore the world, only a few blocks from Sather Gate! I-House offers a broad selection of recreational, cultural, and educational programs that are open to the entire community. Activities include fitness, coffee hours, dance classes, live performances, multicultural festivals, seminars, slide shows, language tables for conversation practice, trips and tours throughout California, and visits to local places of interest.

I-House members can participate in most activities for free, and all new Berkeley students can join at a special discount rate. Program News, the I-House bulletin and calendar of events, is mailed five times each year (ihouse.berkeley.edu; 2299 Piedmont Avenue; 510/642-9490).

I-House seeks to achieve a resident population of socioeconomic and international diversity and offers room and board scholarships to eligible students and scholars with limited financial resources. Upper division and graduate international students (F1 or J1), US citizens, and permanent residents may apply (2299 Piedmont Avenue; US citizens and permanent residents, 510/643-5308; international students, 510/642-9468).

Travel Study, Summer Sessions
Combine study, travel, and UC Berkeley credit as you choose from an array of fabulous destinations. There are more than a dozen international programs in Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Courses are four to six weeks long and taught by regular Berkeley faculty. Study art, history, politics, theatre, business, languages, and more (summer.berkeley.edu/travelstudy; International Programs, 22 Wheeler Hall; travelstudy@berkeley.edu; 510/642-5611).

International and Area Studies
Berkeley's international centers for research and outreach are part of our rich multicultural environment. Through concerts, lectures, special events, conferences, and seminars, you'll have many opportunities to satisfy your personal and academic curiosity about other countries and cultures. Put yourself on the mailing list for events such as an Indonesian puppet show, a discussion on a New World Order in the international economy, or a lecture on medicinal plants in Latin America. Whether you're interested in the humanities, sciences, or social sciences, you'll find the international angle enriches your Berkeley experience (ias.berkeley.edu; iastp@berkeley.edu; 510/642-9656).

UC Berkeley Extension programs abroad
The Travel with Scholars Program offers a variety of short travel/study programs each year lasting from a few days to three weeks, many for college credit, including the Oxford/Berkeley Program (now in its fourth decade), Paris Program, London Theater, and other programs to destinations from Cuba to Rome (www.unex.berkeley.edu/travel; travel@unex.berkeley.edu; 510/642-3824).

International Student IDs
STA Travel can issue International Student IDs, which will make you eligible for discounts abroad. You will need $22, a photo ID, an extra passport photo (or they can take one for you for $3), and University enrollment verification, such as your Cal 1 Card (student ID) or a transcript (sta.com; 2410 Telegraph Avenue; 510/644-0772).

Passports
The Recreational Sports Facility is an authorized US Government Passport Acceptance Facility. The office, located at the RSF membership area, is open to all US citizens and will accept passport applications on behalf of the US State Department. Avoid hassles and long lines at the Post Office! It's the only place in town open on the weekend, and they offer all the necessary forms, expedited service, and a friendly staff. Membership to the RSF is not required. In addition to the application service, passport photos may be taken for an additional charge (calbears.berkeley.edu/services;  M-F, 11am-6pm and Sat, 10am-3pm; 2301 Bancroft Way; 510/642-7796).

Berkeley's main post office accepts applications for US passports. The passport is good for ten years-if you're over 18 at the time of issue--and the application takes six weeks or less to process. You'll need your checkbook to write two checks totaling $97, birth certificate, California Driver's License or State ID, and two passport photos (or you can have passport photos taken for an extra fee). The passport office is open M-F, 9am-3:30pm (2000 Allston Way; 800/275-8777). You can download the application at the State Department's website (travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_841.html).

Peace Corps
Berkeley continues to be a top contributor to the total number of Peace Corps volunteers serving around the world. Since its inception in 1961, the Peace Corps has recruited more students from Cal than from any other institution. More than 3,100 Cal students have been placed in more than 100 countries serving in education, health, business community development, agriculture, and the environment. Peace Corps volunteers could serve as teen counselors, start an after-school program, provide guidance to merchant businesses, and more. Volunteers serve for 27 months and receive living stipends and student loan deferment (calcorps.berkeley.edu; Cal Corps Public Service Center, 505 Eshleman Hall; ccorps@berkeley.edu; 510/643-0326).

Education Abroad Program (EAP)
Berkeley Programs for Study Abroad (BPSA) administers the Education Abroad Program (EAP) for Berkeley students. EAP allows undergraduates and graduates to experience higher education at 150 host institutions in 33 countries for full-year, semester, and summer programs. Many need-based scholarships are available. Interested students should go to the BPSA website first (ias.berkeley.edu/bpsa) for information and then complete a self-assessment before visting the office; there is a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 to 3.0. Planning should start by the fall before the year abroad. Drop-in advising is available during open hours and students can speak with EAP Peer Advisers who have recently returned from abroad. The application is available online. BPSA's website and resource library have information about other study abroad programs, as well (ias.berkeley.edu/bpsa; MTThF, 10am-12pm and 1-4pm; 160 Stephens Hall; eapucb@berkeley.edu; 510/642-1356).

EAP countries
Australia
Barbados
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Costa Rica
Denmark
Egypt
France
Germany
Ghana
Hong Kong
Hungary
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom
Vietnam