Undergraduate Experiential Learning
When possible, we encourage students to consider studying in a Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking country or community or participating in domestic study away or internship programs to enhance their learning. We also highly recommend that students participate in undergraduate research, to gain hands-on experience with skills for knowledge production. Funding for experiential learning is available through scholarships and awards from the Latin American and Latino Studies Department or the Social Sciences Division.
Programs, internships, and field study
Most of the opportunities in the categories below include LALS elective coursework that can count toward a major or minor.
Community outreach, service, and education
Politics, policy, and activism
Research
Study abroad
All study abroad programs and study away programs (like the UCDC Washington Program and UC Center Sacramento) are managed by the Office of Global Learning. In the Summer of 2023, we offered our first LALS Global Internship program. This year, our global internship program will take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and participation will require LALS affiliation as a minor or major.
Financial aid can be used towards your global learning program. The Office of Global Learning also has resources to guide undocumented students in exploring study away/abroad options. Find more information about using credits from study away and study abroad courses toward your LALS degree by visiting our Undergraduate Advising page.
Learn more about undergraduate research
How to get started in research
Once you understand the fundamentals of undergraduate research, all you need to get started is a question or a spark of curiosity. Many students find that engaging in research enhances their undergraduate experience, adding a focus and a sense of purpose to their UCSC studies. If you are curious whether research might be right for you, consider undertaking a mini-research project based on a topic from one of your classes.
LALS students who are eager to design their own research projects should enroll in LALS 100A/L as early as possible. The course introduces the methods and analytic approach of social science research within the field of LALS, emphasizing research in pursuit of social justice. It’s a great way to build practical research skills, including developing research questions, writing surveys, and conducting interviews.
Campus resources for student research
We enjoy a close connection with the Dolores Huerta Research Center for the Americas (Huerta Center), which sponsors research projects and internships in-house, such as the Human Rights Investigations Lab. The Huerta Center is also connected with the Institute for Social Transformation, which offers funded opportunities for students to pursue research alongside faculty members.
Students are welcome to inquire about potential undergraduate research opportunities with any of our department’s affiliated research centers, labs, and initiatives. More ideas and guidance for research can be found at UCSC Undergraduate Research.
Publishing undergraduate research
There are many places to submit your research project for presentation or to win awards and scholarships. See the slides below for ideas about where and how to present your research in a public forum.