<P> After spending much of 1978--79 lazing around, Eric eventually decides he needs to do something with his life . This prompts many attempts to find a long - term career . It is not until a conversation with friends that he realizes his passion is in teaching . However, Red has spent Eric's college money on his muffler shop, but the guidance counselor at Eric's former high school offers him the choice of a fully paid education if he first spends a year teaching in Africa . Eric accepts, much to his mother and Donna's dismay . After a few weeks of preparation and receiving the cold treatment from Kitty and Donna, Eric packs his bags and prepares to leave . With the blessing from Red and forgiveness from his mother and Donna, he drives off with the Vista Cruiser to a hearty farewell . </P> <P> Eric's family includes his doting mother, Kitty Forman, who has impending separation anxiety and menopause, his crabby father, Red Forman, who is a strict Korean War military veteran, and his older sister, Laurie Forman, who is a promiscuous blonde who uses her looks to get what she wants . Eric's best friend, Steven Hyde, who was essentially abandoned by his parents, later becomes his foster brother . Eric was the show's protagonist from seasons one through seven until he was written out due to Grace's departure from the series . However, despite Eric's absence, he is mentioned at least once in all 22 episodes of season eight . He makes a brief cameo appearance in the final episode titled "That' 70s Finale ." </P> <P> Due to Eric's departure from the show at the beginning of its eighth season, Eric was no longer the central focus of the show, though his character was still heavily used to influence elements of it, and he's mentioned in every episode of the season . Picking up a month after the seventh season's finale, Eric is revealed to have successfully become accustomed to his job teaching in Africa . As Donna's relationship with a new character Randy begins to intensify, it becomes apparent that Eric has broken up with her yet again . Eric returns home on New Year's Eve to reconcile with Donna, welcome the new year in with his friends and continue his teaching career . </P> <P> A nice guy at heart, Eric is a stereotypical geek, scrawny and somewhat clumsy . He is not at all athletic and shows little interest in sports . He is a smart - aleck teenager with a lightning - fast wit and a sarcastic and deadpan sense of humor . He also lights "incense" with his friends in his basement . Eric is also known to screw things up a lot, which is parodied throughout the series . </P>

When did eric forman leave that 70s show