Immerse Yourself in American Culture
The Communication and Culture Program at UC Davis offers comprehensive, high-quality instruction to help students improve their English conversational fluency and learn more about American culture. Our academic expertise, professional instructors and beautiful California campus make this an enriching, transformational educational experience that allows students to achieve their personal and academic goals.
Program Benefits
This intensive learning experience is ideal for international undergraduate and graduate students, along with international professionals, who want to improve their English-language skills.
- Gain confidence and skills in English speaking and listening
- Strengthen pronunciation and verbal presentation skills
- Learn more about American culture and customs
- Practice American English natural speech patterns and idioms
Program Details
This four-week program, held in the state-of-the-art International Center, is offered twice annually, in the summer and winter sessions according to the U.S. academic calendar.
- 16 hours of instruction per week plus extracurricular activities
- Highly qualified and experienced teachers
- Small class size (about 15-20 students) for high interaction among instructors and students
- Technology-driven classrooms, including a multimedia learning center
- UC Davis students as conversation partners both in- and out-of-class
- Daily recreational, cultural and social activities with UC Davis student leaders
- Optional trips to Yosemite National Park, San Francisco, Napa Valley and Los Angeles
- No F-1 Visa required
Dates and Fees
- Summer 2026: August 7-September 4, 2026
- Winter 2027 Session 1: January 8-February 5, 2027 (Jan. 18 is a university holiday)
- Winter 2027 Session 2: February 12-March 12, 2027 (Feb. 15 is a university holiday)
- Tuition: $2,010
- Application Fee: $100 (nonrefundable)
- Student Services Fee: $140 Includes general advising services, housing assistance, access to computer labs and the International Learning Center (ILC), UC Davis email account and wireless Internet access, city bus pass, social events and afternoon activities.
- Medical Insurance: $68.75 per week
- Estimated Living Expenses: $1,910 Includes lodging, food and other personal expenses (books, trips, activities).
All fees are subject to change
Program Requirements
Participants must have a high-school diploma or be at least 18 years old to enroll in this program.
Students are grouped based on their level of proficiency to ensure the best possible learning experience. The minimum English language requirement for the Communication and Culture Program is CEFR level B1. This is equivalent to:
- TOEFL IBT: 3 (as of January 2026, previously 55/120)
- TOEFL PBT: 480
- IELTS: 4.5
- Duolingo: 80
- Michigan English Placement Test: 38
Program Courses
Core classes are designed to quickly build English fluency and immerse students in American culture. Advanced students may also choose one elective, including Academic Preparation Skills, Business Communication Skills and Critical Thinking. Core courses include:
- Everyday Expressions and Idioms
- Learn expressions used by Americans
Discuss the cultural context of American expressions and idioms, and gain a deeper understanding of American culture by improving knowledge of informal speech patterns of Americans
Discuss relevant grammar points as needed - U.S. Society and Culture
- Increase your knowledge of American values and attitudes, institutions, history and culture through readings, discussion, exposure to a variety of media and journal writing
Build a foundation of specific vocabulary in order to actively participate in discussions
Better understand American culture as well as other students’ cultures - Intercultural Research Project
- Develop questions to research a topic of cultural interest
Gather information by interviewing native English speakers on and off campus
Analyze and organize project information
Prepare, practice and give a poster presentation - Listening and Pronunciation
- Hear and pronounce problematic vowels and consonants in English
Identify syllable stress in individual words
Understand a natural flow of syllables in words and phrases
Learn to follow English sentence stress and timing (rhythm, intonation and words which should have more stress)
Understand common reductions in spoken English
Learn common academic idioms
Sample Schedule
- Monday
- 9-9:50 a.m. U.S. Society and Culture
10-10:50 a.m. Listening and Pronunciation
11-11:50 a.m. Intercultural Research Project
12:10-1 p.m. Everyday Expressions and Idioms
1-2 p.m. Lunch
2-4 p.m. Exploring Davis - Tuesday
- 9-9:50 a.m. U.S. Society and Culture
10-10:50 a.m. Listening and Pronunciation
11-11:50 a.m. Intercultural Research Project
12:10-1 p.m. Everyday Expressions and Idioms
1-2 p.m. Lunch
2-4 p.m. Conversation Club - Wednesday
- 9-9:50 a.m. U.S. Society and Culture
10-10:50 a.m. Listening and Pronunciation
11-11:50 a.m. Intercultural Research Project
12:10-1 p.m. Everyday Expressions and Idioms
1-2 p.m. Lunch
2-4 p.m. Connecting Cultures - Thursday
- 9-9:50 a.m. U.S. Society and Culture
10-10:50 a.m. Listening and Pronunciation
11-11:50 a.m. Intercultural Research Project
12:10-1 p.m. Everyday Expressions and Idioms
1-2 p.m. Lunch
2-4 p.m. Global Cafe - Friday
- 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Weekly site visit, workshop or guest presentation
Program schedule can vary. Classes may be scheduled during the afternoon in summer. Site visits have included Varsity Theater, Downtown Commons (DOCO) in Sacramento, Old Sacramento, Memorial Union Billiards and Bowling and Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park.
