Global Competencies for Sustainable Living
World hunger, overpopulation and limited resources continue to be some of our most pressing issues. As global citizens, understanding sustainable design and agriculture is critical to building a better world. This four-week program is designed to help international undergraduates and graduates increase their understanding of global issues and learn sustainable farming and environmental design solutions to help address them. They'll also develop global competencies, academic learning strategies and improved English language skills to help them succeed academically and professionally.
Program Benefits
In this intensive learning experience, international students have a unique opportunity to learn sustainable agriculture and design practices at one of the best schools in the world for agriculture. Ranked among the world's top universities for agriculture, UC Davis is internationally renowned for its faculty and research excellence in the field. Participants will gain:
- Improved English language proficiency to navigate global communication, including opportunities to engage with UC Davis experts to extend classroom learning while practicing English
- Content-based and experiential learning
- Increased understanding of critical areas of sustainability, including diverse agricultural systems and practices, and the local and global connection between agriculture and food justice
- Exploration of basic methods used by design professionals to evaluate, design, plan and manage landscapes and the built environment
- Hands-on activities such as sketch exercises, student projects and tours of university agricultural facilities
- Opportunities to observe campus agricultural work and pick vegetables on the Student Farm (depending on the quarter)
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 such as workshops, site visits and guest presentations
- Highly qualified teachers
- Small classes (about 15-20 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
- Optional weekend trips
- 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 Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Design Program is CEFR level B1+/B2-. This is equivalent to:
- TOEFL IBT: 3.5 (as of January 2026, previously 60/120)
- TOEFL PBT: 500
- IELTS: 5
- Duolingo: 90
- Michigan English Placement Test: 45
Program Courses
Core courses, along with guest lectures and site visits, allow students to observe current advancements in sustainable agriculture directly with experts. Courses include:
- Sustainable Farming and Agriculture
- Learn about pressing global issues, including food security, food policy and farming alternatives to increase food production in a sustainable way using technology and innovation.
- Sustainable Environmental Design
- Students will look at how communities and cities can be thoughtfully designed to be more environmentally sustainable, healthier and equal by learning about urban farming and greening.
- International Agricultural Development
- Students explore how to improve food production, nutrition, marketing and health in less technically advanced countries.
- Intercultural Research Project
- This course takes students into the campus community where they will conduct research on an aspect of sustainable agriculture and environmental design that interests them. Students will gather and analyze data through interviews, create a poster to illustrate their findings and make a presentation.
Sample Schedule
- Monday
- 9-9:50 a.m. Sustainable Farming and Agriculture
10-10:50 a.m. Sustainable Environmental Design
11-11:50 a.m. International Agricultural Development
12:10-1 p.m. Intercultural Research Project
1-2 p.m. Lunch
2-4 p.m. Exploring Davis - Tuesday
- 9-9:50 a.m. Sustainable Farming and Agriculture
10-10:50 a.m. Sustainable Environmental Design
11-11:50 a.m. International Agricultural Development
12:10-1 p.m. Intercultural Research Project
1-2 p.m. Lunch
2-4 p.m. UC Davis Coffee Center - Wednesday
- 9-9:50 a.m. Sustainable Farming and Agriculture
10-10:50 a.m. Sustainable Environmental Design
11-11:50 a.m. International Agricultural Development
12:10-1 p.m. Intercultural Research Project
1-2 p.m. Lunch
2-4 p.m. Exploring Agriculture - Thursday
- 9-9:50 a.m. Sustainable Farming and Agriculture
10-10:50 a.m. Sustainable Environmental Design
11-11:50 a.m. International Agricultural Development
12:10-1 p.m. Intercultural Research Project
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 Full Belly Farm, Botanical Gardens, UC Davis Arboretum, UC Davis Coffee Center, UC Davis Student Farm, UC Davis Dairy Farm, and Yolo Farm-to-Fork.
