Finding Resilience and Community: A Global Study Program Student’s Journey

“My first impression of UC Davis was how peaceful and comfortable everything felt,” said Dewei Wang, a trade economics and international business student from Renmin University. 

As a student in the Global Study Program, Dewei often rode the Unitrans bus around Davis and was impressed by how warmly students greeted one another and the inviting atmosphere of the small college town. 

“That friendliness felt very natural,” he said. “It gave me a strong sense that this was a close, welcoming community.” 

That sense of community proved invaluable when Dewei had to return to Shanghai for surgery. While recovering at home, he faced uncertainty about whether he would be able to return to UC Davis to complete his exchange program. 

“What made a big difference was the support I received from the Global Study Program staff,” he said. “They emailed to check on both my health and my coursework, which made me feel that I wasn’t facing everything alone.” 

If you are willing to step outside your comfort zone, the Global Study Program can be a meaningful and rewarding experience.”

While program staff helped him stay on track with his visa status and academics, friends he made encouraged him not to give up. Dewei was eventually able to return and complete the program. Looking back, he said that experience shaped his time at UC Davis. 

“It wasn’t just about studying abroad,” he said. “It was about learning how to deal with uncertainty and pressure. It taught me resilience and made my time in Davis much more meaningful.” 

After completing the Global Study Program, Dewei returned to Renmin University, where he is finishing his studies. He reflected on how the experience shaped his academic and career goals. 

What inspired you to apply for the UC Davis Global Study Program? 

I wanted to step outside of my academic comfort zone. At Renmin University, my major is quite specialized, and I wanted to experience a more flexible, interdisciplinary learning environment. 

UC Davis stood out because it offers a wide range of courses that differ from what I usually study. I was especially interested in taking classes across different fields. I had also heard that Davis is a traditional college town, which would allow me to experience student life in the United States beyond living in a big city. 

What was your academic experience in the program like? 

My academic experience at UC Davis was very enriching. I took four regular courses and two Global Study Program seminars. The subjects were diverse, including linguistics, pyramids, nutrition and health. I also took hybrid classes, which was a new and interesting experience. 

One of the biggest differences from my home university was the classroom culture. At UC Davis, there is a strong emphasis on discussion, participation and interaction, both online and in person. This learning environment encouraged me to think more actively and express my ideas more confidently. 

Was there a class or instructor who stood out to you? 

Yes, a linguistics class taught by Professor Lawyer had a lasting impact on me. Before, I saw English as a tool for communication, but in this class, I began to understand its structure, patterns and deeper logic. 

We were encouraged to step back and examine language as a system that reflects how humans think and perceive the world. We discussed topics such as syntax, ambiguity and how meaning is constructed. I began to see that many features of language are not random but follow underlying patterns. 

Language was no longer just something I used. It became something that connects people across cultures through shared patterns of communication. This realization deepened my understanding of cross-cultural communication by making me more aware of both differences and commonalities in how people express and interpret meaning. 

What are some of your favorite memories from your time in Davis? 

One of my favorite memories was participating in the Intercultural Competence Development Seminar and the International Leadership Seminar. These experiences allowed me to interact closely with students from Japan, Germany and other countries. I really enjoyed the exchange of ideas and using frameworks like Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions and the Culture Compass to better understand different perspectives. 

Outside of campus, I traveled to Washington, New York and Boston. The relaxed atmosphere of Davis felt very different from the fast pace of these cities, and that contrast made me appreciate my study abroad experience even more. 

I especially remember visiting the United Nations headquarters in New York. During my visit, there was a conference on “For All Women and Girls,” and I was deeply moved to see people from different countries, races, genders and ages speaking openly about important global issues. It gave me a strong sense of the world as a global community. 

What lessons did you take away from your time at UC Davis? 

One of the most important changes for me was developing stronger critical-thinking skills. In class discussions, I was encouraged to challenge ideas, offer alternative perspectives and question the underlying assumptions. This pushed me to move from simply understanding information to actively engaging with it. 

Resilience was another important lesson. The unexpected health challenge during my exchange taught me how to deal with uncertainty and setbacks more calmly and with greater determination. 

How do you plan to apply what you learned? 

I plan to be more open and proactive. In my future studies, I want to participate more actively in discussions and share my ideas more confidently. 

I also hope to apply what I learned about cross-cultural communication in group work and professional settings. Understanding different perspectives and adapting communication styles will be very valuable in international business. I plan to connect these lessons with my previous internship experiences at Bosch and Olam Agri, where I worked in data analysis and market research. 

What are your plans moving forward, and how has your UC Davis experience shaped them? 

In the short term, I plan to continue my studies and strengthen my analytical skills, particularly in data analysis and global market research. In the long term, I hope to work for an international organization in roles related to financial analysis or strategy, contributing to cross-border business decisions. 

My experience at UC Davis has made me more comfortable working in multicultural environments. I learned how to communicate clearly with people from different backgrounds. It also changed how I approach learning and problem-solving. I now question assumptions and look at problems from multiple perspectives, which is important in fields like finance and international business where decisions often involve uncertainty. 

Finally, my experience in Davis increased my confidence in adapting to new environments. I am now more open to opportunities with international exposure, whether working abroad or being part of global teams. 

What advice would you give to international students considering the Global Study Program at UC Davis? 

Stay open, be proactive and make the most of every opportunity. UC Davis is a place where you can grow not only in the classroom but also through daily life, friendships and cultural exchange. 

At the same time, studying internationally can come with unexpected challenges, so it is important to stay resilient and not be afraid to ask for help. If you are willing to step outside your comfort zone, the Global Study Program can be a meaningful and rewarding experience.