How Studying at UC Davis Inspired One Student's Graduate School Journey

As a student at Renmin University of China, Xinyu Liu knew she wanted to pursue graduate studies in the United States. Before making the leap, she applied to the UC Davis Global Study Program to gain firsthand experience with the American education system and become more confident and open to new experiences. 

“UC Davis has a great partnership with Renmin University of China and the timing fit perfectly with my winter break,” said Xinyu. “The campus is very welcoming and has many international students, which is beneficial for students studying abroad for the first time.” 

Her time at UC Davis challenged her to adapt to new environments and become more independent. It also confirmed her goal of furthering her education in the United States. Xinyu has been accepted to Duke University’s Master of Management Studies. 

“Studying at UC Davis gave me the opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, improve my communication skills and better understand different perspectives and cultures,” she said. “My exchange experience not only strengthened my academic interests but also helped me become more confident and open-minded.” 

As Xinyu pursues her studies at Duke, she’s exploring internships and further expanding her interests in the field. She reflected on her time in the Global Study Program and how the experience provided a strong foundation to approach the next step in her journey with certainty. 

How did your experience at UC Davis prepare you for graduate school in the U.S.? 

My experience at UC Davis prepared me for graduate school in many ways. Academically, I became more familiar with the American education system, especially the discussion-based classroom environment, group projects and continuous assessment style. I learned how to manage a heavier workload, think more critically and communicate my ideas more confidently in class. These experiences helped me build the study habits and academic skills that will be very important at Duke. 

Living and studying abroad also taught me how to step outside my comfort zone, solve problems on my own and adjust to a new environment quickly. By interacting with professors and students from different cultural backgrounds, I became more open-minded and better at cross-cultural communication. 

UC Davis not only prepared me academically but also gave me the confidence to pursue the next stage of my education in the U.S. 

Was there a moment at UC Davis when you realized you had grown personally or academically? 

The moment I realized I had really grown was when I felt comfortable connecting with professors. In the beginning, I was not used to the classroom style at UC Davis. Professors encouraged students to speak up, ask questions and actively join discussions, which was very different from what I was used to in China. I was nervous about my English and sometimes afraid of making mistakes. 

But over time, I pushed myself to attend office hours, communicate more with professors and participate in class discussions. I remember feeling proud when I could confidently talk with my professors about coursework and even academic and career plans. Looking back, I realize that the experience helped me become more independent, adaptable and willing to challenge myself in a completely new environment. 

How did you benefit from interacting with professors and attending office hours? 

My first experience going to office hours at UC Davis was unforgettable. I remember spending a long time just trying to find the professor’s office, and even after I found it, I stood outside the door because I was too nervous to go in. 

When I finally entered, I realized students had to wait in line to talk with the professor one by one. Before it was my turn, I listened to how other students communicated. Some were making up quizzes or asking questions about homework while others were reviewing mistakes on quizzes. This helped me understand that office hours were not something intimidating, but actually a very open and supportive way to learn. 

When it was my turn, I first asked about some quiz mistakes and a bonus question from the midterm exam. The professor explained everything very carefully and even shared problem-solving tips with me. Later, we also talked about a broader question I was curious about: in the AI era, when large language models can already help people write code, why is it still important to learn Python? That conversation really inspired me and made me think more deeply about technology and learning. 

As I continued attending office hours throughout the quarter, I became much more confident communicating with professors and asking questions. In the end, I earned a 4.0 in the Python course, and the professor even agreed to write me a recommendation letter. Office hours turned from something stressful into one of the most valuable parts of my experience at UC Davis. 

Was there a course, project or experience at UC Davis that had a lasting impact on you? 

Learning Python had a meaningful impact on both my academic experience and my future career goals. After returning to Renmin University of China, I was able to use Python in group projects and data-related assignments, which made me realize how practical and valuable programming skills are in many fields, including finance and business analysis. 

Studying Python at UC Davis helped me build confidence in learning technical skills. In the AI era, I believe that having a basic understanding of programming is becoming increasingly important, even for students who are not computer science majors. It allows us to work better with data, understand new technologies and communicate more effectively in interdisciplinary teams. 

The experience also encouraged me to become more open to combining business, finance and technology in my future career, and I believe these skills will be valuable throughout my career. 

Do you have a favorite memory from the Global Study Program? 

One of my favorite memories from UC Davis was attending the Lunar New Year celebration organized by the Global Study Program. It was such a warm and joyful event. I still remember the atmosphere very clearly. 

We all dressed up and took photos together, and there were traditional Chinese cultural activities. The GSP team organized a nice dinner for all the students, so everyone could celebrate together. 

Even though we were far away from home, the celebration made us feel connected and cared for. It was a moment where students from different backgrounds could come together, share happiness and create memories. That night really showed me how welcoming and supportive the GSP community was, and it became one of the memories I treasure most from my time at UC Davis. 

What surprised you most about American student life? 

What surprised me most about American student life at UC Davis was that it was not as “relaxed” as I had imagined. I heard people say that studying in the U.S. was less competitive and stressful than in China, but after arriving, I realized that students were actually very serious and engaged with their studies. 

In class, students actively participated in discussions and communicated with professors. Many students regularly attended office hours, asked thoughtful questions and were very proactive about their learning. I was impressed by how open and interactive the academic atmosphere was. 

At the same time, I also noticed that students seemed to have a very healthy balance between studying and life. During breaks or after class, students would lie on the grass, chat with friends, do homework outside or play sports together. The campus atmosphere felt both hardworking and relaxed at the same time, and that balance was something I really appreciated. 

Was there a cultural experience or campus community that helped you feel connected while studying abroad? 

Joining GIFT, an organization that connects women students from different countries and backgrounds, stood out to me. I met students from all over the world, and we shared our cultures, daily lives and personal experiences with each other. 

I especially remember activities like making Vietnamese spring rolls, painting tote bags and sharing stories about our hometowns and traditions. One small but memorable moment for me was before eating together at one of the events, everyone held hands and said a short prayer. It was something very new to me culturally, and it made me realize how people from different backgrounds can share and respect each other’s traditions. 

GIFT made me feel welcomed and connected even while studying abroad, and it helped me better understand and appreciate cultural diversity. 

How did your UC Davis experience shape you? 

My experience at UC Davis made me more confident. First, studying abroad gave me a lot of new experiences and perspectives, which made me feel more confident when communicating with other people.

Second, living abroad helped me realize that I could truly take care of myself. I learned many practical life skills, such as cooking, managing my schedule and handling daily problems on my own. These experiences made me feel much more mature and independent. 

Finally, the experience gave me more confidence in my academic and career goals. Going through the process of studying in the U.S. helped me better prepare for graduate school applications and confirmed that I could adapt to an international academic environment. It made me feel more certain about pursuing further study in the United States. 

When you think about UC Davis, what memory or feeling stands out most? 

One thing I’ll always remember about UC Davis is the atmosphere and the people. I remember walking across campus on sunny afternoons and seeing students studying on the grass, chatting with friends, riding bikes or playing sports. The environment felt very open, relaxed and welcoming. 

I will also remember how kind and supportive the people were. Even though I was far away from home, I felt encouraged and cared for by the community around me. 

Looking back, what does the Global Study Program mean to you? 

The Global Study Program means much more to me than just a short-term study abroad experience. It was a period of exploration, growth and self-discovery. 

Most importantly, the experience helped shape my future path. It strengthened my goal of pursuing graduate study in the United States and gave me the confidence to believe that I could succeed in an international environment. 

When I look back on my time at UC Davis, I think of it as one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences in my college life.