Learning From the Diversity of Davis: Charley Xiao's New Perspective
“Give yourself permission to enjoy Davis as a place, not just somewhere to collect credits,” said Qiwen (Charley) Xiao, a computer science and engineering student from China.
From broadening his perspective and opening academic doors, Davis served as the foundation for Charley’s next steps.
His participation in the Global Study Program helped him make connections with students from around the world, introducing him to new ideas and perspectives.
“I realized how narrow my own assumptions were,” he said. “Things I had treated as normal were really just one version of normal.”
Charley embraced the diversity of perspectives he gained in Davis. He drew inspiration from the campus’ international academic community and decided to pursue a career where he could collaborate internationally.
“UC Davis shaped how I imagine my future career,” he said.
After completing the Global Study Program, he returned to China, completed his computer science degree and worked as a research assistant on AI and high-performance computing projects. Today he is pursuing his master’s degree at UC Irvine.
What first inspired you to apply for the UC Davis Global Study Program, and why did UC Davis stand out to you?
I first heard about the UC Davis Global Study Program through my home university’s international office, and I was really interested in the idea of taking courses while experiencing everyday life in California.
Compared to other schools, UC Davis stood out because of the town vibe. It felt like a true college town with its own personality, not just a campus attached to a big city. I loved the idea of a bike-friendly place and living in a community where students, families and locals share the same spaces, instead of living totally separate lives. When I came to Davis, I was lucky to live in a place next to large patches of almond trees, extending toward the snow-capped mountains in the distance, where they eventually meet the cerulean sky. This isn’t something you would regularly see in other UCs.
What is one of your most memorable experiences from your time in the Global Study Program?
One of my most memorable experiences from the Global Study Program was an afternoon at the Davis Farmers Market with my friends. We had just finished a busy week of classes, and a group of us from different countries met up in Central Park, tried all kinds of food stalls and sat on the grass, talking about everything from classes to music to travel plans.
It felt very "Davis";—bikes everywhere, live music in the background and students and families all sharing the same space. That simple gathering made me feel like I was really part of the community, not just visiting for a short program.
Was there a particular class, project or professor that made a lasting impact on you?
Introduction to Literature had a lasting impact on me, especially with my instructor, Professor Cahalan. The course introduces students to different genres of English literature and helps them analyze both prose and poetry.
The professor created a very open, welcoming atmosphere in class and encouraged us to slow down and really read closely, whether it was a poem, a short story or a novel excerpt. She was kind, patient and always encouraged discussions in the class.
This class unexpectedly pulled me into the world of poems and novels. I started reading more poetry on my own and even writing some pieces in my free time. It’s something that has stayed with me far beyond the quarter. I still read and write poetry today, and it’s become an important way for me to reflect and express myself alongside my studies in computer science.
Looking back, how has the Global Study Program helped you get to where you are today?
The Global Study Program was a huge turning point for me. It was my first time in the U.S. and first experience taking regular university courses as an international student, fully integrated into the academic life at UC Davis.
What are the biggest lessons you took away from your time at UC Davis?
Academically, UC Davis taught me how to be a more active and intentional student. I learned to participate in discussions, go to office hours regularly and ask for clarification when I didn’t understand something. Group projects in classes also showed me how to divide responsibilities, communicate clearly with teammates and deliver something polished under tight deadlines. Those skills have carried over directly into my current coursework and research.
Personally, the biggest lesson was independence. UC Davis was my first time really living abroad on my own for an extended period. I had to figure out everything from how to register for classes and plan my own study schedule, to managing rent, groceries and transportation. I learned the fastest way to bike across campus to make it to an early class, how to navigate the bus system and how to handle everyday challenges like medical insurance or dealing with paperwork as an international student.
The program pushed me to be more confident, too—strolling around campus, speaking English every day and building friendships with people from all over the world. All of this has directly helped me in my current studies and research, and it continues to shape the kind of international, collaborative career I'm aiming for.
Emotionally, I also had to learn how to deal with the feeling of being “new” everywhere I went. Building a small routine helped a lot: studying at the library, cooking simple meals, making friends through clubs (I joined the book club) and taking short weekend trips around Davis. I learned to arrive in a completely new place, not know anyone and still build a life and community there.
What's next for you?
Right now, I’m studying computer science and engineering through a 3+2 program between Southern University of Science and Technology in China and UC Irvine, and I’m especially interested in areas like AI, machine learning and high-performance computing. After completing my master’s at UC Irvine, I hope to work as an engineer where I can collaborate with people across countries.
How did your experience at UC Davis shape how you imagine your future career?
My time at UC Davis taught me that diversity matters.
A small but memorable example of this is a study group I joined. We had members from the U.S., China, Latin America and South Asia, and our meetings often ended with us going out for lunch or dinner and chatting endlessly. Sometimes the conversation drifted from homework to how we grew up, what school was like in our own countries and what we wanted to do in the future. We once compared grading systems, talked about how our families viewed success and even disagreed—politely—about what a stable life should look like.
I realized how narrow my own assumptions were. Things I had treated as normal were really just one version of normal. Without those conversations, I would have carried those blind spots into my future decisions without ever noticing.
Later, I learned that diverse teams make better decisions, reduce groupthink and are less likely to fall into shared blind spots. If everyone in the room shares the same background, it’s easy for a biased idea to sound obviously correct. When people come from different cultures, disciplines and identities, they naturally question each other’s assumptions, which leads to more careful thinking and fairer outcomes. UC Davis naturally leans into this kind of global learning, with students from around the world.
This is a big part of why I want to pursue an international, collaborative career. I want to be in spaces where colleagues can challenge my blind spots and where I can help challenge theirs, so that the tools we build serve more than one narrow slice of the world. UC Davis was my first training ground in this.
What advice would you give to other international students who are considering the Global Study Program at UC Davis?
Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself, but be realistic about your workload. Talk to advisors, look carefully at course descriptions and choose classes that are both interesting and manageable for your English proficiency and academic level, especially if it’s your first time in the U.S. It’s better to take a few courses and do them well than to overload yourself.
Be proactive socially, even if you’re shy at first. I set a goal to make friends with at least one person from every class I took, and that really helped me build friendships and feel like a part of the campus community.
Finally, give yourself permission to enjoy Davis as a place, not just somewhere to collect credits.