Record Number Attend International and Access Programs at UC Davis

More than 1,000 students attended our international and youth programs at UC Davis for summer 2024. A record high since the Pandemic. 

The 1,077 students represented a 61.7% increase from last year’s 666 students. 

“For students around the globe, we represent opportunity, access and achievement,” said Nari Fujita, director of New Academic Initiatives and Destination Davis at UC Davis International and Access Programs. “Our team has been working diligently to recover the loss of international students during the pandemic through innovative programs and partnerships, and we’re excited to see that hard work come to fruition.” 

Academic Research 

Among the international students for summer 2024 were 29 Global Research Experience in Advanced Technologies students from China and Taiwan (up 123% from last year). In its 15th year, the GREAT Summer Research Program includes two students working at the UC Davis Medical Center—marking the first year the program has had students studying in Sacramento. 

Academic Prep and Pathway Programs

International undergraduate students in academic preparation programs accounted for 34.5% of international students on campus this summer. 

The Academic Engagement Track, designed to help students gain academic skills to succeed in their undergraduate education, welcomed 76 students. The vast majority are from Japan, but some also traveled from Kazakhstan, Mexico, Honduras and Vietnam. 

Short-term Content-Based Program students numbered 305, including 191 Japanese students in Communication and Culture, 55 Japanese students in English for Science and Technology, 33 Japanese and Indonesian students in Entrepreneurship and International Business and 17 Chinese students in Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Design. We also added 30 students to our online programs. 

English and Teacher Training 

New to UC Davis this year (thanks to a partnership with the Taiwan Ministry of Education) are 50 Taiwanese teachers from the National Taiwan Normal University. Here to improve their teaching skills in ESL and TEFL, the elementary and middle school teachers will learn new techniques and best practices, observe language classes at local elementary schools and visit educational exhibits at the California State Fair to increase their understanding of American culture. 

“Taiwan has a bold vision to improve the English proficiency of Taiwanese society by using English as the core language for teaching,” said Katrina Koenig, assistant director of Academic Preparation and Pathway Programs at UC Davis International and Access Programs. “English teachers who are trained efficiently are of utmost importance in today’s world, and we are thrilled to be a part of advancing Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 policy.” 

In our graduate-level English for Science/Engineering course, a custom program designed for Japanese researchers in STEM who wish to improve their English skills for research purposes, we welcomed 21 students. 

Youth Programs 

Youth Programs for summer 2024 saw a spike in both international and domestic students, up 76.9% from last year. 

Among international students on campus were 356 Chinese and Taiwanese youth ages 12-17. Students participated in a custom STEM/Robotics course, as well as our U.S. College Study Skills Program designed to provide high school students interested in attending a U.S. university with tools and strategies to improve their academic skills. 

Our domestic Pre-College Programs, designed to give high-achieving incoming freshmen to graduating seniors a hands-on introduction to college, welcomed 219 students this summer. Students participated in a range of programs exploring specific UC Davis “majors,” including Coastal and Marine Science, Equine Science, Pre-Med, Chemical Engineering with Coffee and Startup Entrepreneurship. 

“Seeing so many international students and youth on our campus has been the highlight of my summer,” said Anneli Adams, associate dean of International and Access Programs. “A sincere appreciation for IAP’s dedicated staff who support our students, partners, and instructors and faculty.”