Spend Your Summer or Winter Break Studying at UC Davis

International students can experience heart of Northern California while studying at the #2 public university! UC Davis International Programs Summer and Winter Sessions offer students from around the world the opportunity to explore several distinct subject areas while improving their English language skills with our popular Short-Term Content Based Programs. Each four-week program features a unique cultural and learning experience, a taste of American college life and a chance to make friends from all over the world.  

Intensive learning without the long-term commitment is what makes these study abroad programs perfect for summer or winter break. Visiting international undergraduate students, graduate students and professionals can make the most of their time off by building educational and professional skills that will increase their academic and career prospects, all while they enjoy the cultural and social perks of studying abroad. Whichever program students choose to explore, they will have the opportunity to:

• Experience world-class academics at a top-tier public university
• Take advantage of small class sizes
• Learn from highly qualified and experienced instructors
• Boost English language skills and confidence
• Enjoy daily recreational, cultural and social activities with UC Davis students  

Here are three programs to consider

Communication and Culture Program

In this English language program, students take a deep dive into U.S. culture through their homestay experience and coursework and gain the communication tools to comfortably engage with their host families and others. The program curriculum focuses on analyzing American society and culture through extensive contact assignments and practice with native speakers, which prepares students to communicate confidently using everyday English. Classroom lessons are supplemented with extracurricular activities that enable students to experience American culture and society firsthand. Students participate in historical and cultural events such as visits to county and state fairs, the State Capitol, Old Sacramento and other sites of interest.  

What students are saying: Past students have benefited from increased confidence, pride in overcoming shyness and learning new idioms. “I studied English a lot in Japan, but it was formal English, so this class is new knowledge for me, and it was fun.”  

English for Science and Technology  

This program provides students with the skills to feel more comfortable using English in the fields of science and technology. Students focus on increasing their awareness of current issues in STEM and emerging technologies, expanding their technical vocabulary, and learning how to gather and analyze data for a research project. Extended learning opportunities include site visits to witness real-world application of science and technology, a presentation from an entrepreneur and an experiential sensory activity on the chemistry of coffee (a taste of the most popular undergraduate class at UC Davis!).  

What students are saying: Past students have discovered new passions and have grown beyond their expectations. “I no longer feel resistance to speaking English.”  

Entrepreneurship and International Business 

This innovative and interactive program examines the critical role that entrepreneurship plays in driving the international economy forward and introduces students to problem-solving through design thinking—a human-centered approach for solving complex problems. Students collaborate to create step-by-step business plans for start-up companies of their choice, while honing their communication skills and learning to approach problem solving in a new way. Students also enjoy hands-on experiences, such as a trip to the campus Start-Up Center and a sensory experience on the design of coffee.  

What students are saying: “Design thinking is a completely new thing to me. It’s a little hard but interesting!”  

The unforgettable impact of studying abroad at UC Davis

Here to Help

Our staff work to make each student's journey to California as smooth as possible, including communicating with partner universities, processing applications, arranging travel to and from the airport, scheduling placement testing, and advising on housing and medical insurance.

Once here, they remain in close contact with students providing counseling on medical issues, cross cultural understanding and travel within the U.S., as well as arranging orientation and closing ceremonies.

Ensuring students have a memorable and successful experience here at UC Davis is our top priority. Our dedicated team of instructors, staff and student assistants are here to support them every step of the way. “It is important work getting students enrolled, arriving and departing safely and having a great experience,” says Program Specialist Paula Khodaverdi, who has more than 25 years of experience maintaining strong relationships with partner universities and clients at UC Davis International Programs. “Going home with a feeling of new-found self-confidence and a positive image of life in the U.S. is what I hope our students will take away from these programs.”  

During the program, international students can expect various opportunities to interact with UC Davis students through our experienced and passionate student assistants, who serve as American college peers. They attend classes with students, sometimes acting as teaching assistants to clarify concepts and assignments, and other times engaging in casual conversations getting to know one another. These interactions are valuable opportunities for international students to receive an authentic American college experience. Student assistants also facilitate extracurricular activities, such as arts and crafts, games, sports, tours and field trips. “The most meaningful experience we as student assistants can give to visiting international students is proper exposure to how college-age students in California speak with each other,” says Student Assistant Kiara Sato. “We speak casually with them and encourage them to speak to us using the same phrases. We help them distinguish between popular appropriate expressions that are actually used in the U.S. and the more outdated idioms that they may come across in classes.”