Ushering in a Dynamic Winter Quarter with Diverse Programs and Fresh Faces
UC Davis CPE International kicks off the new year with innovative additions to programming and a diverse class of incoming students for the winter 2025 quarter.
Overall enrollment in winter programs—including students attending the credit-bearing Global Study Program, professional students in teacher training programs, undergraduates in Academic Preparation and Pathway Programs, and youth programs—stands at more than 500, with students arriving now through February.
The new international students come from around the world, including China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Honduras, Taiwan and Yemen.
Creating a Sense of Community
In a renewed commitment to helping our students adjust, connect and succeed during their time on campus, UC Davis CPE International kicked off a new welcome day for incoming international students attending Academic Preparation and Pathway Programs. CALI, which stands for Communication, Activities, Learning and Involvement, is a focused space that allows new students to enjoy their first steps here on campus.
“We want them to feel comfortable right away, and CALI allows them to do that,” said Katrina Koenig, assistant director of Academic Preparation and Pathway Programs. “The day is designed to help students socialize without the added pressure they might feel in class and become familiar with UC Davis and what they can expect during their time here.”
CALI includes engaging activities to help students connect with their classmates even before classes begin, creating a sense of community and familiarity in their new environment. It also gives them a chance to meet UC Davis students who will join them in extracurricular activities, assist in the classroom and serve as conversation partners to improve English language fluency.
This new welcome day is a unique opportunity for international students to truly get acquainted with their new home and feel comfortable in their surroundings. Students learn about available resources, how to get involved on campus and are encouraged to ask questions. They also discuss culture shock and how to overcome it. UC Davis students who have had similar experiences adjusting to a new culture, whether as international students themselves or while studying abroad, share their own accounts of learning to thrive in a new environment.
Students receive their class schedule and learn about program objectives during CALI, but most information-heavy details are shared during a pre-program online orientation two weeks before arriving in Davis. This online orientation is informative, so that their in-person welcome day can focus on social and cultural interactions.
“CALI is a time to celebrate,” said Koenig. “Our students who may be feeling jet lagged or overwhelmed appreciate a day where they can relax, meet people and soak everything in.”
Increasing Opportunity
Among the incoming Global Study Program students this January are four undergraduates from Shandong Agricultural University in China, who are also participating in the Academic Engagement Track.
While the Academic Engagement Track is popular among Japanese and South Korean students, historically, very few Chinese students have participated in the program. This new group of students demonstrates the program’s growing popularity and reputation for enhancing students’ academic study skills and English language fluency.
“The Academic Engagement Track is known for its robust curriculum and emphasis on academic preparation,” said Xin Chen, associate director of International Partnerships and Development. “I’m excited to see new partners taking advantage of this opportunity. We are confident that this academic enrichment program can prepare more students from around the world to succeed at the college level and become more adaptable in today’s global learning environment.”
Expanding Resources
This year also marks a new partnership with the UC Davis School of Education. Nancy Tseng, associate professor of Teaching in Education and coordinator of the Mandarin Bilingual Authorization Program at the School of Education, will serve as program advisor for CPE International’s Teacher Training Programs.
Tseng began her career in education as a public elementary school teacher. Her research interests focus on developing productive student-teacher relationships in elementary classrooms, identifying instructional practices that support mathematics learning and teaching, and pre- and in-service teacher education.
“I’m excited to partner with CPE International’s Teacher Training Program,” said Tseng. “I’m looking forward to interacting and collaborating with our global partners in education.”
In this role, Tseng is responsible for arranging school visits, providing curriculum resources, bringing in guest speakers, recommending UC Davis graduate students as program instructors and participating in delegation visits.
“We are delighted to have Nancy Tseng join our Teacher Training advising team,” said Nari Fujita, director of International Programs. “Aside from bringing more than 20 years of experience to her role, she also provides our Teacher Training Programs with access to more resources and UC Davis expertise.”
CPE International’s first Teacher Training Program of the year kicks off with a group of more than two dozen Taiwanese teachers from the Taiwan Fulbright Teacher Training Program.
“Our visiting international colleagues will benefit from the opportunity to learn with and from local educators and access the many resources that UC Davis has to offer,” said Tseng.