What Kind of College Experience Are You Looking For?

Urban buzz, peaceful countryside or the best of both worlds? Choosing the right study-abroad destination isn’t just about academics, it’s about finding the perfect place to call home. At UC Davis, our unique location blends the charm of a laid-back college town with easy access to big cities, stunning nature and everything in between.

Here’s why international students find UC Davis’ location the perfect fit for their U.S. college adventure.

A College-Town Vibe that Feels like Home

Imagine strolling through a friendly, walkable city that feels made for students. In Davis, you’ll find safety, community and all the amenities of a quintessential college town.

“I like that Davis is a university town,” said Kotomi Akai, a Japanese student studying Entrepreneurship and International Business. “It’s safer than other places in the U.S.,” which is one of the reasons she chose to study at UC Davis.

With downtown Davis just outside the campus borders, students can easily take part in the endless activities Davis has to offer. 

Featuring cafes, shops and movie theaters, there’s always something to do in Davis. And, as Hikaru Kawai, a student from Japan studying English for Science and Technology, points out, “There are many fantastic restaurants.” We stopped counting after 60, and that doesn’t include food trucks! Davis also boasts many coffee shops (nearly a dozen in the downtown area alone) that cater to students looking for a cool spot to study or hang out. It’s the perfect place to explore with friends.

“The most memorable experience for me was the town of Davis itself. It was a breath of fresh air,” said Adhiraj Bhagawati, a former Global Study Program student from India. “I loved cycling with my friends and going on long walking trips."

Davis has a welcoming, small-town vibe with a big personality and everything international students need to feel at home. For Carlos Maya Ortega, who came to UC Davis from Mexico to improve his English, “Davis has everything you need in one place.”

Life Without a Car: Biking, Walking and Beyond

If you dream of a car-free experience, Davis delivers. On foot, bike or bus, students can easily get to and from classes and local places in town. 

At UC Davis bicycling is the No. 1 mode of transportation. Known as the bicycle capital of the U.S., Davis has roughly 55 miles of flat, inviting pathways dedicated to bicycles and pedestrian traffic.

“The campus life is very nice. So many people biking around campus is definitely a highlight,” shared GSP graduate Julian Mogk of Germany.

“It’s easy to get around campus and the city,” agreed Carlos. “There are trails and paths just for bicycles and lots of places to park a bike. You don’t need a car.”

From the student-run Unitrans buses to the nearby Amtrak and local bus systems, Davis offers convenient public transportation to meet students’ needs. 

For Kotomi, whose homestay family lives in the nearby town of Woodland, she relies on the bus or her host family to get to campus. Even without a bike, she finds it just as easy to get around. “Downtown Davis is small and it’s easy to enjoy everything by just walking.”

Unitrans is free for all undergraduates and the Amtrak station has trains and connecting buses traveling to more than 150 destinations across California, making those weekend road trips even easier.

Escape to the Great Outdoors

For students craving open space and a connection to nature, UC Davis is a sanctuary.

At UC Davis, you’re surrounded by greenery and nature. Students often comment that the famous open space of the UC Davis campus contributes to a relaxed environment that supports study. From the UC Davis Arboretum along the shady Putah Creek to the grassy acres of the central campus Quad, it’s easy to find a quiet space to soak up the sun, study or picnic with friends.

“The campus is rich in nature with lots of greenery and a refreshing atmosphere,” said Mizuki Iitaka, a Japanese student studying Communication and Culture.

Davis’ mild Mediterranean climate means there’s plenty of days throughout the year for students to enjoy the outdoors, which was one of Pureum (Chloe) Her’s favorite pastimes as a GSP student from South Korea. “I’ll miss the sunshine and a cup of coffee on the grass,” she said.

Both Kotomi and Daisuke Kawai, another student from Japan studying English for Science and Technology, also enjoy the outdoor lifestyle that UC Davis promotes. “I like that it’s very open here,” said Kotomi. “It’s a good environment to study,” added Daisuke.

Carlos appreciates being so close to nature. “I love the open space here. It feels like you’re in the middle of nature and I like seeing the animals outside.”

California at Your Fingertips

What if your weekends could include skiing in Tahoe, wine tasting in Napa or walking the hilly streets of San Francisco? At UC Davis, they can.

For students who want to venture out to the coast or the mountains, UC Davis is less than two hours from both. Weekend getaways to famous California locales are part of what makes UC Davis so popular with students from overseas.

When Chloe was thinking about where to study abroad, she knew she wanted to be in California and UC Davis’ location was ideal. “I wanted to be close to San Francisco and LA,” she said. “I went on a trip every weekend,” said Chloe whose adventures included Lake Tahoe, LA, San Diego, Redwood National Park and San Francisco.

For adventure-ready students like Chloe, it's easy to take advantage of the opportunity to travel on the weekend. Popular destinations include the state capital of Sacramento, national parks like Yosemite and the Napa Valley wine country. Some students, like Kotomi, have also traveled to famous spots in Southern California, including Disneyland, Beverly Hills and Santa Barbara.

“I enjoy traveling and finding new places,” said Carlos. “Here in Davis, we can do that!”

“The best thing about Davis is the location is in the middle of everywhere,” added Abdulaziz Alsaif, a Saudi Arabian student who studied English at UC Davis International Programs in preparation for his master’s degree at UC Davis School of Engineering.

Why Location Matters

The right location can transform your study-abroad experience. UC Davis combines the best of a peaceful college town, a nature-rich campus and proximity to world-class destinations.

As GSP graduate Marc Hochheimer of Germany says, “This was the greatest study abroad experience. Davis is an amazing place to live and study."

• Related article: 10 Reasons Why UC Davis is a School of Choice for International Students