Choosing a Program
Choosing a Program – What to Consider
UC Davis Study Abroad offers a wide variety of focused learning opportunities, including in-person and virtual, typically during summer, fall quarter, or winter break. From academic considerations, such as how your course will fulfill university requirements, to more personal ones such as the housing, food, cost, or lifestyle in your location, when choosing a program, you’ll need to research your options to find the program that’s right for you.
The UC Davis Global Learning Hub website provides a list of the various types of study and internship programs that are offered through UC Davis on the Study Abroad page. When you are choosing the program that is best for you, there are a variety of things to consider:
- Why do you want to participate in a study abroad or virtual program?
- What kind of experience are you looking for?
- What type of credit will you earn on the program and how will it factor into your academic plan?
- What other considerations do you need to explore before selecting your program?
- Financial Aid, Scholarships, Budgeting
- Program housing
- Health & Safety
- Access & Diversity (Information and resources for students of color, LGBTQIA+ identified students, undocumented and immigrant students, students with disabilities, and more)
Program Types
There are a few different types of study abroad programming offered by UC Davis. Check the “Fees, Payments & Financial Aid” tab on the UC Davis Quarter Abroad, Summer Abroad, Summer Abroad Internships, and Virtual Summer Internships enrollment pages for the most up-to-date information surrounding financial aid. Students should inquire with their home campus Financial Aid Office for aid eligibility based on their intended program. For more information about financial aid and other funding opportunities, check out our Scholarships & Funding Resource.
UC Davis Quarter Abroad
Experience a UC Davis fall quarter abroad. Programs vary in courses and area of study and may include opportunities with language learning, internships, research, and more. UC Davis faculty teach and support students on site. Programs are open to UC Davis students. Programs offer UC Davis units, may fulfill degree, major, or GE requirements, and allow students to experience academic coursework enriched by both the program’s location and activities.
UC Davis Summer Abroad
Programs designed and led by UC Davis faculty taking their courses to an international setting. Students will engage in short, intensive academic courses that are complemented with group excursions and cultural activities. Programs are open to UC Davis students and students from the other UC system campuses. Programs offer UC Davis units, may fulfill degree, major, or GE requirements, and allow students to experience academic coursework enriched by both the program’s location(s) and activities.
UC Davis Summer Abroad Internships
Programs in a variety of career fields, designed in partnership with vendors and organizations abroad, providing students with a customized internship experience for academic credit. UC Davis faculty support student learning through an online course. Programs are open to UC Davis, UC students, and students from outside the UC system. Programs offer UC Davis units and may fulfill degree, major, or GE requirements.
UC Davis Virtual Summer Internships
Programs in a variety of career fields, designed in partnership with vendors and organizations abroad, providing students with a customized internship experience for academic credit. UC Davis faculty support student learning through an online course. Programs are open to UC Davis students and students from the other UC system campuses. Programs offer UC Davis units and may fulfill degree, major, or GE requirements.
UC Davis Global Intensive Programs
UC Davis Global Intensive Programs are for students interested in 3-week short-term programs abroad that requires less time away from campus. These programs are multi-disciplinary and may focus on one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals or UC Davis Grand Challenges. Summer Global Intensive programs are open to UC Davis students and students from the other UC system campuses. Quarter Global Intensive programs take place during fall quarter and open to UC Davis students. Programs offer UC Davis units and may fulfill degree, major, or GE requirements.
Research Your Options
In addition to reviewing the considerations and programs above, the following resources are also available as you research your options.
Discover Programs
Use this search and filter tool to discover program options through the Global Learning Hub.
Study Abroad in Your Major
Looking to take classes within your major or area of study? These major advising pages provide a list of programs that may be of interest to students in each major or offer courses related to the major. These lists are not an exhaustive list of program options but rather serve as a starting point in your search.
Program Specific Pages
Visit the individual program pages to learn about the courses, instructor, life on site, placements (for internships), cost and travel logistics. Many programs also include a recording of a past information session hosted by the instructor (look for these recordings under “Announcements”).
Interest Profile
Create a Study Abroad online account and choose programs that interest you to receive email updates about information sessions, enrollment, fees, program statuses and more.
Advising Assistance
Global Learning Hub Advising
Visit the UC Davis Global Learning Hub where you can talk with our Peer Advisors. Refer to our Contact Us page for drop-in Peer Advising hours or to set up an appointment with professional advising staff.
Our team of program coordinators can assist you with questions related to individual programs and their logistics. Find the link to their contact information on each program’s “Overview” page.
Academic Advisor
We encourage you to talk with your academic advisor about your plans to study abroad or participate in an international internship through the Global Learning Hub. They can talk with you about the timing in incorporating a global experience into your academic plan, as well as how courses taken on a study abroad or internship program may factor in your academic plan. Have this conversation early in your program research so you know what to look for academically with a program.
Program Instructor
For UC Davis programs, you may send an email to the program instructor as they are the experts on their program. You can also find a biography of your instructor on each program’s “Instructor” page. Many UC Davis study abroad and virtual internship program instructors are award-winning educators with a wealth of international experience and knowledge.