With the start of the fall quarter, UC Davis welcomes new first-year and transfer international undergraduate students to campus. As the students adjust to their new home, they have the opportunity to receive mentorship, support and guidance through the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program. Administered by Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) within Global Affairs, the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program helps students adapt to life at UC Davis and in the United States.
Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) staff serve international students and scholars from over 100 countries. In fall 2021, Chinese students accounted for more than 70 percent of all degree-seeking international undergraduates, and nearly 40 percent of international graduate students. As an Aggie community, we can help these students feel more welcome and deepen their sense of belonging by properly pronouncing their names.
When coming into a new environment, finding an uplifting community is vital for feeling welcomed, unafraid, and eager to explore. Through the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program at UC Davis, new first-year and transfer undergraduate international students are matched with current students based on similar social and academic interests in order to foster a greater sense of belonging and friendship. Through social events like group dinners in downtown Davis and craft nights, new students and their mentors share their cultures and develop relationships based on cultural awareness and mutual appreciation.
In celebration of your hard work, dedication, resilience, and determination, Services for International Students and Scholars and Global Affairs has a special message for the graduating international students in the Class of 2021.
This spring, incoming and transferring international students will select a university where they will pursue their education. We invite you to encourage and welcome fellow international students by sharing your UC Davis story in a short letter to these students.
The U.S. election and socio-political strife can be stressful on their own. Combined with today’s challenges, they may feel even more overwhelming. We encourage you to find healthy and supportive ways to communicate about and address your concerns, stress, and anxiety. Please remember that everyone at UC Davis wants you to succeed and achieve your goals.
On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) provided an update for winter and spring 2021 academic terms, directing F-1 nonimmigrant students to continue to follow previous SEVP guidelines originally issued in March 2020 and used for fall 2020.
Please read the updated guidance for winter and spring quarters here, which published on December 18, 2020.
The below statement was sent to students on November 9, 2020, and does not reflect the updated information provided by the Department of Homeland Security on December 8, 2020. This updated guidance is covered in the announcement linked above.
The U.S. election can be a stressful event, and with today’s challenges, it may feel even more overwhelming. As the election approaches, we encourage you to find healthy and supportive ways to communicate about and address your concerns, stress, and anxiety. Please remember that everyone at UC Davis wants you to succeed and achieve your goals.
