International Exchange Program

Information for current students

Expanding the Opportunities for Students to Study Abroad

UC Davis encourages students to take advantage of the many opportunities to participate in exchange programs with universities abroad. This invaluable experience provides a first-hand look at how companies are affected by fluctuations in the global marketplace. Students emerge with a comprehensive understanding of the global picture.

2024 Summer Session Abroad — LUT University (Lappeenranta University of Technology), Finland

Because most part-time MBA students work and are not able to undertake a quarter-long study abroad program, we are pleased to announce the opportunity in summer 2024 to study abroad at LUT University (Lappeenranta University of Technology) in Finland for 1-3 weeks and earn MBA credit toward your degree. 

Students can take intensive MBA classes focused on marketing, globalizing business,TRIZ, and entrepreneurship from late June through mid-July. The exact number of MBA units may vary based on the combination of modules that the student selects.

Modules, Sessions, Dates and UC Davis MBA Quarter Units

Program Selection: When reviewing exchange program candidates, the committee not only considers what would be best for the student’s educational experience but also how the student will represent the Graduate School of Management (GSM). A student’s selection will be based on the following:

  • Academic achievement at the GSM
  • Academic goals and motivation
  • Potential to successfully adapt to a different environment and a new educational system

NOTE: Preference will be given to those first-time participants as well as students who have completed the highest number of units towards their MBA degree, i.e., students closest to graduation.

We will send selected students a Letter of Acceptance and explain the next steps to prepare for their studies abroad. Applicants may also be chosen as “alternates” in case one of those selected withdraws from the program.

In RaPS (and later on the official academic record such as transcripts), the units you take in the LUT program will show as independent study (MGB 298/299) units, although the LUT units are not technically independent study units. However, the independent study process is the only way we have to get the LUT units on your transcripts. Same as independent study units, the units you are getting from the LUT program are Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading. These units can be earned towards your MBA degree; however, they will not reflect your cumulative GPA.

Fees and Scholarships: Students will have the option to participate in a one, two or three-week stay.

The cost of accommodation: 1 week EUR 225, 2 weeks EUR 295, 3 weeks EUR 375. If selected to participate in this program, you will pay your standard student fee per unit to the GSM. You will NOT be required to pay tuition to LUT. 

You will be required to pay for all travel costs, including flights and living expenses in Finland, meals, and any personal expenses.

  • All international LUT Summer School students will be provided a furnished single room in shared apartments (2-3 rooms per apartment, shared bathroom/shower and kitchen) in the Lappeenranta Student Housing Foundation LOAS. The residences are within easy walking distance of the university. If you prefer to stay somewhere else during the LUT Summer School, you will need to arrange the accommodation yourself.
     
  • Please note that the optional extracurricular weekend trip must be paid separately by students, as it is not included in the social program. For more information, check out the weekend trip. Please contact your program manager for further details.

Application Deadline and Additional Information

Interested students should submit applications here. The application deadline is March 15, 2024 (subject to change). Late applications will not be considered.

For more information, please contact Inger Maher, Senior Director of Student & Academic Services.

International Exchange Program

The GSM has established relationships with several international universities that afford students the opportunity to study abroad in regions of the world such as South America, Europe and Asia. Students who meet the selection criteria have the opportunity to enhance their education by enrolling in classes at one of the partner universities. Most often these exchanges are one semester in length; due to varied academic schedules, students generally participate in the fall. 

Participating Exchange Universities

The Graduate School of Management has established student exchange programs with several renowned international universities:

All exchange opportunities are subject to availability.

Application Procedure — International Exchange Programs (non-LUT)

If you are interested in an international exchange for the Fall 2024 quarter, please contact Inger Maher no later than March 31, 2024.

  • Personal Data Form
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Transcripts
  • Most recent copies of all college-level work, including UC Davis (copies are acceptable)
  • Study Plan
  • This form should list all the courses you propose to take at the host school

Please Note: To receive more than 12 units for your study abroad, you need to have approval by the Graduate School of Management associate dean when you submit your application. On your study plan, please indicate how many units you intend on receiving for your study abroad. Requests for more than 12 units will not be approved after you have returned from your study abroad.

Withdrawal: You may withdraw your application at any time during the application/selection process by submitting a letter, addressed to Inger Maher, explaining your decision to withdraw your application.

Financial Aid: Students receiving financial aid to attend UC Davis should continue to receive that aid while abroad as long as the eligibility factors for that aid do not change. If you are selected to participate in the exchange program, you must meet with the UC Davis assistant director of financial aid to confirm eligibility for financial aid prior to going abroad.

Selection Criteria

When selecting exchange program candidates, the committee considers what would be best for the student's educational experience and who would be a good representative of the Graduate School of Management to the host institution. A student's selection is based on the following:

  • Academic achievement at the Graduate School of Management
  • Academic goals and motivation
  • Language ability (if required)
  • Applicant's basic familiarity with the culture, history, geography and current events of the prospective host country
  • Ability to successfully adapt to a different environment and a new educational system

Due to the relatively small size of the Graduate School of Management, up to four students, a year are selected to study abroad. All applicants will be notified of a decision no later than four weeks after the application deadline. 

We will inform selected students of the next steps to prepare for their studies abroad. 

Applicants may be chosen as "conditional selectees" or "alternates" in case a selected student withdraws from the program. We will notify you immediately of any change in your status.

Information for Our Partner Schools           

Fall Quarter 2024                                      
Nomination deadline March 31, 2024
Quarter start date September 21, 2024 
Quarter end date December 10, 2024
Winter Quarter 2025                                      
Nomination deadline June 1, 2024
Quarter start date January 9, 2025
Quarter end date March 24, 2025
Spring Quarter 2025                                      
Nomination deadline November 15, 2024
Quarter start date April 3, 2025
Quarter end date June 15, 2025

One-Way Exchanges

Some students of diverse interests and backgrounds are eager to study abroad but do not want to be limited to the schools with which exchange agreements are currently set in place. The Graduate School of Management has therefore developed a process by which it is possible for students to participate in a special one-time exchange for the fall quarter of their second year of study.

Students interested in participating in this type of exchange should contact the host institution in the fall quarter of their first year to ask about the possibilities of studying for the following fall quarter as a visiting student. If selected, students pay the host school tuition and fees directly to the host institution in addition to a small portion of the Graduate School of Management professional school fee.

Important Things to Consider

  • Program: Are the schools you are considering comparable to the caliber of the Graduate School of Management program? See the school's exchange coordinator for possible suggestions of schools to research.
  • Timeline: You will need to finish your studies and return to the Graduate School of Management by the end of December for winter quarter courses.
  • Fees: How much more will you be paying to study at the host university (versus what you have been paying as a Graduate School of Management student?) Do you have the financial resources to afford to attend this school?
  • Courses: Does the school offer courses that interest you? Do they fit in with your long-term goals?
  • Language of Instruction: Are courses taught in English or the native language?

Policies and Procedures

If you wish to do a one-way exchange in the fall, please make note of the following procedures:

  • Contact and get approval from the host institution.
    Contact the host school to find out if it is possible for you to study there in the fall quarter of your second year. Ask them for their term's start and end dates and the business classes you would be eligible to take. Ask them about their fee policy and procedures for visiting students.  (As a one-way exchange student, you pay fees directly to the host school, NOT to UC Davis.) You will still be required to pay 50 percent of the fall quarter professional school fee in addition to the fees assessed by the host school. This fee maintains your status as a registered UC Davis student.
  • Keep a copy of all correspondence between you and the host institution.
    In your application package, you will be required to include documentation from the host institution that clearly states their approval of the one-way exchange.
  • Submit your Graduate School of Management International Exchange Program Application.
    Include your study plan, listing the classes you plan to take, signed by the Graduate School of Management assistant dean and the graduate advisor.
  • Pay the UC Davis professional fee and register for the MGT 299 course.
    If selected to go abroad, you will need to pay 50 percent of one academic quarter's worth of the professional fee and enroll in the MGT 299 before the end of the Spring Quarter. Student Services will provide you with the CRN to register for your MGT 299.
  • Submit course descriptions and an official transcript.
    Once you return from your study abroad, submit an official course description for each class you took and an official transcript to the Graduate School of Management Student Services Office. We will use this information to get the units you took abroad credited to your UC Davis transcript.

Passports

If you do not have a passport, apply for one as soon as you know you are going. Your passport must be valid for the entire length of your projected stay abroad (three months); the expiration date must fall AFTER completion of your stay abroad.

Non-U.S. citizens

Contact the consulate of your host country now to determine your visa requirements. The visa process may take several months longer than for U.S. citizens. Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) is an excellent resource concerning visas for non-U.S. citizens.