What is Life Like for International Students at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies?

Why San Diego

For international students, choosing a study destination is about more than academics—it’s about living in a place that feels both inspiring and welcoming. San Diego delivers on every front.

With sunny skies and mild temperatures year-round, San Diego encourages an active lifestyle, whether surfing at Pacific Beach, hiking nearby mountains, or simply spending time outdoors. Christine Aklilu, a Business Administration student from Ethiopia, reflected, “What I really like about San Diego and the people here is that they have such a nice work-life balance. They can be studying or working all day, but at the end of the day a lot of people just go out to the beach, go hiking, or surf, and they keep really active.” Neighborhoods—from buzzing downtown areas to relaxed coastal communities—offer distinct atmospheres and plenty of opportunities to meet friendly locals.

San Diego is also a culturally rich city. Balboa Park, the largest urban cultural park in the United States, is home to 17 museums and a wide array of performing-arts venues and gardens. Food and culture thrive here, fueled by a diverse global population. The city is even known as the craft beer capital of the world, with over 150 independent craft breweries and a reputation for developing some of the first of its style, such as the West Coast IPA.

Beyond lifestyle, San Diego is a hub for innovation. With a strong high-tech and biotech presence, and deep connections between industry and UC San Diego, students gain exposure to a community that values discovery and forward-looking ideas. Major companies headquartered here include Qualcomm, Illumina, and Teradata. Within walking distance of UC San Diego, La Jolla hosts several world-renowned research institutions: the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, The Scripps Research Institute, the J. Craig Venter Institute, and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, all leaders in biomedical, genomic, and neuroscience research.

Just as important, San Diego is one of the safest large cities in the United States—an added reassurance for students and their families.

Life at UC San Diego

Studying abroad is not only about advancing academically or professionally—it is about becoming part of a university community. At UC San Diego, international students join a campus consistently ranked among the world’s top research universities, known for its breakthroughs in science and technology. Yet what often surprises students most is the vibrancy of daily life here.

The campus itself is remarkable: perched on oceanfront bluffs in La Jolla, surrounded by eucalyptus groves, and within walking distance of La Jolla Shores, Black’s, and Torrey Pines State beaches. Students move seamlessly between the intensity of classes and the relaxation of outdoor spaces—a cadence that defines the UC San Diego experience. Noureddine Boudali, a University and Professional Studies student from France, noted, “After school—after this hour or two of just focusing—I can go have fun with friends on campus, and it feels like it’s a different place and time.”

That sense of balance extends to the wider campus culture. UC San Diego hosts hundreds of student organizations, including cultural and sports clubs, professional associations, and special-interest groups. International Programs students can join many of these organizations and participate in public campus events, becoming part of the university community. Each week, the university features lectures, seminars, athletic events, concerts, theater productions, art installations, and other activities. Whether attending a lecture by a celebrated scholar at the School of Global Policy and Strategy or the Qualcomm Institute, joining a club meeting, creating something new at the Craft Center or the Makerspace, cheering at a sports match at LionTree Arena, or enjoying a performance at the Epstein Amphitheater or La Jolla Playhouse, students have countless ways to engage with peers and experience the richness of student life at UC San Diego. 

In addition, International Programs offers its own calendar of activities, coordinated by a dedicated activities and events coordinator. These mixers, workshops, and social gatherings—many of them free—are designed specifically for international students. Highlights include “Day at the Bay,” a semiannual Mission Bay barbecue with water sports, as well as Conversation Clubs and themed workshops. Many of these activities are supported by Cultural Ambassadors—UC San Diego students and local San Diegans—who help visiting students practice English, build friendships, and connect with both the campus community and the greater San Diego area.

For students in International Programs, this integration extends into the classroom. English Language Institute (ELI) students benefit from programs like Conversation and Fluency, as well as Conversation electives available across International Programs, where Cultural Ambassadors—UC San Diego students and local San Diegans—facilitate language practice and community connections. Students in the ELI’s Volunteering and Leadership elective have additional opportunities to engage with the local community through nonprofit work, providing authentic experiences with residents and fostering relationships outside the university bubble. The University and Professional Studies program allows students to take courses across departments alongside UC San Diego undergraduates and graduates, broadening perspectives while earning credits transferable to their home universities. Certificate programs in fields such as Business, Project Management, Leadership, and Digital Marketing connect academic learning to Southern California’s industries. Certificates and University and Professional Studies are also pathways to practical work experience, allowing international students a chance to apply their skills in California’s fast-paced professional environment. Ana Celis, a student from Mexico who has completed certificates in Business Management, Project Management, and Digital Marketing, reflected, “What I love about UC San Diego Extended Studies is that it's not just academics. You grow socially, professionally, and personally too. It feels like you're leveling up in every area of your life.”

What sets UC San Diego apart, ultimately, is the rare harmony it offers: the prestige of a globally recognized university, the energy of a culturally diverse campus, and life in California’s most desirable coastal city.

The Details that Matter

San Diego distinguishes itself not only through its innovation-driven economy or its Pacific backdrop, but through the daily ease of life it affords. A morning lecture can easily be followed by an afternoon at the beach; a week of coursework balanced by weekend explorations of a city shaped by global cuisines and cultures. It is an environment where international students are not outsiders, but contributors to a community that thrives on diversity and exchange.

And then, of course, there are the small moments: matcha lattes before class, sunsets over the ocean, dumplings with friends. It is in these details—the flow of daily life—that international students in San Diego discover not just a program, but a community, and not just credentials, but a new sense of belonging.