Summer Start: A World of Preparation and Collaboration

Supporting students from across the globe, Global Affairs’ Summer Start program offers early academic preparation, community building, and mentorship to incoming international undergraduate students. Embarking on this unique opportunity, third-year undergraduates Manasa (Mana) Rajnath and Yian (Patrick) Liao participated in the program from August through early September of 2023. Over six weeks of interactive activities, the pair made unforgettable memories with their cohort and learned valuable academic and professional skills. These experiences supported their transition into university life by combining in-class learning and real-world exploration.

Finding Deep Connections 

Taking a holistic approach, Summer Start students establish their daily routines and meet new people while taking preparatory courses over the summer to ease their transition into a new academic and cultural environment. It allows an adjustment period for international students before the fall quarter fully begins, bringing together students from all over the world in a supportive, shared experience. 

Patrick is a biochemistry and molecular biology major from Taiwan, and Mana is a double major in biopsychology and human development from South India. Although they come from different backgrounds and are studying separate subjects, the foundation they developed through their Summer Start experience has given them the confidence to succeed in college. 

Bringing together a diverse mix of cultures and lived experiences, their 2023 cohort included approximately 50 students, a number that has been steadily growing, with more than 80 students participating last year. 

For Patrick, Summer Start was especially helpful when learning English. Taking a pedagogy class helped him adjust to American etiquette, especially when interacting with his professors and peers. Empathy became the core of Patrick’s academic and social mission. He emphasized the importance of communication, especially for students who are actively adjusting to new practices. The Summer Start program provided him with a safe space to explore his pre-med goals through professional advising. He quickly found a judgment-free environment and made many close friendships. Patrick shared, 

“The Summer Start Student Learning Assistants were another great resource, introducing me to new on-campus tools.” 

One of his favorite Summer Start memories was taking a day trip to Old Sacramento with his peers. Each cohort explores Davis and its surrounding areas as part of the curriculum, enabling students to learn key skills outside the classroom. 

With a similar perspective, the Summer Start program opened the door to Mana’s long-term interests in global involvement and inclusion practices. Immediately immersed in an environment with so many different nationalities, this experience opened her eyes to the world in an interesting way. She stated, 

“In class, the tiniest things fascinated me. Seeing other students have their computers set up in a different language and learning how people cut their birthday cake according to their culture were things that really stood out.”

From visiting Lake Tahoe to staying up all night playing board games with her dorm friends, the Summer Start program helped pave the way for her positive experience in higher education. 

Growing their Goals 

Today, Patrick is part of a student-run health clinic on campus and is actively preparing to take the MCAT. Mana is a program assistant for the Global Affairs Pal Program and a mentor for the Global Affairs Global Ambassador Mentorship Program. She hopes to pursue her graduate studies in industrial psychology one day. 

Patrick and Mana have each found their own ways to stay involved on campus. They have also furthered their connection to the Summer Start program by becoming rising Student Learning Assistants and mentors for incoming international students. Looking back, they feel grateful for the many connections, opportunities, and memories they made. Once uncertain about their initial transition to university life, they are now focused on furthering their education and helping those who need extra guidance. Looking to the future, they each hope to make a difference on the UC Davis campus in a purposeful and passionate way.