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 abroad. This invaluable experience provides a first-hand experience on how companies are affected by fluctuations in the global marketplace. Students emerge with a comprehensive understanding of the global business environment and networking opportunities while earning MBA units.

We have teamed up with a global network of Universities to create an exceptional exchange experience for our students.

The following information is a guide to the programs we have made available to the GSM student body and the application process.

2025 Summer Session Abroad

Because many MBA students work or are not able to undertake a quarter-long study abroad, we are pleased to announce the summer opportunities for 2025 in Finland and China.

Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland

Study at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) for 1-3 weeks and earn MBA credit toward your MBA degree.

Students may 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.

Cost and Experience Options

Students have the option to participate in a one, two or three-week stay.

2024 Costs of Accommodation (2025 costs coming soon):

One week: EUR 225
Two weeks: EUR 295
Three weeks: EUR 375

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 resident halls are within easy walking distance of the university. If a student prefers to stay somewhere else during LUT Summer School, then they will need to arrange the accommodation themselves.

All travel costs, including flights and living expenses in Finland, meals, and any personal expenses are the student’s responsibility.

All optional extracurricular weekend trips must be paid by students. These excursions are not included in the program. For more information, check out the weekend trip.

Students selected to participate in this program, will pay the standard student fee per unit to the GSM. No tuition will be paid to LUT.

LUT Application Process

Step 1: Complete the GSM International Exchange Application by March 31, 2025. The committee will choose finalists to participate in this program.

Step 2: Receive approval and work with Inger Maher Sr. Director of Student and Academic Services and your Program Manager

Applicants may also be chosen as “alternates” in case one of those selected withdraws from the program.

Peking University Guanghua School of Management in Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai - Doing Business in China (DBIC)

Doing Business in China (DBIC) is a 2 week summer program. The curriculum focus will be on understanding the Chinese economy, and new technology and business transformation. The program seeks to bring together world-class teaching, teaching resources, and students.

Students will have the following opportunities:

Engage with industry leaders in China through company visits and guest speakers
Learn about China's thriving entrepreneurship and innovation scene
Appreciate China’s rich culture and history through cultural event
Learn from peers and forge cross-cultural friendships through social events

Program Dates: May 18-31 or June 15-28, 2025
Program Tuition: Waived
Program Fee: $3,0000.00

Fee includes accommodations, breakfast, most lunches, welcome/farewell event, transportation by high-speed train or airplane to visit sites.

DBIC Application Process

PKU has allocated 8 seats for GSM students this year.

Step 1: Complete the GSM International Exchange Application by February 21, 2025. The committee will choose the best 6 finalists to participate in this program.

Step 2: Receive approval and work with Inger Maher Sr. Director of Student and Academic Services and your Program Manager

Step 3: Finalists will then apply directly to PKU via their online application portal.

Applicants may also be chosen as “alternates” in case one of those selected withdraws from the program.

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

Quarter/Semester International Exchange Program During the School Year

The GSM continues to foster relationships with several international universities that afford students the opportunity to study abroad in regions 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 our partner universities.

Most often these exchanges are one quarter/semester in length. Due to varied academic schedules, GSM 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. Due to the relatively small size of the Graduate School of Management, up to 4 students a year are selected to study abroad.

Quarter/Semester Exchange Program Application Process

Application Deadline for Fall Quarter/Semester Exchange is due on March 31, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Step 1: Complete the GSM International Exchange Application by March 31, 2025
Step 2: Receive approval and work with Inger Maher and your Program Manager initially. Professor Joe Chen the MBA academic director will be an additional academic review.
Step 3: Work with the host university to submit any additional materials they may require. Some documents that are often requested are the following:
- Transcripts (if required by host school)
- Study Plan (if requested, this should list all the courses you propose to take at the host school

One-Way Customized Exchange Experience

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?

Procedures

Obtaining a one-way exchange during the fall quarter requires the interested student to follow these steps:

Contact and get approval from the host institution. Contact the host school to find out if it is possible to study there during the fall quarter of your second year. Ask them:
- About the term start and end dates
- About the business classes an exchange student would be eligible to take.
- About the fee policy. (As a one-way exchange, students pay fees directly to the host school, NOT to UC Davis.) GSM students will still be required to pay 50% of the fall quarter Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition fee in addition to the fees assessed by the host school. This fee maintains your status as a registered UC Davis student.
- Student Services will provide you with the CRN to register for your MGT 299
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 Academic Director.
Submit course descriptions and an official transcript following the study abroad. 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.

GSM Application Process for International Exchange Programs

All interested students must first complete the GSM International Exchange Application. Once submitted, the committee will select the exchange finalists.

Selection Criteria

When reviewing exchange program candidates, the committee considers what would be best for the student’s educational experience and how the student will represent the Graduate School of Management (GSM) while abroad. The committee will consider the following criteria:

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

All applicants will be notified of a decision no later than four weeks after the application deadline.

Preference will be given to 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.

What to Expect Once Selected

A committee representative will send selected students a letter of acceptance and explain next steps given the program they would like to participate and how prepare for their studies abroad.

Applicants may also be chosen as “alternates” in case a selected student withdraws from the program.

Withdrawal Process

You may withdraw your application at any time during the application/selection process by submitting an email to Inger Maher, explaining your decision to withdraw your application.

Academic Records, Policies and Procedures

Units Earned While on Exchange

The units will show up as an independent (298/299) study in the GSM Registration and Processing System (RaPS) also in the participating student’s official academic record or transcripts.
While the units taken at the host university are not independent study, this is the only way the GSM can get the units on the student’s official transcripts. Same as independent study units, the units earned from the exchange university are Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading. These units can be earned towards your MBA degree; however, they will not reflect your cumulative GPA.

Receiving More than 12 Units

Earning more than 12 units for the study abroad, students need to have approval by the Graduate School of Management Associate Dean before submission of the GSM International Exchange Application. When filling out the application, indicate how many units will be taken during the study abroad. Requests for more than 12 units will not be approved after you have returned from your study abroad.

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.

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.

Additional Information About Citizenship and Traveling Abroad

Passports

If you do not have a passport, apply for one as soon as possible. Your passport must be valid 6 months prior to travel and 6 month after travel. An updated passport will ensure smooth pass at the port of entries.

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.

General Information for Our Partner Schools

Fall Quarter 2025

Nomination deadline	March 31
Quarter start date	September 24
Quarter end date	December 12

Winter Quarter 2026

Nomination deadline	June 1
Quarter start date	January 5
Quarter end date	March 20

Spring Quarter 2026

Nomination deadline	November 15
Quarter start date	March 30
Quarter end date	June 11