UC Davis has countless opportunities to make your years here purposeful and fulfilling. Here are some ways to get involved during college if you’re new to UCD, or if you’re simply just hoping to try something new and meet new people!
1. Opt for on-campus housing
If you’re a freshman, I highly recommend living in the dorms during your first year – even if you live close enough to commute! The dorms are a great way to make friends. And once you’ve found your friend group on your floor, hanging out, talking, and studying are so easy to do with your floormates since you’re literally living down the hall from all of them. Dorming is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience I wish I could relive! I’ve met some of my best friends in college in my dorm hall and have made so many fun memories during freshman year with my floormates.
2. Apply for UCD-affiliated internships
UC Davis offers hundreds of internships in the city of Davis and surrounding areas. If you’re interested in health, apply for internships at the UC Davis Medical Center such as the Emergency Medical Research Associate Program (EMRAP). UC Davis also has several student-run clinics located in Sacramento such as the Imani Clinic, Shifa Clinic, and Willow Clinic. Through these enriching internships, you will meet students who have similar career interests as you and professionals who know so much about your field of interest. It’s a great way to make friends and network!
If you’re not interested in health, there are dozens of research labs on campus, as well as internships for various majors in Davis, Woodland, and Sacramento. Don’t hesitate to apply for these positions – take advantage of the amazing career-related opportunities UCD has to offer!
3. Apply for an on-campus job
Ever heard of the “tour guides fam”? “CoHo fam”? Being a campus tour guide or a Coffee House employee are just a couple of the several jobs at UC Davis that you can apply for as a student. Being an on-campus employee is another good way to meet new people, make new friends, and network while also building your resume and earning some money.
4. Join Greek life
Getting involved in Greek life (whether it’s joining a social fraternity or sorority, or a co-ed professional fraternity) is another wonderful chance to meet people with similar interests. Forget all the stereotypes you hear about Greek life, and check out rush week!
Even though I was really hesitant to join at first, I have met some amazing individuals within the Greek community and have made some life-long friends in my sorority. All of the fun events you’ll participate in will enhance your college experience. I can honestly say that your sorority will become your home away from home.
5. Study abroad
UC Davis offers study abroad to students through UCD Study Abroad, where you can take UCD courses in other countries or through UCEAP, where you can take classes in foreign universities. Through study abroad, you get the chance to befriend your classmates who will share the same experience as you in a foreign country. These shared memories will definitely be one of the highlights of your college experience, and the friends you make abroad and share these experiences with will definitely stick around even after your trip is over.
Here are some links to the programs mentioned in this article:
*None of the images used belong to Her Campus or the author.