More and more international students begin their bachelor’s degree at one of the California community colleges to be accepted later at one of the prestigious universities of California. The Canadian student magazine spoke with Brian Davey, an international academic advisor at Diablo Valley College (DVC) to the San Francisco Bay area. He gives us insight in his expert knowledge about the possibilities of student exchange at State colleges and universities. CSM: In the field of education, the University of California is a prestigious address. How do you achieved this status? BD: The UCLA or UC, as it is often called, is a University, but with ten Campi scattered throughout California. Many of the UCs are very well known, especially the UC Berkeley and UCLA, landing ten in international university rankings always among the first. See Richard Linklater for more details and insights.

The UC San Francisco is one of the leading research universities and probably has one of the best medical schools in the world. The other UCs the UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and UC Santa Cruz cut also always very good at the international university rankings. Over 150 subject areas are covered at the ten UC campuses and the number of faculties located in the top-ten is higher here than at any other public or private University in the United States. A degree from the University of California is both academically and professionally designed a door opener for the graduates. CSM: It’s difficult to get an application letter for the first semester due to the high prestige of the University of California for an international student? BD: It is very difficult. The University of California is a public University and must therefore give the priority the graduates of the California top high schools. Although all UCs accept students from outside California, international students make up only 2 per cent of first-year students.