Programs & Events for International Scholars

The English-in-Action (EIA) conversation program matches international students, scholars and spouses with volunteer conversation leaders to help with conversational English language skills, simultaneously helping you to acquire a better understanding of American culture and to acclimate more quickly to UC San Diego and the San Diego community.

The EIA volunteer conversation leaders are community members, faculty, staff, and students.

Finish the week off right at the International Friday Café!  Meet people from around the world, enjoy international music, and explore world cultures all while enjoying a delicious meal from featured countries around the world.  All students, staff, faculty, and community members are welcome! $5 per person, CASH ONLY.

International scholars and their family members are welcome to attend a special orientation that will provide information on educational and fun activities for families to participate in during their stay in San Diego. Visit http://global.ucsd.edu/friends/index.html for additional information. 

English Conversation
Everyday English (ESL)
Tuesday Craft Circle
Mommy, Daddy & Me
Cooking Program
Friends Dinner Social
Ethnic Dinners
Visit an American Home
Scholarships
Additional Programs/Information

The Resale Shop, located at UC214 Main Room, is an on-campus thrift store. We offer a wide range of gently used clothes (contemporary, designer and vintage), household items and books. Proceeds from the sales help fund scholarships and activities related to international education. Volunteers and donation of goods are welcome. Call (858) 534-1124, or email shopFIC@ucsd.edu for more information.

International visitors are welcome every Wednesday morning for coffee, conversation and friendship.10 am to noon at University Center 409 (U409).  Details are here.

International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Initiated in 2000 by the US Department of State and the Department of Education, the week is dedicated to enhancing international awareness across UCSD campus as well as to reinforcing the importance of the exchange of students and scholars across borders.

Anyone with RIMAC membership looking for a way to exercise and interact or connect with other staff members or students at UC San Diego? Intramural sports are amateur teams on campus, made of students, scholars, staff, or community members. Games are 1 hour long, once per week, on campus. Anyone can join the teams; they are just for fun. See a listing of RIMAC intramural team sports.

Note: you must have a RIMAC membership in order to participate in intramural sports.

Help someone learn your language, and enjoy conversational practice in their language in exchange! Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/UCSDLangExchange/. This is a self-run program where you review who is available and choose your partner based on your language preferences.

Oceanids is a UC San Diego organization and support group promoting friendship and services to the UC San Diego community. They offer many services for international scholars such as the Kitchen & Baby Equipment Exchange as well as activities ranging from a Whale Watching trip during the Winter quarter to a Desert camping trip; to receive these announcements, please sign up here.

Oceanids has 20 different interest groups and the three listed below are popular amongst new postdocs or scholars at UC San Diego; the link will direct you to each group's specific webpage for details: