Established in 1960, the University of California, San Diego – also known as UC San Diego – is a public research university located on the coast of Southern California. The school offers more than 200 degree programs for students and has a current enrollment of approximately 30,000 students, many of which are international students. Here’s more on one of the most popular schools on the west coast – UC San Diego.

UCSD international student group

Student Life: With more than 500 student organizations on campus, international students have plenty of opportunities to network and engage with others. Student organizations range widely in subjects, giving students the chance to get involved in activities they are already passionate about, as well as the opportunity to try something new.

Costume fun at UC San Diego

UC San Diego also encourages its student body to make an impact in the local community. The Center for Student Involvement helps students to use their skills to assist the underserved members of the San Diego community, which often provides students valuable work experience. 

The Tritons: In addition to getting involved with on-campus clubs and organizations, students can also support the UC San Diego athletic teams, known as the Tritons. UC San Diego participates in a number of sports year-round, including soccer, basketball, golf, baseball and tennis. 

UCSD intramural sports participants

Students interested in participating in athletics at the university can play intramural sports. Each semester, the school offers both competitive and non-competitive leagues for students to participate in their favorite sports and activities. Intramural leagues include soccer, dodgeball, water polo, rock climbing, volleyball, table tennis and more.

Getting an Education: Among universities in the United States, UC San Diego ranks very high from both an academic and overall value standpoint. In fact, Forbes ranks the university as the fifth best value college in the country. The university offers a range of degree programs, among the most popular being social sciences, engineering and biology. 

Proud certificate holders

UC San Diego also ranks 15th in the nation in the number of international students on campus. The International Students and Programs Office is a great resource on campus for these students as they adjust to living in a new country. 

Moving in: Before making the trip to San Diego to attend school, students will need to decide where to live. At UC San Diego, students can choose to either live on-campus in student housing or off-campus. Students planning to live in an off-campus apartment will need to find a safe location in close proximity to the university. ApartmentSearch.com is a great resource for students moving to a new area. The tool allows you to search for an apartment in your ideal location, while also detailing the cost of living, local restaurants, the length of your commute and more. If your apartment is unfurnished, furniture rental is an economical and hassle-free way to furnish your home. CORT, the leading provider of furniture rental in the U.S., furnishes thousands of student apartments with everything from beds and sofas to housewares and electronics – all with affordable rental package options.

When deciding where to study in the United States, international students should take the time to think about their academic goals as well as the setting they would enjoy living in. If the University of California, San Diego has the degree program you are interested in and you enjoy warm weather, this may be the perfect school for you!

Yu Wu is a native of Nanjing, China, and works with universities and education organizations at CORT Furniture Rental to help international students and scholars settle in faster when studying in the U.S.