![Group of UCSC students sitting in a circle on the campus - First Year Transition Academy](https://ucscextension-live-28cd95cf77884d15bb06-01c17c1.divio-media.net/images/first.2e16d0ba.format-jpeg.fill-2400x858-c100.width-1920.jpg)
Build successful relationships in your cohort
As part of a cohort of students who are starting their undergraduate journey at the same time, you'll build relationships with your peers, share experiences and insights, and create a supportive network that can last throughout their college years.
By participating in our program, you not only gain academic knowledge but also make valuable social connections that can help you succeed in college and in your life.
Online events and activities
Students will have the opportunity to meet with each other and learn about the many campus departments providing services such as:
Recent International Stories
What Students Are Saying
"I received a clear view of the industry and what are the needs faced by enterprises today."
— Anonymous Student
International Student
"From assignments, class exercises, and group discussions to the project work and quizzes—it all helped me build strong foundations and solidify concepts."
— Neville Mistry
International Student
Program Manager
![Neville Mistry](https://ucscextension-live-28cd95cf77884d15bb06-01c17c1.divio-media.net/images/mistry-neville-2020-project-m.2e16d0ba.fill-130x130-c100.jpg)
"I made a lot of good connections while I was here."
— Aakash Dave
International Student
Entrepreneur, Founding CEO of Spotmi
![Aakash Dave](https://ucscextension-live-28cd95cf77884d15bb06-01c17c1.divio-media.net/images/aakash-dave-1x1.2e16d0ba.fill-130x130-c100.jpg)
"It’s a very supportive program. The engagement within our class was great. We learned from the professors as well as our classmates."
— Renuka Adnane, MSOD PHR SHRM-CP
International Student
Human Resources Business Partner
![Renuka Adnane, MSOD PHR SHRM-CP](https://ucscextension-live-28cd95cf77884d15bb06-01c17c1.divio-media.net/images/adnani-renuka-1x1.2e16d0ba.fill-130x130-c100.jpg)
"It was pretty deep and the assignments were demanding so I had to work hard to get the point."
— Renato Roschel Ribeiro, MBA
International Student
Director of Digital & Analytics | Data Analytics Professor
![Renato Roschel Ribeiro, MBA](https://ucscextension-live-28cd95cf77884d15bb06-01c17c1.divio-media.net/images/renato-ribeiro.2e16d0ba.fill-130x130-c100.jpg)
"The response from my fellow students was so enthusiastic that I had to think more in depth. It evolved. Every course demands that you think in a certain way. Every course took me a step further."
— Bouwien Luppes
International Student
Art Entrepreneur and Marketer
![Bouwien Luppes](https://ucscextension-live-28cd95cf77884d15bb06-01c17c1.divio-media.net/images/bouwien-luppes-1x1.2e16d0ba.fill-130x130-c100.png)
"She’s really inspired me to do a lot of things I was not doing with the kids. It helps you think differently about your role. It helped me a lot with teaching art and creativity. If they want to color a heart blue, we let them do it."
— Vandana Gupta
International Student
Child Care Teacher
![Vandana Gupta](https://ucscextension-live-28cd95cf77884d15bb06-01c17c1.divio-media.net/images/vandana-gupta-1x1.2e16d0ba.fill-130x130-c100.jpg)
"Diana is a fabulous instructor and is always willing to share her insights and make sure course content is adapted to everyone's needs. She is approachable and willing to help you have a thorough understanding of the content without judgment."
— Jasleen Kaur Monga
International Student
Learning Specialist | Educational Therapist
![Jasleen Kaur Monga](https://ucscextension-live-28cd95cf77884d15bb06-01c17c1.divio-media.net/images/kaur-jasleen-1x1.2e16d0ba.fill-130x130-c100.jpg)
"Jagadeesh really prepares for the sessions and the assignments, not letting students to lose focus during classes, engaging all. He has got a lot of examples to share and makes people think to apply what we learn in the class."
— SasiKumar Arumugan
International Student
Lead Software Engineer
![SasiKumar Arumugan](https://ucscextension-live-28cd95cf77884d15bb06-01c17c1.divio-media.net/images/arumugan-sasikumar-1x1-sm.2e16d0ba.fill-130x130-c100.jpg)
"The class involved whiteboard sessions and collaboration projects which really prepared me well to start working in the industry and tackle UX design interviews."
— Agnieszka Zimolag
International Student
Product Design, Cloud at IonQ
![Agnieszka Zimolag](https://ucscextension-live-28cd95cf77884d15bb06-01c17c1.divio-media.net/images/zimolag-agnieszka-ux-student.2e16d0ba.fill-130x130-c100.png)