As an increasing number of Asian students are completing their higher education abroad, excellent teaching is no longer the sole parameter for their university choice. In today’s globalized world, students are looking for more return on their investment – value for money education that provides them with not just top-notch academics but a memorable university life, the opportunity to engage within and outside the campus, networking and exchange program opportunities amongst others. Education is a competitive sector, and universities are working relentlessly to provide more value to their international and home students. In countries like the US, where there is an abundance of high-quality institutes, universities are concentrating their efforts to bring in the best minds, provide the best experience and yet remain unique in what they do.

Located in the city of sun and surf, California’s Orange County, University of California, Irvine (UCI) is home to strong academic programs, a fantastic student life and a multitude of cultures. The university is a popular choice among students who receive training from experts in their fields while participating in an active and exciting social life. UC Irvine itself has 450 student clubs to please every interest. However, maintaining the university’s unique brand takes effort and there is a lot of planning and coordination by staff who engage with students, employers and the community to create the perfect mix of academics and campus life.

Brent Yunek, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrolment Services, UC Irvine

Brent Yunek, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrolment Services, is familiar with student needs and deals with international applications on a daily basis. He counts off the reasons behind choosing a US education over other destinations such as the UK: “The west coast of the United States has many opportunities. Despite the hearsay of California’s current economy, we have a very vibrant and active local and global network of corporate partners with whom students can conduct research and internships.  With more than 80 majors to choose from on campus, students find that they can really align their academic interests.  Also our campus has exciting programs in East Asian Languages and Asian American Studies.  Many Asian families find UCI to be an excellent value.”

“UC Irvine has a very strong Asian American community surrounding the campus,” explains Brent when asked the reasons behind the popularity of UC Irvine among Asian students.  “The state of California has a long standing Asian community including the Chinese American community who are very UC focused.”

And the association with Asia and the international community in general is much more solid than other universities across the country. More than 50% of UC Irvine’s student population is Asian with 2000 from countries outside of the US. This demonstrates the importance of a diverse, international student community to create a holistic student experience at this Californian university. Brent says: “We have a goal of continuing to expand the internationalization of the campus.  Drawing from our strength as a campus with a large Asian population, along with our location and a student body attractive to Asians, we are sharing our story and opportunities with other international populations around the world.”

However, an education abroad calls for investment and although currently scholarship opportunities for international students at UC Irvine are limited, Brent is confident that this might change with the development of new scholarship programs: “We are in the phase of collecting information from families as to what they need.  Most international Asian students do not need the scholarship.”

Pic: UC Irvine

The university’s international reputation continuously attracts Asian students keen for the UCI experience. Brent notes that huge demand has been expressed from countries like People’s Republic of China, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan. Students from these countries are applying for majors in a variety of subjects including Business Administration, Business Economics, and Economics. “We recognize that foreign students bring a global consciousness with them and are often interested in Political Sciences, and also they often have a green focus – Social Ecology and Earth Systems Science,” says the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrolment Services. “A long time interest in UCI as a most popular major is Biology. Now we are seeing a growing demand for the Arts, both performance and technical.”

Capitalizing on this emerging need, the Claire Trevor School of the Arts (CTSA) at UCI has become a hub for some of the brightest minds in the field to develop and finesse their skills before embarking to become leaders in their chosen fields. Nurturing distinguished and highly renowned fountainheads of talent in the creative arts industry, the School offers courses in the fields of dance, drama,music and studio arts, as well as a minor in digital arts. This is one of the US’ most-acclaimed centers devoted to the creative industries, and the School is famous for some of the most celebrated actors in America.

Oscar-winning actress, Claire Trevor, namesake of the School, continues to act as a beacon for CTSA students and faculty, and for the community in general. Before her death in 2000, Claire Trevor became interested and involved in the School, which is now named after her. And even today, the School attracts students from across the Asia-Pacific regions, who are keen to train in one of the most respected creative arts schools in the world.

Professor Stephen Barker, Associate Dean, CTSA

Professor Stephen Barker, Associate Dean of the School, reveals: “Each of our four departments offers unique opportunities for students during their time in the CTSA at UC Irvine. All four departments offer opportunities for performance and production, as well as opportunities for study abroad at locations worldwide. The Drama department offers the chance to spend time in New York as part of the New York Satellite Program, which immerses students in the theatrical life of the world’s premier venue. All four of our departments encourage students to engage off-campus in their artistic activities and provide opportunities for doing so. Music choirs and music groups perform worldwide, and scholars from all four departments participate internationally in conferences, as presenters and responders.”

The School hosts a fascinating program known as Arts Outreach – a dynamic community-oriented program designed to acquaint the local community with the work of the CTSA and to engage the community in arts-related activity. “It is a central part of the School’s mission,” says Dr Barker. “Its connection with local schools and arts organizations involves sharing our talents and knowledge with people of all ages, from kindergartners to retired persons. Arts Outreach involves numerous activities to the community and provides opportunities for students from across the UC Irvine campus to connect with the arts.”

And true to its belief of knowledge-sharing, CTSA maintains strong links with Asia to meet prospective students as well as engage in creative cultural exchange. This is part of the UCI philosophy to engage globally and encourage diversity, as Brent explains: “We have staff who travel to People’s Republic of China, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan.  They meet with high school principals and counsellors, students and their parents.  We also meet and partner with the Education USA offices and Embassies.  We have an active marketing channel with online media including CollegeWeekLive events, Zinch China and others.”

Pic: UC Irvine

Knowledge-sharing and globalization has increased awareness of career options to the Asian population that previously weren’t popular- such as the Creative Industries. The lucrative Asian market is a high priority for international educators and UCI is no different. Emerging knowledge economies such as Singapore and Hong Kong, with an increase in middle-income families who now demand an international education, have encouraged educators to increase their marketing and branding. However, these efforts cannot replace tangible student needs such as networking opportunities, collaborations and recognised alumni. Although CTSA is a young arts school, its recognition surpasses its age. “UC Irvine is still a very ‘young’ campus, having been founded in 1965, so even our earliest alumni are now in their most robust professional periods,” says Dr Barker. “The School has recently been enhanced by a series of architectural elements designed by famed designer Maya Lin. Drama Faculty member Daphne Lei brings numerous Asian artists, including the Beijing Opera, to the CTSA each year for our Multicultural Spring. Studio Art faculty member Yong Sun Min has close connections to contemporary Korean art both in the US and Korea.”

These relationships form an integral part to student preferences when it comes to university choices. UCI recognises the value of international programs for the benefit of Asian students and concentrates substantial effort on global partnerships and collaboration. Brent explains: “We design programs and extensive research and internship partnerships and collaborations between global faculty and industry that appeal to top talent.  It is the case that Asian students respond most frequently to these opportunities.  We also have a program designed for rising high school seniors called The UC Global Leadership Institute.  With this multi-week summer residential program, students get to experience college life and academics up close with an exciting two course program integrating research, local Southern California field experience and residential campus life.”

Pic: UC Irvine

International collaboration and home enrichment programs compliment each other at UC Irvine. Not only do students experience an exciting social life and live in one of the most sought-after locations in the world, their accommodation choices are award-winning. UC Irvine has exceptional housing facilities having won student housing awards such as the ‘Best Student Housing Apartment Community’ from the National Home Builders Association. “The campus’ newer facilities have been designed with greener principals,” reveals Brent. “Also our student housing fosters small student learning communities through academic themed housing.  The facilities offer the full range of living environments with everything from cafeteria style dining, to shared apartments with full kitchens. Now over 50% of our student population lives on campus.”

These factors and more combine to create a unique student experience and is ideally suited to Asian needs in a foreign location, ensuring the right platform for an excellent start to a multitude of careers in a truly international community.

Read more about UC Irvine and Claire Trevor School of the Arts