Who We Are

VSM is a registered campus group at UC Davis seeking to serve visiting faculty members, researchers, post-docs, and graduate students to acquaint them with the UCD campus and community. To that end, we provide campus tours, English conversation groups, shopping trips to Target and Walmart, weekend outings, and friendship over home-cooked meals.

A diverse group of people standing behind a brick sign that reads 'UC DAVIS' outdoors on a sunny day, with trees and university banners in the background.

Resources

  • A drone view of the UC Davis water tower on a university campus with trees and buildings in the background.

    Campus Tours

    We provide campus tours of UC Davis to help newly arrived visiting scholars to familiarize themselves with our campus. To schedule a tour, please express your interest on the signup form.

    i'm interested
  • English enrichment conversation with visiting scholars

    English Enrichment

    We provide English conversation enrichment workshops that meet on campus. At each meeting, we practice conversations over different thought-provoking topics and learn different tips to improve your conversational skills.

    i'm interested
  • English Cafe time with visiting scholars

    English Cafe

    We host English Cafe sessions on campus in which you get to practice English speaking in a small group setting. In each session, we learn practical American slangs and expressions, discuss different topics, and get to know one another over yummy food.

    I'm Interested
  • Grocery shopping cart

    Grocery Shopping Trips

    Need to shop for groceries and appliances but don't have a car? We offer shopping trips to local stores like Target, Walmart, and Ranch 99 to help newly arrived visiting scholars settle in.

    I'm Interested
  • Visiting Scholars Yosemite National Park photo

    Outings

    We host local and overnight outings to explore fun places around Davis and Northern California—past trips have included parks, museums, and nearby cities! Join us for our next adventure

    I'm Interested
  • Gospel of Mark Bible Camp for Visiting Scholars

    Explore Christianity

    Explore Christianity with us during your stay in Davis! We offer discussion based Bible studies every other week. We discuss thought-provoking topics ranging from beliefs to worldview and discuss what the Bible says about these topics.

    I’m Interested
  • Gather College Church attendance for the visiting scholars

    Sunday Gatherings

    If you are interested in checking out a church, we worship together at Gather College Church, which meets every Sunday on the UC Davis campus. All members of your family are welcome to join us.

    I'm interested

Events

Join us on October 30th for an evening of meaningful conversations and pumpkin carving!

This month's Life Talk will explore anxiety and what wisdom the Bible offers for navigating life's worries and uncertainties.

We'll also enjoy pumpkin carving, a fun American Halloween tradition! Come connect with fellow visiting scholars and enjoy a wonderful evening together!

People gathered outdoors at a food serving station, with trees and park area in the background.
Group of people at a picnic or food event outdoors, standing behind table with food and condiments, smiling at the camera.
A group of 24 diverse people posing for a photo indoors in front of a holiday decorated wall with red tinsel garland and bows. Some are holding cups or gift bags, and two individuals are in the front row holding a book.
Group of diverse women smiling at a festive Christmas dinner with a decorated tree, tinsel, garlands, and pizza on the table.
A group of diverse people sitting at tables in a conference room, laughing and engaging in conversation. There are water bottles, plates with grapes, and papers on the tables. The room has a white wall with a clock and a projector mounted on the ceil
Group of people smiling and waving at the camera on a park pathway by a lake, with trees and sailboats in the background.
Group of diverse people at a buffet-style gathering, smiling, with food trays on tables, in a modern room with high ceilings and white and blue walls.
A large classroom or conference room filled with people sitting at tables, participating in a group activity or discussion. There are two large screens displaying presentation slides at the front of the room. The room has a modern ceiling with bright
A large, well-lit room with many people sitting at round tables, eating and conversing. There are two large screens on the front wall displaying a colorful banner for a 'Cultural Exchange Night' event. The room has a white ceiling with linear lightin
Group of five women standing behind a decorated gingerbread house on a table, celebrating Christmas, with a stone fireplace and a clock overhead in the background.
A group of people gathered around a long dining table decorated with holiday decorations, Christmas tree with stockings and hats in the background, and festive garlands on the walls, sharing a meal in a cozy, well-lit room.
A group of diverse women and a girl are gathered around dining tables, eating and talking during a gathering in a living room. There is food on the tables and shelves, and a sliding glass door with curtains in the background.
A group of diverse people seated around tables in a classroom or conference room, listening to a man in a striped shirt who is speaking and gesturing with his hands. A music stand with papers is in the foreground, and there are exit signs on the wall
Group of diverse people standing outdoors on rocky terrain with a cityscape, hills, and cloudy sky in the background.
Group of women sitting at tables in a classroom, smiling, with a presentation screen in the background displaying a Thanksgiving celebration invitation.
An elderly woman in a wheelchair receiving a bouquet of flowers from a woman, with several other people sitting and smiling in the background in a room with yellow walls and a window.
A group of people, including women and a man, smiling and posing for a photo inside a room with windows and red curtains. One woman in the front is holding a large bouquet of flowers. There are cars parked outside visible through the windows.
A classroom with diverse people sitting at tables, engaged in conversations. There are whiteboards on the wall, a clock, and several tables with snacks and water bottles.
A diverse group of people interacting at a table during a classroom or workshop setting, with some eating muffins and water bottles on the table.
A classroom filled with students and instructors seated at round tables, engaging in discussion. There are two large screens at the front displaying a slide titled 'Discussion #1' with questions about decision-making and emotions. The room has white
Three men are sitting outdoors at a park with lush greenery and vibrant flowers. In the background, the Golden Gate Bridge is visible under a cloudy sky.
Group of people standing outdoors in front of a large historic arch with pinkish columns and intricate stone carvings.
A group of diverse smiling tourists posing in front of ancient Greek ruins with tall columns and ornate details. Some people are making peace signs, and the background shows greenery and partially cloudy sky.
Group of seven people smiling and posing in front of a historic building with Greek-style columns and sculptures. The building features a large arch and banners.
Group of people smiling outdoors in a park with palm trees and blue sky.
Four men standing together indoors, smiling for a photo during a Christmas gathering, with a decorated Christmas tree and holiday decorations in the background.
Group of approximately 20 diverse people in a living room holding wrapped gifts and smiling for the photo.
Group of people standing behind a sign that reads 'CAPITAL POST-ACUTE' with a Capitol dome illustration, outdoors near a building and trees.
A group of diverse people, including adults and children, smiling and posing for a photo outdoors in front of a mountainous landscape with waterfalls under a partly cloudy sky.
A group of smiling women taking a selfie outdoors with a large mountain and green trees in the background.
Group of diverse people posing for a group photo indoors near a wooden wall with green plants and a welcoming sign.
Group of six women smiling in a classroom, one holding a birthday cake with strawberries.
A large family gathering in a home kitchen with a table full of various dishes, including a roasted turkey, salads, and side dishes, with family members of different ages smiling and posing for a group photo.
A group of diverse people attending a meeting in a conference room, with trays of food on the table.
Group of diverse people sitting at a long table, enjoying a meal, with plates of food, water bottles, and papers on the table in a conference room.
People gathered around a table serving food during a meal, with various dishes in bowls and plates in a home setting.
A large group of people gathered around tables enjoying a meal, with some using chopsticks. In the background, a few individuals are standing near the kitchen area, engaged in conversation. The room has framed artwork on the walls, beige curtains, an
Group of people sitting around a dinner table with various plates of food at a celebration or gathering.
People sitting at a long table filled with various dishes, eating and smiling during a gathering in a home dining room.
Group of people sitting around a table, smiling and engaging in conversation, with food and drinks visible on the table, in a classroom or meeting room setting with two large screens displaying a presentation titled 'Cultural Exchange Night' from USM
Group of diverse women gathered around a wooden table in a restaurant or cafe, smiling and making peace signs, with menus, drinks, and plates on the table.
A man in a plaid shirt giving a presentation to a group of people seated at tables in a room with wooden floors, ceiling fans, and windows.
A classroom with students sitting at tables and a man standing at the front, giving a presentation. A large screen behind him displays an invitation for a Thanksgiving celebration.
A diverse group of six people sitting around a table in a classroom or meeting room, smiling at the camera. The table has beverages, plates, and napkins, indicating they are having a meal or a gathering.
A group of diverse people smiling and posing for a photo outdoors near a building and large trees, possibly during a sunny day.
Group of diverse people standing together in a modern classroom or conference room, smiling for the camera.
Group of diverse people smiling and standing in front of a stone fireplace with a digital screen displaying the title "Examining Christianity" and a crossword puzzle with questions about God, man, and Jesus.