Global Entrepreneurship (GEn): Innovation Meets Silicon Valley
The GEn Program, a five‑week blend of online modules and intense on‑campus study, launched in July with a cohort of international students from Queen’s University Belfast (Northern Ireland) and Kyung Hee University (South Korea) eager to develop startups or serve real-world organizations. Structured into internship and accelerator tracks, the program gave participants opportunities to create everything from no‑code websites to pitch‑ready business models. The program was led by Nada Miljković, Lecturer and Project Manager for the UC Santa Cruz Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED).
“The inaugural GEn program was a resounding success, offering students transformative experiences that blended real-world problem-solving, cross-cultural collaboration, and entrepreneurial action,” said Miljković. “Through immersive field trips across Silicon Valley and the Bay Area—including visits to innovation hubs like Google and meetings with venture capitalists and startup founders—participants were empowered to lead with confidence, innovate with purpose, and forge lasting global connections they will carry back to their communities and futures.”
A highlight of the 2025 GEn curriculum was the site visit to Google’s Mountain View campus, where students met industry leaders and gained first-hand exposure to Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem. Participants also had the opportunity to meet and interact with guest speakers such as Jeremy Neuner from Google, Tobey Corey, former president of Global Sales at Tesla, and Rick Vargas, creative director at Apple for over 20 years.
“I found the sessions with inspiring professionals from places like Apple and Stanford incredibly valuable. Having the opportunity to hear from such amazing individuals that Nada invited as guest speakers was a true honor, and the fact that we were offered such rare and meaningful sessions was what made the program so enriching,” said Yoorim Lee, an international student on the Internship Experience track.
“The GEn Program was a career-defining experience that has provided me with practical skills, fresh perspectives, and the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship with clarity and purpose,” said Cathal McEvoy, an international student on the Startup Accelerator track.
International Student Research Program (ISRP): Lab Life and Discovery
Meanwhile, the ISRP welcomed students from partner universities in South Korea (Seoul National University, KAIST), the UK (University of Leeds), India (IIT Kanpur, Shiv Nadar University, Amrita University), and Malaysia (University of Malaysia) into an intensive 8‑week research internship with UCSC faculty. From mid-June to late August, students immersed themselves in projects across the sciences, social sciences, and engineering, gaining invaluable mentorship and skills in research methodology.
“Working with Professor Grace Gu on climate risk and finance was one of the most valuable parts of the summer. I learned how to approach problems methodically, work with data in a more structured way, and connect research questions to real-world issues,” said Rohit Maind, IIT Kanpur student.
UCSC’s Strategic Advantage: Innovative Campus and Silicon Valley Access
International students visiting UC Santa Cruz enjoy a unique blend of serene redwood‑framed campus life and proximity to Silicon Valley’s tech hub. The two summer offerings, GEn’s industry immersion and ISRP’s research lab and project placements, highlight UC Santa Cruz’s commitment to internationalization and experiential learning.