SAF's role in study abroad is about much more than just getting students to their destination. Once students arrive, various SAF teams continue to support them throughout their experience. For example, regular visits by the program team to popular partner universities worldwide grant the opportunity to ensure everything is running smoothly for students.
A recent visit to the University of California, Berkeley by SAF Program Specialist Alex de Gala is a great example of what that support looks like in practice.
Most Recent Visit to UC Berkeley
California continues to be one of SAF's most popular study destinations, welcoming students from across Asia each term.
During his UC Berkeley visit in July 2026, Alex met newly arrived students from China, Japan and South Korea during orientation sessions, helping them check-in and answering the inevitable questions that come with moving to a new country.
Alex also hosted informal office hours over coffee and snacks, giving students a space to chat about everything from public transportation and where to buy everyday essentials to adjusting to dorm life and navigating a different academic culture.
Why SAF Visits Students on Campus
It's the kind of support that complements the resources students already have before departure and SAF's 24/7 emergency assistance. Meeting an SAF staff member in person helps turn a name in an email signature into someone students know they can approach. It makes asking for help feel easier, whether it's a question about campus life or where to find the nearest grocery store.
In this context, small questions get answered quickly and students are reminded that they have someone looking out for them.
The visit gave Alex—and SAF—the chance to hear directly from students about how things were going.
All their feedback during this visit was overwhelmingly positive. Students spoke excitedly about their classes, describing a more collaborative learning environment than they were used to and plenty of opportunities to make friends. Many said they were already feeling at home and enjoying campus life.
Working with Local University Partners
The visit wasn't just about checking in with students, however. It was also an opportunity to spend time with SAF’s university and housing partners, making sure accommodation continues to meet students' needs and addressing any issues before they become bigger problems.
At Berkeley, Alex toured student housing and heard firsthand what students appreciated most about their new homes: onsite laundry, green spaces, courtyards and a mix of private and shared study areas that made it easy to balance quiet time with socializing. Dedicated residence staff were also close by, giving students another layer of support as they adjusted to life on campus.
Student's Feedback on Internship Experience
Alex also caught up with students participating in Berkeley's summer internship program. Placements varied from established companies to small startups, where students often found themselves working in close-knit teams and gaining exposure to senior leadership.
Regardless of where they were placed, students said their work felt relevant to what they were studying and that they felt well supported by both their supervisors and the university.
Value of SAF Campus Visits
For SAF, visits like this are about much more than saying hello. They're an opportunity to listen, strengthen relationships with university partners and continually improve the student experience.
Whether it's checking in face to face or quietly working behind the scenes to make sure everything is running smoothly, it's another way SAF helps students make the most of their time abroad.
