Kristen Barclay, a UC Davis veterinary medicine student, returned to Madagascar for hands-on clinical experience alongside Malagasy veterinarians and students. Through community-based care, research and cultural exchange, she strengthened her veterinary skills while exploring the connections between animal, human and community health.
Growing up as the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Maya Sahtout learned early on how to bridge cultures. Those experiences sparked a passion for medicine that led her from Bolivia to Peru, where she explored global health, traditional healing practices, and the power of culturally responsive care.
Aliki Dragona’s work reaches students and faculty across UC Davis, from the Writing Center to study abroad in Greece to Teaching for Global Learning. Her approach to global learning is rooted in connection, curiosity and helping students see the world through broader context.
International Agricultural Development graduate student Meena Pandey is advancing sustainable agriculture through global learning experiences supported by Global Affairs. From China to Egypt, her international research and cross-cultural collaborations are shaping her future as a global agricultural leader.
From leading UC Davis’s inaugural SDG Symposium to studying sustainable cities across Northern Europe, graduate student Judi Eppele is turning her passion for environmental education into global action. Discover how her experiences at UC Davis are preparing her to tackle climate and sustainability challenges around the world.
The 2026 Global Learning Conference brought students together to explore what it means to become compassionate global leaders through inspiring presentations, networking, and hands-on learning. From healthcare equity to study abroad preparation, attendees gained valuable insights, built meaningful connections, and discovered new ways to make an impact in an increasingly interconnected world.
Supporting students from across the globe, Global Affairs’ Summer Start program offers early academic preparation, community building, and mentorship to incoming international undergraduate students.
The University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) Global Start Program offered at UC Davis is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for incoming Aggies to begin their university experience abroad.
From never leaving the country to studying human rights in Chile and conducting fieldwork in Rwanda, Chely Saens transformed her UC Davis experience into a global journey of purpose.
Aubrey Vanson, a third-year design major and art history minor, is passionate about creative expression and the role of design in everyday life. This past summer, she participated in the Design in Japan study abroad program to further explore how design and advertising can communicate meaning.
Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many. Luckily, there are many valuable experiences offered at UC Davis that allow Aggies to develop new perspectives, both academically and personally. Paola Simi, a current fourth-year majoring in Political Science, can attest to this fact after her recent time abroad.
Through the Global Grad Grant research track, Sungwon Heo, a Ph.D. candidate in Cultural Studies, conducted fieldwork on queer activism in Seoul, South Korea.
Andrea Solis Olguin’s journey from international and re-entry student to UC Davis civil engineering graduate highlights how resilience and global learning shaped her path, culminating in community-focused sustainability work in Mexico.
John Cadiz participated in the Korea University Climate Corps Program to examine South Korea’s approach to clean energy and transportation policy, gaining global insights that directly informed his PhD research on hydrogen infrastructure.
A six-week internship in New Zealand transformed Lauren Riggs’ understanding of mental health, blending hands-on clinical work with deep cultural immersion.
