From Davis to Chile to Rwanda: A Passion for Global Connectivity

A recent graduate in the summer of 2025, Chely Saens took full advantage of the global opportunities UC Davis offered her. An International Relations major with minors in Human Rights and Sustainability in the Built Environment, her interest in international urban planning was always at the forefront of her mind. Participating in the 2024 Chile Human Rights, Memory, and Democracy study abroad program and the 2025 Connect with Rwanda program, Chely also worked as a Sustainable Development Goals intern with Global Affairs. These experiences paved the way for her post-graduate work in data analytics with the hope of pursuing policy one day. 

An Introduction to Study Abroad Life

Before coming to UC Davis, Chely had little to no experience with global travel. Having never been

 on a plane or owned a passport, her world changed drastically after receiving a high school scholarship to visit Taiwan. Building up her confidence to travel internationally, this trip solidified her passion for cultural growth and education. 

After unlocking this newfound curiosity, she decided to register for the three-week study abroad program in Chile following her third year as an undergraduate. With a love for Latin American history, Chely felt moved to learn about topics like dictatorship from those who had been affected firsthand. Outside her university classes at Pontificia Universidad de Católica de Chile, she immersed herself in local Chilean life by visiting her classmates’ hometowns and enjoying coffee and cookies with their families. Chely shared,

“I always felt as though I was visiting old friends in a new place. My cohort helped me learn simple things from navigating bus stops to interacting in much more personal ways with the city apart from just sightseeing.” 

Although the few weeks she spent in Chile went by fast, she was fortunate enough to put down roots of her own while taking eye-opening classes toward her Human Rights minor. From living in Santiago to exploring the Atacama Desert, Chely cherishes all the connections she made. Prepared to take on another adventure in her future, she looked to Global Affairs once again to provide her with the next opportunity of a lifetime.

Looking at Education through a Global Lens

Nervous yet excited to pursue a global research trip in a separate area of the world, Chely traveled to Rwanda with a small student group to visit farming cooperatives in the African countryside. Unsure whether she would be chosen for the 2025 summer program, which was primarily science- and agricultural-based, she was elated to be given the chance to conduct further fieldwork in urban planning. With prior experience in landscaping, she learned how Rwandans interact, tend to, and care for their properties. Chely appreciated how interactive her experience was, especially getting to connect with people in the villages they were visiting. Sustainability has always been at the forefront of Chely’s mind, especially when conducting projects on restorative and regenerative farming abroad.

Chely’s experience in Rwanda is also tied to her accomplishments as a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) intern. Chely spent part of her undergraduate career working with Global Affairs, leading projects related to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals for global peace and prosperity. During her visit to the United Nations Sacramento chapter, she met people of all ages who shared the same passion for global advancement. She resonated most with Goal 4, which centers on quality education and inclusive academic experiences for all.

Chely spent much of her free time lobbying and participating in local activism as an undergraduate. She worked to raise awareness of accessible learning worldwide. From tabling in the quad to spending time with her fellow SDG interns, she emphasized the importance of university life as not just a place of academia but also the hub of unity and growth: 

“Having access to quality education is not only about getting accepted into an accredited institution, but is also ensuring all of your basic needs are met. It’s focused on how an institution positively serves everyone who interacts with it.”

Applying Her Degree in Diverse Ways

Global Affairs has given Chely multiple opportunities to discover the deeper meaning of her college experience. Traveling to diverse parts of the world has given her the tools to look beyond the classroom and apply her degree in the real world. Inspiring her future, she is using these global experiences as a stepping stone into the workforce. Taking a gap year before applying to grad school, she is currently teaching and participating in a data analytics fellowship. Chely shared,

“I truly feel that I have been changed by every person I have met, both in Davis and abroad. I would not be who I am today without them!”

With absolutely no regrets and a world of opportunity ahead of her, Chely is confident her future will be full of many more travel stories.