UC Davis Global Affairs

05/28/2026

From the streets of Perugia to the global stage, jazz becomes more than music in UC Davis Professor Pierpaolo Polzonetti’s new documentary, Umbria Jazz Feast. The film explores how jazz, food and culture come together during Italy’s renowned Umbria Jazz Festival, creating moments of connection across traditions, generations and borders.

Read more at: https://globalaffairs.ucdavis.edu/news/umbria-jazz-feast-where-global-sounds-meet-italian-streets

UC Davis | UC Davis College of Letters and Science

Image Description: Giulio Angrisani plays the flugelhorn late at night in a square in Perugia, Italy.

05/19/2026

From healthcare equity to study abroad preparation, the 2026 Global Learning Conference brought students together to explore what it means to lead with compassion in a connected world.

Hosted by the Global Learning Hub at the UC Davis International Center, the conference created space for students to build professional skills, exchange ideas and strengthen their global perspectives.

Read more about this year’s conference and student takeaways:

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 c...

05/05/2026

Starting their UC Davis journey with Global Affairs’ Summer Start program, Manasa (Mana) Rajnath and Yian (Patrick) Liao built a strong foundation for academic success, community and global connection.

Designed for incoming international students, Summer Start offers early preparation through coursework, mentorship and hands-on experiences. Today, both students remain actively involved on campus, mentoring others and helping to foster the same sense of community that shaped their start at UC Davis.

Learn more about their journey at: https://globalaffairs.ucdavis.edu/news/summer-start-world-preparation-and-collaboration

UC Davis | College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis | UC Davis College of Biological Sciences

Supporting students from across the globe, Global Affairs’ Summer Start program offers early academic preparation, community building, and mentorship to incoming international undergraduate students. Embarking on this unique opportunity, third-year undergraduates Manasa (Mana) Rajnath and Yian (Pa...

04/30/2026

Each year, the UC Davis and UC Davis Health community gathers for the Remembrance Ceremony — now in its third year — to pause and remember those we have lost. This gathering offers a moment to reflect on the contributions and impact of colleagues, friends and students who were part of our campuses. Join us Monday, May 11, 12–12:30 p.m. All are welcome. Learn more and register: https://leadership.ucdavis.edu/remembrance-ceremony/2026

Image Description:
Yellow and white ribbons are tied to a light-colored rope and strung along, sitting on top of the leaves of a tree or bush outdoors on a sunny day. There's writing on some of the ribbons, blurred in the background. Event information is displayed in white over the bottom half of the image and reads, "May 11. Remembrance Ceremony" along with the UC Davis wordmark logo.

04/27/2026

Are you an international scholar at UC Davis? Join us at the International Center on May 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the International Scholar Spring Barbecue! Connect with the international scholar community while enjoying some tasty bites and the spring weather at UC Davis. Family and guests are welcome. Please RSVP by May 10: https://buff.ly/5sgIgSz

04/24/2026

Starting their university experience abroad, Katie Beals and Julia Holmes took their first steps as UC Davis students in Syracuse, Italy.

As part of the UCEAP Global Start program, the first-year students immersed themselves in Italian culture while completing general education courses. Their experience abroad helped them grow as students but, more importantly, as well-rounded individuals embarking on a new stage in life.

Learn more about their journey at: https://globalaffairs.ucdavis.edu/news/new-starts-syracuse-katie-beals-and-julia-holmes-begin-their-aggie-experience-italy

For incoming students, next year's Global Start program is in Seville, Spain! Applications close on May 21.

Image Description: A scenic coastal view of Syracuse, Italy, with calm blue water in the foreground and historic buildings lining the shoreline under a clear sky.

UC Davis | College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis | UC Davis College of Biological Sciences

Starting college is already a big leap—but imagine doing it abroad in Italy. Through the University of California Education Abroad Program Global Start program, two first-year University of California, Davis students traded classrooms for the vibrant streets of Syracuse, gaining independence, cult...

04/22/2026

This Earth Day, we are reflecting on what it means to make a global impact. Wondering where you fit in?

Join the Global Impact Fellows at the SDG Symposium to see how students are turning these goals into tangible change.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 interconnected priorities tackling the world’s biggest challenges, from hunger and poverty to education, equity, and sustainable innovation. They’re not only global ideals, but they’re also a framework for real, local action driven by people like you.

Hope to see you there on Thursday, April 30, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the International Center:
• Learn how to engage with each of the 17 SDGs
• Hear directly from students taking action
• Ask questions during an open Q&A
• Gain insights from global sustainability experts
• Get a free professional headshot

This is an opportunity to connect your academic path to real-world impact.

RSVP at the link in our bio.
Image Description: Three students smile and pose with a large poster of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, as two of the students point to two of the goals listed.

04/18/2026

Happy Picnic Day, Global Aggies! We are taking another festive walk in the parade this morning with members of the Global Affairs and International House Davis teams, and we are joined by students, fellows and community members. Thank you to our flag bearers and to all of the participants representing our vibrant international community. Enjoy a fun day ahead!



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Image Description: Before the Picnic Day parade on a sunny morning, a group of parade walkers representing Global Affairs and International House Davis smile for a group photo standing behind banners for both organizations. Some holding flags from various countries.

04/17/2026

From Davis to Chile to Rwanda, Chely Saens has built a global perspective rooted in connection, curiosity and community.

As an International Relations major with minors in Human Rights and Sustainability in the Built Environment, Chely made the most of her time at UC Davis through study abroad, global research and her work as a Global Affairs Sustainable Development Goals intern. These experiences helped shape her path as she explores data analytics and prepares for a future in policy.

Learn more about Chely’s journey: https://globalaffairs.ucdavis.edu/news/davis-chile-rwanda-passion-global-connectivity

Image Description: Chely Saens sits on a rocky overlook in Chile with mountains in the background, and branding at the bottom.

UC Davis | UC Davis College of Letters and Science | UC Davis College of Engineering

Global Affairs is inspiring global curiosity, understanding, and engagement at UC Davis and beyond.

04/17/2026

“As a city where students make up over 60 percent of the population, the energy is unique. I have rarely felt that kind of supportive atmosphere elsewhere."

From Germany to UC Davis, Karim Katta MM 25 turned being the only international voice in the room into a leadership advantage, building global perspective, community and confidence in the inaugural Master of Management cohort.

Read about his one-year journey in Davis: https://bit.ly/4dtZczT

Photo Description: Under clear blue skies, Master of Management alumnus Karim Katta stands in front of George Hart Hall at UC Davis, where he says the campus feels like a city within a city. Katta is wearing a gold graduation stole and sunglasses.

04/16/2026

During UC Davis Give Day, your gift to Global Affairs creates transformative opportunities for students to become global learners, thinkers and changemakers, empowers research collaborations that address global challenges and fosters communities that value intercultural understanding and diverse perspectives.

You can direct your support to areas that matter most to you, including the G. David Miller Fund to Support International Community Economic Development, the Global Affairs Annual Fund, the Global Community Emergency Fund, the Global Education for All Excellence Fund, International Scholars and Students at UC Davis, the Passport Access Support Fund, the Ralph Hexter and Manfred Kollmeier Fund for Global LGBTQIA+ Rights, Study Abroad or the Susan Toulson Study Abroad Award.

Your gift can go even further thanks to more than $7,500 in challenge funds, generously provided by Susan Toulson, Joanna Regulska and Michael Curry.

Give early or join us during Give Day, Friday, April 17, at 12:00 pm through Saturday, April 18, at 5:00 pm.

Give now at https://giveto.ucdavis.edu/schools/UniversityofCaliforniaDavis/give-day-2026/pages/globalaffairs

Image description: UC Davis students smile together on a rooftop overlooking Segovia, Spain, with an aqueduct, tiled roofs and mountains in the distance. A UC Davis Give Day graphic appears in the corner.