In his newly released documentary film, Umbria Jazz Feast, UC Davis Professor of Music, Pierpaolo Polzonetti, investigates the perceptions and identities of jazz as it intersects with the cuisine, art, and culture of locals and visitors in Perugia, a medieval town in central Italy. A musicologist specializing in music and food, Polzonetti focused on how the festival enabled a synesthetic experience; that is, one in which different senses are simultaneously engaged.
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.
A program offered by Global Affairs helps instructors “globalize” their courses through activities that demonstrate the interconnectedness of the world; identifying global learning outcomes for their courses; and develop student activities, assignments and projects to support those outcomes.
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.
