Aidan Christopher Chiang, a second-year International Relations major at UC Davis, has embraced global learning through his involvement in the Global Engagement Opportunity Living Learning Community (GEO-LLC), internships focused on sustainability and a study abroad program in Malaysia.
Over the summer, I spent seven weeks doing an internship, paired with an online writing course, in New Zealand with a group of other University of California undergraduates. My major is environmental science and management, following the soils and biogeochemistry tract, and I hoped to gain experience incorporating soil science and sustainable management. As a student journalist at UC Davis Magazine, I wanted to share my experience spending a summer interning abroad.
UC Davis students used Critical Language Scholarships to study languages like Indonesian and Arabic abroad, enriching their fluency and cultural understanding through immersive summer programs. Since 2007, these scholarships have enabled 45 students to gain academic insights and global perspectives by experiencing new cultures firsthand.
Felicia Zhornitsky spent a month in Peru, volunteering with Sacred Valley Health to support community health workers in Quechua-speaking villages. This experience deepened her commitment to culturally sensitive, community-based healthcare and reinforced her dedication to pursuing a medical career that bridges healthcare systems and underserved populations.
Sophomore Eileen Dobzynski ('26) took part in the UC Davis Quarter Abroad Nepal program, working on sustainable development projects. "I've always wanted to study abroad, especially after the pandemic. This program allowed me to immerse myself in Nepali culture, form incredible friendships, and apply classroom learning in real-world projects."
UC Davis Ph.D. student Carlos Brito explores the impact of Venezuelan migration on local elections and public education quality in Boa Vista, Brazil. He highlights different aspects of his field experiences, including interactions with diverse cultural groups and the challenges of delivering public services in a multicultural environment.
“We want to give UC Davis overall a chance to get more involved with Italy,” said Eivind Lange III ’77. “Increasing the international exposure of students helps them to not only get their degree, but to experience another part of the world.”
Rising third-year UC Davis student Maddison Cunningham received The Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, known as The Voyager Scholarship, Tuesday. Cunningham is the first UC Davis student to earn The Voyager Scholarship since its inception in 2022.
UC Davis third-year biochemistry and molecular biology major Vyoma Bhanap wants to change the world through dance. In April, the Donald A. Strauss Scholarship Foundation Committee awarded Bhanap $15,000 to implement her proposal, Dance Bhoomi. This project uses the power of dance — specifically, dance therapy — to safely bridge the mind-body disconnect that often occurs in children who experience constant trauma.
