UC Davis Global Learning Hub: A World of Opportunities

The UC Davis Global Learning Hub, established in Fall 2019 as part of Global Affairs, serves as a central resource for students seeking to expand their education beyond the traditional classroom. It supports the University of California Davis’ goal of Global Education for All. The Hub aims to inspire global curiosity, understanding, and engagement, preparing students to be global problem-solvers and change-makers. Through various programs, workshops, and resources, the Global Learning Hub enhances UC Davis students’ academic and career pursuits.

Four Pillars of Global Learning

To meet the varied interests and circumstances of its students, the Global Learning Hub offers four primary types of opportunities:

Community Engagement: These programs allow students to work with communities in person or remotely, deepening their understanding of local contexts, histories, and the complexities of local challenges with global impacts. The communities and local leaders are the drivers of the projects, with students collaborating to develop long-term, sustainable solutions.
Global Skills & Leadership: These programs focus on developing professional skills and career readiness, preparing students for their post-academic endeavors. UC Davis students bring tremendous cultural wealth to the university, so the Hub offers global leadership programming that underscores, celebrates, and connects people across cultures right on campus, as well as online and elsewhere. For example, student engagement is encouraged in the Global Engagement Living and Learning Community, the Global Ambassadors Mentoring Program and The Pal Program.
Internships & Research: These opportunities provide hands-on experience and allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, both domestically and internationally.
Study Abroad: These programs allow students to immerse themselves in different cultures and academic environments, broadening their perspectives and enhancing their intercultural competence.

Global Learning Opportunities for GDB Majors

For students in the Global Disease Biology (GDB) major, the Global Learning Hub offers a range of programs that align with their academic interests. Here are a few examples of UC Davis Study Abroad Programs recommended for GDB majors:

Microbiology in Belgium (Summer Abroad): Delve into the world of microorganisms in a European context.
Bio 2 in Belgium (Summer Abroad): Take your biology studies abroad.
Microbiology Lab in the Kingdom of Smiles (Summer Abroad): Gain practical microbiology lab experience in Thailand.
The History of Cancer (Summer Abroad): Explore the historical and societal aspects of cancer research.
Organic Chemistry in Nottingham (Summer Abroad): Study organic chemistry in the UK.
Latinx Health Internship in Oaxaca (Quarter Abroad): Participate in a health-focused internship in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Global Health Internships in Bolivia, Ghana, South Africa and Philippines (Summer Abroad Internships): Gain practical experience in global health settings.

In addition to UC Davis Study Abroad Programs, GDB majors can also explore opportunities through the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), including:

Community Health in Mexico
University of Ghana
Community Public Health, Santiago
University College London

Global Learning Opportunities for ECS Majors

For students in Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) majors, the Global Learning Hub offers a range of programs that align with their academic interests. Here are a few examples of UC Davis Study Abroad Programs recommended for ECS majors:

Read also: Global Cool Scholarships

Engineering & Computer Science Internships in Japan or Spain (Summer Abroad Internships)
Computer Science in South Korea (Summer Abroad Internships)
Fashion Design in Italy or Japan (Summer Abroad Internships)
Virtual - Engineering & Computer Science Internships (Worldwide) (Virtual Summer Internships)

In addition to UC Davis Study Abroad Programs, ECS majors can also explore opportunities through the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), including:

Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
STEM Research in Osaka
University of Edinburgh
Imperial College London
Technical University Berlin

Additional Opportunities and Resources

Beyond specific program recommendations, the Global Learning Hub provides a variety of low or no-cost global learning opportunities that take place on campus, in the community, virtually, or abroad. These opportunities are offered throughout the year, giving students the flexibility to develop as global leaders, enhance their intercultural skills, and engage meaningfully with local communities.

Global Learning Programs Search Tool: This online tool allows students to quickly and easily search for programs related to their global learning interests, filtering by program type, term, region, or subject area.
Scholarships & Funding Search Tool: This tool helps students find funding opportunities based on program, degree level, term, subject, region, or type of award.
Major Advising Pages (MAPS): These pages list popular or recommended study abroad programs for each major and/or academic subject area.
Global Career Development Series: This series helps students learn about global careers, how to pursue them, and connects them with professionals in various fields.
First year Global Learning Seminars: These seminars allow students to explore cultural diversity and/or learn about global challenges and how they are being addressed.
UC Davis Exchanges: These are department-based undergraduate exchanges that leverage new or preexisting working/research relationships among faculty to promote student mobility between institutions.

Integrating Global Learning into Your Academic Plan

For some programs, such as UCEAP, students are required to meet with their major advisor as part of the application process. It is recommended, and sometimes mandatory, to create an academic plan with your major advisor while applying for a particular study abroad program, as you may be able to fulfill many major requirements while abroad.

While abroad, it is important to remain in contact with your major advisor for academic advising regarding specific courses. Be sure to keep all course descriptions and syllabi! When you return, see your college, major, or minor advisor(s) as needed. Talk with your major advisor about major-specific ways you can engage with our global campus, such as globally-focused courses.

Financial Support

The Global Learning Hub recognizes that financial constraints can be a barrier to participation in global learning programs. To address this, the Hub offers free and low-cost options and collaborates with Financial Aid and Scholarships and university fundraising to offer financial assistance for programs that carry fees. Students can find costs posted on each program-specific webpage. Check out the Funding Your Study Abroad Experience and Scholarships & Funding pages for more information on financial aid, budgeting tips, and scholarship searches.

Supporting Diversity and Inclusion

UC Davis is committed to inclusive excellence and strives to ensure that global learning opportunities are accessible to all students. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, UC Davis offers various global education options to support its diverse student population. Even during challenges like COVID-19, students from diverse backgrounds have sustained their global engagement.

Partnerships with the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center, as well as Services for International Students and Scholars at UC Davis and the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center, provide resources and support for undocumented, immigrant, and international students interested in participating in programs that involve travel. The Hub collaborates with Avenue B and Avenue E programs to highlight the valuable intercultural skills and knowledge that Latinx and other community college students can bring to our campus, and to the fields of Biology and Engineering, as transfer students.

Types of Programs

The Global Learning Hub offers a variety of program formats to suit different academic goals and time commitments:

UC Davis Study Abroad: Groups of 25-30 students study with UC Davis faculty for an academic quarter or four weeks in summer.
Quarter Abroad: Students may take UC Davis classes on transnational health and participate in internships.
Summer Abroad and Virtual Summer Internships: These programs offer intensive learning experiences during the summer months.
UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP): This program offers international study programs in association with nearly 140 host universities and institutions in some 32 countries around the world.
Virtual Internships: These internships allow students to earn UC Davis internship credit while also gaining cross-cultural and professional work experience in diverse fields without the need to travel.

Key Resources

The Global Learning Programs Search Tool: Allows students to quickly and easily search programs related to their global learning interests. Students can search by program type, term, region of the world, or subject area.
The Scholarships & Funding Search Tool: Allows students to filter funding opportunities based on programs, degree level, term, subject, region of the world, or type of award.
The Major Advising Pages (MAPS): List popular or recommended study abroad programs for each major and/or academic subject area.

Read also: Comprehensive SI Guide

tags: #global #learning #hub #uc #davis #information