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Global Learning News & Announcements

October 2026 Grad Newsletter

 

This is a monthly email of global opportunities for grad students—on campus, online, in our region and around the world—as well as grants and scholarships. Contact us to learn more, get advising or attend one of our events.

 

Latest News


Turn Global Experiences into Career Skills

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Build practical skills for an increasingly global workplace through the new UC Davis Global Skills Workshops. Explore sessions focused on career development, intercultural communication, global leadership and other skills that can help you make the most of your global experiences. View upcoming Global Skills Workshops.

 

Follow UC Davis Global Learning on Instagram

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Stay connected with the UC Davis Global Learning Hub on Instagram at @ucdavisglobal. Follow along for program announcements, student stories, program spotlights, upcoming events and more. Discover global learning opportunities on campus, virtually and around the world while seeing how fellow Aggies are building global skills and experiences.

 

New Global Aggies Spotlight: Bridging Medical Barriers through Traditional Medicine in South America

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Growing up as the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, Maya Sahtout learned early on how to bridge cultures. Those experiences sparked a passion for medicine that led her from Bolivia to Peru, where she explored global health, traditional healing practices, and the power of culturally responsive care. Read more about Maya’s global learning journey.

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Global Leadership, Internships and Research


U21 Sustainable Micro-Internships

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​These free, two-week virtual internships connect UC Davis students with peers worldwide to tackle global challenges in areas such as innovation, infrastructure, gender equality and climate action. Spaces are filled on a first-completed basis. The next sessions run from November through February. Join the U21 info session on October 19. Deadline: November 1.

 

Circular AgriFood Bioeconomy Implementation Exchange Opportunity

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Four UC Davis graduate students will join University College Dublin and the BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre for a collaborative research project on circular agrifood systems. Participants will gain hands-on innovation experience, work across disciplines, engage with industry and receive a $1,500 travel scholarship for a five-day Dublin exchange in March 2027. Deadline: October 21.

 

Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The JET Program offers a competitive opportunity to live and work in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher in public or private schools or as a Coordinator for International Relations supporting interpretation and translation. Participants receive a monthly salary, health insurance and travel costs to and from Japan. Deadline: November 1.


Technical University of Munich Practical Research Experience (TUM PREP)

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Work alongside TUM scientists in small research teams on a hands-on research project through TUM PREP. The program includes accommodation support, a €1,000 scholarship, orientation and program activities, plus opportunities to connect with local students through the TUM Buddies program. Join the TUM PREP info session on October 27. Deadline: November 15.

 

Competitions, Challenges and Funding


Graduate Studies 2026-27 Fall Travel Awards

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Graduate Travel Award supports graduate students presenting research at nationally or internationally recognized professional societies. Eligible students must travel, have traveled or participate virtually between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Deadline: October 16.

 

2026 Ideas Competition

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Have a global idea that could make a difference? Enter the 2026 Ideas Competition and develop a creative solution to a real-world problem. Submit an original product, service or business idea for a chance to win a $250 gift card. No revenue or funding required—just think big and have fun! Deadline: October 23.

 

UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Universities for Goal 13 Competition

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Have a bold idea to tackle climate change? UC Davis student teams can develop innovative solutions advancing climate action, clean energy and the energy transition. Compete for mentorship, international recognition, $10,000 and the opportunity to present your solution at the UN General Assembly. Deadline: November 13.

 

SMART (Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation) Scholarship

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Scholarship recipients receive full tuition and fees, a $30,000–$46,000 stipend, up to $1,200 for health insurance and up to $1,000 for books. The award also includes a paid summer internship and employment with the Department of War upon graduation. Deadline: December 1.

 

Blakemore Freeman Fellowships

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Applications are open for this fellowship, which provides a stipend for one academic year of advanced-level language study in East or Southeast Asia. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and the equivalent of three years of language study by the start of the grant. Deadline: December 30.

 

Upcoming Info Sessions and Events


2026 Young Professionals Programme

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​October 15, 2–3 a.m., virtual. Ready to launch your UN career? Attend this virtual workshop to learn about the Young Professionals Programme, including eligibility, the application and examination process and details about the 2026 exam. The session also includes a Q&A with successful YPP alumni.

 

Exploring Global Leadership Programs

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​October 15, 12–1 p.m., virtual. Curious about how to grow as a global leader? This info session introduces opportunities to strengthen your leadership skills, engage across cultures and reflect on your values and goals while preparing for a meaningful global career.

 

Sparkfest 2026

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​October 20, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Student Community Center, Room D. Curious about innovation or entrepreneurship? Join UC Davis students and postdocs for a casual lunchtime event to explore opportunities, meet potential collaborators and hear from past Ideas Competition winners. No experience or polished idea needed. Enjoy free pizza and discover ways to turn your ideas into impact.

 

GoinGlobal Student Training

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​October 20, 4–5 p.m., virtual. As a UC Davis student, you have free access to GoinGlobal, a career platform with job search tools and resources for opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. Join this live training session to learn how to make the most of the platform.

 

Grad & Postdoc Workshop: Intercultural Communication

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​October 21, 4:15–5:45 p.m., International Center 3119. This workshop is part of the Global Grad & Postdoc Career Skills Series and Certificate. Participants will define culture and explore skills essential to intercultural learning and communication. They will examine how their own cultural background shapes communication styles and preferences while reflecting on the communication norms and preferences of others.

 

Engaging with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Program Opportunities with Global Affairs

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​October 22, 12–1 p.m., virtual. Learn about the SDGs and how UC Davis students can support them. This session provides an overview of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and highlights ways to get involved with related programs and opportunities at UC Davis.


Postgraduate Study in the United Kingdom

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​October 28, 11 a.m., virtual. Join the University of California Trust for a student-focused webinar exploring postgraduate study in the UK. Learn about differences between UK and U.S. programs and the application process, and hear directly from UC alumni about their MA, MBA and Ph.D. experiences in the UK.


Peace Corps Info Session

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​October 28, 4:10–5 p.m., Social Sciences and Humanities Room 2203. Explore paid Peace Corps Volunteer opportunities in nearly 60 countries! Put your skills and passion to work in education, health, environment, agriculture, economic development, and youth programs. Learn about benefits including covered living expenses, healthcare, $10,000 upon return, graduate school benefits, and more.


Grad & Postdoc Workshop: Supporting Mental Wellness

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​October 28, 4:15–5:45 p.m., virtual. This workshop is part of the Global Grad & Postdoc Career Skills Series and Certificate. Explore stress associated with adjusting to new academic and cultural environments and learn strategies to help prevent and manage its impact.


Roots and Bridges: APRU Indigenous Connections Seminar

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​October 29, 6–7 p.m., virtual. In the final session of the 2026 series, explore what it means to be a good ancestor through an Indigenous perspective. The session considers how knowledge passed down and tested across generations can inform decisions that connect the past, present and future.


Grad & Postdoc Workshop: Global Inclusive Engagement

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​November 2, 4:15–5:45 p.m., virtual. This workshop is part of the Global Grad & Postdoc Career Skills Series and Certificate. Participants will explore core inclusion concepts, key definitions and their relevance to job searching, the workplace and daily life. Complete additional workshops in the series to work toward earning the certificate.


I-Fest 2026

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​November 7, 2–9 p.m., International House Davis. Celebrate cultures from around the world at I-Fest. Enjoy music, dance, food trucks and cultural and artisan booths at this free, family-friendly festival that brings people together to share traditions and connect with our vibrant and diverse community.

 
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This newsletter contains links to program websites maintained or controlled by external third parties. UC Davis Global Affairs provides these links for informational purposes only. Global Affairs is not responsible for and does not screen, approve, review, or endorse the contents of these websites or any programs that may be offered through these third-party links. Students should consult the University's Travel Security and Resources page in relation to all travel. 


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