graphic with global learning participants

U21 Global Citizens Program

Overview

The U21 Global Citizens Program a three-week, online leadership development course where UC Davis students will join a cohort of students from around the world developing ideas and skills needed to thrive in the 21st century whilst tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges, outlined in the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). With the support of trained facilitators, participants are guided to reflect on the improvement in their cultural competency and awareness throughout the course and how they, as individuals and as groups, can turn their learning into valuable global action.

Program Description

  • Three-week program: March 9–27, 2026.
  • Around nine hours of learning across three weeks of online engagement, discussions and development.
  • Participate in live online reflection workshops, where you will draw on the learning from that week and engage in discussions with other students from across the globe. You will choose one from each session block.
    • Week 1
      • Week 1 content goes live – March 9
      • Workshop options:
        • March 10, 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. PDT
        • March 11, 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. PDT
        • March 11, 10:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. PDT
        • March 12, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PDT
    • Week 2
      • Week 2 content goes live – March 16
      • Workshop options:
        • March 17, 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. PDT
        • March 18, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. PDT
        • March 18, 10:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. PDT
        • March 19, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PDT
    • Week 3
      • Week 3 content goes live – March 23
      • Workshop options:
        • March 24, 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. PDT
        • March 25, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PDT
        • March 25, 10:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. PDT
        • March 26, 6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. PDT

Program Benefits

  • Take rapid action on the Sustainable Development Goal.
  • Earn a U21/Common Purpose micro-credential and badge which you can display on your LinkedIn profile.
  • Gain access to the Common Purpose alumni community, with access to global leaders and opportunities to engage virtually.

Program Cost

FREE. This exclusive, free opportunity is only available to students at U21 member universities and is open to students of all disciplines, undergraduate or graduate students.

Eligibility

  • Open to UC Davis undergraduate and graduate students of all disciplines and levels.
  • Must be at least 18 years or older.
  • Must commit to participating in the full three weeks of the program.
  • Students who have previously completed the U21 Global Citizens Program are not eligible.

What Students Are Saying

  • "The entire program was incredibly rewarding with knowledge of global perspectives, developing new schools of thought, and forging relationships over Zoom with individuals temporally, geographically, and otherwise separated from myself." Read more about UC Davis student Maya Dhani Patel's ('27) global learning experience.

Application Details and Deadlines

  • Application open: January 6, 9:00 a.m.
  • Deadline: February 12, 11:59 p.m.

Contact Information

Staff Photo

Chelsey Hawes

Senior Coordinator, Global and Intercultural Programs
Global Learning Hub, Global Affairs
chawes@ucdavis.edu