A Letter to Parents

Global Learning is often a life-altering experience for students: our students discover new passions, develop a broader perspective of the world, gain skills and experiences that can improve their employability and make friendships that last a lifetime.  

We understand there are many different pathways to global learning, and that it can be difficult to choose among them. Whether it’s abroad or at home, there are multiple pathways to ensure that your student is enriched by global learning opportunities and engagement such as study and internships abroad, living-learning communities,  internships in the United States with a global focus, research, and community-engagement opportunities. Our Search Tool is a great place to start discovering the different pathways and the many opportunities available. Also see: How Parents Can Help.

Academic Program Resources

Financial Aid and Scholarships: We want families to know financial aid can be applied to study abroad programs, and, depending on individual circumstances, aid may even be increased to cover travel costs and additional living expenses. In certain cases, such as summer programs, students should not expect state or federal grants to be available at the usual levels, but other resources may be available, such as student loans. The UC Davis Global Learning Hub gives out over $350,000 in awards each year to study abroad and other global learning opportunities, and UCEAP offers substantial financial aid and many scholarships. Remember that individual situations vary, so please encourage your student to work closely with financial aid advisors at the university when planning study abroad.

Health and Safety: No one can guarantee the safety of any endeavor, but the UC Davis Global Learning Hub makes every effort to promote a safe experience for your student and to prepare for emergencies. Pre-departure and onsite orientations prepare students for navigating new cultures, inform students of local customs, help with questions and concerns, and provide them with each program’s emergency protocol. Students studying abroad independently have access to UC Traveler insurance. More information can be found on UC Traveler web resources.

UC Davis and system-wide UCEAP work closely with risk assessment experts and emergency evacuation services both on the student’s home campus and abroad. Participants in UC Davis Summer Abroad, Summer Abroad Internships, and Quarter Abroad programs will be covered by UC accident/incident benefit plan, commonly known as UC Traveler Insurance/Chubb-AXA Global Travel Assistance, provided to all students and staff participating in UC programs. All instructors and onsite coordinators on faculty-led programs are required to maintain First-Aid and CPR certification. For additional information about UCEAP insurance coverage and resources for health and safety, please visit the UCEAP Health and Safety web resources.

Financial Aid and Scholarships: Many families do not realize that financial aid can be applied to study abroad, and, depending on individual circumstances, aid may even be increased to cover travel costs and additional living expenses. UC Davis Study Abroad gives out over $100,000 in study abroad awards each year, and UCEAP offers substantial financial aid and many scholarships. In certain cases, such as summer programs, students should not expect state or federal grants to be available at the usual levels, but other resources may be available, such as student loans. Remember that individual situations vary, so please encourage your student to work closely with financial aid advisors at the university when planning study abroad.

Study Abroad Options: Students have a wide variety of options to choose from, of varying program duration, locations, and topics. They can select from programs provided by UC Davis, UCEAP, other UC campuses,  and third-party “Independent” vendors. They can study abroad for a year, a quarter, 4 weeks, or even 2 weeks in virtually every corner of the world, on subjects ranging from sustainable energy technologies to fantasy literature to community development. From UC Davis courses offered overseas to courses at foreign universities, internships, service-learning, seminars, language immersion, or hybrid programs, students have scores of options. Additionally, they may choose a single-location program or participate in a multiple-country or other traveling program.

Faculty-led Programs: UC Davis Quarter Abroad, Summer Abroad, and Global Intensive programs are led by UC Davis faculty and based on regular UC Davis courses. Many faculty are natives of the host country, and many have won teaching awards at the University. These are solid academic programs enhanced by on-site experiential learning. The credits earned will count towards your student's degree, and many classes can be applied to major and General Education requirements. Our “Study Abroad in Your Major Tool” is a great place to learn more about study abroad programs that are available to students in various majors. Language requirements that would take three quarters to complete on campus can be completed in one quarter abroad. Students can also gain valuable internship and research experience in many professional fields or be active in community engagement projects.

UCEAP and Independent Programs: System-wide UCEAP provides opportunities for UC students to enroll in highly-ranked universities all over the world; they can participate for a year, a quarter, or a summer in a full range of majors, all the while receiving UC credit. This includes language immersion options and internship opportunities. UCEAP also provides helpful information on what families need to know before a student applies to a UCEAP program.

The Global Learning Hub  can also advise your student on issues surrounding study abroad in the wide array of programs offered by independent providers. 

Experiential Learning

There are many opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, pursue a virtual internship, work with communities abroad to take action on a global challenge, pursue research abroad, and prepare for global careers.

Living and Leading

UC Davis On-Campus Opportunities: UC Davis provides students with many opportunities for global engagement right on campus. Whether it’s pursuing the Global Studies Minor, attending a professional on-campus event like the Global Learning Conference, or engaging in peer mentorship through the Global Ambassador Mentorship program, students can hone their skills, foster their own professional development, and forge lasting relationships amongst students, faculty, and professional contacts of diverse backgrounds.

We hope you'll find the links on our website useful; there's information about specific courses, travel preparation, scholarships, financial aid, and our health insurance plans. Please encourage your student to stop by our office and visit with staff and student peer advisors to explore their options. Make an appointment to speak with one of our staff members.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at the email addresses below. I'll be happy to answer your questions.

Best wishes,

Aliki Dragona

Faculty Director, Campus Faculty-Led Programs, Study Abroad
(530) 752-5634
apdragona@ucdavis.edu