Whether they lead English language clubs at Colombian universities or research electric vehicle, or EV, policy in the Azores, seven UC Davis graduates take to the global stage to represent the United States as 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Student Program recipients. They join a prestigious and competitive network of change makers committed to cultural exchange and public service worldwide.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program sends recent graduates and early-career professionals abroad to teach English or to study and conduct research in more than 140 countries. Backed by the U.S. Department of State, the program aims to promote mutual understanding between the United States and other nations — an effort that aligns with UC Davis’ deep commitment to global learning, reflected in its past recognition as a top producer of Fulbright scholars. This year’s UC Davis cohort travels to seven countries across Asia, Europe and Latin America. Four will serve as English teaching assistants in Colombia, Taiwan, Indonesia and Uzbekistan, while three will take on research or graduate study projects in Germany, Chile and the Azores.

Teaching across cultures

English teaching assistants serve in classrooms and on campuses where they support language instruction and lead cultural exchange activities. Sydney Alper, an international relations graduate, from San Diego, placed in Colombia, hopes that this Fulbright year offers them the chance to expand their global perspective to aid their work with South American immigrant communities at home.

Emily Granger, from Redding, California, who will teach in Taiwan, also sees Fulbright as a chance to grow as an educator and a learner. 

“Taiwan is a country really invested in second language learning. I want to bring that mindset back,” Granger said. “We could build stronger connections with the world, if more students in the U.S. had access to this kind of language education.”

Research with global reach

Other recipients use their awards to pursue independent research or graduate study in their fields of interest. Avantika Gokulnatha, who earned her degree in genetics and geonomics, will work at the Max Planck Institute in Germany on research related to aging. 

“We often think of research as isolated, but there are so many global aspects to understanding and sharing knowledge,” Gokulnatha said. “Take for example the field of aging. We tend to think of it through one cultural lens, but it looks different around the world. I saw my grandparents age differently in India than the people I worked with in assisted-living facilities in the United States. Different health systems, families and societies all play a role in the experience of growing older.”

Priya Talreja, from Fremont, California, will work with regional government leaders in the Azores to advance electric vehicle infrastructure through the use of geospatial planning tools. Before she applied to Fulbright, Talreja connected with researchers and policymakers to ensure her proposed project addressed local needs.

“I saw a way my skills could support the region’s goals,” Talreja said. “This project is just as much about collaboration and knowledge sharing as it is about research. It’s about understanding how different regions approach the same challenge.”