Students Embrace Fall Traditions at Apple Hill

Nothing says autumn in Northern California like a quick trip to Apple Hill! This past weekend, EPM graduate students took a break from their schoolwork to embrace the fall season. With students from both first and second-year cohorts, it was the perfect way to take a breather from Week 7 and enjoy some seasonal fun together.

This Apple Hill trip is just a taste of what makes the EPM community special, creating opportunities for students to connect with each other outside the classroom. As Amanda Specht, second-year and Social Committee Event Coordinator noted, these social events provide "unstructured time to just talk with people I didn't know very well or have not talked to in a while" and create chances to learn more about one another beyond typical classroom activities.

The EPM Social Committee keeps the calendar packed with events that bring everyone together throughout the year. From activities like bird watching trips, to celebratory events like our annual Spring Celebration, these events help foster a supportive network among our graduate students. As Amanda has shared, these gatherings offer meaningful opportunities to build connections that go far beyond a simple "elevator pitch."

"Like many students in the EPM program, I was new to the UC Davis Community, and I was also new to California as I moved here from out of state," shared Kaitlyn Finlayson, second-year student and Social Committee Chair. "The student events that the EPM Social Committee puts on created a great opportunity for me to get to know my EPM peers in casual, fun environment outside of class. When I did not really know anyone in the area, I really appreciated to opportunity to build relationships with my cohort at these events. I have so enjoyed being the Chair of Social Committee to help foster the relationship and community building for other EPM students that are also new to the area."

Whether shared over apple cider, or during a campus event, these moments are what transform groups of UC Davis students, into a community.

Interested in learning more about our EPM student community? Visit the EPM Student Organizations page to discover how you can get involved, connect with fellow students, and become an active part of EPM.

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Have questions? Reach out to EPM program staff at epminfo@ucdavis.edu.

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