Dashew Center's Monthly Newsletter - February 2026 Edition

In The Post newsletter:

Monthly Updates

Dashew Center & Related Programs

UCLA Campus Events & Opportunities

 F-1 Visa Updates

 J-1 Visa Updates

Important Resources for International Bruins

February 2026 Updates

Tax Filing Information: Tax season is here, Bruins!

Prepare ahead and read our Tax Resources Page

Monday, February 16: President's Day holiday

Dashew Center will be closed, please plan accordingly.

Immigration Updates Page: Find recent immigration related information for Bruins

(Dashew Center website)

Dashew Center's Events & On-going Support

Need to File your Taxes?

We have partnered with Sprintax!

Deadline is April 15, 2026



Take advantage of this resource and make tax time stress-free! To get your discount on the cost of tax-filing, simply enter F25UCLA1000 when you begin filing. Discount codes are distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. Once you complete the preparation process in the Sprintax software, you may need to print, sign and mail your documents to the IRS. *This will depend on certain eligibility criteria.

Current Affair of Immigration Laws

(By Student Legal Services, ISR and Dashew)

Wednesday, February 11 at 11am PT

At De Neve Plaza Room

The session will cover current immigration laws, policies, and administrative developments affecting F-1 and J-1 students. Please share the flyer with students who may benefit.

Please register in advance.

J-1 Academic Training Workshop

Thursday, Feb 12 at 1pm PT

Via Zoom

Join the Dashew Center on our next Academic Training Workshop for J-1 Students.

In this workshop we will cover academic training eligibility requirements, the application process, and deadlines

Attendees must register in advance.

VITA Tax Education Workshop

Feb 25, at 5pm PT Via Zoom

UCLA International students, learn how to file your U.S. taxes with UCLA’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. Join us on February 25th at 5pm via Zoom. This is a free workshop for Bruins! Register in advance.

Weekly CPT & OPT Webinars

Wednesdays - via Zoom

Interested to know more about off-campus employment as an international F-1 visa student?

 We are hosting live sessions to prepare F-1 students to understand the process of applying for off-campus work authorizations known as Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). 

Need to Open a U.S. Bank Account?

Wescom Financial is Here for You!

Wescom Financial and UCLA Dashew Center have established a partnership to support the international community at UCLA. International students & scholars can now start to open an account with Wescom even before they arrive in the U.S.. Contact Wescom for details.



Learn More & Start Banking

UCLA Campus Events & Opportunities

Inside Out Out of Our Heads

Wednesday, February 4 • 4:30PM–6:30PM PST

Student Activities Center, Conference Room 4

Inspired by Inside Out, this interactive wellness event invites students to slow down, decompress, and reconnect with their emotions. Participants will explore practical ways to cope with feelings like joy, sadness, anger, anxiety, and everything in between. Through guided activities, intention-setting, and hands-on crafting, students will create their own stress ball to take home. This is a supportive space to pause, reflect, and build emotional resilience during the quarter.

Career Center Transfer Pop-In

Thursday, February 5 • 1:30PM–3:30PM PST

Transfer Student Center, Kerckhoff 128

Transfer Pop-Ins provide transfer students with brief, personalized career advising sessions tailored to their unique academic paths. These 15-minute one-on-one conversations allow students to ask questions about resumes, internships, career exploration, or post-graduation planning. UCLA Career Counselors will offer targeted advice and actionable next steps. No appointment is required, students can stop by anytime during the event window.

Restore Your Rhythm: Aromatherapy for Rest & Renewal

Thursday, February 5 • 4:30PM–5:30PM PST

Student Activities Center, Conference Room 4



Join the Graduate Student Resource Center for a calming, hands-on wellness experience focused on rest and renewal. Students will create their own DIY aromatherapy pouches using soothing scents like lavender, sage, and chamomile. This workshop introduces a simple, practical self-care tool that can be used during busy academic periods. The session offers a gentle pause to recharge both mind and body.

February Birthday Party

Thursday, February 5 • 7:00PM–9:00PM PST

De Neve Plaza Room B



Celebrate February birthdays with a fun and welcoming community gathering. This monthly event recognizes residents with birthdays during the month, but all are welcome to join the festivities. Enjoy cake, music, and good vibes while connecting with fellow Bruins. Whether it’s your birthday or not, this celebration is all about joy and community.

Hope on the Hill

Friday, February 6 • 5:00PM–7:00PM PST

Sunset Plaza

Hope on the Hill brings the UCLA Hill community together in remembrance, celebration, and solidarity. Hosted by the Luminaria Committee of the American Cancer Society at UCLA, the event honors those currently fighting cancer, celebrates survivors, and remembers loved ones lost. Students can participate in crafts, message displays, and reflective activities that foster connection and shared strength. Optional donations support Relay for Life initiatives and community engagement efforts.

Race in the Global Past through Native Lenses

Saturday, February 7 • 12:00PM–4:00PM PST

UCLA Mathias Botanical Gardens

This half-day workshop explores textile technologies and oral traditions as powerful tools of memory and cultural preservation. Participants will engage in comparative discussions focused on early medieval textile networks, guided by guest scholar Daisy Bonsall. The session emphasizes Indigenous perspectives and historical connections across global communities. Through dialogue and hands-on learning, attendees will deepen their understanding of craft, history, and cultural continuity.

Make a Movie, Punx! DIY Filmmaking Master Class with Jon Moritsugu

Saturday, February 7 • 2:00PM–5:00PM PST

Charles E. Young Research Library, Main Conference Room 11360

Join legendary filmmaker Jon Moritsugu for an in-depth master class on DIY filmmaking. Known for shaping the punk cinema movement, Moritsugu will share low-budget production techniques from concept to exhibition. The session is interactive and designed to empower aspiring filmmakers to create bold, unconventional work. Members of the UCLA Library Punk Collective will also share resources and archival materials for added inspiration.

Organize Your Research with Zotero

Monday, February 9 • 1:00PM–2:00PM PST

This introductory workshop covers the basics of citation managers with a focus on Zotero. Participants will learn how to set up and use Zotero to organize sources, manage citations, and streamline academic research. Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop or device to follow along during the session. This workshop is ideal for students looking to strengthen their research workflow.

Letters & Chocolates

Tuesday, February 10 • 4:00PM–5:30PM PST

RISE Center at Lu Valle Commons, Basement Level



Take time to express appreciation and connection through handwritten notes. This cozy event provides stamps, postcards, chocolates, and writing materials for students to create letters or cards for loved ones. The activity encourages reflection, gratitude, and emotional connection. RSVP is requested to ensure materials are available.

Paint & Sip

Wednesday, February 11 • 10:00AM–12:00PM PST

UCLA Campus

Paint & Sip offers a relaxed creative break for students seeking to unwind. All painting materials are provided, allowing participants to focus on creativity and self-expression. This event creates a calm environment to recharge and step away from academic stress. No experience is necessary, just bring yourself.

Bruin Love Station

Thursday, February 12 • 12:00PM–3:00PM PST

Intramural Field Southeast Gates



The Bruin Love Station provides free safer-sex supplies, Narcan, and fentanyl test strips to support student wellness. Students can also speak with trained peers and professional staff about health resources. The station offers a welcoming, judgment-free space focused on harm reduction and care. Stop by anytime during the event hours.

Graduate Advocacy Week (By GSRC)

See more details

Join us for Graduate Student Advocacy Week (week 7, Feb 17-20), a series of workshops created to uplift, motivate and empower you as you navigate graduate and professional school! Check out the full calendar, opportunity drawings at every event, food included and more!

Adopt a Bruin Buddy

Wednesday, February 18 • 10:00AM–5:00PM PST

Graduate Student Resource Center, SAC Room B-11

Graduate school can be stressful, and self-care matters. Adopt a Bruin Buddy allows students to pick out a plush companion for comfort during challenging moments. The event also includes self-care goodie bags to support wellbeing throughout the quarter. Stop by anytime during the event window to participate.

Financial Wellness Tax Education Workshop

For International Students

Wednesday, February 18 • 5:00PM PST

Via zoom

Tax season is here, don’t stress it alone! Join UCLA’s FREE Tax Education Workshops hosted by UCLA Financial Wellness, VITA, Wescom Financial and Dashew Center. Learn how to file your taxes with confidence and ask your questions live!

Dinners for 12 Strangers: Night 1

Saturday, February 21 • 6:00PM PST

Various Locations

Dinners for 12 Strangers brings together students and alumni for intimate, community-building meals. Participants are placed into small groups to share meaningful conversation and connection over dinner. Student dinners take place locally near UCLA, while alumni dinners occur regionally. This event fosters cross-generational dialogue and lasting connections.

Avoiding Plagiarism Workshop

(by the Office of the Dean of Students)

Monday, February 23 • 1:30PM–2:30PM PST

Zoom

Learn how to properly cite sources, paraphrase effectively, and avoid plagiarism. Registration through MyEvents on MyUCLA.

Honoring Our Voices: Self-Trust, Confidence & Belonging

Tuesday, February 24 • 6:00PM PST

Latinx Success Center

Hosted by the UCLA Latino Alumni Association and Latinx Success Center, this community plática centers on self-trust, confidence, and belonging. Students will hear from Rosa Benavides of Speak Up Mujer in a conversation focused on empowerment, particularly for first-generation and Latina students. Free food and opportunity drawings will be available. RSVP is strongly encouraged.

Wescom's UCLA Internship Program

Apply by February 26 via Handshake

Application Link

Wescom + Bruins + summer = Wescom’s UCLA Internship Program!

From June 15 - September 11, (8-12 weeks). This is a part time, max 23 hours/week position. Apply today.

Help Shape Winter Quarter Programming

(By Students With Dependents)

Winter Quarter 2026

Online

Help UCLA Students with Dependents plan Winter Quarter events and programming by sharing your feedback. Your voice helps shape future community spaces and resources.

Travel Advisory for International Students and Scholars

International students and scholars, we strongly encourage you to stay informed and make thoughtful decisions when planning any international travel. Immigration policies are subject to change at any time, and such changes may affect your travel plans. If you have any questions or need legal guidance, we recommend consulting an immigration attorney. A list of attorneys for information purposes only is available on the Dashew Center website. Please visit the Immigration Updates page for current information. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Dashew Center.

 F-1 Visa Updates

U.S. Address Reporting Requirement 

All F-1 students must update any changes to their U.S. address and contact information with the Dashew Center within 10 days of moving. They can do this by submitting the Address & Contact Information Update Form through MyBruin International. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires that you report changes to your U.S. address, contact email, and U.S. phone number at all times during your study.

OPT I-20 Request:

Graduating in winter 2026? Looking to gain work experience in the U.S. after graduation? OPT is a post-graduation work authorization approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students with winter 2026 degree completion date can request an OPT I-20 from the Dashew Center starting 12/22/2025 and follow the OPT Application Filing Instructions to submit your complete OPT application to USCIS. For more information, please review the OPT Online Workshop, or attend our upcoming OPT webinars.

CPT Application Submission:

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is employment authorization that allows students to engage in off-campus academic internships or employment (paid or unpaid) that is a required or integral part of their academic curriculum. To request CPT authorization, please submit a completed CPT Request Form. Please find more information listed on our workshop or attend our upcoming CPT webinars.

I-20 Extension Request:

Do you need more time beyond your current I-20 end date to complete your degree program? If your I-20 is expiring but you will need more time to complete your degree program, you must submit your I-20 extension request at least one month prior to your I-20 end date. Please review the F-1 I-20 Extension Form for complete details.

Traveling Outside of The U.S. During Spring break?

Don’t forget to obtain an updated travel signature prior to returning to the U.S. To request an updated travel signature on your I-20, please submit the online request form. It will take Dashew Center up to 10 business days to process the travel authorization request.

J-1 Visa Updates

U.S. Contact Information Reporting Procedures 

J-1 Students & Scholars must update any changes to their U.S. address and contact information with the Dashew Center within 10 business days. They can do this by submitting the Address & Contact Information Update Form through MyBruin International. The Department of State requires that you report changes to your U.S. address, contact email, and U.S. phone number at all times during your program.

Traveling Outside of The U.S. During the Spring Break?

Don’t forget to obtain a travel signature on your DS-2019 form prior to returning to the U.S. if you don’t already have one. To request a travel signature, please submit the Travel Authorization Request Form through MyBruin International. The processing time to request travel authorization is 10 business days from the date a complete request is received.

Mandatory Health Insurance Requirement

U.S. government regulations require that all J-1 visa holders maintain health insurance during the entire duration of their J-1 program. Failure to maintain health insurance coverage for the entire duration of stay may lead to the termination of your J-1 visa status and participation in your UCLA program. More information is provided on the Dashew Center website.

Important Resources for International Bruins

MyBruin International Portal

All Dashew Center F-1 related requests and documents can be accessed through MyBruin International. F-1 & J-1 students will be able to login using their UCLA logon ID and Single Sign-on (SSO).

Case Management Services

(UCLA Student Affairs)

The Dashew Center has its very own case manager: Hillary Thomas is here to help you when you are stressed or need to talk through a problem. She can connect you to resources that will help you succeed academically, socially, and emotionally! 

To contact Hillary please fill out this form.

Healthcare at UCLA Guide

UCLA Ashe Center has creative a helpful guide to students to learn more about how you can use the healthcare services on campus and with your health insurance.