Dashew Center's Monthly Newsletter - August 2026 Edition |
| |
In The Post newsletter:
Monthly Updates
Dashew Center & Related Programs
UCLA Campus Events & Opportunities
F-1 Status Updates
J-1 Status Updates
Important Resources for International Bruins
| | Dashew Center's Events & On-going Support | | |
Summer Giveaway 2026
Knott's Berry Fam Season Passes
Due August 5 (Via Instagram)
SUMMER GIVEAWAY: Bruins, summer is here... and we’re celebrating big! We’re giving away 3 pairs of Knott’s Berry Farm 2026 Gold Season Passes! That means 3 winners, and each winner will receive 2 season passes to enjoy with a friend.
Each Gold Season Pass includes:
- Admission to Knott’s Berry Farm & Soak City
- All-Day Dining and Drinks
- All-Park Passport (access to 42+ Six Flags parks across North America)
- Valid through December 31, 2026
| | |
2026 International Fall Welcome
Wednesday, September 23
From 1-2pm (PT)
Tom Bradley International Hall
You are invited to join us on our annual fall welcome event! This event is open to the whole UCLA community and is part of True Bruin Welcome 2026! We look forward to seeing all international Bruins there as you get to meet with our Dashew staff, Wescom Financial colleagues, and other UCLA campus departments at our International Resource Fair. We will also be offering lunch and great giveaways, and an opportunity to socialize with other members of the international community! (while supplies last)
| | |
Summer 2026
Weekly CPT & OPT Webinars
Wednesdays - via Zoom
Interested to know more about off-campus employment as an international F-1 visa student?
We host live sessions to prepare F-1 students to understand the process of applying for off-campus work authorizations.
| | |
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 more details.
| | UCLA Campus Events & Opportunities | |
JazzPOP: Kasey Knudsen Sextet
Thursday, August 6 • 8PM
Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd
Experience an evening of contemporary jazz with San Francisco saxophonist Kasey Knudsen and her acclaimed sextet. Known for blending expressive melodies with improvisation and innovative sound design, the ensemble delivers a fresh take on modern jazz. Learn more about the performance and reserve your spot through the event link.
| |
Study Abroad Q&A Drop-In
Monday, August 10 • 3PM - 4PM
Zoom
Thinking about studying abroad during the 2026-27 academic year? Join UCLA Financial Aid & Scholarships for a virtual Q&A session to get answers to your questions about financial aid, eligibility, and planning your study abroad experience. RSVP to receive the Zoom information.
| | |
Avoiding Plagiarism Workshop
Wednesday, August 12 • 10AM - 11AM
Zoom
Learn how to avoid plagiarism and strengthen your academic writing in this informative workshop. Participants will explore proper citation practices, paraphrasing techniques, direct quotations, and the importance of academic integrity. Learn more and attend via Zoom.
| |
Working Hard Isn't Enough:
The Unspoken Rules That Shape Your Career
Thursday, August 13 • 12PM
Zoom
Join UCLA alumnus and executive career coach Ricky Koo for a workshop on building your professional brand and navigating workplace dynamics with confidence. Learn practical strategies for self-advocacy, personal branding, and communicating your value without feeling like you're bragging.
Learn More.
|
UCLA Lambda Alumni Association Pool Party
Saturday, August 15 • 2PM
RSVP for Location
Spend the afternoon poolside with fellow Bruins at the UCLA Lambda Alumni Association Pool Party. Enjoy food, drinks, networking, and community while supporting student scholarships through your ticket purchase. Tickets are $30, with proceeds benefiting scholarships and chapter programming. See the event website for more.
|
Financial Wellness Summer Coaching
Summer Coaching Available: June 29 - September 18
Zoom
Meet one-on-one with UCLA Financial Wellness coaches for free guidance on budgeting, student loans, credit, investing, and financial planning. Coaching appointments are available throughout the summer and can be scheduled through the link in their bio. More Details.
|
Twilight in the Garden
Thursday, August 20 • 5:30PM - 7:30PM
UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden
Enjoy an evening of live music, beautiful gardens, and summer sunsets during Twilight in the Garden. Bring a picnic, meet friends at the wine bar, and experience the Botanical Garden after hours. Admission is $10, and children ages 13 and under are free. See Details.
|
2026 Photo & Video Contest
Summer 2026
UCLA Summer Sessions students are invited to submit their favorite summer photos and videos for a chance to win an Amazon gift card. Capture your UCLA experience and share your best moments by following the contest guidelines through the link in the Summer Sessions bio. More Details.
| |
Writing the Personal Statement
Wednesday, August 12 • 5:30PM - 6:30PM
Zoom
Learn strategies for writing compelling personal statements for fellowships, residency programs, and Ph.D. applications. This workshop will cover organization, introductions, conclusions, and how to effectively incorporate personal examples. Students from all disciplines are welcome. Learn More.
|
New Bruin Send-Off
Saturday, August 15 • 11AM
James West Alumni Center
Welcome the Class of 2028 and transfer Class of 2030 at the UCLA Latino Alumni Association's New Bruin Send-Off. Meet fellow incoming students, current Bruins, alumni, and families while building connections before the academic year begins. RSVP is encouraged.
| |
CCCP is Hiring Student Ambassadors!
Application Deadline: Saturday, August 15
The UCLA Center for Community College Partnerships is hiring student ambassadors to mentor and inspire future transfer students. Help promote transfer opportunities through outreach and peer mentorship while developing your own leadership experience. Applications close August 15. More Details.
|
WRP Information Sessions & Sign-Up
Program Sign-Up Opens: Monday, August 17
Interested in government or nonprofit careers? The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) connects students and recent graduates with disabilities to employment opportunities in the public sector. The application period opens August 17, with virtual information sessions available throughout September to help you prepare. More Information.
| |
From Idea to Income: How to Validate Your Next Business Idea Before Investing More Time and Money
Wednesday, August 26 • 12PM
Zoom
Explore the Lean Canvas framework with UCLA alumna and business strategist Sami Toussi. This interactive workshop will help aspiring entrepreneurs identify customer needs, strengthen business ideas, and use AI strategically while avoiding common startup mistakes. More Information.
|
Stick Shift Driving Lessons
By Appointment
Planning to conduct research abroad or travel to remote locations? UCLA Environment, Health & Safety is offering free stick shift driving lessons through Primo Driving School. Students, researchers, and staff can request personalized training by emailing the Field Safety team with a brief description of their needs. More Details.
| | End of Duration of Status (D/S) and Travel Advisory for International Students and Scholars | | |
Elimination if Duration of Status (D/S)
As of July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized the final rule on Duration of Status" D/S for F and J status holders, and replaces it with a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD). This AUD date is capped at four years, or the end date on the I-20/DS-2019 document, whichever is earlier, and is subject to approval by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and/or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The final rule is scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026.
The Dashew Center is currently awaiting additional operational guidance from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). At this time, SEVIS has not yet provided universities with the detailed guidance and system updates needed to implement the new requirements. As a result, specific processes, timelines, and procedures are not yet available. Read our Elimination of Duration of Status Page for more.
| |
Travel Advisory
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 Legal Resources 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.
| | |
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 summer 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 summer 2026 degree completion date can now request an OPT I-20 from the Dashew Center 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 CPT Online 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 Summer?
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.
| | |
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 Summer?
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.
Employment Authorization
Maintaining your J-1 status at UCLA requires written approval from the Dashew Center before starting any employment, including on-campus jobs or off-campus training. Whether you are a student seeking Academic Training or a scholar invited for an off-campus consultation, you must submit your request via the MyBruin International Portal to ensure federal compliance. Engaging in unauthorized work can lead to the termination of your SEVIS record, so please plan ahead.
| | Important Resources for International Bruins | | |
Career Center Transition to 12twenty
Starting July 1, the UCLA Career Center will officially transition from Handshake to 12twenty. Students will use the new platform to access Career Center services, appointments, job opportunities, and events. Graduate Career Services (GCS), the Graduate Writing Center (GWC), and the Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) will also use 12twenty for appointments and services.
Career Center Announcement HERE
| | |
UCLA CAPS CORE
Learn More
Compassionate Response (CORE) Team
CORE is a team of licensed mental health specialists who provide compassionate interventions, support, and resources to UCLA students experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
CORE delivers crisis resolution and mental health relief to students on campus. Services include telehealth and on-site evaluation, stabilization, de-escalation, follow-up, and coordination of other health care supports.
| | |
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.
| | |
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).
| | | | |
