Dashew Center's Monthly Newsletter - January 2025 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

January 2025 Updates

(UCLA Annual Academic Calendar)

Friday, January 17: Study List deadline (becomes official)

Dashew Center's January Office Closure:

January 15, 2025: From 10AM to 12PM for a Student Affairs Division Meeting.

January 20, 2025: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

​​​​January 30, 2025: Closed for Professional Development.

Dashew Center's Events & On-going Support

Winter 2025 Language Exchange

(Application closes January 13th)

Are you trying to learn a new language? Do you want to take what you're learning in the classroom a step further? UCLA Dashew Center's Language Exchange program connects language learners together to improve their conversation skills and meet people from around the world.

UCLA Women's Basketball Game

January 15, at 6:30pm (PT) Pauley Pavilion

Come out to UCLA Women's Basketball game for the International Appreciation Night on Wednesday, January 15th at 6:30pm! International cuisines and performances will be highlighted to celebrate cultures around the world.

UCLA Students can get in free with showing their Bruin card at the northwest entrance of Pauley Pavilion. Scholars, dependents, and UCLA Extension international students will pick up tickets from the central ticket office (northeast box office of Pauley Pavilion)

Post-Inauguration Immigration Panel With Dashew Center

January 23rd at 11am PT, via Zoom

Join the Dashew Center and immigration attorneys for a panel discussion exploring the recent changes in immigration policy under the new administration and their impact on international students and scholars.

RSVP in advance and submit your questions!

Are you looking for a safe and supportive space to practice your English conversation skills? Check out Dashew Center's English Language Circle!

Here you will have an opportunity to practice your English with other language learners.

Weekly CPT & OPT Webinars - via Zoom

Interested to know more about off-campus employment as an international (F-1) 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). 

World Café 2025 By Dashew Center

Wednesday, February 5th from 1-3pm (PT) at Kerckhoff Grand Saloon

Join the Dashew Center for our signature World Café Event. Mark your calendars and come taste complimentary coffee, teas, & snacks from around the world! Open to the whole UCLA community.

Navigating life @ UCLA? Ask Ambassadors!



Do you have questions about life at UCLA/Los Angeles? Do want to speak with someone that represents your home country here at UCLA?  The International Student Ambassadors can respond directly to the questions you submit through this form. You will receive an email with a response to your question within 72 hours.

UCLA Campus Events & Opportunities

Getting Started with Research

Thurs. 1/9 • 4PM - 4:50PM PST

Powell Library Classroom C, Room 320C or Zoom

Learn all about the research process and research opportunities at UCLA, as well as how to find a faculty mentor and earn course credit for doing research. This virtual workshop is free and open to all undergraduates. This event will be offered both in person and over Zoom. If you would like to attend this workshop over zoom, make sure to learn more and register here.

UCLA Alumni Scholars Club Resume Workshop

Thurs. 1/9 • 6PM PST

Zoom

Join the Alumni Scholars Club and the UCLA Career Center for a resume and cover letter workshop via Zoom.

Learn more here.

RISE x Camp Cozy: Mindfulness in the Mountains

Thurs. 1/9 • 6PM - 8PM PST

Covel Commons

Join us for the ResLife & RISE winter welcome program, Camp Cozy! The theme is "Mindfulness in the Mountains" with an emphasis on the 8 dimensions of wellness and mindfulness practice. Activities include: vision board making, DIY tea blends, a relaxing sound oasis room, scrapbooking, puzzles, photo opportunities, hot tea/cocoa, and music!

Learn more here.

Free Nutrition Workshop: Blood Sugar Management

Tues. 1/14 • 1PM - 1:45PM PST

Zoom

Optimize your workouts and study sessions with the power of nutrition. This FREE workshop is led by registered dietitians and hosted on Zoom.

Learn more here.

RISE meets Kerckoff Coffeehouse Patio

Wed. 1/15 • 11AM - 2PM PDT

Kerckoff Coffeehouse Patio

Meet the RISE Center at Kerckhoff’s Coffeehouse Patio! Grab a free beverage, learn about the RISE Center, our on campus physical space, and our services. Learn more here.

Welcome Back Dinner

Wed. 1/15 • 5:30 PST

James Alumni Center

Join First To Go, Transfer Student Center, First Gen Graduate Student Council, and UCLA Commuter Students for our Winter Quarter Welcome Back Dinner!

Kick off winter quarter with your first-gen Bruin family! Drop in anytime for an evening filled with: delicious free dinner (first come, first served), amazing guest speakers, UCLA-themed games & activities, 10 chances to win awesome prizes throughout the night! RSVP required - link in their Linktree.

Alumni Mentor Program Networking Night

Wed. 1/22 • 6PM PST

James West Alumni Center

Join us for an engaging alumni panel about networking, mentorship and how to navigate both within the Bruin community and beyond. Students will be able to network freely from station to station to chat with alumni based on their interests and prospective occupation. Refreshments will also be provided.

Learn more here.

BFIT Triathlon

Wed. 1/22 • 6:30PM - 8PM PDT

BFIT Synergy Zone

Participants can compete in running, biking, and rowing to win a FREE t-shirt! Learn more here.

580 Café - Community Cooks

Thurs. 1/23 • 11:30 - 12:30PM PST

580 Cafe Patio

Join us on Thursday, Jan 23, at 11:30 AM for 580s Cafe Community Cooks, for good vibes, delicious food, and meaningful connections! Hosted by the Bruin Resource Center Students with Dependents Program, in partnership with 580 Café, this event is your chance to meet the community and enjoy food. Learn more here.

 Colors and Connection

Mon. 1/27 • 4PM - 5PM PDT

RISE Center at LuValle Basement

Feeling lonely? Come join RISE for a free, one-hour workshop from Project UnLonely that bridges creative expression with meaningful connection- building! Learn more here.

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. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Dashew Center.

 F-1 Visa Updates

MyBruin International Portal

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

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 2025? 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). To apply for OPT, students must first request an OPT I-20 from the Dashew Center and follow the OPT Application submission Instructions to submit your complete OPT application to USCIS. For more information, please review the OPT Online Workshop and the OPT Guidelines, 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 website 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

MyBruin International Portal

All Dashew Center J-1 related requests and documents can now be accessed through MyBruin International. J-1 Scholars can only login using the International Portal ID and PIN emailed to them. J-1 Students will be able to login using their UCLA logon ID and Single Sign-on (SSO).

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 Winter Quarter?

Don’t forget to obtain an updated travel signature prior to returning to the U.S. To request for an updated 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

Drop-In Hours:

Counseling and Psychological Services 

for International Students & Scholars & For Muslim Students

UCLA Counseling and Psychological services are offering Drop-In Hours for international students and scholars. Find the drop-in hours on the CAPS website.

Wescom Credit Union is the Official Banking Partner

of The UCLA Dashew Center

Need Assistance with banking?

Wescom has been committed to helping Bruins build better financial futures for more than seven years by providing valuable and affordable financial products and services. When Bruins open a Wescom account, they can enjoy free checking,* direct deposits up to two days sooner,** and much more.

Case Management Services

(UCLA Student Affairs)

Case Managers are available to assist students struggling with mental or physical health, facing unexpected challenge or crisis, or experiencing a personal loss. 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.