Dashew Center's Monthly Newsletter - March 2025 Edition

 
Facebook      Web      Instagram      YouTube

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

March 2025 Updates


 Time Change: Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 9 at 2 a.m. local time.

 

Spring Break: March 22- March 30 (2025)

 

Friday, March 28: César Chávez Holiday


 Monday, March 31: Instruction begins for Spring Quarter 2025

(UCLA Annual Academic Calendar)



Dashew Center's Office Closure:

The Dashew Center will be closed on the following dates.

 March 10, 2025: In-person and Zoom hours will be closed from 10AM to 12PM.​​​

Dashew Center's Events & On-going Support

Tax Season is Here!


It’s important to be aware that, as a nonresident student in the US, you’re legally required to file a tax return if you received US income during 2024. Learn more about taxes here.

File your Taxes with Sprintax


The Dashew Center has partnered with Sprintax Returns to give your discount codes to help you & guide you through the tax preparation process, arrange the necessary documents and check if you’re due a tax refund.   

 

To prepare your tax documents with Sprintax today, simply: 

1) Register here and follow the simple instructions

 2) Complete the online questionnaire  

3) Enter your unique code: 24UCLA800F (on the ‘Review your order) 

Visit their Website

International Women's Day Celebration

Thursday, March 6th from 12-2pm (PT)


We invite you to join the Dashew Center on Thursday, March 6th for our annual International Women's Day Celebration!


This event will feature free food items from local, women-owned businesses. We will also have free build-your-own Wellness Bags for the first 60 attendees, a postcard station to send a note to a woman you appreciate, and more!

Join the Celebration

Winter Finals Prep &Study Break Tuesday, March 13, From 10am-4pm (PT)


We invite you to join us on Tuesday, March 13th during finals week! Stop by for some free grab-and-go snacks to fuel you through finals season. We will also be providing wellness goodie bags! (while supplies last)

Event Website

Envelope Art & Writing Magazine 2025 (Submissions are due 05/23/25)



Envelope is an Art & Writing Magazine featuring creative work from UCLA's International Student, Scholar, and Staff community. We hope to publish this next volume of work by Fall 2025. The theme for the 2025 volume is: Connecting Across Cultures.

Submit your Art Today

Winter English Language Circle

Wednesdays, from 12-1pm (PT)



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. RSVP for specific sessions

RSVP for Specific Sessions

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). 


See All Webinars Dates

"The World Through Our Lenses" Photo Submissions

(By International Student Ambassadors)

On-going via Submissions Form

Show us your favorite part of home by submitting your photography from around the world. Learn more and submit yours today!  "The World Through our Lenses" is a project by the International Student Ambassadors at the UCLA Dashew Center.

Submission Form

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.

Ask Ambassadors

UCLA Campus Events & Opportunities

Check out all the upcoming events during Week 9 by

the UCLA Career Center

Week 9


The UCLA Career Center has a lineup of events to support your professional and career growth! Check out what's happening during Week 9. Learn more here.

Women and Finances Panel Discussion

Thurs. 3/6 • 12PM - 1:30PM PST

BN @Strath Strathmore Suite 106


Kick off Women's History Month with this panel! Panelists will share advice and insights on experienced challenges as women involved in their respective fields plus personal finance tips and tricks for creating financial wellness. Learn more here.

Harvest Distribution by

CPO Basic & Essential Needs Collective

Thurs. 3/6 • 2PM - 5PM PST

Student Activities Center Pool Deck


We're back with another Harvest Distribution! Join the Community Programs Office (CPO) in collaboration with Semel Healthy Campus (HCI)

Center and Food Forward for a pop-up produce distribution fair featuring items gathered from markets across Los Angeles. All UCLA community members are welcome, don't miss out on this basic and essential needs resource to stock your kitchen! Learn more here.

Managing Citations with Zotero (By UCLA Library)

Thu 3/6 • 1PM - 2PM PST

This workshop will introduce you to Zotero, a powerful tool for managing your research references. Learn how to efficiently organize, cite, and format your sources, saving you time and ensuring academic integrity. We'll cover essential skills like importing references, creating in-text citations and generating formatted bibliographies.


The Bruin Flea

Fri. 3/7 • 3PM - 8PM PST

Broxton Plaza


Join the Bruin Flea and Westwood Village for another night of thrifting and music! Come buy your vintage Y2K Streetwear, participate in giveaways, buy a matcha latte, and support small businesses. Learn more here.

FAB - Board Game Tournament (By Reslife)

Sat 3/8 • 12PM - 8PM PST Bradley 300


This event is an elimination based board game tournament hosted by Enigma. There will be a variety of board games to play either competitively or just for fun!


UCLA Recreation: Spring It On Active

Working Day 2025

Wed. 3/19

Zoom


On March 19th, join us for two special LIVE Zoom Movemails, drop into a free FITZONE fitness class, utilize the Bruin PAWS system, and more! Small giveaways and raffle prizes will be offered! 

Learn more here.


Ask the Career Coach: Job Search Tips, Q&A

Wed. 3/19 • 12PM PST

Zoom


Join Emily Baxt, career coach and workplace consultant, as she shares ten minutes of her favorite job search strategies and then answers your questions. You can send your questions in advance on topics like job search strategies, resumes, LinkedIn, networking, changing careers, and negotiating. We will also take questions via the chat during the webinar.

Learn more and RSVP 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 Spring 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 Spring Break?

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

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.



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.



Healthcare at UCLA Guide for the 2024-25

 Academic Year


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. See the Healthcare guide here.



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.