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The Weekly Wrap by Dashew - October 29, 2025

Upcoming Dates & Updates

Reminder to Complete iSTART @UCLA: Read the Instructions on the iSTART page



Immigration Updates Page: Find our most recent UCLA communication and important immigration related information (visit the webpage)



October 31, 2025: Halloween 2025 in the United States


DASHEW PROGRAMS & RELATED EVENTS


Meet and Greet: Coffee and Chat

(International Student Ambassadors)

November 5 • From 11:30AM - 1:00PM (PT)


Get to know the Ambassadors and your fellow international students over coffee and pastries, and engage with a panel discussion from the student leaders. RSVP is recommended and space is limited to 100 guests.

We will see you there!




J-1 Academic Training

November 4 • From 1:00PM - 2:00PM (PT)


Join the Dashew Center on our next Academic Training Workshop for J-1 Students. The workshop we will cover academic training eligibility requirements, the application process, and deadlines.



Register via Zoom: Academic Training Workshop Registration



Your are invited: A Hosted Thanksgiving Dinner

Sign Ups Open Starting November 5th!


UCLA Dashew Center & Alumni Affairs are happy to partner this Fall 2025 to give our International Bruins an opportunity to experience this holiday and engage in the tradition firsthand!


If you are interested in experiencing a U.S. Thanksgiving meal with a UCLA Family or UCLA Alumni, please complete the interest form starting next Wednesday 11/05 on the Dashew Center website. You will be notified once you are matched with a host!


UCLA International Student Videos

Sign Up to Participate!


Sharing International Student Experiences with the International Institute. This would be a quick video with 10-20 undergraduate and graduate F-1/J-1 international students. Video questions will include your name, country you call home, and major. The rest of the filming will cover a few questions about your experiences at UCLA. You will receive a small gift for your participation.


Interest Form Fall 2025



English Language Circle

(October 8 - December 3) • From 12:00PM - 1:00PM


Looking for a supportive space to practice your English conversation skills? Join Dashew Center’s English Language Circle, led by an experienced facilitator who can help with grammar, culture, and confidence in speaking. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch, and registration is required for each circle you plan to attend.


Check the different sessions HERE.



 Be Aware of Scams and Fraud!


International students continue to be frequently targeted by scammers! 

Government authorities, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and U.S. immigration officials will NEVER request money or any of your personal information (Social Security Number, credit card, or bank information) over the phone. Learn how to spot a potential scam and protect yourself!


Learn More Here


Wellness & Counseling Services Support to Bruins


CAPS Website & RISE Center


Did you know that UCLA offers a variety of services to Bruins?

From counseling, to group therapy and 1:1 in-person drop-in meetings, see all services available to you in the CAPS Brochure for Fall


Weekly CPT & OPT Webinars - Wednesdays 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 upcoming webinars here

Events & Resources Around UCLA Campus

Queer Creative Writing Space

October 29, 2025 • 4:00PM–5:30PM PDT

LGBTQ Campus Resource Center



The Queer Creative Writing Space meets bi-weekly during the academic year to encourage creativity and connection. Writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome to join this supportive environment to share ideas and explore their voices. Whether you’re a poet, storyteller, or journaler, this is the perfect space to express yourself and meet other queer writers.


RSVP Here!

Fowler Out Loud: Mariachi de Uclatlán

October 29, 2025 • 6:00PM–8:00PM PDT

Fowler Museum



Join the Fowler Museum for a special Día de los Muertos concert under the stars featuring Mariachi de Uclatlán, the first mariachi ensemble established at an academic university. Led by Grammy-winning musical director Jesús “Chuy” Guzmán, the group performs music honoring influential Mexican composers. Celebrate tradition, culture, and community through this beloved UCLA musical experience.


Event Website

Wellfest Pop-Up on the Hill

October 29, 2025 • 6:00PM–8:00PM PDT

Sunset Village (The Hill)


Celebrate wellness and creativity at the Wellfest Pop-Up in Sunset Village. Join the Creative Wellness Collaboration and explore campus wellbeing resources while getting into the Halloween spirit. Expect interactive activities, relaxation, and fun ways to recharge your mind and body before midterms.


Event Website


Transfer Student Representative's Spooky Mask-Making

October 29, 2025 • 4:00PM–5:00PM PDT

Tongva Steps


Join UCLA Transfer Student Resources for a fun Halloween-themed crafting event! 🎃 Create your own spooky mask or last-minute costume while connecting with fellow transfer students. All materials—masks, markers, and craft supplies—will be provided. It’s the perfect way to get creative, make new friends, and celebrate the season in Bruin style.


More Information

UCLA Recreation Pumpkin Spice Halloween Walk 2025

October 30, 2025 • 10:30AM–1:30PM PDT

Various Walk Stations around UCLA


Join UCLA Recreation for a festive campus adventure filled with Halloween fun! Walk to at least three themed stations around campus, collect stamps, and claim your free Halloween t-shirt at the John Wooden Center. Finish the walk to enter a raffle for a FREE Apple Watch Series 11, courtesy of the UCLA Computer Store. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season, get moving, and enjoy some treats along the way!



 Register Here!

Community Cookout

October 30, 2025 • 11:30AM–1:00PM PDT

580 Café, 580 Hilgard Ave


Join 580 Café and Bruin Underground Scholars for a community cookout full of food, conversation, and connection. This gathering celebrates shared experiences and brings people together over a homemade meal. Expect delicious dishes, warm conversation, and an opportunity to learn about supportive campus resources. Everyone is welcome—come as you are and bring your appetite and good energy!


Register Now Here

Fall 2025 ADMIT UCLA: Graduate & Professional School Fair

October 30, 2025 • 4:00PM–7:00PM PDT

Ackerman Grand Ballroom



Thinking about grad school? Explore your options at the Graduate & Professional School Fair in Ackerman Grand Ballroom. Representatives from universities across the U.S. will be available to discuss programs, application tips, and opportunities for advanced study. This free, in-person fair is open to all UCLA students interested in pursuing graduate education.


Event Website

Queer Fandom Fanatics

October 31, 2025 • 1:00PM–2:00PM PDT

LGBTQ Campus Resource Center



Calling all pop culture fans! Join the LGBTQ Campus Resource Center for a fun, relaxed meetup where students geek out about their favorite fandoms through a queer lens. From movies and comics to games and books, this is a space to celebrate identity and passion for storytelling together.


RSVP Here!

Thinking Gender 2026: Feminist and Queer Ecologies

Submission Deadline: November 2, 2025 • 11:59PM PDT


The UCLA Center for the Study of Women | Barbra Streisand Center has extended the proposal deadline for Thinking Gender 2026: “Feminist and Queer Ecologies.” This long-running conference invites graduate students from all disciplines to present research and creative work that examines how ecologies and environments intersect with sex, gender, and sexuality. Submissions may include scholarly papers, hybrid works, and multimedia projects. Graduate students can apply for hybrid workshops or in-person presentations.


Submit Here

Día de los Muertos: Mourning and Remembering through Ecological Change

November 1, 2025 • 11:00AM–1:00PM PDT

UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden



Honor Día de los Muertos with an ecological twist at the Mathias Botanical Garden. This community event explores cross-cultural grief and remembrance in the context of environmental and species loss, featuring ofrendas, art, and talks on deforestation, extinction, and environmental justice. Come early for a guided garden tour at 10AM and enjoy pan dulce and champurrado as you reflect on the connections between memory and nature.


Event Website


Day of the Dead Celebration

November 3, 2025 • 5:00PM–8:00PM PDT

UCLA Latinx Success Center


Join the Latinx Success Center and the Office of the Internal Vice President for a festive Day of the Dead Celebration! Enjoy an evening of community, food, and culture while honoring loved ones through a shared ofrenda. The first 40 attendees will receive a free commemorative t-shirt, and everyone is welcome to contribute to the community altar.


More Information

Coffee with a Cop

November 4, 2025 • 9:00AM–11:00AM PDT

De Neve TriQuad


Grab a cup of coffee and meet the officers who keep our campus safe! This casual event gives students a chance to chat with UCPD officers while enjoying pastries and good conversation. Build trust, ask questions, and strengthen community connections in a relaxed morning setting.


Event Website


2025 Major Blast

November 4, 2025 • 6:00PM–8:00PM PDT

Carnesale Commons, Palisades Room


Explore your academic future at Major Blast, a campus-wide event where you can meet counselors and discover more than 100 majors and minors at UCLA. Whether you’re still exploring or ready to commit, this event helps you make informed choices and connect with academic advisors.


More Information!

Strategies for Writing Effective Scientific Papers

November 5, 2025 • 5:15PM–6:30PM PDT

Zoom


Writing for scientific audiences requires clarity, structure, and purpose. This workshop provides foundational strategies for organizing your ideas, avoiding common writing pitfalls, and crafting compelling research papers. Drawing from Joshua Schimel’s Writing Science, participants will learn how to strengthen narrative flow and make their work more impactful.


RSVP Here!

Recommended Resources


Wescom Financial (Official Banking Partner)

How can you benefit from it?


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


Healthcare at UCLA Guide & Ashe Center Quiz


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. F1 and J1 visa students are covered by the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) while enrolled at UCLA.

What is Togetherall?


Togetherall is an anonymous online community where members can support each other, share experiences, and seek guidance. It’s a safe, supportive space monitored by licensed clinicians to ensure a positive environment. Check out a quick look. How do I join? Signing up is easy- go to togetherall.com and use your UCLA student email address to register as a member of a university or college.

Student Legal Services Fall

Drop-in Dates: November 4 and December 3!


Join the Student Legal Services team on their fall 2025 drop-in days. They provide confidential legal counseling and assistance regarding a wide range of legal issues to all currently registered and enrolled UCLA students.

Zoom Link for drop-in dates:

Meeting ID: 926 8881 6950

Passcode: 675685

Location: 106 Bradley International Hall

417 Charles E. Young Drive West, Los Angeles, CA 90095


Phone: +1-310-825-1681 (voicemail only)

 www.internationalcenter.ucla.edu


General Inquiries: oissassi@saonet.ucla.edu

Current F-1 Students: dcissf1unit@saonet.ucla.edu

Newly Admitted F-1 Students: uclai20@saonet.ucla.edu


Exchange Visitor (J-1) Visa: dcissj1unit@saonet.ucla.edu

Programming: intlprograms@saonet.ucla.edu 


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