Putting Spring in Our Steps
Dear International Slugs,

We are thinking of you as we navigate this unsettling spring. On one hand, academic life goes on and we celebrate or observe the holidays that are important to our faith traditions and cultures, such as Passover, Holi, Easter, Qing Ming Jie, Ugadi, the start of Ramadan, and Thai, Laotian, Cambodian, and Burmese New Year. On the other hand, we hear of racialized violence happening across the U.S. and around the world, while COVID-19 continues to affect our daily lives. We understand how difficult it is to focus on your academic work and maintain your mental health this year. We also know how difficult it is to plan for the academic year ahead. Will you be able to study on campus in the fall and have a comfortable place to live? What classes will be available online? Is coming (back) to the U.S. possible? Is it safe? We are here to talk with you about these concerns and more.

If you have concerns about travel, visas, and related immigration issues, please contact istudent@ucsc.edu.

First, second, and third-year undergraduate international students will receive priority in housing accommodations on campus this year, and everyone, whether undergraduate or graduate, is encouraged to apply for housing. We expect on-campus housing will be operating at about 85% capacity this upcoming academic year. Apply for housing here.

Along with our colleagues in CAPS, College Student Life, ISSS, ODEI, Radical Resilience, and Restorative Justice, Global Programming is planning a listening circle to be held in May. We hope that you will join us to discuss how you are doing and what you are worrying about. 

We are always eager to hear how you are doing and to receive your messages. Please contact us at globalprogramming@ucsc.edu (Global Programming), istudent@ucsc.edu (International Student Services), or ischolar@ucsc.edu (International Scholar Services).

As spring continues in the northern hemisphere, we wish you success and well-being. 

In support and solidarity,
Victoria, Andy, and Lisa
Global Programming
Interested in helping new international students adjust to life at UC Santa Cruz? Apply by April 30, 2021!
Global Engagement Resources & Events
Did you miss the CAPS 101 Workshop?
Wish you could've attended other past workshops hosted by GE?

Don't worry! You can access slides and recordings from past workshops on our Webinars webpage.
Tax Reminders! New Filing Deadline May 17, 2021
Do you still need to file U.S. taxes? Good news! The IRS has extended the filing deadline for tax year 2020 to May 17, 2021.

To help you file U.S. federal or California state taxes, GE has compiled a list of tax resources, slides, and recordings from previous tax workshops to assist you.
OPT Workshops
Are you looking into Optional Practical Training? Make sure you attend one of the mandatory OPT workshops before you apply!

All OPT workshops will be held virtually, pre-registration is not required. Dates and times are subject to change.

Remaining Spring 2021 workshops:

Monday, May 3, 12:00 - 13:00 PDT
Friday, May 14, 13:00 - 14:00 PDT
Thursday, May 27, 10:00 - 11:00 PDT
Campus Resources & Events
About to Graduate? Chat with Yeng Yang at Career Success.
Graduating Seniors,

If you haven’t met with Yeng Yang, International Career Coach at Career Success, now is the time!

Have questions about career goals? Want more networking tips? Not sure how to start the job search process?

Make an advising appointment with Yeng through Handshake.
English in Action
Are you looking to practice your English with a native English speaker? International students, scholars, and family members are welcome to join English in Action.

Practice English with an American volunteer for an hour each week.

There is no charge for this program.


I Dream of Travel
Are you dreaming of the day when you can travel internationally again?

Satisfy your wanderlust through Global Learning's I Dream of Travel, a virtual series of activities and entertainment.

Here are some ways to get involved:
  • Create a travel vision board
  • Share photos of your favorite food from your home country
  • Check out our Wanderlist: TV and Film recommendations
Hosted by AA/PIRC and Colleges 9 & 10. Join us Friday, April 30 at 18:00 PDT, for a night of exploring the Asian American experience and representation in media, as well as stories behind Wong Fu!

Philip Wang is the co-founder of Wong Fu Productions, an independent digital production company with over 3M subscribers around the world with over 500M views for their dramatic shorts and comedy sketches on YouTube.
Hosted by AA/PIRC and the Career Center. Navigating post-grad life can be incredibly difficult especially in the unprecedented virtual pandemic era some are graduating in.

On Wednesday, April 28 at 17:00 PDT we will be hosting a panel of recent UCSC alumni to share their knowledge and experience of "Finding Success in the Virtual Workspace."

Make sure you register and come prepared with your questions for our panelists this Wednesday!



Seeking Justice for our Sisters!
The American Indian Resource Center is hosting a series of virtual events dedicated to raising the awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

AIRC interns will present on topics related to the impact of MMIWG, and how non-Native people can be strong allies to raise awareness.

The Human Rights Investigations Lab harnesses digital technologies to address and challenge human rights violations.

Jaime Black is a multidisciplinary artist of mixed Anishinaabe and European descent.
Spring Resilience Series
The Resilience Series is a 9-week program for students to gain tools for personal/academic development, community care, and sharing in a safe space.

Each session covers a different topic related to resilience and includes guided meditations, group discussions, and wellness resources! 

Sessions will start during Week 2 and will be offered on Tuesdays from 1:30-3:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday sessions will feature the same practices and resources, so students are encouraged to choose a day that works best with their schedule

Conversations about our World: Identity, Ambivalence, Homecoming: Travels Between Asian and Asian American Studies
Presented by the University of Oregon.
May 13, 2021 at 17:00 PDT

This conversation explores the relationship between Asian studies and Asian American studies, reflecting on both the commonalities as well as distinctions between these endeavors.

How can these different perspectives be brought together productively?

Korean Contemporary Art
Offered by POSTECH on May 13, 2021, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Korea Standard Time.

This lecture investigates the works of three Korean contemporary artists: Suh Do-Ho, Lee Bul, and Choi Jeonghwa. Prof. Jung-Ah Woo from the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, POSTECH argues that the three artists have presented disparate modes of dealing with this sense of anxiety and nostalgia in the age of globalization.

Interested students should register by May 10, 2021.
Congratulations to the
Sara Matthews Scholarship Recipients!
Six International Students selected to receive Sara Matthews Scholarship!
The Sara Matthews Scholarship awards scholarships to UCSC international students in sophomore or junior standing, ranging from $1000 - $5000 every spring.

Global Programming
Community Room Annex, C9/10
Santa Cruz, CA 95064 United States