March 2021 SISS Newsletter
Information and Updates
Spring Break Travel and Testing Guidance
All members of the campus community should continue to avoid all non-essential travel. Employees and students who plan to travel out of the state should plan to self-quarantine for ten days upon returning, per state guidelines. Please read the Travel Advisory from Global Affairs for updated information about the current travel climate.
Students living in Davis who choose to travel are expected to get tested every three to four days during a two-week period before your departure date and after you return, even if you are asymptomatic.
Share Your UC Davis Story
This spring, incoming and transferring international students will select a university where they will pursue their education. We invite current international students to share their UC Davis stories in a short letter to help welcome these new students.
Your letter may be selected to be sent to prospective UC Davis students. If your letter is chosen, Global Affairs will send you a gift.
Use of the SISS International Center Address
Students and scholars, we kindly ask that do not use the SISS office address when receiving mail. It is important to have personal documents delivered to your personal address.
Protect Yourself From Scams
Shortly before winter break, a new scam was reported that offers to reserve COVID-19 vaccines. Please be aware of this and other various scam and fraud attempts that are out there at this time, including spoofed calls appearing to come from government agencies.
- Read more about protecting yourself from scams
- Read about new scam reports from UC Davis Police Department Crime Alerts
- Read UC Davis Police Department's Safety and Security Tips
- Watch the video
Campus Ready Survey and Dashboard
Visit the Campus Ready website for the latest information about accessing campus, testing, and the daily COVID-19 symptom survey. UC Davis also reports weekly COVID-19 information for campus on the COVID-19 Dashboard.
COVID-19 and Campus Updates for International Students and Scholars
We encourage our international students and scholars to seek out campus resources to stay informed of campus operations and new information as it becomes available.
- SISS offers answers to questions for international students and scholars
- Student Affairs Student FAQs and Updates
- Student Health & Counseling Services: What You Need To Know About Novel Coronavirus
- Global Affairs: Travel Announcement: Novel Coronavirus
As always, advisors within Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) are available as resources if you have questions related to visa and immigration status. Find your SISS Advisor and schedule an appointment.
For more information about COVID, please visit Center for Disease Control.
Programs and Events
Global Ambassador Mentorship Program Cohort Celebration
Undergraduate students are invited to join the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program for a virtual social event to honor the current mentors and meet the new mentors. Participants can bring the food of their choice, and discuss the foods and languages of various cultures. Cultural attire is welcome.
- Date and time: March 5, 2021, 7 p.m. (PST)
Scholar Coffee Break
We invite international scholars to connect with each other at the monthly SISS Scholar Coffee Break. Whether you are new to campus or have been here for several months, international scholars are invited to join SISS in this welcoming and virtual space.
- Date and time: March 11, 2021, 9–10 a.m. (PST)
California Tax Workshop for International Students and Scholars
We invite international students and scholars to attend a free workshop with Marc Narlesky of the State of California Franchise Tax Board, who works across the University of California campuses to provide filing assistance to international scholars. This two-hour workshop will explain California taxation for non-residents and provide examples of filing for a tax return.
- Date and time: March 17, 2021, 3–5 p.m. (PST)
Peacemakers Around the World
The Davis United Nations Association (UNA) chapter, in collaboration with the Sacramento UNA chapter and co-sponsorship by AAUW Davis Branch, will present a free program to mark International Women’s Day, Peacemakers Around the World.
- Date and time: March 2, 2021, 2-3:30 p.m. (PST)
SDG Coffee Hour for the UC Davis Community
UC Davis offices of Global Affairs, Sustainability, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion invite faculty, staff, students, and campus affiliates to join upcoming Coffee Hours on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) over Zoom to share about their work contributing towards the SDGs, connect and engage with others, and learn more about new opportunities, including UC Davis’ Voluntary University Review of engagement with the SDGs.
- Dates and times: March 3, 2021, 10-11 a.m. (PST); March 11, 2021, 2-3 p.m. (PST)
UC Davis and Earth University Students Partner to Address UN SDG 2: Zero Hunger
UC Davis and Earth University are working in partnership to address SDG 2: Zero Hunger as part of the University Global Coalition Decade of Action Initiative. UC Davis SDG student interns and Earth University students will host a student-oriented symposium to highlight efforts on SDG 2: Zero Hunger, including the work being done at both universities and the student farms on each campus.
- Date and time: March 3, 2021, 1–2 p.m. (PST)
Students Addressing UN SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation: Perspectives from Newcastle University and UC Davis
In partnership with Newcastle University in England, UC Davis Global Affairs is proud to present a panel event addressing SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Panelists, including students and faculty, will share their work, reflect on what they have gained by engaging with others' work, and impart other key learnings. This event is open to the public.
- Date and time: March 4, 2021, 9–10 a.m. (PST)
6th Annual UC Davis International Connections Reception
Global Affairs invites the UC Davis community for an evening of networking and celebration of globally-engaged faculty, staff, and scholars. We will announce the winners of the Chancellor's Awards for International Engagement, and Excellence in Teaching in Study Abroad Awards, and acknowledge the recipients of or participants in Global Affairs programs.
- Date and time: March 4, 2021, 5–6 p.m. (PST)
UC Berkeley Center for Chinese Studies Presents Colloquium: Other Racisms
The UC Berkeley Center for Chinese Studies presents Colloquium: Other Racisms, led by artist and curator Christopher K. Ho.
- Date and time: April 2, 2021, 5–6:30 p.m. (PDT)
32nd Annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference
The 32nd Annual Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference will be virtual again this year. The conference is designed to acquaint undergraduate students with the process and academic rigors of presenting research from various fields in a scholarly manner and in an affirming environment.
- Conference dates: April 28–May 1, 2021
Opportunities and Announcements
Conference Grants for UN Sustainable Development Goals
UC Davis offices of Global Affairs, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and Sustainability are pleased to announce a call for virtual conference grants to support UC Davis faculty, staff, and students in sharing UC Davis contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Big Bang! Connections, Workshops, and Business Competition
The Big Bang! provides a forum for innovators across California to collaborate, develop, and test business ideas. Find opportunities to connect with fellow innovators, learn and apply business concepts in interactive educational workshops, build your team, grow your network—and compete for cash prizes.
Follow us on Instagram
We welcome you to follow us on Instagram to get the latest updates from Global Affairs. Follow us at @ucdavisglobalaffairs or click the link below.
Employment Workshops Now Available On-Demand Online
Interested in OPT or CPT? We have made F-1 Employment Workshops available online. Select your workshop to get started.
- CPT for Undergraduate F-1 Students
- OPT for Undergraduate F-1 Students
- OPT for Graduate F-1 Students
- STEM OPT Extension for F-1 Students
GoinGlobal Career Support Portal Now Live
GoinGlobal provides career and employment resources for more than 120 worldwide locations. Log in with your UC Davis Kerberos ID to access the H1B Plus portal, career guides, global job and internship search database by country, and an employer directory.
Slack Channel for International Scholars
International scholars can join a special channel on Slack to exchange information about international academia in the U.S., share helpful links, provide moral support to the community, and discuss issues and advocacy. All are welcome.
Student and Scholar Spotlight
International Student Wei-Hsin "Alice" Hung featured in UC Davis Magazine
Recently in UC Davis Magazine, Wei-Hsin "Alice" Hung reflected on her experience as a UC Davis fourth-year student who is about to graduate. In the article, she discusses her hobbies, extra circular activities, and journey as an Aggie from her first-year experience to her final year.
Read more in UC Davis Magazine
About Services for International Students and Scholars
Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS), within Global Affairs, is helping to build a campus community that includes students and scholars from over 140 countries and six continents. SISS serves more than 10,000 international students, faculty, and researchers and their accompanying family members who come to UC Davis each year. We welcome the world to UC Davis.
As a part of Global Affairs, Services for International Students and Scholars aims to inspire global curiosity, understanding, and engagement.