September 2023 SISS Newsletter
Information and Updates
SISS Closed on September 4
SISS will be closed on September 4 for Labor Day. SISS closes early, and services end at 2 p.m. on the business day before a long weekend or holiday. Please plan ahead to avoid delays.
Getting Settled at UC Davis
As fall approaches, you are probably preparing for the upcoming academic year. Whether you are a new or current student or scholar, we encourage you to connect with campus and build your community of support. SISS offers guidance and information about housing, settling in Davis, campus activities and clubs, transportation, nearby shopping and more.
Browse the International Student and Scholar Handbook
Scheduling an Appointment with Your SISS Advisor
SISS Advisors are available for in-person and virtual appointments. Schedule an appointment with your advisor in advance.
Find your advisor and schedule an appointment
Changes to In-Person Class Requirement for F-1 and J-1 Students
The Department of Homeland Security has ended its COVID policy guidance for virtual classes for international students with F-1 and J-1 visa types. F-1 and J-1 students must now enroll in 12 units minimum each quarter, nine (9) of which must be in-person classes.
Read our announcement to learn additional details about this policy change
Protect Yourself from Scams: Stay Alert
Scams are fraudulent attempts to trick people out of their money. Unfortunately, these lies are easy to fall for, and you might not know a phone call, email or interaction is fraudulent until it is too late. Stay alert and think twice before communicating with someone you do not know—whether over the phone or online.
Here are some signs that the person you are talking to might be trying to scam you. End the conversation if the person:
- Threatens to suspend your Social Security number or visa (even if they have part or all of your information, such as part of your Social Security number)
- Warns or threatens arrest or legal action
- Demands or requests immediate payment
- Requires payment by gift card, prepaid debit card, internet currency or by mailing cash
- Pressures you for your personal information
- Requests secrecy
- Threatens to seize your bank account
- Promises to increase your Social Security benefit
- Tries to gain your trust by providing fake documentation, false evidence, or by claiming to be a government official
Learn more about protecting yourself from scams
Employment Workshops Available On-Demand
Are you interested in OPT or CPT? F-1 Employment Workshops are available online. Select your workshop to get started.
- CPT for Undergraduate F-1 Students
- OPT for F-1 Students (Part 1 of 3)
- STEM OPT Extension for F-1 Students
Programs and Events
Scholar Coffee Break
We invite international scholars (visiting faculty and researchers) to connect 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: September 7, 2023, 9–10 a.m.
Samara Joy
Global Affairs is pleased to co-sponsor with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion a Mondavi Center performance by Samara Joy. Joy is a 23-year-old Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist who has taken the world by storm. Please join us for a remarkable evening!
- Date and time: October 4, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Mondavi Center
Apply for the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program
Incoming undergraduate international students, apply now to receive a peer mentor! Your mentor can be your go-to resource for information about student life at UC Davis and in the United States as well as campus resources and events. Meet other students and make new friends at our social events!
- Deadline: October 6, 2023
Global Ambassador Mentorship Program Speed Friending Kickoff
Join the Global Ambassador Mentorship Program for its kickoff event of the year! You will meet UC Davis students from around the world and make connections in an informal speed friending activity. Bring a friend and make new ones! All attendees are also eligible for a raffle with local business gift cards and UC Davis merch.
- Date and time: September 28, 2023, 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
- Location: International Center Lobby
Pal Program Registration is Open
The Pal Program pairs up UC Davis undergraduate students for intercultural conversation experiences once a week for ten weeks. Participants can increase their world knowledge, improve intercultural communication skills, develop friendships and enjoy events together.
Aggie Job Fair, Virtual Fall Career Fair and More
The Internship and Career Center offers several fairs this fall to help connect you with employers.
- Fall Virtual Career Fair (September 13)
- Master's, Ph.D. and Postdoctoral Scholar Virtual Career Fair (September 15)
- Business and Public Services Career Fair (October 18)
- STEM Career Fair (October 19)
Democracy Under Siege: Examining Contemporary Challenges in the Americas
Global Affairs is proud to co-sponsor this event. Many forces are active in the world today that are undermining democracies across the globe. Senator José Miguel Insulza, former Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Secretary of the President, and Secretary General at Organization of American States will discuss democracies in the Americas and their present challenges as reflected in the decline of the rule of law, ascendency of populism, weakening of the judiciary, and the loss of checks and balances, among others.
- Date and time: September 20, 2023, noon
- Location: virtual via Zoom
AIM International Student Welcome Night
Aggie International Ministry is hosting Fall Welcome Nights for both undergraduate and graduate students!
Grad Welcome Night: September 25, 2023, SCC 2nd floor
Undergraduate Welcome Night: September 28, 2023, SCC 2nd floor
Free catered dinner, panel advice from fellow international students, and raffle prizes!
Artist Talk: Katya Grokhovsky
Global Affairs is proud to co-sponsor this event. Katya Grokhovsky is a Ukrainian-born, New York City-based multidisciplinary visual artist. Her work explores cultural identity, labor, body, history and the self in installation, sculpture, painting, drawing, fiber, video, and performance. Grokhovsky is a recipient of numerous awards and fellowships.
- Date and time: October 12, 2023, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
- Location: Manetti Shrem Museum of Art
UC Davis Global Learning Fair
Join us at the fair to learn about the variety of global opportunities available to you, including in-person global leadership opportunities, study abroad programs, global internships, post-graduate global opportunities and more!
- Date and time: October 5, 2023, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Location: West Quad
SISS Scholar Evening Discussion: Tipping Culture in the U.S.
Join Global Affairs staff and other scholars to discuss U.S. tipping culture. We will explore its history and origins and what some of the current norms are. This is a great opportunity to connect with other scholars as well as UC Davis staff and to ask questions in a welcoming space.
- Date and time: October 23, 2023, 5 p.m.
Test of Oral English Proficiency for Multilingual Graduate Student TAs
Graduate students who plan to work as Teaching Assistants (TA) or Associate Instructors (AI) while at UC Davis must meet the TA Language Proficiency Requirement. If you haven’t met this requirement yet, you can take the Test of Oral English Proficiency (TOEP) on campus in September to determine your eligibility.
Learn more about qualifying as a TA or AI
Weekly French Language Conversation Group
If you’re looking for a group to share your love of the French language, a group of campus and community members meet every Wednesday to speak French together to maintain French language practice or reduce fear of speaking. No preparation required, no homework, no stress, just a friendly group of French language learners and native speakers who want to speak in French.
- Date and time: Wednesdays, noon–1 p.m.
- Location: International Center, room 3130
Contact Aspen Felt for more information at alfelt@ucdavis.edu
University Global Coalition Annual Gathering
For this year’s Gathering, University Global Coalition (UGC) will host a global, virtual version of 17 Rooms, a process developed by The Brookings Institution and The Rockefeller Foundation. In 17 Rooms, participants select one of 17 groups representing each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Rooms will work to determine a deliverable from their discussion that can be presented during SDG Action and Awareness Week 2023. Inspiration sessions will open and close the week. Participation is open to students, faculty, and staff in any higher education institution and selected community partner organizations.
- Date: October 2–6, 2023
Learn more and register in advance
California Germany Agrivoltaics Conference
The first California Germany Agrivoltaics Conference will bring together corporates, policy-makers, researchers, developers and farmers to explore how agrivoltaics can contribute to both resilience and sustainability. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend.
- Date: November 1, 2023
- Location: Activities and Recreation Center (ARC)
Opportunities and Announcements
Welcome Dinner for Newly Arrived Visiting Scholars
Community Friends of Scholars is a local organization of volunteers, sponsored by International Students, Inc. (ISI), with staff and volunteers from area churches. They hold monthly Welcome Dinners for newly arrived visiting scholars. At the dinners, scholars have the opportunity to sign up for other activities, like Zoom cooking classes and farm tours.
For more information, email Simon Zeigler with ISI at szeigler@isionline.org
Getting Involved with a Student Organization
Students are encouraged to connect and engage with student organizations on campus. UC Davis has many options to get involved and make friends. Find a student organization through the Center for Student Involvement. Search by interest or schedule a virtual meeting to learn more.
Visit the Center for Student Involvement
Sign up for the I-House Newsletter
Looking to engage more with the international community in the city of Davis? Sign up to receive the International House (I-House) Davis newsletter to learn more.
Sign up at the bottom of the I-House webpage
Student and Scholar Spotlight
SISS Wins Best Poster Award
SISS and the Strategic Asian and Pacific Islander Retention Initiative have partnered to support international students navigating academic probation and dismissal. The task force recently created and presented a poster about their work and its impact on international students at an industry event where they won an award for best poster.