March 11, 2025 The Dashew Center: UCLA Welcomes the World
When one thinks of Los Angeles from an international perspective, images of majestic sunsets and sunrises, Hollywood movies and famous actors, year-long warm weather, and a vibrant mix of diverse cultures come to mind. While these visual icons define Los Angeles, many international students also recognize it as home of the UCLA brand—a beacon of opportunity. UCLA stands on the foundational pillars—that with hard work, and the drive to succeed, possibilities are endless.
Three international UCLA students share their journey with me—Zabir Azreen from Malaysia, a fourth-year Financial Actuarial Mathematics major and Accounting minor; Rainie Yang from Canada, a second-year Statistics and Data Science and Financial Actuarial Mathematics double major; and Akshata Panda from India, a fourth-year Psychology major and Applied Developmental Psychology minor student. They share the application process, navigating their onboarding, and the invaluable support received that motivated them to become UCLA International Student Ambassadors—each representing the Dashew Center’s core values of “creating global connection, international understanding and cultural sensitivity.”
History
The Dashew Center is named after Stanley and Rita Dashew. Stanley Dashew, born in New York to Russian and Lithuanian parents, was a self-made inventor, writer, philanthropist, and ambassador for humanity. After relocating to Los Angeles, he founded Dashew Business Machines, where he pioneered the invention of the “embossing system,” that would later become the foundation for the world's first credit card, known today as Visa. The Dashews were passionate about using their resources to create opportunities for people of all nationalities and economic backgrounds. This vision led to the establishment of the Dashew Center at UCLA in 1975, a place dedicated to providing international students logistical support with obtaining and maintaining visas, advocacy on campus, job opportunities, all while fostering cross-cultural understanding.
International Impact
Today, the Dashew Center supports over 12,000 international students and scholars. Akshata, the International Student Ambassador of India, describes the center as her global connection, helping her develop international awareness and cultural sensitivity. She recalls the challenges of traveling alone from her quiet home in Odisha, and how, after receiving her acceptance letter, the Dashew Center began what she calls the "hand-holding" process—a process that guided her through each step with thoughtfulness and deliberation.
Rainey, the International Student Ambassador of Canada, shares a similar experience. She credits the Dashew Center with making her transition seamless. She highlights the value of her virtual meetings with campus partners, which provided essential guidance. For her, the most rewarding aspect has been “learning to listen to diverse cultural backgrounds and meeting interesting people.”
Zabir, the International Student Ambassador of Malaysia, was initially drawn to Los Angeles by the warm weather and proximity to the film industry. One of his first adventures was a Warner Brothers Studio tour. During his application process, he connected with the Dashew Center through Instagram, using the "Ask an Ambassador" link—a resource that gave him direct and immediate access to the Dashew team.
In conclusion, the Dashew Center is a place to build relationships, foster community, develop cross-cultural understanding, and most importantly, provide essential logistical support. From obtaining and maintaining F-1 visas, to experiencing UCLA as a visiting scholar, to employment authorizations, up until graduation, Dashew Center ensures that students and scholars feel supported at every step of their UCLA journey.
You can visit the Dashew Center at 106 Bradley International Hall or on Instagram and Facebook @dashewcenterucla.