New Bruin Send-off Celebrations

t isn’t a UCLA summer without New Bruin Send-offs! As incoming students and families prepare for their big move in the fall, these celebrations are a welcoming experience to help ease nerves, provide information and share excitement for what’s to come. These casual events range from backyard gatherings to a picnics in the park, hosted by regional, affinity and diversity alumni networks in partnership with Alumni Affairs. They take place in California, as well as across the country and around the world, wherever a delegation of incoming Bruins can be found, and are usually attended by current and incoming Bruin families, local alumni and a staff representative. These first-year UCLA students shared their experiences at their New Bruin Send-offs.

Jeremy Estrella (political science) had a lot of questions about UCLA and wanted to learn more, so he attended the Pasadena, California Send-off. When he arrived at a local park, he made a nametag and met a few UCLA families. The event included games, including a scavenger-hunt where he asked other Bruins get-to-know-you questions which encouraged conversation.

Katarina Shroeter (microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics) attended the Atlanta, Georgia Send-off. She said that since she was out of state and unable to go to Bruin Day, the Send-off was a great alternative to learn more about the school. She was happy when she met a few people and learned that others were just as excited as she was to be going to UCLA. “Being out of state, I feel like it’s nice to know people from where you’re from because you have that built-in community once you get there.” Katarina said that it was nice to know that other people were sharing the experience of moving across the country for school and that the Send-off was “a good way to get to know some people before starting school. It definitely made me more excited.”

Ashlyn Ablao (mechanical engineering) attended the San Diego, California Send-off, and she shared a similar sentiment, “Everyone will have different experiences, but the Send-off gives you the chance to meet new people. I met one of my current best friends at my Send-off.” She described how great it was to meet up once on campus with someone she already knew.

Lauren Morr (biology) from Sacramento said that she highly recommends that people attend a Send-off in their area. “You learn more about the school, and it was really nice to see the UCLA network that you have in your hometown.” Estrella agreed, saying that it was nice seeing people on campus that you met at the Send-off and having that shared experience. And Shroeter remarked, “Even if they don’t become your best friends, it’s a familiar face to see around campus.”

Estrella’s favorite part of his send-off was when everyone shared why they were excited to go to UCLA. He said it made it really easy to “find a common interest with his peers” which made him even more excited to start school.

***

Learn more about New Bruin Send-offs happening near you.

California

Outside California

International

Don’t see your hometown? Check back soon as more are continuing to be added.

New students can also learn more about the UCLA Alumni Association and its offerings by watching the 2024 Orientation video.