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Bruin-Owned Photography

Photo by Karina Wang

hese Bruin-owned businesses showcase the work and art of Bruin photographers. Whether it’s for grad portraits or engagement shoots, corporate events or commercial ventures, you can support the arts and Bruin entrepreneurship by booking a shoot, buying prints or following them on social media to see their current and upcoming projects.

Antoine Delcayre '20

Current City: Los Angeles, California

Website: https://photosby.antoinedelcayre.space/

Social: @monsieurrr_delcayre

I bought my first camera the summer before my first year at UCLA and my camera guided me through most of my college experience. It was the creative outlet that kept me sane through my astrophysics studies. I'm thankful for all the opportunities it allowed me to pursue, such as being a press photographer for L.A. concerts and being hired as photo manager for UCLA Housing.

After spending four years at UCLA I've definitely found my home in Los Angeles. I decided to pursue a master's in computer science at Johns Hopkins, which I work on remotely from L.A., and I'm hoping to graduate soon! I see computer science as a happy medium between the quantitative technical nature of physics and my creative hobbies.

I still like to take photos when I have time, though I've preferred to take analog photos using my Polaroid these days. In addition to photography, I'm passionate about cooking and eating, playing soccer, and programming lightshows! I try to keep an online footprint of all my pastimes and you can find links to all of them through my Instagram.

Photo Showcase:

**Description**: This is one of my favorite image sets. There are a few things I like to capture in my photos and I think these photos encapsulate all of them. I like my photos to feel slightly surreal - I like quiet and empty spaces that invoke something between unease and serenity. To accentuate this I try to use a minimal amount of colors in an image. I want people to feel like they are looking at a memory or a dream; for there to be a softness and silence to my photos. I did this shoot at the Hitch basketball courts because I loved the plain blue pavement with the strong white lines.

Karina Wang '18

Current City: Los Angeles, California

Website: https://www.karinapjwang.com/

Social: @karinapjwang

My name is Karina Wang and I graduated in 2018 with a B.S. in microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics. My journey with photography began and has been influenced heavily by UCLA and the amazing people that I have met there. While landscape, greens and nature first gravitated me towards the medium, I initially gained courage to explore photography through portraits with a friend, whom I met at my first-year dorm floor. I owe a lot of gratitude to my friends who have helped me model for editorial projects, new friends who I have met through graduation portraits and to the many others in the UCLA/Westwood community who have trusted me with my vision.

Specifically, I am grateful for the UCLA campus and Westwood neighborhood for they have given me a beautiful space to simply explore and find my style. Since then, I am fortunate to have learned so much about the art, and it is something that I will continually grow with and always hold near and dear to my heart.

Currently, I am in medical school but continue to shoot in my spare time. I am constantly seeking indie BIPOC artists and/or small businesses that could benefit from a photoshoot collaboration. In my near future, I plan to take on more photo trips and to delve into photojournalism as well!

Photo Showcase:

**Description**: Pictured are the Dolomite Mountains of Northern Italy. While I love many genres of photography, my heart will always be with landscapes, specifically with the mountains and endless fields of green. Photo trips are my favorite, because they are a unique type of adventure. Right after graduation, my friends and I flew out and definitely had one filled with sunrises, amazing food and accidentally getting lost in these ranges!

Tia Liu '19

Current City: Los Angeles, California

Website: https://www.tialiu.com/

Social: @tea.ah

My name is Tia Liu and I am a portrait, wedding/couples, commercial and lifestyle photographer based in Los Angeles. I have more than 10 years of portrait photography experience and am a New York Times published photographer. As a self-taught photographer since high school, I have been involved in the influencer industry on social media, gaining the likes of YouTubers and "The Bachelor" contestants. I’ve also spent the last seven years shooting a full three-month (and year-round) grad season at UCLA and other SoCal campuses.

Photo Showcase:

**Description:** Many people in the UCLA network know me for my grad work of over seven years, but I also shoot couples and weddings as well! Hope to continue to connect with more Bruins and gain more alumni clients!

Jordan Angulo '18

Current City: Los Angeles, California

Social: @acideo

I am a queer Latinx photographer from Los Angeles with family descending from El Salvador. I have been exploring portraiture for over 15 years. My passion for photography existed ever since I was a child and wanted to use the cameras used by my father and grandparents. I purchased my first "professional" camera in high school and started shooting portraits of classmates and friends. I later learned my late paternal grandfather had his own collection of cameras and shot landscapes as a hobby, further cementing photography in my family history.

Photo Showcase:

**Description**: I created this image at the beginning of 2021 when the COVID-19 vaccine started to become widely available and it felt safer to meet in person for portrait sessions. I wanted to continue my work which allows people to escape and become someone else for a moment, taking on a character or adopting a person they otherwise would never attempt in their daily life. Decorative masks and head pieces have been a staple in my previous work and it felt necessary to continue their inclusion in our current moment. I enjoy combining elements of whimsy or beauty with lurid details or pointing at subversive ideas, to create a dissonant image that can be easily accessible, but also cause an uncanny feeling to the viewer.

Ruben Viramontes '19

Current City: Berkeley, California

Website: https://rubenviramontes.com

Social: @rubenviramontes_

In high school, I fell in love with music videos and the process of people making them. I started to take videos of random things, found beautiful music and started coming up with my own music video ideas. I created my own storyboards for a certain song and then filmed my videos. I learned a lot about video and color editing, and composition. At UCLA, I made a friend, Kelly Ma, who worked part-time as a professional photographer. I learned more about portraiture from her and finally bought my first DSLR, something I wanted to do since high school. Kelly taught me so much. I thought I was going to enjoy taking more landscape pictures, but I soon learned that I loved capturing people's smiles, people feeling joy, even if for just a moment. I begged my friends and family to let me photograph them, and most would begrudgingly agree, but they would be happy with the way I took their picture. And it made me happy to see that I was able to cheer up someone and make them feel confident in an image. I grew curious of Kelly's grad shoots and she invited me to one of them. I took pictures for free for the seniors. I had so much fun. Directing people, asking them to smile and try different poses, catching the right light for them, getting the exact setting I wanted (manual mode always) - all of it brought joy to me. Around this time, Karina Wang, another UCLA friend, was also beginning her portraiture journey. We eventually linked up, talked about photography and started modeling for each other. I learned so much from Karina. We have different styles and the way she chooses composition was never what I would first think to do; she has such gorgeous results. She was always down to take pictures and plan a shoot together. We also gushed over the highly requested UCLA grad photographers, and other L.A. portrait photographers. We always texted about photography, and we've grown so much since.

Photo Showcase:

Grad Photo-Ruben-Viramontes — **Description**: This was my first time taking grad pictures of a group with popping confetti! I was always in awe over all the beautiful grad photos with confetti from other photographers, and I was excited to finally have that opportunity with a group of people. It was a cloudy day, and I understand it's normally not ideal for most grad pictures, but I love the challenge of bringing warmth to grad pictures when it’s overcast. I'm proud of this image. It brings me joy that I captured this image, and I found the right coloring for it too.

Gavin Holt '03

Current City: San Dimas, California

Website: https://judyandgavin.com/

Social: @judyandgavin

As a computer science engineering major, I found out quickly that I was not happy as a computer programmer. I had a side job capturing club videography, which turned into a small business for wedding videography. Photography came soon after in 2006. I have been self-employed since 2005 and run the business with my wife, Judy.

Photo Showcase: Remy Xmas

**Description**: This is what we did for our Christmas card with our first child (at nine months old). It is not Photoshopped. It was the first time our daughter saw a Christmas tree, and she was old enough to reach up and try to touch it. I love the image for the wonder that it inspires, along with the deep personal attachment we have to that moment.

Luis Motta '22

Current City: Los Angeles, California

Social: @luisabndnher

My name is Luis Motta. I'm an artist born and raised in Los Angeles. I started taking photographs at Art Division, a nonprofit program located in the Westlake district. Then I started getting more technical in the darkroom while attending Los Angeles City College. Early on, I was very into the documentation of friends and would carry a camera at every party or band show. I started to invite friends into studios for portraits, and this transitioned into an interest in still life.

Photo Showcase:

**Description**: I created A fictional planet that has gone through a world-ending catastrophe. Planet "C" is made of concrete, barbed wire and fencing material. The items found are constructed out of the same materials. I've used family records like my mom's cancer test to create fictional documentation. This series of photographs comes from my experience of feeling lost and coming to terms with structures coming to an end. The series is also a meditation on how ruins of a past time and event create an identity. After many journeys and migrations, the few fragments we have through photographs and documentation are what we hold on to to define our present and can decide our future.

Jintak Han '20

Current City: Athens, Ohio

Website: https://www.jintakhan.com

Social: @jhancamera

I am a freelance photojournalist currently based in Athens, Ohio, as I pursue my master's degree at Ohio University's School of Visual Communication. You can find my bylines on news agencies around the world such as ZUMA Press, the Associated Press and the Denver Post, where I recently finished a summer internship. I have a strong interest in the topic of discrimination, especially among minority and immigrant communities. I started photography as a hobby towards the end of middle school, but it wasn't until college that I took up photojournalism, when I joined the Daily Bruin in my first quarter at UCLA in 2014. I started working as a photojournalist while in school in 2019, hungry for opportunities beyond the Bruin, with no formal education in photography. I spent the year after I graduated in 2020, photographing the racial injustice protests in Los Angeles and working in an internship at a daily newspaper in South Korea, but returned to school in 2021 to focus on my interest in long-form visual storytelling.

Photo Showcase:

**Description**: Guests pick out free flower bouquets at a Walmart in Uvalde, Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2022. The Walmart location offered the flowers to the local community after a gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at the nearby Robb Elementary School two days prior. Town residents placed the flowers at the school entrance and a memorial set up in the Uvalde town square. I was traveling through Houston when I received the alert about Uvalde. I immediately rushed over there, arriving a few hours after the shooting, and spent eight days trying to document the resilience of the small grieving Texas town that would soon send its children back to school. There are thousands of more dramatic and traumatic scenes that I documented in Uvalde. I chose this photograph instead because it tells the story quietly.

Chang Liu '17

Current City: New York, New York

Website: https://changliu.io/

Social: @shampliu

I'm a freelance creative developer who recently moved to New York from California. In high school, I would make skate videos with my friends and that transitioned into photography once I got a better camcorder that could take decent photos as well.

Photo Showcase: Maximalism

**Description**: This is a PhotoShopped image of a viewpoint from a bar in New York. I think this illustrates the kind of style I gravitate to - heavily texture-based, abstract landscapes that include some subject or subjects in the foreground. I like to emphasize the background/texture more and have the subject in a less prominent light so the photos can be more relatable.

Hon Hoang '14

Current City: Los Angeles, California

Website: https://www.honhoang.com/

Socials: @honnnhoang

I was born in Vietnam and grew up in Los Angeles (Rowland Heights), California. Shortly after graduating from UCLA with a degree in psychology, I pursued photography and started making short films a few years after that. My experience in psychology has continued into my photography and films because of my curiosity in people and cultures. I create photographs to get a glimpse of humanity and pursue films as an exploration of it. Some of my previous short films include: “Taciturn Tango,” “Fall With Me” and “Calling,” which won Best Short film at ECAASU 2021 and the Audience Award at Viet Film Fest 2021. In between films, projects and photoshoots, I try to fill in gaps with moments in street photography - walking around Los Angeles or wherever I may be traveling, trying to capture beautiful moments within what seems to be a gritty landscape.

Photo Showcase: Fall With Me

**Description**: The photo is from a series called "Fall With Me" (2017). It was taken on set during the making of my first short film of the same name. I want to showcase this image because it represents a moment where my photography converged with my ambitions to make films. After a few years of learning photography, I knew I wanted to create more narratives so I started exploring filmmaking to tell these tales. It was helpful for me to use the years of experience with photography as it translated well to cinema. It was a small project, it was me, a buddy with a camera, another friend with a handheld light, and two actors/models. We just went out and filmed something. You can watch the short film at https://www.honhoang.com/fall-with-me/.

If you are a Bruin photographer, send us an email at connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu for possible inclusion into this page. Include your website, social handle, class year and a short one-paragraph bio. We will follow up to request additional info.

All Bruin-Owned Business Articles

What Happens When a Student Tests Positive

Testing Positive for COVID-19

Naturally, this is never the best news to receive, but what truly happens when a student gets this piece of information while living many miles away from home with potentially several roommates? The test results are first uploaded into the UCLA COVID-19 Action Center and the COVID hotline (310-206-6217), which is run by the UCLA Exposure Management team, is notified. Depending on the time of day the hotline is contacted, it is possible to have to leave a message and wait for a call back with further instructions, though the student needs to isolate immediately! Once the student is in touch with a representative through the hotline, they are given further info on next steps such as how to move into isolation housing and what to expect during their stay. Shortly thereafter, the positive student moves into isolation housing.

Isolation Housing

As unexciting as isolation housing sounds, the first impression isn't as bad as it seems. A room is provided in on-campus housing, which includes a private bathroom. It is stocked with basic necessities, such as towels, toiletries, a mini-fridge, a bed, a desk and storage for belongings. They are allowed to bring pretty much anything that they think they will need while in isolation, so long as it complies with UCLA Housing policies. They should bring along enough personal belongings for 10 days. Once they enter the room, they are unable to leave until cleared by UCLA isolation protocols. The keycard provided to enter the room is a one-way access card. Once it has been scanned for the first time, it will no longer work to open the door to that room should the student leave before they’ve been cleared to do so.

Meals

Since the majority of correspondence with the outside world takes place virtually, same goes for the meal order. Every day while in isolation, they are instructed to fill out a form containing different meal options, such as sandwiches and salads for lunch, pasta and chicken for dinner, and most importantly, big chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Along with every meal comes a side of fruit or chips and a massive bottle of water. Every day, a punctual knock is heard on outside the door signaling that the meal has been delivered: breakfast around 8 a.m., lunch around noon and dinner around 5 p.m.

Classes

Handling classes can be a bit tricky while in isolation, especially considering that the student probably isn't feeling very studious while they’re ill. However, many professors understand that this comes with the territory of having COVID. Given that the majority of assignments can be completed virtually, it is possible to still to keep up with schoolwork. It can vary by the type of class and professor, but many instructors have been very flexible and willing to work with students while they are ill in order to help prevent them from falling behind. Instructors are informed that students’ absences due to isolation or quarantine should not factor into any attendance component of their final grade.

Supplies

Aside from basic necessities listed above, students are responsible for bringing any supplies and items that they may need during their stay for up to 10 days. It is possible to receive deliveries from friends and family, like food, care packages or anything to help make your stay more comfortable, but this depends on staff capabilities and isolation capacity levels. During very busy periods, deliveries may be delayed.

Communications

Almost all communication students have with the outside world while in isolation is done virtually. The UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center (ASHE) checks in on ill students every few days and monitors their symptoms to the best of their ability. While there isn't any communication between housing floor mates in isolation, an orange door sign indicates that a room is occupied. This small piece of paper serves as a visual reminder that even though they are physically isolated during this period, they are not the only ones going through this experience.

Rules for Release

Students have to isolate for 10 days. However, there are certain instances where they can be released from isolation earlier than 10 days.

If they are symptomatic, they can be released early if:

Their symptoms have improved

They are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the help of any fever-reducing medications

They take a rapid antigen test on Day 5 or later and receive a negative result

If they are asymptomatic, they can be released early if:

They’ve remained asymptomatic

They take a rapid antigen test on Day 5 or later and receive a negative result

Upon completing the 10-day isolation or qualifying for early release, they can confirm their completion through the UCLA COVID-19 Action Center form in order to receive clearance and resume normal activities on campus.

Sources:

Student testimonials

COVID-19 Information for Students

COVID Hotline Exposure Management

Reporting Positive Cases

Isolation and Quarantine Procedures

Bruin-Owned Art Galleries and Collectives

ur Bruin-owned businesses series continues with a feature on art galleries and collectives which showcase the classic and contemporary works of both Bruins and non-Bruins alike, as well as that of their founders. Support the arts and Bruin entrepreneurship by planning a visit or following them on social media to see their current and upcoming exhibitions.

Giant Robot 2 GR2 Gallery

Founder: Eric Nakamura ʼ93

Location: 2062 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025

Phone Number: 424-246-7626 Text Only

Website: https://www.giantrobot.com/

Social: @giantrobotstore

About:

GR2 Gallery features art exhibitions by notable artists like Katsuya Terada, Luke Chueh, David Choe, Mari Inukai, Deth P Sun, Rob Sato, Ako Castuera, Sean Chao, Yoskay Yamamoto, Uglydoll and countless others.

Crenshaw Dairy Mart

Co-founder: Patrisse Cullors ʼ12

Location: 8629 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305

Website: https://www.crenshawdairymart.com/

Social: @crenshawdairymart

About:

Home to an artist collective and art gallery dedicated to shifting the trauma-induced conditions of poverty and economic injustice, bridging cultural work and advocacy, and investigating ancestries through the lens of Inglewood and its community.

The LA Art Box

Founders: Bernie Bernardo ʼ92 and Mar Dumlao ʼ94

Location: 8020 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046

Phone Number: 323-612-8112

Website: https://thelaartbox.com/

Social: @thelaartbox

About:

A Filipina- and minority-owned cultural gallery showcasing exhibits and events that highlight artists from communities of color.

TW Fine Art

Founder: Gary Leonard ʼ73

Location: 717 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954

Phone Number: 929-298-2611

Website: https://www.tw-fineart.com/

Social: @tw_fineart

About:

TW Fine Art practices a hybrid model of fine artist representation and art collection management. Their in-house fine artist agency services entail managing an artist's career, along with the business backend required to produce and sell art.

Take My Picture

Founder: Gary Leonard ʼ73

Location: 109 W. 9th St., Los Angeles, CA 90015

Phone Number: 323-559-1973

Website: https://takemypicture.com/

Social: @tmpgaryleonard

About:

Take My Picture is a gallery on Broadway Avenue in downtown Los Angeles dedicated to Gary Leonard’s photographs, documenting the public and private culture of Los Angeles with significant guest collections.

Machine Inspired Art

Founder: Behn Samareh, M.A. ʼ97

Location: 530 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90013

Phone Number: 213-221-7076

Website: http://www.machineinspiredart.com/index.php

Social: @MIAGallery

About:

Machine Inspired Art is a design studio and fabrication workshop. They specialize in artwork and large-scale installations for the hospitality and entertainment industries.

Advocartsy

Founder: Roshi Rahnama ʼ89

Location: 434 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048

Phone Number: 213-372-5096

Website: https://advocartsy.com/

Social: @advocartsy

About:

Advocartsy is a contemporary art platform specializing in Iranian contemporary art.

Art + Practice A+P

Co-founder: Eileen Harris Norton ʼ74

Location: 3401 W. 43rd Place, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Phone Number: 323-337-6887

Website: https://www.artandpractice.org/

Social: @artandpractice

About:

Art + Practice A+P supports L.A. transition-age foster youth through their collaboration with nonprofit social service provider First Place for Youth and provides Angelenos with free access to museum-curated contemporary art.

Blum & Poe

Co-founder: Tim Blum ʼ87

Locations:
2727 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
310-836-2062

19 E. 66th St., New York, NY 10065
212-249-2249

Harajuku Jingu-no-mori 5F1-14-34 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
+81-3-3475-1631

Website: https://www.blumandpoe.com/

Social: @blumandpoe

About:

Blum & Poe was founded by Tim Blum and Jeff Poe in Santa Monica in September of 1994 as a space to show local and international contemporary art in all media.

Rough Play Collective

Co-founder: Emily Sudd, M.F.A. ʼ14

Locations: Los Angeles and Joshua Tree

Website: https://www.roughplay.net/

Social: @roughplayprojects

About:

Rough Play Collective was born out of a dialogue that began with a debate on the increasing demand in contemporary art for the artist to combine artistic practice with academic research.

3B Collective

Founders: Adrian Alfaro ’15, Aaron Estrada ʼ16, Oscar Magallanes ’17 and
Gustavo Martinez ʼ15

Locations: Los Angeles and San Diego

Phone Number: 323-686-1846

Website: https://3bcollective.com/

Social: @3bcollective

About:

3B Collective is a Los Angeles-based group of artists and designers who met while doing their undergraduate studies at UCLA. Their works reflect their commitment to providing an inclusive platform that encourages pride and recognition of the different facets of communities.

Malibu Contemporary Art Gallery

Founder: Lori Mills ʼ86

Location: 2 Dole Dr., Westlake Village, CA 91362

Phone Number: 310-359-3895

Website: https://www.malibucontemporaryart.com/

Social: @malibucontemporaryart

About:

Malibu Contemporary Art Gallery, a gallery featuring contemporary works exclusively by Southern California-based artists, featuring contemporary works by established artists who exhibit internationally and in museum collections.

To submit a Bruin-owned business for future consideration, please send a note to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

Previous Articles

Bruin-Owned Restaurants Part 2

ow is a great time to come out and enjoy a delicious meal with good company, while helping a Bruin business. In a sequel to the restaurants installment of the popular Bruin-owned Businesses series, we’re once again tantalizing you with the mouth-watering dishes being served up by your fellow alumni. Bon appétit!

Pinches Tacos

Co-Owner: Miguel Anaya Jr. ʼ96 and Family

Address: 1030 Glendon Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Phone Number: 310-361-8566

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: https://pinchestacos.com/

About:

"Our mission is simple: to provide you the best taco experience by using high quality meats and seafood, fresh garden vegetables, handmade tortillas and high quality artisan breads. Our father, Miguel, hand picks those ingredients every morning. We could have made it complicated but choose not to, because we have found through experience, that keeping things simple is a good recipe for success and happiness. It's also a good recipe for a pretty tasty Pinche Taco. We hope you agree."

Review:

“We live in Maryland but miss the West Coast food…this was the best taco plate in L.A.! It came with three tacos of my choosing; I had a shredded pork, asada and shrimp…all three so amazing! Looking forward to their breakfast.” - Liz R.

Bella Pita

Owner/Founder: M. Yahya “Medy” Sanadidi, Ph.D. ʼ82

Address: 960 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Phone Number: 310-209-1050

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: https://bellapita.com/

About:

Dr. M. Yahya “Medy” Sanadidi, retired professor of computer science at UCLA, founded Bella Pita in 2006 in partnership with his son, Ezedin Sanadidi. Originally from Egypt, they were thrilled to find growing demand for Mediterranean cuisine everywhere they traveled. After years of perfecting Bella Pita menu items at home (2003 to 2006), Bella Pita opened its doors for customers in Westwood in March of 2007.

Review:

“I have nothing but good things to say about this place. I mean, it’s criminal to be in this area of UCLA hospital and not stop here and get a pita. My favorite is the black bean wowshi with all the fixings and the icing on the cake for this place is all the delicious sauces!” - Blaqc R.

Asterid

Co-Owner/Founder: Ray Garcia ʼ00

Address: 141 S Grand Ave., Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phone Number: 213-972-3535

Yelp Rating: 4.5 stars

Website: https://www.asteridla.com/

About:

Inspired by Chef Garcia’s Angeleno experience, Asterid lives to discover and celebrate Los Angeles’ mosaic of diverse cultures and culinary richness through vibrant, ingredient-driven menus in a warm, lively atmosphere. Authentically from and for Los Angeles, Asterid features Chef Garcia’s California-inspired menu and bar program that celebrates the spirit of L.A. It has a lively, intimate outdoor and indoor gathering place featuring sophisticated décor and a private dining room.

Review:

“Very rarely do I get to try a new restaurant and have EVERY SINGLE dish be perfectly balanced and delicious. We ordered the following:

Sunchoke rosti - perfectly crispy. The unassuming spice in the jam on top of the creme fraiche was perfect.

Chicken liver mousse - surprised how well the cherries on the mousse helped balance the dish out. The cherries were perfectly sweet and slightly tart.

Burrata - DELICIOUS. All the vegetables that accompanied the burrata were perfectly crisp with the perfect amount of acid.

Maitake mushrooms - without feeling heavy, perfectly fried with the mild aioli that came with the mushrooms. Perfectly paired.

Striped bass - the cannellini beans were perfectly soft and light as was the bass.

Short rib - this was comfort in a bowl. I could have eaten 10 of these.” - Young C.

Cassia

Co-Owner: Bryant Ng ʼ00

Address: 1314 7th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Phone Number: 310-393-6699

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: http://www.cassiala.com

About:

Cassia is a member of the Rustic Canyon Family and is a partnership between husband-and-wife duos Bryant Ng & Kim Luu-Ng and Josh Loeb & Zoe Nathan. Taking its roots from Bryant and Kim’s culinary heritage and experiences, Cassia celebrates the fresh, vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia, striking a unique balance of soulful, ancestral cuisine and a California sensibility, utilizing the best quality ingredients from local farmers. Since opening in 2015, Cassia has earned critical acclaim from the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Bon Appétit, GQ and more.

Review:

“Hands down my favorite restaurant on the Westside! It's a beautiful restaurant for a night out, and the Asian fusion flavors are to die for. My favorites are the sea bass, grilled lamb breast, sunbathing prawns and the scallion clay oven bread. Just absolute perfection! Their cocktails are also strong and delicious. Tried to DoorDash it once due to a last minute craving, but sadly it didn't do the food justice. Dine in and make sure to make a reservation in advance!” - Tiffany T.

Maple Block Meat Co.

Co-Founder: Daniel Weinstock, MBA ʼ07

Address: 3973 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230

Phone Number: 310-313-6328

Yelp Rating: 4 stars

Website: http://www.mapleblockmeat.com

About:

Maple Block Meat Co. is a tribute to the craftsmanship of butchering, smoking and grilling meat, paying respect to the deep-rooted traditions of American barbecue. We’re a neighborhood restaurant and bar serving wood-smoked meats and great eating food. We specialize in authentic, wood-smoked meats prepared with the classic technique of smoking and incorporating a variety of subtle flavor profiles that we love. Guests can expect a familial casual atmosphere, friendly attentive service, seasonal menu based on the traditions of American barbecue and a bar featuring craft beers, interesting wines and handmade sodas.

Review:

“Wow!!! Good service and healthy meat selection is hard to come by in Culver City! Amazing service, the owner came out as well to ask if we enjoyed it and thanked us for coming in. The lettuce pork wraps to the nachos and brisket and ribs - phenomenal! Mac 'n' cheese, salad, breads, all so tasty, collard greens and salmon were cooked so well and had so much flavor. I'd definitely recommend stopping in. Great atmosphere and outdoor dining as well with heated lamps. Very cool spot.” - Cyndi I.

Porto's Bakery

Co-Owners: Betty Porto-Magadan, M.A. ʼ83, and the Porto Family

Address: Buena Park, Burbank, Downey, Glendale, Northridge, West Covina

Yelp Rating: 4.5 stars

Website: https://www.portosbakery.com/

About:

Established in 1960, Porto's Bakery was born out of Rosa's love for sharing her wonderful cakes and pastries with friends and family. When the family immigrated from Cuba to Los Angeles, they sold pastries and cake out of their house. As the little bakery started picking up steam and the line of customers lining up outside their door grew, Porto’s opened its first location in Glendale in 1975. Today, Porto’s Bakery is run by three siblings: Raul, Betty and Margaret Porto. The family is still committed to using the finest ingredients from all over the world, ensuring that quality remains the cornerstone of the Porto tradition. Rosa Porto has passed, but her recipes and her high standards remain, including her motto "Quality is the number one ingredient in everything we do."

Review:

“Ooo Porto's! Such a solid institution in the SoCal area that a visit almost doesn't feel complete without one of their signatures to take home. Having worked near the Porto's in Downey, I made many-a-trip to this specific location. Everything on the menu hits that perfect spot where affordability and taste collide so that you really can't go wrong with anything you order here. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the lines but they do tend to go by really quickly so as long as you are patient, you should not really have to wait too long. In terms of my usual orders, I usually will order several guava cheese or plain cheese rolls to take back home. I would also like to shoutout to their savory offerings as well! For a simple light lunch offering, their Cubano or Medianoche sandwiches hit the spot for me. This last visit I got the ropa vieja and it was not only pretty good, but also super filling at $10! Otherwise, you can also order one of their potato balls which are small but are filled with enough meat and goodness. Overall, Porto's Bakery is one of my favorite places to visit in SoCal! It is not just the nostalgia, but the great value and food that they offer!” - Patrick S.

The Jetty

Owner: Brian Huskey

Address: 3029 Ocean Blvd., Corona del Mar, CA 92625

Phone Number: 949-723-0174

Yelp Rating: 5 stars

Website: https://thejettycdm.com/

About:

The Jetty is the epicenter of fresh, delicious food. We provide our community with quick, flavorful, unique flavors that appeal to the masses, and are inspired by local and sustainable purveyors in order to deliver the best quality meal. The Jetty is our interpretation of community through food and beach vibes. We source our fresh ingredients from local farmers' markets. No matter what time of year, you can be sure you're eating the best of the season.

Review:

“Located on the beach of Corona Del Mar, nestled along the sand, there's this cute little food spot called The Jetty. Everything I've ever ordered has been fresh, and packed with so much flavor! My all-time fave is the shrimp roll. Refreshing, and not too heavy. My hubby had the Korean bbq hamburger which was delish! Served with seasoned fries and baked chips. Customer service is on point! They are always so friendly and welcoming - they'll even help you decide if you're in that indecisive mood.” - Mia A.

Himalaya

Owner: Anup Rimal, Anderson Cert. ʼ07

Address: 35 W. Main St., Suite A, Ventura, CA 93001

Phone Number: 805-643-0795

Yelp Rating: 4.5 stars

Website: https://www.himalayacuisine.com/

About:

Rich with woods and traditional décor, a step into Himalaya Restaurant is reminiscent of a step into a Tibetan monastery perched high in the mountains: The greeting is warm, the soup is hot, and you've arrived at the place you're meant to me. Proudly recognized as a multi-year repeat winner of "Best Indian Food in Ventura County," Himalaya is also a California Green Certified business committed to sustainable best practices. Our large diverse menu showcases delicious cuisines from India, Tibet, and Nepal and holds many vegetarian, vegan, paleo, keto and gluten-free dishes! Everyone is welcome here, and every diet too!

Review:

“We have been coming here for years and we always love it! It is the best Indian food restaurant in town. The people who work here are always super nice. Their tikka masala is to die for. My husband gets the chicken briyani at the hottest level because he is crazy but it is filled with so much flavor. I always end up mad at him for ordering so spicy because it's hard not to eat it for its great flavor. Garlic naan is a must to dip into the sauce, sooo good.” - Rosa D.

626 Hospitality Group

Co-Founder: Waldo Yan ʼ13

Location: Southern California

Website: https://www.instagram.com/626hospitalitygroup

About:

Growing up as a restaurant kid, Waldo Yan's heart was never far from the kitchen. If he wasn't thinking about food, it was because he was already eating it. His immigrant parents endured the hardships of restaurant work to offer him a chance at a better life in a new country. But, shortly after graduating from college, Waldo would defy his mother's last wish and return to the family restaurant with a renewed hope to commemorate her. Waldo was joined by close friends and relatives to form Tasty Food 626, a hospitality group with a focus on ice cream and special events planning, which eventually changed its name to 626 Hospitality Group. This collective of cooks, who were displaced by the pandemic, came together to serve their local neighborhoods through pop-ups and special events catering.

Review:

“626 Hospitality Group is like a great cheese or wine. They only get better as time goes on. When I first found out about the dynamic duo, Waldo & Amber, I fell in love with their amazing Hainan chicken. What was already an amazingly strong first impression only began to grow to an almost fanatical fanboy level of adoration for their food. From the most tender melt-in-your-mouth beef skewers to the creamiest and most dialed in ice cream/sorbet flavours, they have never disappointed. I have been privileged enough to get to know the team behind these amazing eats more personally and I cannot stress enough how much love, intention and effort they put into their artistry.” - Tim H.

Giada

Owner: Giada De Laurentiis ʼ96

Address: 3595 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Phone Number: 855-442-3271

Yelp Rating: 3.5 stars

Website: https://www.caesars.com/cromwell/restaurants/giada

About:

Giada De Laurentiis’ Italian entrées with a California twist have been a favorite for years. Enjoy dishes like lemon spaghetti and Marsala herb chicken meatballs in a warm and inviting space with fantastic strip views. Don’t skip the bread basket.

Review:

“We enjoyed our time at Giada's. We had reservations and were seated promptly, we had a window view of the strip. Our server was very informative and attentive. Food and cocktails were delicious.” - Diane B.

INTERVAL

Co-Founders: Joshua and Caleb Ng

Addresses: Shop Unit 207, the Arcade Cyberport, No. 100 Cyberport Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong

Shop Unit 417, The Lohas, No. 1 Lohas Park Road, Tseung Kwan O

Phone Numbers: +852 23803498 (Cyberport) - +852 26388904 (Lohas)

Google Rating: 4.2 stars

Website: http://www.twins-kitchen.com/interval-coffee-bar

About:

An all-day dining cafe-restaurant focusing on each guest’s experience by creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere for them to have a break from their everyday lives - a place to connect with themselves and others, curated by Twins Kitchen in Hong Kong. Artisanal coffee, low-intervention and organic wines and honest food are at the core of the hospitality and the passion of the people who are part of INTERVAL. The Cyberport address also features an urban farm within the restaurant, a collaboration with Farmacy HK, an urban farming technology company where seasonal micro greens, edible flowers and vegetables flourish and are harvest for cooking at the restaurant.

Review:

“A coffee shop that does excellent pizza and pastries, I've been here more than a dozen times and I am here regularly for filters, and coffee beans (from Denmark roasters coffee collective). Their coffee is smooth and delicious, the pastries are a delight (highly recommend the pain au chocolat or the custard Danish). The staff have always been friendly and they're knowledgeable about what they do. Get pour over coffee if you have the time and try their pizzas. Good value and a usually quiet spot. Plenty of outside seating.” - Mr. Plau

Gao Dumpling Bar

Co-Founders: Joshua and Caleb Ng

Address: Blågårdsgade 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone Number: 45-34-12-46-26

Yelp Rating: 3 stars

Website: http://www.twins-kitchen.com/gao-dumpling-bar

About:

GAO is a bridge between the traditional and the modern. Expect classic dumplings styles with a twist; Chinese chefs along with international students; low seating and heavy beats. For us, the beauty is in the mix of it all. And everyone’s invited. From the beginning of our journey, the goal has been to make dumplings more accessible in urban neighborhoods. We do that by producing centrally, so that all our locations, big or small, can deliver the same quality everyday. Our dumplings are made as traditional "jiaozi" with a wheat dough and a variety of fillings: authentic styles with a twist - both vegan and meat-based - always with flavor in focus.

Review:

“VEGETARIANS!! The vegetarian/vegan dumplings here are so freaking delicious. The vegetarian soup was also just as good and I definitely can't leave out the crispy tofu! Mushroom dumplings for the win with a side of their chili sauce. You cannot try this place without asking for the side of chili sauce. It's amazing. The quality and flavors were on point with traditional Chinese food. The texture of the dumplings is so perfect that it will give you a foodgasm along with everything else this place has to offer. True gem of Copenhagen.” - Foodie E.

To submit a Bruin-owned business for future consideration, please send a note to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu.

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Summertime at UCLA

fter two years of social distancing and hybrid schedules, the things that make up a great summer at UCLA are gradually making an in-person comeback. Whether it’s academic programs, musical concerts or experiences that create fun Bruin memories, here’s what’s happening at UCLA this summer.

Summer Sessions

Did you know there are a total of eight Summer Sessions offered on campus this year? Ranging from three-week intensive courses to 10-week programs, students can chart their own academic paths, either on campus or via online courses. With more than 800 courses and programs offered, UCLA has something for everyone.

The Academic Advancement Program offers two academic summer programs, The Freshman Summer Program and the Transfer Summer Program, which prepare students to succeed by exposing them to the rigor and demands of academic life and to undergraduate programs, services and learning resources. FSP and TSP, as they are commonly known, prepare first-generation, low income and historically underrepresented students to successfully transition to UCLA by living on campus. They receive personal attention, in either small groups or individual sessions, from teaching assistants and tutors, as well as participate in cultural and social events.

UCLA Extension also offers courses during its summer quarter, which runs from June 21 through Sept. 11. Browse through its large online catalog of classes, held both in person or remote, with topics ranging from Infusing Your Writing With Feeling to Investing for the Young Adult.

Museums

Destinations like the Hammer Museum at UCLA or the Fowler Museum are just a couple of the places that offer visitors a touch of culture and art on or near the campus. The museums are open year-round with exhibits and programs also taking place throughout the summer. Each Thursday in July, see free live concerts in the Hammer's courtyard with a different featured musician each week, plus KCRW DJs, happy hour and extended gallery hours.

UCLA Recreation

UCLA Rec. offers something for everyone, from youth programs (see details below) to offerings for staff, faculty, retirees and outside members. The Bruin Health Improvement Program offers staff and faculty a chance to stay fit through coaching and training, in person and virtually. The emeriti strength and balance class is specifically for retired staff and faculty. With classes like rock climbing, Bruin MindFit, a mindful movement and meditation course, working in the community garden or going on a sunset paddle experience, summer continues to be a time to stay active indoors and out.

Summer Camps

UCLA Recreation offers a chance for kids to enjoy a variety of experiences from June through August. Rec Cubs is geared towards helping young, first-time campers acclimate to summer camp. Esports takes place at UCLA's Esports Training Center and features competitive gaming through in-person esports and video games. Campers will develop skills in teamwork, collaboration and leadership through gameplay while acquiring healthy gaming habits. Youth Swim Lessons are available weekdays and weekends for children aged 3-12 years and in Teen Leadership, for grades 7-9, John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success will be featured as a lens for teen leadership skills. Campers have fun building confidence, diversity awareness and social networking skills through team-driven activities and community-building projects.

New Student Orientation

New Student Academic Programs are an important part of the college experience. Thankfully, “orientation” sessions are back in person this summer. The New Student Sessions are offered to first-year, transfer and international students. Part of an incoming Bruin’s first tour of campus includes a stop at the James West Alumni Center where staff welcomes them to the start of their Bruin experience, which later becomes a lifelong journey as alumni.

The New Parent & Family Sessions are a chance to welcome families to the UCLA community and to address any concerns family members may have relative to their student’s upcoming university experience. The one-day sessions look closer at life on campus, strategies for success and what it means to be the family of a thriving college student. Any family member of a first-year or transfer student, a new family to UCLA or alumni are welcome to the sessions, which feature presentations from staff, faculty and students.

The College Summer Institute is an excellent way for incoming first-year students to make a smooth and successful transition into UCLA. Students take courses that satisfy several University requirements for six weeks before the start of fall quarter.

Pro Teams Practice On Campus

UCLA will once again play host to two professional soccer teams training on campus. Chelsea Football Club will be on campus July 9-15 and Real Madrid plans to practice on campus July 19-30. Fans often battle the heat and traffic to come to campus for a chance at a photo op or to say hello to their favorite soccer players.

UCLA Library Exhibits and Film Screenings

With more than 15 UCLA Library locations on campus, summer is a popular time to attend exhibits and screenings that appeal to your academic or personal interests. The summer of 2022 features the digital exhibit: “Rediscovered and Repatriated: UCLA Library’s Return of Nazi-Looted Books”; and the two live exhibits located in the lobby of the Charles Young Research Library: “An Abundance of Love and Affection: Affirmations from our Queer Ancestors in the Archives” and “Archiving Queer Intimacies: Collections Across Space and Time.”

The UCLA Library Film & Television Archive also hosts free screenings throughout the summer in the Billy Wilder Theater at the Hammer Museum. View the calendar of upcoming screenings here.

Filming On Campus

The summer months are a popular time for filming TV shows and movies on campus. With more than a few filming and photo locations, UCLA is the perfect spot for a commercial or the next big screen sensation, including “The Dropout” and “They Call Me Magic.” Here you’ll find a comprehensive list of shows that were filmed at UCLA.

Graduation and Wedding Photo Shoots

Stroll around campus during the summer and you’re bound to see newly minted alumni posing in cap and gown or their grad sash next to the Bruin Bear or under the arches of Royce Hall for their belated grad photos. If you’re lucky, you may see Bruin alumni couples returning to campus for engagement photo shoots, or perhaps Bruin wedding pictures, as nuptials are frequently booked on campus during the summer months. Check out this album of Bruin weddings held at UCLA.

Conferences and Retreats

During the summer months, UCLA Conferences & Catering welcomes corporate, educational, sports and tour groups to stay in campus housing facilities. They offer a complete menu and chef’s seasonal selections of food, 24-hour front desk services, a business center, access to recreational facilities and more. Activities can be customized to include team-building activities such as tennis matches, golf tournaments and challenge courses, or special excursions into Southern California’s favorite attractions, including amusement parks, museums, restaurants and world-class shopping.

Summer Hostel for Students

UCLA Housing isn’t just for full-time UCLA students and conference attendees. Any college student or campus event attendee can stay at the UCLA residence halls for as low as $75 per night. These budget-conscious rates are especially appealing to international students studying at UCLA or working in a Los Angeles-based internship for the summer. They offer two-bedroom suites that sleep two to three per room or singles, with a common living area and shared bathroom. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, housekeeping, a fitness center, pools and onsite laundry.

Mildred Mathias Botanical Garden Tours

Nestled on the south part of campus, the Mathias Botanical Garden, a 7.5-acre public garden, outdoor classroom and research facility, promotes botanical knowledge and inspires environmental and cultural appreciation of plants and their relationship to society through education, research, and public outreach. The beautiful setting fosters health and tranquility for the community. The La Kretz Garden Pavilion serves as the meeting spot for free guided tours of the garden on the first Saturday of every month at 1 p.m.

Bruin Woods

Even if this is not located at UCLA, Bruin Woods continues to be a favorite among alumni and friends. From late June through the end of August, the historic UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge hosts Bruin Woods, a beautiful summer destination where families have a blast making memories in the fresh mountain air. During the week-long camp experience, many of the same families return year after year to the 50 wooded, mountain acres that make up the UCLA property, where both adults and children have a fun-filled family adventure they can reminisce about for years to come.

UCLA UniCamp

This is another program that doesn’t take place on campus but is just as important. Every summer, UCLA UniCamp inspires children from urban communities to envision brighter futures by sending them, along with student volunteers, to a residential outdoor summer camp. If you’ve ever volunteered for UniCamp, you probably have a Woodsey/camp name. Alumni can keep in touch with all things “camp” through the UCLA UniCamp Alumni Network. Contact Jason “Mr. Woooo” Liou at jliou@unicamp.org to find out more.

A Season of Gratitude

t the onset of a new year, resolutions are made, goals are established, and in some cases, specific words are chosen to be the theme for the next 365 days.

Entering his fifth, and final, season at the helm of UCLA’s football program, Bruin quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has labeled the upcoming season with one word: Grateful.

“The biggest thing for me this season is to be grateful; to be in the moment,” said Thompson-Robinson in a recent interview with the UCLA Alumni Association. “I’m going on my last few months here, so I’m living every day to the best of my ability. Coming out here, loving on my teammates, cherishing the time I have left with this brotherhood, and building it up to be the best that it can be for future classes and for players to have a standard to hold onto and a foundation to build on.”

Indeed, for Thompson-Robinson and the Bruins, there is much to be grateful for.

In 2021, Thompson-Robinson started in 11 games and ended the season first in the Pac-12 in passing efficiency (153.94), passing yards/completion (13.69), passing yards per attempt (8.51), points responsible for (182), total offense (274.36), and total offense touchdowns (30). Notably, last season, the second-team All-Pac-12 quarterback was one of three Pac-12 players to claim at least 3,000 yards of total offense (3,018) and finished second in the conference with 21 passing touchdowns.

"team chemistry and team bonding is the biggest thing we are focusing on right now"

Collectively, UCLA posted its first winning season in six years by going 8-4 (6-3 Pac-12), tying for second in the Pac-12 South, earned its first bowl game invitation in five years, and led the conference in scoring with 36.5 points per game. The Bruins also enjoyed marquee wins against LSU (38-27) and crosstown rival, USC (62-33).

“I think we did a lot of good things last year, and we’ve really turned the corner and are finally getting where we want to go. I think team chemistry and team bonding is the biggest thing we are focusing on right now.”

That chemistry is also rooted in gratitude. Since the spring of 2020, collegiate athletics has faced its fair share of challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. For Thompson-Robinson and the UCLA football team, both the pandemic and the shortened 2020 season may have been the catalyst the team needed for its successful 2021 campaign, and hopefully, an even more productive 2022 season.

“Speaking for myself, as well as the rest of my teammates, the uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic actually helped our team. The pandemic broke us up just enough to be able to bring us all back together. You don't fix something that's not broken, but you can alter it a little bit to make it even better. Seeing what it's like to be away from each other for so long and seeing what's like being away from football for so long, we began to realize that we’ve taken it for granted – being around each other and being around football all day, every day. That brought everybody closer together, and it made us a much better organization and program. Also, the way Coach [Chip] Kelly ran the program at that time, and how he kept us safe from the virus and taught us how to do all the little things right was a catalyst to last year’s success for sure.”

Thompson-Robinson and the Bruins now look to take the momentum, camaraderie and gratitude developed over the last four years and piece together something special in 2022.

“We know we have a pretty good team and a favorable schedule, so right now it's just about putting the work in. And that's the fun part, knowing that you don't have to worry about anything but what you can control. A lot of these players have been here for four or five years with me, so it's like clockwork now.”

The Bruins also enjoyed a productive offseason by extending head coach Chip Kelly to a new four-year contract through the 2025 season and bolstering its coaching staff with six new assistant coaches, including Bill McGovern as the squad’s new defensive coordinator and naming UCLA Hall of Famer Ken Norton Jr. '99 as the inside linebacker coach. Plus, the Bruins welcomed a slew of talented new student-athletes and currently boast a top-10 ranking in the 247 Sports transfer portal. Finally, in April, UCLA enjoyed the national spotlight as six Bruins were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, more than any other team in the Pac-12.

“Fans can look forward to watching a really talented team that's going to be very well-coached with a lot of energy. That energy can be reflected in the stands, in the fans and right back on us. I think it's going to be a great time throughout the whole year, not just the first part or the second part of the year. I think this is the year of consistency. Last year we finally got to see what a team that had mostly bought into the coaching staff looks like, and I think this year we'll have full buy-in with everybody.”

"It’s going to be just as fun for the fans as it is going to be for us"

Should all go according to plan, that consistency is going to help Thompson-Robinson cement himself as one of the elite Bruin quarterbacks in program history. Following his stellar 2021 season, the seasoned signal-caller has moved into the top five at UCLA in career passing yards, total career offense, career completions, career touchdown passes and career quarterback rushing yards. Despite these lofty accomplishments, Thompson-Robinson enters 2022 with a level head and a palpable sense of humility.

“My goal ever since coming to UCLA, and the reason why I wanted to come to UCLA, was to get a ring and a trophy and walk home with some hardware. But obviously, there are a bunch of individual and personal stats and goals that are ahead of me in arms reach. The majority of my goals right now, though, are focused on the team and making sure that I can be the best teammate I can be, as well as get as many wins as possible.”

Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the Bruins face an accommodating 2022 schedule that boasts eight home games at the Rose Bowl.

"I’m grateful for the last four years and the opportunity to compete this next year. With COVID-19 and everything that we’ve been through, there's a lot of gratitude that we all have entering the 2022 season. This team is going to be something very special to watch, and I advise everyone to do so. It’s going to be just as fun for the fans as it is going to be for us.”

With a talented roster led by a seasoned quarterback, an experienced coaching staff and an extremely favorable schedule, UCLA football fans, too, have plenty to be grateful for.

For more information on UCLA football, including how to purchase season tickets, please visit https://uclabruins.com/sports/football.

Distant Dreams to Reality: Experience the World With Alumni Travel

magine yourself strolling through a city in Vietnam as French-accented buildings cast silhouettes onto the busy streets strewn with merchants and motorbikes as you eventually find yourself in the cascading nature and waterscape of Ha Long Bay. Or visualize yourself floating through brisk Antarctic air as you sail from Ushuaia to Antarctica, staring off your cruise ship, taking in the pristine wilderness of Earth’s last frontier. Or maybe picture yourself walking through the provincial French countryside in Monet’s famed Giverny gardens and then getting acquainted with Paris as you take in the City of Lights.

In the last two years, the concept of travel became as foreign as these lands we hope to one day see, but as the world opens up, traveling is closer to becoming a reality. The best part about dreaming of these places is that UCLA Alumni Travel can help you plan these trips with ease. Established in 1941, Alumni Travel has expert tour professionals to aid you with worry-free travel from beginning to end, and on most tours you’re accompanied by a UCLA professor who provides educational insights for your journey. Your experience includes 4- to 5-star accommodations and little concern about what to do, what to see and how to get there. With Alumni Travel, you can also see the world with like-minded, friendly Bruin travelers, where your past shared experiences lends itself to creating new memories and lasting friendships. These Bruin travelers will tell you why they travel and why they choose to do it with UCLA time and again.

WHY TRAVEL?

To some it’s about taking a break from the mundane, escaping to see life through a new perspective. For Linda and Charles ’62 Philipps (five trips with Alumni Travel), they “travel to broaden our horizons and better understand the world we live in.”

They explain, “We enjoy connecting with people from other cultures and sharing our experiences with them and other alumni. We have forged lasting relationships with some of the alumni.” Building these connections is made easier during travel where the shared experience brings forth a curiosity about others and an openness to engage. These moments of interaction can turn into lasting memories because of where we go and whom we’re with.

For Judy and Bob ’74 Woolsey (16 past trips and two upcoming), traveling is something that “provides us with the personal experiences associated with other cultures, and we have been fortunate to experience how they differ from our own.

Traveling isn’t just about getting away from what you know, but getting to know what is away in the unfamiliar and the unknown. It’s not only an exploration of a destination, but insight into oneself, the world we live in and what we want to learn. When it’s all said and done, these moments and memories are brought back home to become a part of you. In most cases, the memories last longer than anything you may have bought on the trip.

THE WORLD IS YOUR CLASSROOM

Exploring and understanding are at the core of why people like Tu-Chen Chiang ’84 and Dean ’82, M.S. ’85 (one trip taken and one booked for 2023) travel. They enjoy being able to experience other cultures and histories. Dean says, “I’m a big fan of history so learning is a big part of travel.”

As a historical enthusiast, Dean and other members of his tour benefitted from having a world class professor guide them through their journey on the Amalfi Coast. In the company of Professor Kathryn Morgan from the UCLA Department of Classics, they were able to experience Naples, Pompeii and the Isle of Capri through rich details and knowledge that goes beyond a normal tour.

One of the many benefits of going with Alumni Travel is getting to learn from UCLA professors as they guide you through the history, biodiversity or geology of your destination. The Woolseys advise that when traveling with an accompanying professor, “Ask the questions you want to ask. You will find them to be an incredible source of information about the sites and cultures you are visiting.”

Professors offer a wealth of stories and facts that go beyond what you can quickly read online or what typical guides will present. Some examples of this are:

Ravello is known for its annual music festivals
Amalfi is one of the most significant medieval trade and mercantile centers
Positano is the classic town of pastel-colored houses and shops ascending up the side of coastal cliffs
Pompeii and Herculaneum are two of the ancient Roman cities destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D.
There are Three classic Greek temples at Paestum

Travel Made Easy

Another benefit of using Alumni Travel is the level of care and organization that the staff ensures with every trip. After the Chiangs' first trip with Alumni Travel to the Amalfi Coast, they marveled at how hassle-free and wonderful the tours were, how they were able to experience “a safe and comfortable trip during the pandemic.” They said most, if not all of the minutiae associated with planning were taken care of, such as flights, lodging, meals and places to see. Linda and Charles Philipps agree saying, “It takes the guesswork out of travel by sourcing knowledgeable tour directors and local guides, and creating an itinerary and activities that highlight the area and maximize your experience of a new culture.”

These tours are structured to optimize for time and experience, but there is also opportunity to explore freely and through expert recommendations. The Woolseys recall, “We had very memorable activities and a great effort from Alyson Beckman, our accompanying UCLA tour host.” They explain that “due to her persuasion and encouragement, we participated in a helicopter tour to the local Alaskan glaciers that will forever be one of our special memories.” Each tour has its plans and itineraries, but by engaging with the guides and tour group, which is usually a small size of around 24 people, these moments become personalized experiences that grow into irreplaceable memories.

Let Alumni Travel ease your concerns as you turn that dream into reality with your next vacation. Perhaps that place will be a 12-night adventure on a Journey to Southern Africa or perhaps an exploration of New Zealand as you find your way through the Land of Long White Cloud? If you’re seeking a comfortable, educational, enjoyable experience with Bruins, just choose your destination and Alumni Travel will help take care of everything else.

Visit UCLA Alumni Travel to learn more.

310-206-0613
Open Monday – Friday
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
travel@alumni.ucla.edu

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