Join the Global Siblings program!
Build Community - Share Culture - Explore Together
Are you looking to create connections across cultures? Would you like to explore the UCLA campus and local area with globally-minded friends? Apply to the Global Siblings program for the 2026 academic year!
The Global Siblings program puts students of different cultural backgrounds together in groups of 2 - 4 for the duration of Winter and Spring Quarter. Often we will match international students with domestic (from the U.S.) students, but we may also group international students of different cultural backgrounds together. These groups of Siblings are called Families!
No matter where you are in your UCLA journey, participating in the Global Siblings program is a great opportunity to share your culture, connect with folks who hold similar interests, build a community, and learn about other cultures!
Global Siblings applications for 2026 are now open! Applications can be accessed here.
About the Global Siblings Program
What are our goals for Siblings?
Connection: Building connections and friendships is the main goal of Global Siblings. Domestic and international Siblings each have much to share about the world, and are both looking to build connections with new people. Fostering friendship within your Families can go a long way towards making UCLA feel more like home.
Cultural Exchange: Global Siblings should have an interest in learning, sharing, and exchanging culture with their Siblings. The greater Los Angeles area offers a lot of opportunities for exploration of both local and global cultures. Families are asked to practice inclusiveness and to engage with one another with empathy.
Communication: Global Siblings will be added to a Slack workspace where they can easily chat, get to know one another, and make plans to socialize together. They will also have easy access to communicate with Dashew staff.
What can Global Siblings do together?
In addition to attending Global Siblings Socials, Siblings are required to meet with their fellow Siblings in their Family in-person and/or virtually at least once per month during the duration of the program (Winter through Spring 2026.) You can be as creative or as relaxed as you and your Siblings want, and are encouraged to maximize your fun!
Ideas for Virtual Meet-ups
- Stream a movie, cook dinner together over Zoom, or share recipes.
- Make yourselves some coffee or tea and have an online study session
- Find a virtual event or activity at UCLA or in LA that you can attend or participate in together.
- Set up a video chat with your Global Siblings and your friend groups so everyone can meet and socialize.
- Invite other Families to join you and your Siblings on Zoom to play a game or catch up.
Ideas for In-Person Meet-ups
- Hang out together on weekends by watching movies in Westwood, going out to eat, or going shopping.
- Grab coffee or study together on a weekday
- Check out events on the UCLA campus.
- Introduce your Siblings to your friends.
- Invite other Families out and explore the local area off-campus.
- Visit one of the UCLA museums (Hammer or Fowler)
- Attend a cultural event or festival at UCLA or in LA
Program Outcomes:
- Participants will create new connections, friendships, and community to support their adjustment to life at UCLA
- Participants will further develop their cultural knowledge, and hone their abilities and confidence in communicating with folks from backgrounds different from their own
- Participants will gain familiarity with the UCLA campus and local area through events and outings with their Siblings and other program participants.
Global Siblings Applications & Expectations
Applications for Global Siblings for the 2026 year are now open!
Applications are accepted from now through Monday, January 5th, 11:59 PM PT. No prior experience in the program, at UCLA, or in Los Angeles is required to participate in the program as a Sibling.
Undergraduate students (including EAP and Extension), graduate students, and scholars are eligible to apply to the program. We highly encourage first year students and new transfer students to apply!
2026 Global Siblings Expectations & Important Dates:
- Applicants must plan to be enrolled at UCLA for current academic year (January 2026 - June 2026.) Your commitment is for two quarters, after which you can reapply for the following year.
- Meet with your Families in-person or virtually a minimum of once a month. This does not include quarterly Global Siblings socials, and meeting more often is highly encouraged! All Siblings should make an effort to consistently meet with one another.
- Notify Dashew staff if your Siblings are unresponsive or if you have any other concerns. There will potentially be a short waitlist of applicants that we may be able to re-group you with if your initial Siblings are unable to participate after all.
- Attend both of the Global Siblings Socials held throughout the year. One social will be held per quarter on campus. Dashew staff will work to schedule program events at a convenient time for all participants and will ask for RSVPs in advance.
- Communication: Communicate consistently with your Siblings throughout the year. Respond to messages from Dashew Center staff, your Siblings, and other program participants within 72 hours. Utilize the Global Siblings Slack workspace to engage with your Siblings and other program participants.
Note: Global Siblings Socials hosted by Dashew Center will be at no cost to participants. Global Siblings can plan to do free or inexpensive outings together according to their own budgets.
How do I apply?
Applications for 2026 are now open! Applications can be accessed here.