After three years, UCL has finally held its first in-person graduation ceremony since the pandemic!
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This spring ceremony was held for the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021. It ran from March 7 to 17, with three sessions daily at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 4:00 PM local time, each lasting about an hour.
Due to the pandemic, the tassel turning and handshake were omitted, but the cap tap with the chancellor and “self-tasseling” were still filled with ritual significance.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, universities worldwide have had to cancel in-person graduation ceremonies and shift to virtual ones. The ceremony existed, but the regret remained.
At this long-awaited graduation, UCL students took photos together, embraced their school bears, and “danced joyfully” under the iconic blue and purple lights. The campus moments stolen by the pandemic seemed to be reclaimed at that very moment.
US Universities Announce In-Person Graduation Dates
As the global pandemic gradually enters a phase of regular prevention and control, in addition to UCL and other UK universities, US universities have also been announcing the times and locations of this year's in-person commencement ceremonies.
With the exception of Columbia University, the following universities have released relevant information about this year's in-person ceremonies on their official websites.
Students who wish to attend this year's graduation can sign up now~
|
University |
Date |
Location |
|
Duke University |
May 6 |
Wallace Wade Stadium |
|
Carnegie Mellon University |
May 13 |
Gesling Stadium |
|
University of California, Berkeley |
May 14 |
California Memorial Stadium |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
May 16 |
Franklin Field |
|
New York University |
May 18 |
Yankee Stadium |
|
Columbia University |
May 18 |
Morningside Campus |
|
Johns Hopkins University |
May 22 |
Homewood Field |
|
Yale University |
May 23 |
Old Campus |
|
Harvard University |
May 26 |
Harvard Yard |
|
Brown University |
May 27 |
College Hill |
|
Cornell University |
May 28 |
Schoellkopf Stadium |
|
Stanford University |
June 9 |
Frost Amphitheater |
In the United States, graduation carries an even deeper significance—it is seen as the grandest and most ceremonial moment of a student’s entire college life. Not only do celebrities from various fields serve as commencement speakers, offering blessings and expectations, but the city itself turns out in their honor.
Take New York, for example. Every graduation season, the Empire State Building lights up in the respective colors of the city’s two most important universities—Columbia University and New York University—for their graduates.
At the ceremony, graduates enter last as the sole protagonists. Over the following hours, each name is called, and the president or dean personally hands each student their diploma and turns the tassel.
As parents are the most important people in a student’s life, the university hopes to invite every one of them to attend in person and witness this moment of honor that belongs solely to their children.
Although this tradition doesn’t exist in China, many parents of students studying abroad attach great importance to it. Even if it means going through cumbersome visa procedures in China and traveling to a completely unfamiliar country during the pandemic, they are willing to do so gladly.
Here, we have compiled detailed procedures and tips for entering the United States and returning to China, mainly for students and parents in the US. We hope this will help everyone attend the graduation ceremony smoothly!
Latest Entry Requirements for the US
Flights to the US
Air China - CA987: Beijing Capital – Los Angeles (departs every Sunday)
Air China - CA769: Shenzhen – Los Angeles (departs every Tuesday, not flying before April)
China Southern - CZ327: Guangzhou – Los Angeles (departs Thursday and Saturday; no Saturday flights before April)
Xiamen Airlines - MF829: Xiamen – Los Angeles (departs Wednesday and Sunday)
China Eastern - MU587: Shanghai Pudong – New York JFK (departs Monday and Tuesday)
United Airlines - UA858: Shanghai Pudong – San Francisco (departs Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday; stops in Seoul)
Delta - DL288: Shanghai Pudong – Seattle (departs Thursday and Saturday; stops in Seoul)
Delta - DL284: Shanghai Pudong – Detroit (departs Wednesday and Sunday; stops in Seoul)
American Airlines - AA128: Shanghai Pudong – Dallas (departs Tuesday and Friday; stops in Seoul)
Cathay Pacific – CX892: Hong Kong – San Francisco
American Airlines – AA8911: Hong Kong – San Francisco
US Entry Procedures
● Hold a valid passport (must have 6 months or more validity)
● Present a valid US visa
● Enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS)
● Provide proof of complete vaccination (Sinovac, Sinopharm)
(Valid 14 days after full vaccination)
● Provide a negative nucleic acid test report in both Chinese and English taken within 24 hours before boarding
● Present relevant documents to customs upon arrival in the US and answer related questions to complete entry
● Take a COVID-19 test within 3-5 days of entry
(Not mandatory, but recommended)
● Comply with local COVID-19 prevention requirements in the US city
Visa Application
Parents traveling to the US to attend a graduation ceremony should apply for a B2 visa, which is for tourism or visiting family and friends.
When applying, you must provide the child’s graduation invitation letter, proof of financial support, or personal supporting documents, such as marriage certificate, employment verification, bank statements, pay stubs, etc.
EVUS Enrollment
The Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) is an online system for regularly updating personal basic information for Chinese citizens holding a ten-year valid B1/B2 visa, to assist in their travel to the US. In addition to a valid visa, since November 2016, such travelers must complete EVUS enrollment to be permitted entry into the United States.
Specific enrollment steps are as follows:
Search for the official EVUS website on Google, go to [New Enrollment], and fill in the information step by step as prompted.
Note that all required fields marked with an asterisk must be filled in. For uncertain parts, such as [Contact Information in the US], you can enter [UNKNOWN]; otherwise, you cannot proceed to the next step.
After completing all entries, you will receive a review result within 20 minutes to 72 hours. You can check the update status on the official website under [Check EVUS Status] using your enrollment application number, passport number, and B1/B2 visa number.
After updating, you can click the download/print button in the upper right corner for backup.
Complete Vaccination Proof
If vaccinated in China, you can obtain proof through the WeChat mini-program “International Travel Health Certificate”. The steps are as follows:
Entry Notes
Upon entry, parents need to provide customs officers with main documents such as the health declaration form downloaded from the CDC website, customs declaration form, and invitation letter for entry.
Possible questions include “Where are you coming from?”, “Purpose of your visit to the US?”, “Where does your child study?”, “What is your occupation?”, “Who bought the ticket?” etc. Answer truthfully.
COVID-19 Testing and Protection
The CDC recommends getting tested for COVID-19 3-5 days after travel.
There are numerous testing sites across the US offering free testing. It is recommended to get tested after entry to prevent any risk.
In indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) and transportation hubs (including airports) within the United States, masks are required to cover the nose and mouth. Maintaining personal protection at all times is being responsible for yourself and others.
Returning to China
Return Flights
Currently confirmed operating routes:
United Airlines - UA857: San Francisco – Shanghai Pudong
(departs Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday; stops in Seoul)
Delta - DL283: Detroit – Shanghai Pudong
(departs Monday and Friday; stops in Seoul)
Delta - DL287: Seattle – Shanghai Pudong
(departs Tuesday and Thursday; stops in Seoul)
American Airlines - AA127: Dallas – Shanghai Pudong
(departs Monday and Thursday; stops in Seoul)
Future planned flights are:
Return Procedures
Starting April 1,
● From the US to China, you must take a nucleic acid test at a designated institution at the departure location 7 days before departure, and from the first test date, fill in the
● Within 48 hours before departure, take dual nucleic acid tests at two different designated institutions
● On the afternoon one day before departure, take an antigen test at a designated institution at the departure location
● Submit the above negative test certificates in the “International Travel Health Certificate” WeChat mini-program to apply for an international health code
● Upon landing, undergo centralized quarantine observation according to the specific requirements of the entry city
Due to tight flight schedules and complicated procedures, many students may not be accompanied by their parents at this year's graduation, or may not be able to attend in person.
No matter where you are, who you are with, or what form the ceremony takes, we hope you make the most of your youth and have a bright future ahead!
Congratulations to all graduates!
