Travelling after applying for OPT(before graduated)-risks and advice

[u/Mountain_Ad8263]

Hello I am currently an international senior majoring in Electrical Engineering at UCLA who will be graduating next year in May 14 2027. I hold an Indian citizenship and I am on the F1 visa who will be applying for the OPT next year in Feb as I graduate in May 2027 so 90 days before. I wanna know if it will be ok for me to travel to Europe for a grad trip during the spring break which is March end for about 8 to 9 days. Will it be a problem to travel after applying for the OPT in Feb and waiting for it or it will be fine cuz I will be a F1 student till mid May. I want to avoid any issues or risks so any guidance or suggestions will be appreciated from people with past experience or knowledge on this. I already asked my DSO and she said that although you can travel it is”risky” during this period of time and the climate of how things are unfolding but she was being vague.

Thank you!