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Events and Programs

Collage of 4 photos: 1) 3 students displaying their tote-bags at DYI Tote-Bag Workshop during Orientation; 2) a big group of students singing at Karaoke night in Beckham Hall; 3) a group of students sitting in a circle on Foss Hill; 4) three students playing Twister

OISA hosts events and programs throughout the year to help students make the most of their time at Wesleyan and prepare for life after university. Mark your calendars with important dates of sessions focused on choosing the right majors, employment (CPT, OPT, STEM OPT Extension, career planning), and other topics that will help you take advantage of the opportunities available to you and plan for the future.

Consider opportunities to get involved in campus-wide internationalization programming, such as International Education Week (IEW) in the fall and Power of Language Week in the spring, and participate in OISA programs such as International Student Orientation (ISO), International Buddy Program (IBP), Wesleyan Africans Thriving Together (WATT) peer mentorship program, and the Wesleyan International Speakers Program (WISP) that offer unique student leadership opportunities!   

Events and Programs - Fall 2026

 

  • New Rule Eliminating "Duration of Status (D/S)" Workshop: What You Need to Know

    In-person Workshop: Wednesday, September 9, 3:00pm-4:00pm EST in Frank (PAC) 100; register here on Handshake: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/2013373

    Intended Audience: F-1 and J-1 status international students enrolled at Wesleyan

    Session Description: In this workshop, OISA staff will provide an overview of the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule eliminating “duration of status (D/S)” that goes into effect on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. We will discuss the change to a fixed Admit Until Date (AUD) on the Form I-94 and how the new rule will impact Wesleyan F-1 and J-1 visa status international students, especially as they approach completion of their degree program/academic objective.   

  • Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshops

    In-person Workshop #1: Friday, September 11, 12:00pm-1:00pm EST in Boger 112; register here on Handshake: https://app.joinhandshake.com/stu/events/2013198  

    In-person Workshop #2: Friday, September 18, 12:00pm-1:00pm EST in Boger 112; register here on Handshake: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/stu/events/2013206  

    Intended Audience: F-1 international students completing their degree program in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 who wish to pursue practical training in their field of study within the U.S.

    Session Description: In this workshop, OISA staff will provide an overview of OPT eligibility, the application process and timeline, and requirements for maintaining your F-1 visa status during your post-completion employment. Please carefully read through OISA’s Post-Completion OPT guidance prior to attending this workshop. There will be time for Q&A at the end of each of the sessions. 

    *Both workshops will cover the same content.
  • STEM OPT Extension Workshop

    Virtual Workshop: Wednesday, September 23, 3:00pm-4:00pm EST on Zoom: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/95373551660; register here on Handshake: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/stu/events/2013214 

    Intended Audience: F-1 international students considering applying for the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension and F-1 alumni currently on post-completion OPT who qualify for the Extension  

    Session Description: In this workshop, OISA staff will provide an overview of STEM OPT Extension eligibility, the application process, and requirements for maintaining your F-1 visa status while engaging in this type of post-completion employment in the U.S. Please carefully read through OISA’s STEM OPT Extension guidance prior to attending this workshop. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the session.    

    *The recording of the virtual workshop will later be posted on this page as well as OISA's STEM OPT Extension webpage linked above. 

  • Food for Thought & Wellness

    Please join us for this fall semester for Food for Thought & Wellness, a healthy living program for international students brought to you by OISA, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)! We will be meeting at the Resource Center on biweekly Thursdays at 12pm (noon) for informal discussions on various topics while we enjoy delicious, free lunches from local Middletown restaurants. 

    Schedule of sessions for our Fall 2026 Food for Thought & Wellness program: 

    • Oct.1 - Beyond the Screen: Building Connection & Belonging Across Cultures

    • Oct. 15 - Balance Beyond Borders: Tools for Managing Stress

    • Oct. 29 - Eating Well While Away from Home: Impact of Diet on Mood & Cognitive Ability

    • Nov. 12 - When Seasons Change, So Can Your Mood: Tools for Navigating Winter at Wes

    • Dec. 10 - Beyond The All-Nighter: Sleep Strategies for Finals & Beyond

    Food for Thought and Wellness program flyer with session dates

  • Pumpkin Carving with OISA

    Join the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) for our annual pumpkin carving event, which will be held on Wednesday, October 21 from 3:30pm to 5:30pm at the patio behind Fisk Hall!

    Enjoy pie, hot drinks, and candy while carving a pumpkin you can take home with you to decorate your dorm room for Halloween! RSVP by Monday, October 19 via the QR code on the flyer below so we can make sure to have a pumpkin for you. This event is open to both international and domestic students.  

    Flyer for OISA pumpkin carving event

  • Workshop on Avoiding Scams as an International Student

    Join us on Thursday, October 22nd from 12pm (noon) to 1pm in Fisk 201 for a workshop on “Avoiding Scams as an International Student” led by Adnan Hameed, Wesleyan’s Chief Information Security Officer. Mr. Hameed will do an overview of different types of trending scams targeting international students and share tips and resources for avoiding them and reporting them to authorities. Free lunch provided by OISA. RSVP here by Tuesday, October 20!

    Flyer for Avoiding Scams as an International Student Workshop

  • Travel Signature Clinics in Usdan

    OISA will offer in-person Travel Signature Clinics on the first floor of Usdan University Center at the base of the stairs leading up to Marketplace on the following dates and times during the Fall 2026 Semester: 

    • Tuesday, October 13: 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
    • Friday, October 23: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
    • Tuesday, November 17: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
    • Monday, November 23: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Monday, December 7: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    • Tuesday, December 15: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
    • Friday, December 18: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

     

    Please bring a printed paper copy of all three pages of your current I-20 and a photo ID to receive a travel signature from an OISA staff member.

    If you cannot come to one of these clinics, please see the guidance on our Visa & Travel page for instructions on how to submit a Travel Signature Request in the ISS Portal.