Events and Programs
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 - Spring 2025
- Wesleyan's 3rd Annual Power of Language Week
This spring semester, Wesleyan is hosting its third annual Power of Language (POL) Week! POL Week commemorates the Bengali Language Movement and International Mother Language Day, which falls on February 21st each year. POL Week aims to showcase the vibrant multilingual community at Wesleyan by uniting speakers and learners of all languages on campus.
This year's POL Week at Wesleyan will run Thursday, February 13th through Friday, February 21st. Visit the POL Week webpage for more information about this year's celebration.
If you are a member of the Wesleyan community interested in submitting an event proposal to be included in this year's POL Week, please complete this event submission form by February 7th. For questions about POL Week 2025, please email Thais García Bagué '23, Global Language & Outreach Fellow, at tgarcia@wesleyan.edu.
- Monthly Birthday Celebrations for Wesleyan International Students
Starting in 2025, OISA is hosting monthly birthday celebrations for Wesleyan international students on the third Thursday of each month. International students whose birthdays fall in each month are invited to that month's celebration.
These informal gatherings celebrate the birthdays of international students in a welcoming and supportive environment with their peers and members of the OISA staff. At the celebrations, attendees will enjoy cake and other refreshments, sing "Happy Birthday" and participate in fun, community-building activities.
Through these monthly celebrations, OISA aims to foster trust and rapport with and among Wesleyan's international student community and help them feel more integrated and supported on campus, especially as they adjust to life far from home.
The dates for the Spring 2025 Semester birthday celebrations are:
- January 16: 4:00pm-5:30pm
- February 20: 4:00pm-5:30pm (*in Usdan 108)
- March 20: 4:00pm-5:30pm
- April 17: 4:00pm-5:30pm
- May 15: 4:00pm-5:30pm
The celebrations are hosted by OISA in Fisk 201 (Fries Center Global Commons). For questions about these events, please email oisa@wesleyan.edu.
- Post-Completion Options for F-1 Students Workshop
Thursday, February 6: 12:00pm-1:15pm EST in Usdan 110
Intended Audience: F-1 students completing their degree program in Spring 2025 or Fall 2025
Session Description: In this in-person session, OISA professional staff members will provide an overview of post-completion options for international students studying at Wes in F-1 visa status. The focus will be on options in addition to post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). At the end of the session, there will be time for Questions & Answers (Q&A).
- Sprintax Nonresident Tax Webinar for Wesleyan University
You are invited to a tax webinar offered exclusively for Wesleyan foreign national non-residents. The webinar will take place on Friday, February 7 beginning at 12pm EST.
During this virtual session, a Sprintax representative will provide an in-depth overview of everything non-residents need to know about their tax requirements for the 2024 calendar year. Topics will include, who must file, tax residency, FICA, tax treaties, state tax, implications of misfiling, as well as how to use Sprintax Returns to prepare a compliant tax return.
We strongly encourage you to attend, especially if 2024 was your first year in F-1 status. Register here!
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshop: Overview of Eligibility, Applying & Maintaining F-1 Status during Your Post-Completion Employment
In-person Workshop: Friday, February 14, 12:00pm-1:15pm EST in Usdan 108
Register here on Handshake: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1702265/share_preview
Virtual Workshop: Friday, February 14, 3:30pm-4:45pm EST on Zoom: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/95690988185?pwd=pjKKjawq9IOmNBCHQlQnReiso6hAdf.1
Register here on Handshake: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1702200/share_preview
Intended Audience: F-1 international students graduating in Spring 2025 or Summer/Fall 2025 who wish to work in the United States after graduation
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 the session.
*The recording of the virtual workshop will later be posted on this page as well as OISA's Post-Completion OPT webpage linked above.
- Building Connections: Personal Pitch and Networking for International Students Workshop
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Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop tailored specifically for international students. This session is designed to equip you with the essential skills to craft a compelling personal pitch and build meaningful connections—whether you're pursuing internships, exploring career opportunities, or expanding your professional network.
We will also cover tips for effective networking and how to leverage relationships within the Wesleyan community and important resources you can access. Bring your questions!
Open to all class years and majors. Register here on Handshake: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/events/1700377/share_preview
To make the most of this workshop experience, please complete this homework assignment prior to the workshop. Please bring this with you to the workshop.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fC-msCQ0i4_ImplDBw7RUVGA6XDsKpAA/view?usp=sharing
Co-sponsored by the Office of International Student Affairs and the Gordon Career Center
- STEM OPT Extension Workshop: Overview of Eligibility, Applying & Maintaining F-1 Status during Your Off-Campus Employment
In-person Workshop: Friday, February 28, 12:00pm-1:15pm EST in Fisk 101
Register here on Handshake: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1702541/share_preview
Virtual Workshop: Friday, February 28, 3:30pm-4:45pm EST on Zoom: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/91067798056
Register here on Handshake: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1702534/share_preview
Intended Audience: F-1 international students considering applying for the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension, especially alumni who are on post-completion OPT and 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.
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshop: Overview of Eligibility, Applying & Maintaining F-1 Status during Your Off-Campus Employment
Thursday, March 6: 12:00pm-1:15pm EST in Usdan 108
Register here on Handshake: https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1702546/share_preview
Intended Audience: F-1 status international students who will have completed two semesters of full-time study and declared a major by the end of the Spring 2025 Semester, and who are considering an off-campus practical training opportunity
Session Description: In this workshop, OISA staff will provide an overview of CPT eligibility, the application process, and requirements for maintaining your F-1 visa status while engaging in this type of off-campus employment during your degree program. Please carefully read through OISA’s Curricular Practical Training (CPT) guidance prior to attending this workshop.
- Navigating Global Career Paths: International Alumni Career Journeys
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 12pm-1pm EDT on Zoom
Join us for an engaging discussion with a panel of four international alumni—Romina Bèltran Lazo ’22 (Anthropology, Art Studio), Robyn Min Xuan Wong ’23 (CSS, Anthropology, Data Analysis), Katherine Chen ’23 (Biology, COL), and Florina (Flo) Sutanto ’24 (Economics, CEAS, Data Analysis)—as they share their journeys through Wesleyan and their career paths beyond graduation.
Register here on Handshake and use this Zoom link to join the session: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/s/98441114810. This event is co-sponsored by the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA), the Gordon Career Center, and the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB).
- Travel Signature Clinics in Usdan
OISA is offering 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 Spring 2025 Semester:
- Tuesday, March 4: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 7: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, April 30: 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 7: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 14: 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 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 are not able to 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.
- International Student Graduation Celebration
Each year, OISA organizes and hosts a graduation celebration in honor of all graduating international students. The celebration honors the achievements of international students graduating from Wesleyan, recognizing their hard work and dedication. The event is held in the afternoon following the Commencement ceremony.
All graduating international students (undergraduate and graduate level) are invited to the celebration by OISA. Family members and friends are also welcome to attend this special celebration for international student graduates.
The 2025 International Student Graduation Celebration will be held on the Wesleyan campus the afternoon of Sunday, May 25 following Commencement. More details, including time, venue, attractions, and the program for the event will be shared in the final weeks of the spring semester.