Events and Programs
Spring 2020 Events and Programs
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshop
Monday, February 17, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
Wednesday, February 26, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
Wednesday, March 25, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
The three sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 20 students. First come, first served. Registration not required.
Intended Audience: Classes of 2022 and 2021 F-1 visa holders who intend to work off-campus in the United States during Summer 2020
Session Description: In this workshop, you will learn: 1) CPT eligibility, 2) a step-by-step guide to registering for CSLP 493, and 3) information about maintain your F-1 status while working in the summer.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshop
Thursday, February 6, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
Monday, March 2, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
The two sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 15 students. First come, first served. Registration not required.
Intended Audience: Classes of 2020 and 2021 F-1 visa holders who wish to work in the United States after graduation
Session Description: This workshop will cover: 1) OPT eligibility, 2) a step-by-step guide to complete the I-765 form, and 3) information about maintaining your F-1 visa status while on OPT. Please bring: 1) your current and all previous I-20s, 2) your passport, 3) your F-1 visa page (if on a different passport), 4) your most recent I-94, 5) your Social Security Card (if you have one), and a pen with black ink (required by U.S. government).
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Q&A
Wednesday, February 12, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
Monday, February 24, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
Wednesday, April 1, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
The three sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 20 students. First come, first served. Registration not required.
Intended Audience: Classes of 2020 and 2021 F-1 visa holders wish to work in the United States after graduation
Session Description: This is a workshop for students who already attended the OPT workshop and still have questions about the application process. In this session, OISA staff members will answer frequently asked questions such as planning your OPT start date, traveling internationally while waiting for OPT approval and more!
Bring your questions to the session.
Tuesday, March 3, 3:00-4:30 p.m. @ Usdan 110 (open to all)
Wednesdasy, March 4, 5:30-7:00 p.m. @ Usdan 108 (open to all)
Tuesday, March 10, 3:00-4:30 p.m. @ Usdan 110 (Grad students and emoplyees only)
Wednesday, March 25, 3:00-4:30 p.m. @ Usdan 108 (open to all)
All sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one.
Life After Wes: Managing your Immigration Status after Graduation
Tuesday, March 3, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
Monday, April, 6, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
The two sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 30 students. Registration on Handshake is required.
Intended Audience: Class of 2020 F-1 visa holders who have plans to attend graduate school in the United States in the future (including after OPT) or depart the U.S. after graduation.
Session Description: This workshop will cover all different scenarios for F-1 visa holders to understand how to manage their immigration status after they graduate from Wesleyan. We will cover: 1) grace period for staying in the United States after graduation without applying for OPT, 2) deadlines for OPT applications, 3) transferring your SEVIS record to a graduate school and 4) answer additional questions you may have.
OPT STEM Extension Info SessionThursday, April 9, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
Tuesday, April 14, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
The two sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 20 students. First come, first served. Registration not required.
Intended Audience: Classes of 2020 and 2021 F-1 visa holders whose major is one of the following: archaeology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, college of integrative science, computer science, earth and environmental sciences, economics, environmental studies, mathematics, molecular biology & biochemistry, neuroscience & behavior, physics and wish to continue working in the United States after their one-year OPT.
Session Description: This session is for students who would like to learn more about OPT STEM extension (an additional 24 months of OPT). We will cover OPT-STEM extension eligibility, the application timeline and other essential information about OPT-STEM extension.
Fall 2019 Events and Programs
Wellness Month: Identities and Fostering Relationships (co-host with Wes Well)
Tuesday, September 3, 5:00-6:30 p.m. @ Usdan 108
College is known as the time where you "find yourself" and begin to understand who you are. While this transition can pose challenges, one of those challenges can also be building and establishing new relationships. Come to the session to learn how your multiple identities play a role in fostering new relationships on campus.
International-U.S. Students Roommate Dinner (co-host with FCGS)
Wednesday, September 4, 5:00-7:00 p.m. @ Beckham Hall
This interactive event will allow the opportunity for International Students and their roommates to share a meal and explore cross-cultural understanding. Any first-year students interested in gaining skills in cross-cultural communication are invited to attend.
Academic Integrity Workshop for International Students (co-host with Shapiro Center for Writing)
Wednesday, September 11, 4:30-6:00 p.m. @ Exley Science Center Room 058
Come to learn about Wesleyan's honor code and the American expectations of academic integrity. You will walk away with 10 best learning strategies to manage your time and avoid plagiarism. All are welcome! First-year international students are expected to attend this workshop. Snacks and light refreshments will be served.
Choosing Majors and Careers for F-1 Visa Holders (co-host with Dean's Office and Gordon Career Center)
Monday, September 23, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Boger Hall Room 114
In this session, you will learn important factors (personal interest, career prospect, immigration-related benefits/regulations) to consider when choosing a major as an F-1 visa holder. You will receive a list of majors that are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension and other important on-campus resources for choosing a major. This workshop is for classes of 2022 and 2023 F-1 visa holders. The workshop is limited 40 participants. Registration on Handshake required.
I-9 Paperwork for F-1 Visa Holders (registration required)
Thursday, September 19, 3:00-4:30 p.m. @ Exley Science Center-Woodhead Lounge
Friday, September 20, 10:00-11:30 a.m. @ South College B2/B3
Monday, September 23, 2:00-3:30 p.m. @ South College B2/B3
Tuesday, September 24, 10:00-11:30 a.m. @Usdan 108
F-1 visa holders are strongly encouraged to complete their I-9 paperwork in the first semester in order to receive any type of payment in the future. Please contact Christine Rodrigue at crodrigue@wesleyan.edu, if you are not able to attend one of these sessions.
Winter Clothes Shopping Trip (registration required)
Saturday, October 12, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. @ WestFarms Mall
This winter supplies shopping trip is for Class of 2023 international students, international transfer/exchange students and FLTAs. The trip is scheduled on Saturday, October 12. We will leave campus at 10 a.m. to go visit Westfarms Mall and plan to return to campus at 3 p.m. Office of International Student Affairs will provide free transportation and support to help you select the appropriate winter gear (coats, hats, scarves, gloves, snow boots etc.) that fit your budget.
Please complete the following two steps by 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 10:
1. Complete the registration form
2. Drop off $5 deposit to the Office of International Student Affairs dropbox (outside of room 023 North College). The $5 deposit will be returned to you on the day of the event. If you no show, you will not get the deposit back.
For no-cost winter clothes, check out Clothing Swap Social hosted by the Resource Center.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshops
Tuesday, October 8, 12:00-1:00 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
Wednesday, October 16, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
Thursday, November 7, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
Monday, November 18, 12:15-1:15 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
This workshop will cover: 1) OPT eligibility, 2) a step-by-step guide to complete the I-765 form, and 3) information about maintaining your F-1 visa status while on OPT. F-1 visa holders in the classes of 2020 and 2021 are welcome to attend. The four sessions are exactly the same. You only need to attend one. Each session is limited to 20 students. First come, first served. Please bring: 1) your current and all previous I-20s, 2) your passport, 3) your F-1 visa page (if on a different passport), 4) your most recent I-94, 5) your Social Security Card (if you have one), and a pen with black ink (required by U.S. government).
Peer to Peer: Navigating Internships and Summer Experiences for International Students (co-host with GCC)
Wednesday, November 20, 5:00-6:00 p.m. @ Gordon Career Center
International upperclassmen would be sharing their advice, thoughts, and wisdom about navigating various summer experiences in the U.S. and globally. Students interested in exploring opportunities for summer internships, academic research, or summer programs can ask any questions about the application process or the actual experience and gain valuable information and insight from their peers. It would be a great way for students to interact with people searching for similar opportunities as well as network with upperclassmen who have previous experience.
Self-Care Doesn't Take a Break (co-host with SACE and WesWell)
Friday, November 22, 12:00-1:30 p.m. @ Fries Center for Global Studies Commons, Fisk 201
Join SACE and WesWell over lunch for a conversation about self-care techniques and resources available on-campus and during breaks!
Office of International Student Affairs Open House
Friday, November 22, 1:30-2:00 p.m. @ 023 and 024 North College
Learn more about immigration services, resources, and training offered by the Office of International Student Affairs. Connect with new and returning students while visiting our new space at 023 and 024 North College. Refreshments and snacks are available for attendees.
End-of-the-Semester Gathering (registration required)
Friday, December 6, 5:00-7:00 p.m. @ Fries Center for Global Studies (Fisk 201)
Come celebrate the end of the semester over dinner with the Office of International Student Affairs! Students who are staying on campus are required to attend this event. All self-identified international students are welcome to attend. We will have food, music and important information about staying on campus during winter break from OISA, ResLife and Public Safety.