Events & Programs - Spring 2023
Power of Language (POL) Week
Monday, February 20 - Saturday, February 25
This February, Wesleyan is holding its first ever Power of Language (POL) Week! POL Week will be February 20-25 and coincide with International Mother Language Day, which takes place each year on February 21st.
Themes for Wes’s inaugural POL Week include raising awareness of and celebrating the linguistic diversity represented in our campus community, self-determination to preserve one’s mother tongue, and the protection of critical languages. These final two themes are derived from the Bengali Language Movement and the history behind International Mother Language Day.
In honor of the Bengali Language Movement, International Mother Language Day, and the tremendous linguistic diversity within our campus community, we encourage you to submit an event to plan and lead, on your own or with your friends/peers, as part of POL Week. Sign up here by February 10th or contact Global Language & Outreach Fellow Verónica Socorro Matos at vsocorro@wesleyan.edu.
Post-Completion Options for F-1 Students (virtual session)
Friday, February 3: 4:00-5:00 p.m. EST on Zoom
Intended Audience: F-1 students completing their degree program in Spring 2023 or Fall 2023
Session Description: In this virtual 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). This virtual workshop will be recorded and then later posted on this page as a video resource.
Session Recording: Post-Completion Options for F-1 Students (PASSCODE: &A5xu4sr)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshop: Overview of Eligibility, Applying & Maintaining F-1 Status during Your Post-Completion Employment
Session Recording: Optional Practical Training (OPT) (PASSCODE: O6ef#R5U)
In-Person Workshop: Friday, February 10, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EST at Fisk Hall Room 209
Intended Audience: F-1 international students graduating in Spring 2023 or Fall 2023 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. Both workshops will cover the same content. The virtual workshop will be recorded and then later posted on this page as a video resource.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshop: Overview of Eligibility, Applying & Maintaining F-1 Status during Your Off-Campus Employment
Session Recording: Curricular Practical Training (CPT) (PASSCODE: ^c#q7UHf)
In-Person Workshop: Friday, February 17, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EST at Fisk Hall Room 209
Intended Audience: F-1 international students who will have completed two semesters of full-time study and declared a major by the end of the Spring 2023 Semester
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. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the session. Both workshops will cover the same content. The virtual workshop will be recorded and then later posted on this page as a video resource.
Getting Your First Job in the U.S. as an F-1 International Student: Virtual Workshop with Coach Kwan Segal of ICAway
Session Recording: Getting Your First Job in the U.S. as an F-1 International Student (PASSCODE: N2&4&f9h)
Intended audience: F-1 degree-seeking international students who will have completed at least two consecutive semesters of full-time enrollment and declared a major in 2023 and are seeking off-campus employment opportunities via CPT/OPT work authorization.
Session Description: Join ICAway founder Coach Kwan Segal for this free, virtual workshop on "Getting Your First Job in the U.S." Coach Kwan will share tips and techniques on navigating your U.S. job search as an F-1 international student.
Disclaimer: ICAway is a for-profit company external to Wesleyan that offers fee-based services. OISA encourages Wesleyan international students to utilize the services and resources of the Gordon Career Center, which are available to all current students and free of charge.
24-Month STEM OPT Extension Workshop: Overview of Eligibility, Applying & Maintaining F-1 Status during Your Post-Completion Employment (virtual session)
Session Recording: 24-Month STEM OPT Extension (PASSCODE: E3.5%5%t)
Intended Audience: F-1 international alumni who are on post-completion OPT and qualify for the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension
Session Description: In this virtual 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. This virtual workshop will be recorded and later posted here on our Events & Programs page.
12 U.S. Work Visa Options for Your Post-OPT Career with Immigration Attorney Art Serratelli: OPT and STEM OPT Alumni Session
Session recording: "12 U.S. Work Visa Options for Your Post-OPT Career with Immigration Attorney Art Serratelli: OPT and STEM OPT Alumni Session" (PASSCODE: 2NYQ?pk5)
Intended Audience: Wesleyan F-1 international alumni who are currently on post-completion OPT or the 24-Month STEM OPT Extension and interested in learning about future work visa options in the U.S.
Session Description: In this virtual session, immigration attorney Arthur Serratelli, also known as “Immigration Art” of Serratelli Mijal PLLC, will provide an overview of 12 work visa options after OPT, and share insights on how to focus your job search to maximize your work visa eligibility. Art will also describe three paths to a green card: through employment, self-sponsorship, and family/marriage. There will be plenty of time at the end of the session to answer your questions! This virtual workshop is sponsored by OISA and free of charge; it will be recorded and then later posted on this page as a video resource.
12 U.S. Work Visa Options for Your Post-OPT Career with Immigration Attorney Art Serratelli: Current Students Session
Friday, April 28, 2023 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. EST on Zoom: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/98826079357
Intended Audience: Current Wesleyan F-1 international students who are interested in learning about work visa options in the U.S. beyond OPT
Session Description: In this virtual session, immigration attorney Arthur Serratelli, also known as “Immigration Art” of Serratelli Mijal PLLC, will provide an overview of 12 work visa options after OPT, and share insights on how to focus your job search to maximize your work visa eligibility. Art will also describe three paths to a green card: through employment, self-sponsorship, and family/marriage. There will be plenty of time at the end of the session to answer your questions! This session will be recorded and later posted here on our Events & Programs page. This virtual workshop is sponsored by OISA and free of charge; it will be recorded and then later posted on this page as a video resource.