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. For more information on the POL Week celebration at Wesleyan and examples of last year's events, please visit this POL page.
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
- 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 Webinar for Wesleyan Non-U.S. Residents
Friday, February 7: 12:00pm-1:00pm EST (online)
Intended Audience:
Session Description:
- 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
Virtual Workshop: Friday, February 14, 3:30pm-4:45pm EST on Zoom: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/95690988185?pwd=pjKKjawq9IOmNBCHQlQnReiso6hAdf.1
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.
- 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
Virtual Workshop: Friday, February 28, 3:30pm-4:45pm EST on Zoom: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/91067798056
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
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.
- 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.