September 4, 2024

In this issue:

1. Course Registration & Visa Status
2. Practical Training Reminder
3. Virtual Chat Advising Times and Dates
4. OISRE Office Information
5. Dating & Relationships in the US
6. Financial Wellness Workshops
7. Welcome to America Dinner
8. More Fun Events!
9. Study Abroad Fair
10. Looking for an Internship?
11. Fall 2024 Career Fair

VISA Office News

VISA Office Information

The VISA Office is open 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday. We are located in Crawford Hall, Suite 215.

We have virtual chat advising available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11am to 1pm. Access virtual chat from our website here.

You are also welcome to contact us for an in-person, phone, or virtual appointment. Please email visa@case.edu to request an appointment or schedule from our website here.

Registration, Visa Status, & You

As international students, you are required by U.S. federal regulations to be properly registered for a full-time course load while you're studying in the United States as an F-1 or a J-1 student. 

For undergraduates, full-time is 12 credit hours.

For graduate and professional students, what is considered full-time may vary by program. Please contact your department to confirm what full-time enrollment is for your program.

Online and distance limits: You may only enroll in one online or distance course to meet your full-time enrollment each semester.  Once you meet your full-time enrollment, you may take additional online/distance courses.  

There are very few exceptions to full-time registration requirements and only the VISA Office can determine whether you qualify for one of them. Always register for full-time and never drop below a full-time courseload without first speaking with an advisor in the VISA Office. Improper registration could have serious consequences for your visa status, including termination.

We will be verifying each student's registration over the next several weeks. If we detect a problem with your registration or have questions, we will be contacting you by email. It's extremely important that you follow up with us promptly and work to quickly resolve the matter so that your visa status is not negatively impacted.

If you have questions, email us at visa@case.edu or stop by our office during business hours.

F-1 Students:
Considering an internship, co-op, or other practical training this fall? Remember to apply for CPT!

F-1 students are required to obtain Curricular Practical Training (CPT) in order to begin off-campus training or employment, such as internships and co-ops. You must obtain the authorization BEFORE you start working. If you have any questions about CPT, contact us at visa@case.edu.

Also see our website for our CPT presentation and  application: https://case.edu/visa/forms-and-resources/student-forms-and-resources

Coming soon: Fall semester CPT workshops! Look for more information in VISA News, including dates and times, in the coming weeks :)

Virtual Chat Advising Is Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 

VISA Office Virtual Advising is held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 11 am to 1 pm EST.

If you have a question or concern, reach out to an advisor through the chat box. The chat box (it looks just like the picture above) will be available on our website.

OISRE News

OISRE Office Information

The Office of International Student Resources & Engagement (OISRE) helps international students adapt to life in the US. They offer support services and plan events for international students and the campus community.

OISRE is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. They also have drop-in hours on Thursdays from 11 am to 1 pm in Tomlinson Hall, Room 143.

You can reach them at international@case.edu or call 216-368-2517.

See their website for upcoming events!  

https://case.edu/studentlife/internationalresources/events

Check on the website for events. If you see an activity of interest, click on the link and pre-register in CampusGroups so we can get an accurate headcount for shuttles, etc.

Thank You for Joining Us!

Thank you for joining us for the International Student Welcome Party!! We hope that you were able to meet new and returning international students as well as CWRU faculty and staff.

Here is a testimonial from one of our Full-Time MBA '26 students: 

Thank you so much for putting this together. I was very intrigued by a lot of things. First of all, it was heartwarming to see the OISRE team... Then I enjoyed the trivia games and won some nice souvenirs. The refreshments were great too and it was heartwarming to have an interesting conversation about the magical ice cream spoons that changed colours when used. Above all, though, it was an opportunity to connect with the international friends I had already made and a chance to meet more people from my country, Nigeria, my continent Africa and also from all around the world. I did make new friends and I feel welcomed. Thank you again for this party and I appreciate the entire OISRE team for the great job today. 

Please keep an eye out and register for our upcoming events! 

Dating and Relationships in the US

Do you have questions about dating and building relationships in the U.S.? Come to the Office of International Student Resources and Engagement on Thursday, September 12 from 12 - 2 pm to meet with staff members from the Mather Center to gain awareness, support, and understanding about creating healthy relationships while in college in the U.S. This event is open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional domestic and international students.

To register, click on this link.

Financial Wellness Workshops and Info

• PNC offers several excellent resources to help students improve their financial goals for the 2024-2025 school year. 
  • Article : Types of Common Scams and How to Protect Yourself from Fraud

   

  Student Webinar: Identity Theft

  Date: September 26, 2024 at 7 pm ET

  Description: Learn how identity thieves can steal your personal information, what's at risk when they do, and how to recognize common scams. 

   

  PNC offers a wide range of financial ed webinars throughout the school year; view free financial webinars at 2024 Full Webinar Calendar. 

More Fun Events!

Welcoming Week Kick-Off Party
Friday, September 13, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Cuyahoga County Welcome Center
4261 Fulton Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44144
Registration required. Space limited. Register here bit.ly/gcwwparty

Asiatown Mid Autumn Festival
Saturday, September 14, 12 pm - 5 pm
3236 Payne Avenue Park

Features

Study Abroad Fair Friday, September 6

Interested in studying abroad?

Stop by the Study Abroad Fair Friday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Case Quad to learn all about the study abroad options at Case Western Reserve University.

The Study Abroad Fair will feature the many options available to CWRU students: faculty-led CWRU courses that go abroad over school breaks; full summer and semester programs abroad; internships and research abroad, and much more.

View the event information in Campus Groups

Fall 2024 Career Fair -  September 26

The Fall 2024 Career Fair is an on-campus event for students and alumni of Case Western Reserve University. The Career Fair will be held Thursday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center field house.

This event is an opportunity for students to meet with recruiters for hiring opportunities. If you are looking for a summer 2025 opportunity, this is the time you want to meet with recruiters and apply for those positions.

Employers will be recruiting students of all majors for all kinds of opportunities, including internships, co-ops, practicum, and/or full-time jobs. Employers typically send CWRU alumni as representatives, so this is a great networking opportunity, even if you’re not in the market for a position. Staff and faculty members also are welcome to stop by and say “hello” to the company representatives.

Click here for more information.