From: VISA Office
Date: September 18
Subject: VISA News: OPT & CPT Workshops, Mid-Autumn Festival, Employment Events, Career Fair, and MORE


ISS news header

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.

OPT & CPT Workshops

The VISA Office offers Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshops to discuss the application process, student responsibilities, and other important considerations.

It is important to be well informed before you apply. It is also important to apply early!

You must complete an OPT workshop before beginning the OPT application process.  We strongly recommend that you attend a workshop as early as possible if you plan to apply for OPT this semester, as it takes several months to process. You do not need a job offer to apply for OPT.

CPT is for currently enrolled students.  You must have a job offer before applying for CPT, and you may not begin work until you have CPT authorization in place, which can take 2-3 weeks to process. You must attend a CPT workshop or view the recording of the CPT workshop  before beginning the CPT authorization process.


Please sign up for a workshop-- You can sign up below!

CPT Workshops

You can watch a recording of the CPT Workshop online here or you can register to attend a live Zoom session hosted by an advisor with the VISA Office.

Please click on a session below to register and access the Zoom link:

Thursday, September 19, 9:00 am - 10:30 am: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Tuesday, October 15, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Wednesday, November 13, 9:00 am - 10:30 am: Webinar Registration - Zoom

OPT Workshops

Please click on a session below to register and access the Zoom link:

Friday, October 4, 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Thursday, October 24, 9:00 am - 11:30 am: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Tuesday, November 5, 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Thursday, November 21, 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Wednesday, December 4, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm: Webinar Registration - Zoom
Friday, December 13, 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm: Webinar Registration - Zoom

Be Aware of Scams

Every year a few international students fall victim to scams.  Let's stop this from happening! 

The US government rarely, if ever, calls international students. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a US government employee, tell them you need to check with your school about their call and take a message. If they are legitimate, this will be fine. If they are scammers, they will try to pressure or intimidate you, but do not give in. Hang up and contact the VISA Office or campus police.

Remember, scammers don't just operate in the US. There may be scammers in your home country that may try to scam you while you are here in the US. If you are contacted by anyone asking for money, contact the VISA Office or campus police before you do anything!

Contact us: visa@case.edu or 216-368-6964

CWRU Campus Police Non-Emergency Number: 216-368-3300.

See below for links to more information:

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2022/06/international-students-be-aware-of-potential-scammers

https://case.edu/studentlife/internationalresources/resources/scams

OISRE Updates

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.

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

Mid-Autumn Festival

This important holiday is celebrated throughout much of Asia by eating mooncakes, hanging lanterns, and telling stories while gathering with families.  More information can be found on the Kelvin Smith Library (KSL) website.

This week, Fribley Dining Hall will have a tea tasting station and Asian inspired dishes at the "From the East" food station. There will be Asian-inspired dishes such as Korean-style honey sesame tofu, tamari beef and vegetable stir fry and lo mein egg. The tea station will feature a variety of teas (jasmine, green, gunpowder, etc.) to sample.

See below for other events celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival:

Mid-Autumn Festival and Kickoff Event Thurs, Sept 19, 5 - 7pm, Weatherhead Multicultural Club

Mid-Autumn Festival Sat, Sept 21, 2 - 4pm, Asian American Alliance

VSA Mid Autumn Festival & ACE Kick Off Sat, Sep 21, 4:30 - 6:30pm, Vietnamese Student Association

Mid-Autumn Festival Sat, Sept 21, 6:30 - 8:30pm, Chinese Student Association

Financial Wellness Workshops and Info

 
  • PNC offers several excellent resources to help students improve their financial goals for the 2024-2025 school year. 

     

    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. 

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 26 from 12 - 2 pm to meet one-on-one 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.

Features

International Job & Resource Fair Tomorrow!

Thursday, Sept. 19, 9 am - 12 pm

Parma-Snow Cuyahoga County Library
2121 Snow Rd., Parma, OH 44134

Registration is free: bit.ly/intjobfair

International Student Employment Info Session Tomorrow on Zoom!

Join OISRE, the VISA Office, and the Career Center tomorrow from 11 am - 12:45 pm for an information session that will cover on-campus employment, internships, co-ops, and CPT and OPT.

Interested students can still register on CampusGroups. After you have registered, please join via Zoom at this link on Thursday, Septermber 19 from 11 am to 12:45 pm. We look forward to seeing you and answering your questions during this information session. 
 

2024 Fall 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. 

More information is available on Handshake.

Campus Happenings

Flu Shot Clinics - Get Your Flu Shot

Flu shots are available for free to all CWRU, CIA and CIM students, and CWRU faculty and staff. All participants need to bring their CWRU ID. Please wear an outfit that allows the upper arm to be easily exposed. 

Flu clinics and registration links for 2024 can be found below. Registration is not required. Registration serves as a reminder. 


September: 

  • Fri. Sep. 20th 9am - 11:15am - HEC 
  • Fri. Sep. 27th 9am-11:15am - HEC

For more dates, please click here.

Other Opportunities

International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) Hosting Dinner & Discussion this Friday


Join IFI for their Dinner & Discussion every first and third Friday.  

More information is available here:  https://ificleveland.churchcenter.com/calendar/event/167128181

 

If you would like to promote your event or opportunity through VISA News, please make a complete submission (including flyers, images, details, etc.) for consideration by noon on Monday to visa@case.edu. The VISA Office cannot guarantee that all submissions will appear in the newsletter, as space is limited, but staff will review all timely submissions for consideration.