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September 18, 2019

in this issue:

A New Look to the Newsletter!
OPT Workshops
New Process to Request an I-20 Extension
Campus Events
CPT Workshops
Featured Events
STEM OPT Students- ICE Site Visits & Proper Reporting of Requirements
Other Events

ISS Staff is available to students, without an appointment, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday during advising hours:

11am to 1pm- through virtual advising available online

1pm to 3pm- through in-person advising in the office

There are no advising hours on Wednesday.

If you need to speak or meet with an advisor outside of our advising hours, please send an email to international@case.edu to schedule an appointment. Please provide your full-name and a brief description of the nature of your appointment when you contact us.

ISS is transitioning its newsletter to CampusGroups! As we continue to learn the software, you may notice some difference in the format of the newsletter; however, no matter the look, we will continue to provide all of the information that you need to know!

STEM OPT Students
ICE Site Visits & Proper Reporting of Requirements

It is reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has started site visits for students on STEM OPT. It is essential for students and employers to be meeting their respective obligations during the authorized period of STEM OPT.

Students, be sure that you are properly employed, reporting every 6 months, updating your Form I-983 as needed, and reporting on any changes in your personal contact information in a timely manner. ISS has outlined on our website the steps that you need to be taking to properly maintain status.

It’s also essential that your employers who are providing practical training opportunities plan in advance for site visits and ensure that they are meeting the obligations for the training plan reported on your Form I-983. We encourage you to share this information with your supervisor and to review your training plan regularly to be best prepared in the event of an ICE site visit.

For more information, you can read the recently published article in Forbes.

New Process to Request an I-20 Extension

Effective October 1, ISS will accept I-20 extension requests through Terra Dotta. This will be a paper-free process except for the new, extended I-20 that is generated by the end!

Students will initiate the request and fill out some required information within Terra Dotta. One required field will ask students to identify an advisor who will then be contacted to upload information to the system on behalf of the student. Undergraduates should list their Dean in Undergraduate Studies. Graduate students should list their academic advisor.

Advisors will review all of the material and contact students by email when their I-20s are ready.

The link to the new request form will go live on the ISS website, in FAQ #6, on October 1.

OPT Workshops

ISS is offering Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshops to go over in detail the application process, student responsibilities, and other important considerations.

Being well informed about OPT before applying is extremely important and applying early is critical! USCIS is publishing that it takes 4-6 months to process submitted OPT applications. Plan to complete a required OPT workshop- either in-person or online during the semester that you intend to apply for OPT- as early as possible to be best prepared. Remember, you do not need to have a job offer to apply for OPT!

For more information about completing a required OPT workshop and other details about OPT, visit our website and scroll down to the OPT section. Please be sure to very carefully read all of the information there.

The workshop schedule is now available on International Student Services’ CampusGroups page.

CPT Workshops

ISS is offering Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshops to go over in detail the application process, student responsibilities, and other important considerations.

Being well informed about CPT before you apply is a must. ISS feels very strongly about this, which is why we require all students to complete a workshop prior to applying for each CPT authorization. ISS will not accept CPT applications from students who have not completed a workshop in a timely manner.

For more information about completing a required CPT workshop and other details about CPT, visit our website and scroll down to the CPT section. Please be sure to very carefully read all of the information there.

The workshop schedule is now available on International Student Services’ CampusGroups page.

Featured Events

EVENT

Career Fair Prep (Nord) - International Student Success Series

Wednesday, September 18
1:00pm - 2:30pm

Nord 356, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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Join CIA and PGP-EE staff to prepare for the Career Fair! In this session you will learn the basics of networking and elevator pitches. Staff will help students write their pitches and practice their networking skills. Space is limited! RSVP on Campus Groups to reserve your place!

RSVP

EVENT

Career Fair Prep (Mandel) - International Student Success Series

Wednesday, September 18
5:00pm - 6:30pm

Mandel Community Studies Center 115, 11402 Bellflower Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
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All CWRU international students are invited to join the Center for International Affairs and Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education staff to prepare for the Career Fair! In this session you will learn the basics of networking and elevator pitches. Staff will help students write their pitches and practice their networking skills. Space is limited! RSVP to reserve your place!

*Please note: this event will take place at the Mandel Community Studies Center - NOT the Mandel School. The address for the Mandel Community Studies Center is 11402 Bellflower Ct, Cleveland, OH 44106.

This event is part of the International Student Success Series.

RSVP

EVENT

Opportunities to Work in Canada after Graduation

Tuesday, October 1
4:00pm - 5:30pm

Rockefeller Building, room 309, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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CWRU students are invited to learn about opportunities to live and work in Canada after graduation at an event hosted by the Office of International Student Services (ISS). The presentation will feature representatives from the immigration section of the Consulate General of Canada who will discuss options to work in Canada and the process to become a Canadian via the Express Entry program.

The event will be held Tuesday, October 1 at 4:00 pm in room 309 of the Rockefeller Building. All CWRU students are welcome to attend.

RSVP

EVENT

Mocktail Hour & Networking Training - International Student Success Series

Thursday, October 3
4:00pm - 6:00pm

Tomlinson Hall Lobby, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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Part of finding the best job for you is attending networking events, mixers, and cocktail hours where you can meet new people and make contacts.
Employers want to know their employees can be professional, even in social situations, but networking events can be difficult to navigate. Learning Western expectations of politeness can help you feel more comfortable in unfamiliar situations, and mastering networking customs can help you make a great impression on others!

All CWRU international students are invited to join the Center for International Affairs and Post-Graduate Planning and Experiential Education for an event to do just that!

Attendees of the Mocktail Hour and Networking Training will receive hands-on training from etiquette consultant Catherine Holloway and will be served passed hors d'oeuvres and non-alcoholic drinks to provide an opportunity to practice the skills learned during the training.

The event will take place in the Tomlinson Hall Lobby and will begin promptly at 4:00 pm.

Registration note:
By registering to attend this event, you are committing to attend, arrive on time and stay for the duration of the event. This event was created to help you learn how to conduct yourself professionally in social situations, especially those related to your career. Failing to attend an event or appointment which you have committed to attend is considered discourteous and inappropriate as there is extensive planning involved in these events. Of course, we understand that true emergencies, though rare, do occur. These situations require prompt notification via CampusGroups or by calling our office at 216-368-2517. However, changing your mind about attending the event at the last minute is not considered an emergency.

Cancellation & Refunds:
Refunds will be given to students who cancel their registration in CampusGroups and request a refund by Friday, September 13, 2019 - no refunds will be given after this deadline

If, after the cancellation deadline, you realize you cannot attend, please email International Student Services or call Elizabeth Miller at 216-368-2571.

RSVP

EVENT

Cleveland Bucket List - Niagara Falls Trip

Saturday, October 5
8:50am - 8:00pm

Niagara Falls, New York, 332 Prospect Street , Niagara Falls, NY 14303, United States
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Travel to Upstate, New York with the Center for International Affairs to view the incredible Niagara Falls!

We are currently determining the ticket price and will update this when registration is available. The price of the ticket will include the bus ride and a ticket for the Maid of the Mist Tour.

We will leave Saturday, October 5 promptly at 9:00 am from Bellflower Road right behind the Tinkham Veale University Center.

NOTE: We will not be able to wait for late students, so make sure you arrive by 8:50 am!

The bus ride will last approximately 3.5 hours. We will be staying in the United States the entire time.

We expect to return to campus around 8:00 pm the same day.