ISS Staff is available to students, without an appointment, on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday:
11am to 1pm- through virtual advising online
1pm to 3pm- through in-person walk-in advising
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 Campus Groups! 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!
New Travel Signature Request Process
ISS has created an online process through the Terra Dotta website for students to submit a Travel Signature Request Form. To allow students time to acclimate to this new process, ISS will accept both this new online method and paper submissions of the Travel Signature Request Form through Monday, September 30, 2019. After September 30, 2019, ISS will only accept Travel Signature Request Forms submitted through the website.
The online process will still involve providing the same basic information requested on the paper form, which an advisor will review. Advisors will get in touch with students only as needed. Students should assume that their submission has been received and will be processed unless they are contacted by an advisor. After students submit the electronic request, they will have 7 calendar days to bring their I-20 / DS-2019 to ISS to obtain the travel signature. The options to stop in during walk-in hours, ship the I-20 / DS-2019 to ISS, or drop the I-20 / DS-2019 off outside of office hours are all still available to students. ISS will not review the online request nor process a travel signature unless the I-20/DS-2019 is submitted to the office.
To submit the Travel Signature Request Form online, visit visas.case.edu. Click the link titled "International Student Request Forms" on the left, then choose the "Travel Signature Request Form" button on that page.
If you have questions about this new process, or want to know more, feel free to contact the office (either via email, phone, or walk-in hours).
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 you apply is a must. ISS feels very strongly about this, which is whywe require all students to complete a workshop during the semester that they intend to apply for OPT. ISS offers in-person workshops and access to an online training module.ISS will not accept OPT applications from students who have not completed a workshop in a timely manner.
To attend anin-person workshop(ISS highly recommends this!), registration is required. Use your CWRU network ID and password to log in toCampusGroupsand access the full schedule. Once logged in, select the workshop that you plan to attend and click on "Get Tickets" to complete registration.Only register for and attend one session- space is limited- during the semester that you intend to graduate.
In-person OPT workshops are scheduled for 2 hours. Please plan on arriving early and staying for the entire 2 hours. If you do not stay for the entire workshop or arrive more than 5 minutes late, your attendance will not be counted. Be sure to bring your CWRU ID card to the session to complete the registration process and receive credit for having attended the session.
Students who are unable to attend an in-person workshop will have the opportunity to view the OPT presentationonlineand then complete anonline training moduleto fulfill the workshop requirement. Access the online training module (using a desktop computer and browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or IE) from ourwebsiteunder the Quicklinks.Students are only permitted to access this online training module once.Be sure to only access it during the semester that you intend to apply for OPT and to pay close attention to the information provided in the presentation materials!
Students will be required to respond to questions based on the information provided about OPT- the application process, student eligibility, and their responsibilities as an F-1 student. These questions are being asked so that students can demonstrate their understanding of this complex application process and the rules and regulations that must be followed while on OPT. Responses will be recorded and students must receive a passing score before ISS will process their application. Students who ISS determines need more assistance will be required to register for and attend one of the scheduled in-person workshops to complete the training requirement. Be sure to check the in-person workshop schedule so that you don't have any conflicts with meeting this requirement!
Please note that waiting until later in the semester to complete your OPT workshop might not provide enough time for you to fulfill the workshop requirement and for processing;make every effort to complete a workshop as early as possible. You do not need to have a job offer or any definitive employment plans to complete a workshop or apply for OPT!
Again, keep in mind that ISS will only accept complete applications from students who have completed a workshop (either in-person or online) during the semester that they plan to apply for OPT. Be sure to read all of the application information carefully and prepare everything that's required for processing.
If you're not planning to apply for OPT until a later semester, future workshops will be scheduled and advertised. If you complete a workshop now but don't actually apply for OPT during this semester, you will have to complete a workshop at a more appropriate time in the future. General information about OPT is also available on ourwebsite.
If you have questions, stop by ISS during walk-in hours. Remember, only ISS staff can advise you about the procedures for OPT!
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 whywe 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.
ISS offers in-person workshops and access to an online workshop and assessment. Students have a choice of completing the workshop requirement in either format.
To attend anin-person workshop(ISS highly recommends this!), registration is required. Use your CWRU network ID and password to log in toCampusGroupsand access the full schedule. Once logged in, navigate to International Student Services, click on Events to see all CPT Workshops, and choose the session for which you wish to register.Only register for the session you plan to attend; space is limited.
In-person CPT workshops are scheduled for 60 minutes. Please plan on arriving early and staying for the entire 60 minutes. If you do not stay for the entire workshop or arrive more than 5 minutes late, your attendance will not be counted. Be sure to bring your CWRU ID card to the session to complete the registration process and receive credit for having attended the session.
Students can also complete anonline workshop, accessible from ourwebsite, by using a desktop computer and browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or IE.
After viewing the online workshop, students will be prompted to access theCPT Assessmentand required to respond to questions based on the information provided in the workshop- the application process, student eligibility, and their responsibilities as an F-1 student. These questions are being asked so that students can demonstrate their understanding of this application process and the rules and regulations that must be followed while on CPT. Responses will be recorded and students must receive a passing score before ISS will process their application.Please be aware that it takes ISS 3-5 business days to evaluate students' responses and to reply to students by email with results.
Students who ISS determines need more assistance will be required to repeat the training requirement by either successfully completing another assessment or by attending one of the scheduled in-person workshops. Be sure to check the in-person workshop schedule so that you don't have any conflicts with meeting this requirement!
Please make every effort to complete a workshop as early as possible to prevent any processing delays.
Again, keep in mind that ISS will only accept complete applications from students who have completed a workshop (either in-person or online). Be sure to read all of the application information carefully and prepare everything that's required for processing.General information about CPT is also available on ourwebsite.
If you have questions, stop by ISS during walk-in hours.
New Students, Look Around Your New Homes!
Living spaces in the US may be very different from those in your home countries. Please pay attention to the differences to avoid problems with landlords or the University.
Common differences:
There are no drains in the floors of bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc.
Water on the floor will damage carpet and wood floors
Water on the floor will likely go down the walls into apartments on lower floors and damage walls, ceilings, etc.
Windows may be sealed shut. If they are, do not open them
Walls are usually painted drywall, not cinder block and whitewash
Appliances may be electric or gas
Quiet hours may be strictly enforced
Heat may be controlled by the landlord or management company rather than by you
Pet policies are strictly enforced
You may be held financially responsible for any damage you cause, even if you cause it by accident
Lease agreements are binding contracts for the length of the lease—follow the terms of your lease agreements carefully
If you encounter problems with on-campus housing, please notify your RA or the Housing Office immediately. If you encounter a problem with a landlord or management company, please feel free to contactISSfor help.
ll members of the CWRU community and the public are invited to celebrate Asian Mid-Autumn Festival on Friday, September 13. Join us for authentic Asian food from various countries as well as activities and traditions associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Student and community booths offer games and activities to keep everyone, including family, entertained!
The event is free and takes place from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Thwing Center.
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.
For NEW Graduate International Students, Post Docs, and Researchers (Spring, Summer, or Fall 2019)
The International Student Fellowship (ISF) - a graduate student organization of CWRU- warmly invites you to attend the WELCOME TO AMERICA DINNER 2019 to celebrate your transition to the US, your new school, and a new chapter in life.
Saturday, September 21st, 2019
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Thwing Ballroom, 11111 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106. This event is free, but space is limited (spouses and family are most welcomed too). For the reservation link, please email: isfcleveland@gmail.com
Dress: Ethnic (strongly encouraged for door prizes) or semi-casual. There will be good foods; warm, friendly faces; and helpful information!
