- Survey: Your opinion matters to us!
- Sponsored student concerns
- Mental health and crisis support
- Cancellation of enrollment
- Payroll Taxation Forum for International Students
- Crimson Ties: WSU World Music Ensemble
- STEM OPT not eligible for 120 days
- Visa revalidation is NOT a visa renewal
- Career Services workshop series
- Join us at Party in the CUB!
- Survey: Your opinion matters to us!
International Student and Scholar Services in the Office of International Programs is here to support you. To do that effectively, we want to learn what you need. You can help us help you by telling us through a survey about your time at WSU so far, including your experiences on campus and remotely. The survey can be accessed here and should take about 5-7 minutes. It is completely anonymous, meaning that your answers cannot be connected back to you.
Participation in this survey is voluntary as well as private, and we value your perspective and hope you will take this opportunity to let your voice be heard. If you choose to participate, please complete the survey no later than Friday, Oct. 22.
If you have questions about the survey, please reach out to us directly at ip.intlservices@wsu.edu. Thank you for your time.
- Sponsored student concerns
If you are a sponsored student (a foreign government or entity is paying for your education), then you have additional rules and regulations that you must follow to ensure you maintain your scholarship and funding from your sponsor. As a reminder, these rules are in addition to the WSU and U.S immigration rules and it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you are following them.
If you wish to take a class at another educational institution, for example, always do the following BEFORE YOU ENROLL:
Speak with your sponsor to see what is needed for the class to be covered by them.
Speak with your advisor to see if they recommend you take this class and can provide any supporting documentation to your sponsor.
Again, it is your responsibility to do this BEFORE you enroll in the class. Academic advisors have the right to refuse to write letters in support of actions you took without their recommendation. So plan ahead!
- Mental health and crisis support
If you ever feel overwhelmed, know that this is perfectly normal. And remember you are not alone! WSU and our office are here to support you while you are going through a tough time.
Cougar Health Services offers mental health and crisis support services free of charge. Please visit https://cougarhealth.wsu.edu/crisis/ for more information.
- Cancellation of enrollment
If you are thinking of canceling your enrollment (dropping/withdrawing all your courses this semester), please note that this WILL impact your immigration status.
To maintain your F-1 or J-1 status, you must maintain full-time enrollment. If you cancel your classes, you will be OUT OF STATUS.
So, if you need to depart the U.S. or WSU for the semester and will be requesting a cancellation of courses, please speak with an international student advisor first!
If you are located at the Tri-Cities, Spokane, or Everett campus, please contact your local advisor. Contact information is at the end of this advisory.
- Payroll Taxation Forum for International Students
Payroll Services will be hosting a tax forum for international employees on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021.
As hosts, Brandon Cross and Mayra Young from Payroll Services will cover topics such as the taxation of pay from a WSU job, scholarship, or stipend; the IRS and its role in your taxation throughout the year; how to file your taxes at the end of the year; completing a tax assessment to ensure proper taxation throughout the year; and some of the most common questions asked.
Join them in the CUB Auditorium from noon to 2 p.m. to learn about this important subject, sign up to perform your tax assessment, and get your questions answered.
- Crimson Ties: WSU World Music Ensemble
Often students have musical backgrounds that do not align with ensembles usually found in school settings. International students have a lot on their plates, and a space to make music can be a therapeutic support to the rigors of academic achievement. Crimson Ties: WSU World Music Ensemble would be a great space to continue making music.
The ensemble envisions participants will explore and create music that is not dependent on Eurocentric art music traditions. There are two guiding touchstones: 1) Musicians of any tradition are welcome, regardless of musical style or instrument (including voice), and 2) While most performances will make use of members’ strongest skill sets, this will help with learning about and playing different traditions of music from around the world.
The ensemble is taught as a 1-credit section of MUS-435 Chamber Music.
- STEM OPT not eligible for 120 days
As a result of a recent court order, USCIS is extending some flexibilities to F-1 students seeking initial Optional Practical Training (OPT) who have been negatively affected by agency delays in receipting and processing Form I-765, Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
For initial 12-month OPT I-765 applications received through Oct. 31, 2021, applications can be filed up to 120 days before the program end date (instead of the normal 90 days). This does NOT apply to STEM OPT Extension I-765 applications.
- Visa revalidation is NOT a visa renewal
Under the automatic revalidation provision, certain temporary visitors holding expired nonimmigrant visas who seek to return to the U.S. may be admitted at a U.S. port of entry by CBP if they meet certain requirements, including nonimmigrants who departed the United States for brief travel to Canada, Mexico, or an adjacent island (for F and J nonimmigrants) for 30 days or less.
Automatic revalidation is NOT the same as applying for a new visa. If you apply for a new nonimmigrant visa you cannot take advantage of automatic revalidation.
If you travel outside of the U.S. to a country other than the ones listed above, you MUST obtain a new visa stamp at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad to be able to return, even if you were granted automatic revalidation in the past.
Please speak with an international student advisor BEFORE any international trip to make sure you have the necessary documents for re-entry.
- Career Services workshop series
Are you about to start your career? Do you know how to package your international experience to help you stand out? Enhance your education by attending one or more workshops offered by International Programs Career Services.
Thursday, Oct. 14 | 3:30 p.m. | Kruegel G-10
Résumés, Cover Letters, and Skill Building
Write a résumé and cover letter and build your skills to get a job.
Thursday, Oct. 28 | 3:30 p.m. | Kruegel G-10
Curricular Practical Training
Learn about how CPT works in general, and what you should be planning specific to your major and future career
For more information, visit ip.wsu.edu/ip-career-services/training.
- Join us at Party in the CUB!
Party in the CUB is a cultural festival organized by the International Students’ Council to help RSO promote and introduce their culture to the Coug community. Each participating RSO will be able to promote their culture by selling traditional food, organizing traditional games, or even performing live on stage.
Friday, Nov. 5 | 5-9 p.m. | CUB Senior Ballroom