International Center News for Faculty and Staff – March 2024
Page 1
International Center Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
Drop-In Hours are Monday through Thursday, 2 pm to 4 pm and Friday 11am to noon
Appointments can be scheduled through Handshake. The URL for Handshake is:
https://clarkson.joinhandshake.com/edu
Search for Global Opportunities in CU Global at this link:
https://clarkson-horizons.symplicity.com/https://clarkson-horizons.symplicity.com/
The International Center will again be hosting Zoom Open Hours for new International Students who have made their deposit for fall term.
Round 2 Study Abroad Applications are underway. The application for spring 2025 will close on March 31. Student interested can view programs in CU Global. Appointments can be made through Handshake to discuss opportunities with the study abroad coordinator.
There are several summer study abroad opportunities still accepting applications.
- Comillas International Summer School – Engineering / Research
- EM Strasbourg Business Summer School – Business
- ESSCA School of Management Summer Program – Business
- KEDGE International Summer School – Business
- Lake Constance Summer School – German Language
- Laval University Summer Program – Business
- Nanyang Technological University Summer Program – Various
- Sungkyunkwan University Summer Program – Various majors
- Tec de Monterrey Summer Program – Various majors
- University of Galway Summer Program – Business., Irish Studies, Ecology
- University of Mannheim Business Summer School – Business
Save the date for the Holi Celebration on April 6. Time: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Page 2
Photos from the Welcome New Graduate Student Pizza Party.
Photos from the skating event held in Cheel Arena.
Page 3
International Recruiting Tips & Challenges
As the recruiting season begins please be mindful that students from certain
countries may encounter delays in visa processing.
It is important to understand that when students apply for their student visas, they are required to
answer 3 basic questions:
- What is the reason for your travel to the United States?
- How do you plan to pay for your educational expenses?
- Prove strong ties to your home country.
Challenges once these questions have been answered:
- Overcoming the US Consular Officers’ perception of immigrant Intent.
- The applicant must prove strong ties to their home country.
- Visa appointment shortages.
- Global/political challenges – Some countries are currently going through some political turmoil which impacts the US Consulates availability to provide regular visa services. In some instances, that makes the US Consular Officer sensitive to the applicant’s intent to travel to the US. Natural disasters are also causing delays.
- The applicant’s previous visa application history. If a student has been denied more than two times, this may have an impact on their visa application.
The US Department of State continues to make student visa applications a priority.
Please note: Specific country trends and challenges will be included in our next issue.
Writing and Conversation Groups Starting Up! If you are interested in joining Complete this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefn4ggFL2CVegfxNRMGKB75QDtGnSnHTTQ85-vMIvsnAA4rA/viewform
Writing Group
Meets once per week for two hours with the purpose of helping you create a dedicated time to write. If you are procrastinating on a thesis, dissertation or capstone project, you will find this time very useful. This is not a
workshop, and there is no instruction, but you can have discussions as needed with the Director of the Writing Center.
Conversation Corner
Meets once a week for one hour. The purpose is to have a place for international students to ask questions
about American language and culture and to practice spoken English. It is also a place for American students
to meet international students and find out about different languages and cultures. Conversation games
and discussion of videos are the main tools, but we may also do some presentation skills practice if you would like.
Page 4
Bangladeshi Students Association boosted International Mother Language Event on February 21st.
Photos from the event.
Page 5
During the International Mother Language Event there was a quiz competition and students were selected through a random draw for prizes.
Photos of the prizes with the recipients.
Follow the Bangladeshi Students Association on instagram: @bsacu_clarkson
Page 6
Student Completion Plans
The International Center sent a reminder to students completing their programs this Spring / Summer.
Students should have already responded to an email sent to them if their I-20 / DS-2019 is ending this
semester – OR – their ‘anticipated graduation date’ is for the spring /summer 2024 semester.
Important Dates
- April 26, 2024: Students applying for a program extension must submit an extension application to International Center by this date
- Students under J-1 Student Status (DS-2019) – 30-day grace period from program end date noted in DS-2019
- Students under F-1 Student Status (I-20) – 60-day grace period from program end date noted in I-20 Form
Other Completion Notes
Students can now apply online for post-completion Optional Practical Training
A new GOOGLE FORM for OPT Requests will be sent to you by the student for your recommendation.
Students do not need a job to apply for this benefit. Applications can be submitted 90-days prior to their
program end date.
Link for Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8O1J8de0k5sdFQpvVT2w0p4kqma4Z9x0mo1UxkZPwHYRCeQ/viewform
It is tax season and we provide international students and scholars with resources to help them through the tax process.
Sprintax is a software for US non-residents. Student and scholars may request a code by completing this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePfXyFkF0L8LZ_PRvsnEDkPBKf101Siz-bXGY9q6-oV-qCUA/viewform
Additional resources:
Sprintax support: https://sprintaxhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us
Sprintax US Tax Preparation – Step by step videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/SprintaxUSA
Sprintax US Tax Preparation Blog: https://blog.sprintax.com/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wBldJGyqPJgv5nAm-wH3_BsMmTRnYSgP/view