News & Activities

IO News

2009 Undergraduate International Student Orientation planned!

The International Office (IO) is pleased to offer incoming international undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in the 2009 Undergraduate International Student Orientation (ISO). This year’s orientation will take place from September 12–15, 2009, just before Wildcat Welcome. To participate, incoming international undergraduate students must complete and return the Undergraduate ISO Registration Form by August 14, 2009.

For more information, please see the Undergraduate ISO webpage!

IO Chicago - Updated Scholar Advising Hours

Beginning Tuesday, January 13, 2009, the Chicago location of the IO will close at 3pm instead of 4:30pm. New scholar advising hours in Chicago are as follows:

Tuesdays (International Scholar Advising) 9am-12pm and 1-3pm

The IO in Chicago is located in Room 1012 in Abbott Hall. Student advising at the Chicago IO will remain every Wednesday (9am-12pm and 1-4pm).

Traveling and Signatures

Remember to carry the following when traveling this holiday break:

  • SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed within the last twelve-months by the IO;
  • Valid visa stamp (pasted inside your passport); and
  • Current passport, valid at least six-months after the date of your re-entry

Reporting Requirements While on Post-Completion OPT

Earlier this year, the U.S. Deptartment of Homeland Security (DHS) published new regulations regarding F-1 students on Post-Completion OPT. Regulations now include a series of reporting requirements. All students on OPT must now report specific information to the IO. In response, the IO has developed an online survey for students to utilize to satisfy these reporting requirements. For additional information and to access the survey, click here.

International Office Listserv – SUBSCRIBE NOW!

IO listservs are used to disseminate information quickly and efficiently. To receive these messages, students must subscribe to the list of their choosing.

Current Listservs:
INTNEWS: Information for F-1/J-1 students.
POSTCOMPLETIONOPT: Information for F-1 students on OPT.
SCHOLAR: Information for J-1 and H-1B scholars, faculty and staff.
DEPARTMENTS: Information for departmental faculty and staff.
ADMITOFFICES: Information for offices responsible for admitting international students.

NEW! INTFAMILY: Information for spouses and family members! Join now!

Note: When subscribing, you must choose from the above list and insert the listname as instructed below.

To subscribe, send an email to: listserv@listserv.it.northwestern.edu

Leave the subject blank. In the body of the message, write: subscribe listname firstname lastname. 

IO Workshops

Employment Workshops for F-1 Students

Employment workshops are being scheduled now for spring quarter. For additional information regarding on- or off-campus employment, visit the Employment page.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshops:
Workshops are being scheduled over the summer. Check back for dates, times, and locations. 

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Workshops:
No CPT workshops will be held over summer. If you are interested in learning more, please visit the CPT webpage and then see you advisor during walk-in advising hours.

Note for J-1 Students: Please contact your International Student Advisor to set-up a meeting to discuss Academic Training.