OISS welcomes all new and continuing international students to Fall term 2023!

NCA: International Student Career Fair Drop-ins

When: Thursday, Sept. 21st from 12 - 2 PM
Where: OISS, 630 Dartmouth Place, Evanston

Have a question about developing a strategy for the in-person or virtual career fairs? Want to practice your elevator pitch? Need help identifying which employers can hire students on CPT/OPT or are willing to sponsor? Drop by the Office of International Student & Scholar Services (OISS) at 630 Dartmouth Place on Thursday, September 21st from 12-2 pm speak with NCA Career Advisers Brett Boettcher, Laura Droste, and Meg Flanagan!

More Info on Handshake

NCA Sponsored Career Fairs on Sept 26 & 28

Looking for an on-campus job?

Check the Northwestern University Student Job Board

Please note: International F-1/ J-1 students are not eligible for "Federal Work Study" positions. Look for positions labeled "all students can apply"!

New Employee Checklist for Foreign Nationals

OISS and Human Resources have teamed up to create a New Employee Checklist for Foreign Nationals that will help F-1 & J-1 students newly employed by Northwestern University in completing the necessary steps with OISS, Human Resources and Payroll.

Social Security Number (SSN) Eligibility

Wondering how/when you can apply for a SSN? 

Only international students or scholars in active immigration status who also have a job offer are eligible to apply for an SSN. If your SEVIS record is not "active," the Social Security Administration will not be able to verify your status.

Newly arrived F-1 and J-1 students must wait until they have entered the U.S., enrolled in classes full-time, and completed the check-in process with OISS before applying for an SSN. OISS cannot update your SEVIS record to "active" until after you have both enrolled in classes AND completed the required immigration check-in with OISS. 

Students in active (SEVIS) immigration status in the following situations may apply for an SSN:

• F-1 students with a job offer letter
• F-1 students with approved CPT or OPT work authorization
• J-1 students with a job offer and written work permission from their DS-2019 sponsor

Learn about OPT

The next online Optional Practical Training (OPT) workshop will be held Thursday, September 28th  from 10:00 - 11:30 AM.  OPT eligibility requirements, application timelines and application requirements will be covered in detail during this virtual workshop. All F-1 international students interested in applying for OPT are encouraged to attend.

See the OPT Event for more details and zoom link to join.

Have a quick question for OISS?

Connect with an OISS Advisor via Zoom on Wednesday afternoons for Web-in Wednesdays. See the Web-in Wednesday section of the website for full details and a link to join.

Questions about taxes?

The Foreign National Tax Team from Northwestern's Human Resources Office can help! A representative from the Foreign National Tax Team will host walk-in office hours at the OISS at 630 Dartmouth Place from 12:00 - 3:00 PM on the following dates:

• Wed., Sept. 20th
• Wed., Sept. 27th 

Update your Address Reminder!

To maintain your immigration status as an F-1 or J-1 student,  you  are required to keep your address information accurate and up-to-date (within 10 days of moving)! This includes newly arrived students, continuing students and F-1 students on OPT and STEM OPT. See complete instructions on the OISS website at Address Updates.

Coffee Talk

Coffee Talk is a welcoming space tailored for international students and scholars as well as those who have or are interested in international experiences. Attendee can:

• Connect and interact with other international students on-campus over coffee, tea, snacks, and fun games. 
• Support each other in navigating friendships, cross-cultural adjustment to academics and living in the US, overcome imposter syndrome, homesickness, relationships, career, stress and anxiety, and other relevant topics.
• Grow self-confidence and cultivate a sense of belonging on campus. 
• Celebrate the pride and resilience of international students.
• And take a break from studies! 

COFFEE TALK IS CO-SPONSORED BY CAPS AND OISS, AND EACH MEETING WILL BE HYBRID: IN PERSON AT OISS (630 DARTMOUTH) OR ATTEND VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM.

Fall 2023 meeting times:
Every other Friday from 3:00 - 4:00 PM, beginning September 29th!

Dates: Sept 29, Oct 13, Oct 27, Nov 10

View the Coffee Talk flier for full details including link the Zoom link for those attending virtually and all fall dates.

Northwestern University Night at the Art Institute of Chicago

Thursday, September 21, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

All Northwestern faculty, staff, students and their guests are invited to enjoy free admission to the museum, with the first 200 attendees receiving a commemorative event poster. NO RSVP or registration is required to attend this free event.  Visitors will present their Wildcard at the Northwestern welcome desk at the Michigan Avenue entrance to receive their museum tickets. For more information please go to northwestern.edu/studentorgs/students/museum-partnerships.html.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Sept. 20 & 27th - Open office hours with NU HR Foreign Tax Team
12 - 3:00 PM at the OISS (630 Dartmouth Place) - 1st come - first serve

Sept. 21st - Drop in Career Advising for International Students to Prepare for NCA Career Fairs
12 - 2:00 PM at the OISS (630 Dartmouth Place)

Sept. 21st - Northwestern University Night at the Art Institute of Chicago
5 - 8:00 PM at the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603)

Sept 26 & 28th - Career Fairs sponsored by Northwestern Career Advancement; 9/26 is a virtual fair & 9/28 is in-person fair at Norris University Center - Learn more

Sept. 28th - Optional Practical Training Workshop
10:00 AM, Virtual (see event link for Zoom details)

Sept.  29th - First "Coffee Talk" meeting of Fall 2023
3 - 4:00 PM at OISS (630 Dartmouth Place) or attend virtually. 

Every Wednesday afternoon - Virtual international student advisement for quick questions; 12 - 4:00 PM - See Web-in-Wednesdays for details