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Programming and Events

Northwestern University and the Office of International Student & Scholar Services as well as the surrounding community offer a wide array of opportunities to get involved in the NU community and beyond. The OISS strives to enrich the academic, extra-curricular, and cultural experience of our international population by providing information and connections to the diverse range of available opportunities.  

We encourage you to follow the OISS on  Facebook to stay informed of the latest events and news! You can also check the OISS Event Calendar. 

Highlighted Events

Find more information about OISS highlighted events below:

  • Pathways to Permanent Residency Workshop* : 

OISS is sponsoring a Lawful Permanent Residency immigration workshop on “Pathways to Permanent Residency”  presented by Chicago-based Immigration Attorneys William Schiller and Ian Wagreich. This workshop will be held in a hybrid format (in-person and virtual).

You must register to receive a ticket to attend this event if you choose to be in person, as there is only limited seating capacity

Date/Time : Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

In Person Location : TGS Commons, 2122 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL

PLEASE SEE THE RECORDING OF THE EVENT HERE

This valuable workshop will explore hot topics in immigration law, as well as immigrant visa processing trends, and options for permanent residence to live and work in the U.S. beyond OPT (F-1), J-1, H-1B - including PERM labor Certification, Special Handling, employment-based first and second preference options including National Interest Waivers; Extraordinary Ability Petitions; and Outstanding Professor and Researcher petitions; and Family based immigration options. 

*For those who missed this workshop during the fall quarter, we will have another session in the winter quarter. All graduate students at Northwestern University will receive an email notification once the date for the winter event is confirmed.

Community Group

Community Council for International Students (CCIS)  The CCIS is an all-volunteer group dedicated to making Northwestern University international students feel welcome in this country and at the University. They offer a variety of social and informational programs. Visit CCIS for more information on how conversation partners & groups, to involved. 
 
For information about international student groups, please see our Student Organizations page.

Get Involved at Northwestern

Coffee Talk - Evanston campus and virtual

Coffee Talk is a welcoming space tailored for international students & scholars as well as those who have or are interested in international experiences. Attendees 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! 

The Coffee Talk program is co-sponsored by CAPS and OISS, and each meeting will be hybrid: In person at OISS or attend virtually via Zoom. 

  • Where: 
  • Meeting times: Every other Wednesday, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
  • Dates: October 2nd, October 16th, October 30th, and November 13th.
  • CAPS and OISS will provide tea, coffee, and snacks for all in-person attendees
  • Facilitators: Manisha Rustagi, Ph.D., Liaison to International Students, & Jennifer Mazzetti, Psy.D.

For questions and inquiries please contact: Dr. Manisha Rustagi, Email: manisha.rustagi@northwestern.edu

Please see the CAPS website for other services and programming.

Click here to register

Coffee Talk "Fika Time" - Chicago campus

Coffee Talk is a monthly gathering space for all international students. The gatherings will be hosted by CAPS staff to help facilitate meaningful conversations where one can share their experience as an international student and build community support.

On the Chicago campus, Coffee Talk is also known as “Fika Time," which is a Swedish cultural practice where people take time from their busy day to socialize with others while enjoying coffee, tea and treats. There will be simple snacks to accompany our conversations in the spirit of fika!

Coffee Talk “Fika Time” is a welcoming space where participants can: 

  • Cultivate a sense of belonging and connection on Chicago campus; 
  • Share and connect around the study-abroad experiences and navigating cross-cultural adjustments in academics, career, relationships, etc.;
  • Gain new understanding and resources for emotional wellbeing and coping skills;
  • Celebrate the pride and resilience of international students;
  • And take a break from studying!

Location: Abbott Hall Women's Center (Room1400) on Chicago Campus 14th floor of Abbott Hall on the Chicago campus at 710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611.

Time: Final Friday of the Month, 3:30-4:30PM (please arrive on time)

Dates: 9/27; 10/25; 11/22*; 12/20*/2024; 1/31, 2/28, 3/28, 4/25, 5/30/2025
*Final Fridays in November and December 2024 fall on university holidays, so we will have Fika Time on the 3rd Friday instead.

For any questions or inquiry, please contact Dr. Angel Cheng (Chicago CAPS Staff Psychologist) at angel.cheng@northwestern.edu.

Click here to register

Wildcat Connection

With more than 400 extracurricular clubs and organizations, Northwestern offers a huge range of amazing activities outside the classroom. 
Wildcat Connection

NU Nights

This student-run organization hosts free alternative events for the Northwestern community. They provide both on and off-campus programming that usually runs from 8 to 11 PM (typically, but not always, on Fridays).
NU Nights

Northwestern Sports

Attend a "Big 10" sporting event and show your Wildcat spirit!
NU Sports

Northwestern Fitness and Recreation

NU students with a valid WildCARD have access to worldclass NU Recreation Facilities. The facilities offer a range of activities including swimming, basketball, squash, racquetball, tennis, group exercise classes, weightlifting, badminton and intramural and club sports, and much more. 
NU Recreation

Stay Informed

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OISS Newsletters

Read the most recent international student & scholar newsletters from the OISS:

 OISS Newsletters

Programming & Events

Nov
27
2024

Web-in Wednesdays for International Students

12:00 PM
Join OISS advisors on Zoom on Wednesdays from 12pm-3pm to ask an international student advisor quick questions. Please n...
Nov
29
2024

Web-in Fridays for International Students

11:00 AM
Join OISS advisors on Zoom on Fridays from 11am - 1pm to ask an international student advisor quick questions. Please no...
Dec
4
2024

Web-in Wednesdays for International Students

12:00 PM
Join OISS advisors on Zoom on Wednesdays from 12pm-3pm to ask an international student advisor quick questions. Please n...