Info Session

Apply for Fulbright and Other National Fellowships – Info Sessions 6/1 – 8/24

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Dear Class of 2021,

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! As you plan for the future, please consider applying for national fellowships. They are fully funded, usually year-long programs that support a range of global experiences, from research to graduate study to English teaching.

I especially encourage you to consider the Fulbright Study/Research or English Teaching Assistant grants, which allow you to spend a year in one of 100+ participating countries, pursuing independent research or graduate study or teaching English in the classroom. They are open to graduating seniors and recent alumni who are U.S. citizens, and they don’t have a minimum GPA requirement.

If you have clearly defined professional interests supported by experience, consider the Luce Scholarship, which provides a year-long professional placement at an organization in Asia.

Explore our website to learn about other fellowship opportunities and watch short video testimonials from recent applicants.

Application cycles for fellowships are almost a year long to allow for several stages of application review. Apply this fall for programs that take place in 2022-23. See campus deadlines on our website.

To learn more about applying for fellowships, please watch this recording. Fellowships Assistant Genesis Garcia ’22 and I talk about what fellowships are, what experiences they fund, who can apply, and why you should be thinking about them. I also encourage you to watch this recording, in which recent fellowship applicants from Wesleyan share their experiences and advice.

You’re also welcome to sign up for a video appointment on my calendar to talk about choosing the right program and planning the application process.

Finally, if you plan to apply for a national fellowship, either in this application cycle or in the future, you’re warmly invited to participate in the virtual summer application writing sessions. Research shows that writers who write with others are happier, more productive, and more successful.

The virtual application writing sessions will be held every other Tuesday from 7:30 to 9pm ET at the following Zoom link:  

https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/97807415070?pwd=b0sxb1Yxc0tNaC9qU1ZaOStaeGNtZz09

Meeting ID: 978 0741 5070

Passcode  529431

The session dates are as follows:

June 1

June 15

June 29

July 13

July 27

August 10

August 24

Each session will start with goal setting and end with reflection on the work you’ve done. For best results, I encourage you to commit to a set number of sessions. We may talk a little in the beginning, in person or in the chat, then mute ourselves and write. Cameras are always optional.

I’m looking forward to talking to you!

Best wishes,

Magda

Magdalena Zapędowska, Ph.D. [za-pen-doff-ska]

Assistant Director, Fellowships | Fries Center for Global Studies

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Wesleyan University

201D Fisk Hall, 262 High St. | Middletown, CT 06459, USA

 

Job Searching During a Pandemic: Alumni Panel Discussion – Tomorrow, 4/6

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Learn from Wes 2020 grads about finding a job and transitioning to post-grad life during the pandemic. Join us on Tuesday for a virtual panel conversation between current seniors and recent alumni.
Job Searching During a Pandemic: Alumni Panel Discussion

Tue, Apr 6 7:00 pm EDT – 8:00 pm EDT

https://wesleyan.joinhandshake.com/events/731196

Panelists:

  • Maya Bernstein-Schalet ‘20, Journalist, Heritage Radio Network/Researcher, Belly of the Best
  • Sherly Francois ’20, Management Development Program, McMaster-Carr
  • Lucine Poturyan ’20, Conflicts Analyst, Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP
  • Zack Hersh ‘20, Legislative Aide, Colorado House of Representatives

Moderated by the GCC’s senior Peer Career Advisors Esme Lytle ’21, Brendan Joyce ’21, and Phillip Wong ’21.

Preparing for your Life after Wes as an F-1 Student

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Dear F-1 Seniors,
Hope you all are doing well and are ready for the last spring break in your college career. To help you get ready for your life after Wes, please consider doing the following:

Review Life after Wes information on the OISA Website

Please visit the Life after Wes page to review your options after graduation. We have information for you about applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT), transferring your SEVIS records to a graduate school and planing your departure from the U.S. If you have questions about any of these options, you are encouraged to come to one of our drop-in hours to discuss your post-graduation plans.

Attend One or More Upcoming Workshops for F-1 Seniors 

OISA is hosting two additional workshops for F-1 seniors. Both workshops will be recorded if you are not able to attend the live sessions. Please email oisa@wesleyan.edu if you need access to the recorded sessions.
Life After Wes: Managing your Immigration Status after Graduation
Wednesday, April 7, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EDTZoom link: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/94761418883

OPT STEM Extension Info Session

Thursday, April 15, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EDT

Zoom link: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/97614649988

Check your I-20s

​​Check your Major(s) on your I-20: If you do not plan to apply for OPT, please check your current I-20 to make sure that your major(s) are correctly listed on your I-20 for your records. If you plan to apply for OPT, you will receive an OPT recommendation I-20 from OISA. Check your OPT recommendation I-20 to make sure that your major(s) are correctly listed.
Check your Program End Date on your I-20: If you are on track to graduate in May 2021, please check page one of your I-20 to make sure that your program end date says May 2021. If you need an I-20 correction, please email oisa@wesleyan.edu as soon as possible.
 

Review information about Optional Practical Training (OPT)

If you are interested in working in the United States after graduation, you are encouraged to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) as soon as possible. The OPT applications are adjudicated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), not Wesleyan OISA. The process takes at least 3 months and can take much longer during the pandemic. Please review the information listed on the Post-Completion OPT page carefully prior to submitting your OPT request. There are two documents on the page you might find helpful:
OISA will proofread your Form I-765 once for you. Please submit your completed Form I-765 to oisa@wesleyan.edu. You will receive detailed written feedback in 7-10 business days. Remember, you must be physically in the United States to apply for OPT. If you are currently studying remotely outside of the U.S. and are considering coming to the U.S. to apply for OPT, please contact OISA BEFORE you book your flights.

Attending Commencement 2021

Please review the Reunion & Commencement 2021 page for the university-wide announcement about the commencement given the fluid nature of the pandemic. If you are currently outside of the United States and are considering returning to the U.S. to attend the commencement, please contact OISA BEFORE you book your flights.
As always, feel free to reach out if you have questions!
Chia-Ying

 

Chia-Ying S. Pan | Director, International Student Services

Office of International Student Affairs | Wesleyan University
Room 024, North College | 237 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459
Zoom Meeting Room | Schedule an Appointment | Spring 2021 Drop-In Hours

Bologna Program: ECCo Day! – 3/27

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Dear students:

If you studied abroad in Bologna, Italy, if you plan to study abroad in Bologna, or if you are interested in studying abroad in Bologna, please come to our virtual ECCo Day, March 27!

Students can start Italian at Wesleyan and meet the language prerequisite for Bologna. The University of Bologna has courses available for every major, and the Accademia di Belle Arti has courses especially for Art Studio in the spring. Advance registration is kindly requested: https://vassar.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtfuuprz4oGNVGYOVlGEK5_MVEIaPP9-YP

Sincerely,

The Office of Study Abroad

Emily Gorlewski, Ed.D.
Director, Study Abroad
Fries Center for Global Studies

Wesleyan University
+1 (860) 685-3007
201A Fisk Hall, 262 High St.
Middletown, CT 06459
USA
wesleyan.edu/studyabroad

Thomas Kail ’99 (Hamilton, In the Heights) in Conversation with Milton Espinoza Jr. ’22 and Vianca Pérez ’22

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On behalf of the Gordon Career Center, I invite you to join us for a virtual, fireside chat-style conversation with Tony-winning director of Hamilton, Thomas Kail ’99, and current Wesleyan Theater majors Milton Espinoza Jr. ’22 and Vianca Pérez ’22. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Nicole Stanton, will provide a brief introduction and the conversation will be followed by audience Q&A. This conversation is open to all Wesleyan students, alumni, faculty, and staff. 
 
Register here for the Zoom webinar link & see more information below. Hope you will join us! 
Best,
Rachel 
 
Alumni Career Conversation with Thomas Kail ’99 – Thursday, March 11, 12-1pm 
Thomas Kail’s Broadway directing credits include Hamilton; In the Heights; Freestyle Love Supreme; Lombardi; and Magic/Bird. Off-Broadway selected directing credits include Hamilton, Dry Powder, Tiny Beautiful Things, and Kings at The Public Theater; The Wrong Man at MCC Theatre, In the Heights; Broke-ology and When I Come to Die at Lincoln Center Theater; and Daphne’s Dive at Signature Theatre. Broadway producing credits include Derren Brown: Secret and Freestyle Love Supreme. Some television directing and producing credits include Fosse/Verdon on FX and Grease: Live on Fox. He is a recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor and a graduate of Wesleyan University.

Student Moderators:
Milton Espinoza Jr. ’22 is studying Theater and Film. On-campus he is known for his activism and artwork for the POC community. He’s directed the 2nd Stage & Shades’ production of In the Heights and has acted in & produced a variety of different shows/films on campus.

Vianca Pérez ’22 is double majoring in Theater and Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. She has performed in multiple theater, dance, and film productions and co-leads WesInterpreters, a group that provides legal translation and interpretation services to local schools and organizations.

Rachel M. Munafo
Director of Operations
Gordon Career Center | Wesleyan University
rmunafo@wesleyan.edu | 860.685.2180

F-1 Seniors: OPT Workshop Tomorrow @ 12 noon, EST – 2/22

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Dear F-1 seniors,
This is a friendly reminder for the OPT workshop tomorrow:

Optional Practical Training (OPT): Filling out the I-765 Form

Tuesday, February 23, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EST

In this workshop, OISA staff will provide step-by-step guidance to fill out Form I-765. If you have attended the session last semester, it is still helpful to come to this workshop. Not much has changed specifically about the I-765; however, the USCIS lockbox location has changed. Also, the OPT fee was changed from $410 to $550 now back to $410. We want to make sure that everyone is aware of these important updates.

Please do the following before you attend the workshop:

  • Download the Form I-765
  • Read through the instructions for Form I-765
  • Have the following documents handy when you come to the workshop:
    • your current and all previous I-20s
    • your passport
    • your F-1 visa page
    • your most recent I-94
    • your Social Security Card (if you have one)
    • a pen with black ink (required by the U.S. government

The session will be recorded. If you are unable to attend the session, please email oisa@wesleyan.edu to obtain a link to the recorded session.

After you attend tomorrow’s workshop, you can get your completed I-765 proofread ONCE by a professional staff. This is an offer to help you with your form, not a requirement. You can choose to skip this step if you are able to fill out the form independently. Please submit a polished version of your I-765 as if you are ready to submit it to the government. If you have questions about any of the items on the form, attend one of the drop-in hours to get your questions answered BEFORE you submit for proofreading. The turnaround time is 7-10 business days.

Your OPT application materials need to be submitted via the ISS Portal. OISA does not have access to your submitted materials until you hit the “submit” button on the top. Please email oisa@wesleyan.edu once you submit your application materials. We will write back to confirm that everything has been received. You can expect your OPT recommendation I-20 within 7-10 business days if everything looks good. If there are questions about your application or we found a mistake in your application, you will be contacted via email.

See you at the workshop tomorrow,

Chia-Ying

Chia-Ying S. Pan | Director, International Student Services

Office of International Student Affairs | Wesleyan University
Room 024, North College | 237 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459
Zoom Meeting Room | Schedule an Appointment | Spring 2021 Drop-In Hours

 

2021 Wesleyan Summer Grants Program Information Info Session – 2/3 , 2/9, 2/18

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Note: Graduating seniors who have not previously received a Wesleyan Summer Grant are eligible to apply. Please refer to the GCC website for more details (see below).

Looking for funding for your unpaid or low-paid summer experience?

The 2021 Wesleyan Summer Grants Program will be accepting applications from February 8th – February 26th, 11:59pm.

Wesleyan Summer Grants are funding resources awarded through the Gordon Career Center which allow students to pursue no- or low-paid career-related summer experiences such as internships, faculty-mentored research, language study, volunteer work, field study, and academic programs.

The Gordon Career Center will be holding three virtual information sessions which will cover funding opportunities, eligibility and requirements, navigating the application process, and what makes a strong application. All sessions will conclude with a Q&A. Please click the event links below to register.
February 3, 3pm EST
February 9, 5pm EST
February 18, 11am EST

The list of available grants and the application can be accessed on AcademicWorks through WesPortal. For more information about the application process, please visit the Gordon Career Center website.

Don’t know where to begin or need help with your application? Schedule an appointment to meet with a career advisor.

Graduate Liberal Studies Program Info Session – 12/10

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The Wesleyan Continuing Studies office is hosting a virtual information session, on Thursday night at 7pm EST, to talk about the Accelerated MALS degree (applicants may begin earning a Master’s Degree while completing their undergraduate degree). GLS courses taken in the senior year, as part of full-time enrollment, will be included in undergraduate tuition and financial aid packages; plus they count toward residential credit count requirements.

Click here to register for the virtual event https://continue.wesleyan.edu/register/Accel

For more information, please contact:

Glenn Knight
Assistant Director, Continuing Studies
gknight01@wesleyan.edu