February 12, 2020   |   Week 5 

Working Off-Campus: OPT for May Grads

If you are graduating in May, it is time to decide what you want to do after graduation. There are four different options available to you once you complete your program. You have until July 18th to decide whether you would like to:

  • Apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT),
  • Apply to a new program at KSU,
  • Transfer your SEVIS to a new institution to start a new program, or
  • Leave the United States
Many of our students choose to apply for OPT, which allows F-1 visa students to work for up-to one year following graduating. However, the application process is confusing. We now offer two separate workshops to help you through.
  • Workshop I is designed to give you an introduction to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) application process. Anyone interested in attending this meeting is welcome. We highly recommend any juniors, seniors, or graduate students to attend prior to last beginning your last semester.
  • Workshop II is only for students who attended Workshop I. This workshop will review in detail the process and timeline for submitting an OPT application. All students who are graduating in the current semester or next semester are encouraged to attend.
Please read through our OPT Tutorials before attending. If you are unable to attend one or both of the workshops, please schedule an appointment only after fully reading the tutorials. 
Optional Practical Training Guide
OPT Workshop I Tutorial
OPT Workshop II Tutorial

Student Spotlight: Meet Daniel Isaac

Born and raised in England, Daniel Isaac is an ambitious mechanical engineering student with an interest in sustainability. Famous for the Big Ben clock tower and London Eye, London, England is the place Isaac calls home.

Article written by Mary Elliott, Office of Global Education Spring 2020 Intern

Read the Full Profile

We Want to Highlight YOU

Want to be our student spotlight? We will highlight someone every week throughout the academic year. If you are interested in being interviewed, email Mary Elliott at mellio19@kent.edu by putting "International Student Profile" in the subject line.
Check out previous student profiles
here.

Stand Out with a Career Brand Webinar on February 19th

As an international student, it can often be difficult to market yourself and know exactly what employers want to hear in order for you to land the job you want. You may have the skills and the drive, but this webinar is designed to help you properly set yourself apart from the competition. This FREE webinar will be on February 19th from 1:30-2:30 pm. Prizes are also available!
Register & Learn More

OGE ISSS Program Interest & Feedback Survey

The Office of Global Education and International Students and Scholar Services at Kent State University is conducting an assessment on our events. We want to know more of your interests! Please fill out this survey with feedback on our existing events, and provide suggestions on events you would like to see. Whether you are an international student, scholar, faculty, or staff who loves to engage in intercultural events, your feedback is truly important to us!
ISSS Program Survey

University Library

Kent State’s University Library offer a quiet place to study, and an abundance of resources available for students. Here students can find computers, printing, study spaces, tutoring and much more. Learn what else KSU’s University Library has to offer on their website.
University Libraries
February 10th-14th
I Heart Travel Week
Find out more about the week-long events
here.
 
February 21st
Skiing & Snow Tubing at Boston Mills Brandywine Ski Slopes from 6 pm-12 am in Peninsula, OH
Interested going skiing or tubing? This event is a steal at only $20 for tubing and $40 for skiing, which includes all skis, poles and a helmet. Transportation is also included. Register or find out more here
 
February 29th
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers at 5 pm in the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Have you been to see the Cleveland Cavaliers play yet? The event is only $30, which includes your ticket, a tour of Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, and transportation. Join us by registering here.

 
March 15th
Cleveland Monsters vs. Rochester Americans in Cleveland at 3 pm
Register now to go to see the Cleveland Monsters hockey team in action. Transportation and your ticket are included in the $10 registration fee. Register here.

 
March 18th
Cultural Café with the Philippines & Georgia from 4-5:30 pm in the KSC Ballroom Balcony
Learn about different cultures and enjoy some food at our monthly cultural café! No registration required.

March 19th
Sign & Dine from 1:30-4 pm in the OGE Lobby
Get your I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel before Spring Break 2020! While you are here in OGE, enjoy some snacks and hang out with the ISSS Advisors. No registration required.

April 15th
Culture Café with Panamanian & Deaf Cultures from 4-5:30 in the KSC Ballroom Balcony
Learn about different cultures and enjoy some food at our monthly cultural café! No registration required.

April 30th
Sign & Dine from 1:30-4 pm in the OGE Lobby
Get your I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel before summer break! While you are here in OGE, enjoy some snacks and hang out with the ISSS Advisors. No registration required.

May 1st-4th
50th Commemoration of May 4, 1970
Events will begin on Friday afternoon, May 1, and continue through the end of the traditional noon commemoration on Monday, May 4. No final exams or classes will be scheduled. 

May 7th
International Student Graduation Reception from 4-6:30 pm in the KSC Ballroom
Celebrate with friends and family whether you are graduating or someone you know. If you are preparing to graduate, we will provide a free stole. Registration for this event will reserve your stole and will be open closer to the date of the event.
OGE Calendar of Events
February 12th
International Student Pitch Contest from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Great Lakes Science Center Cleveland, Ohio
Cheer on 4 Kent State finalists at this event hosted by Global Cleveland! International Students with talent and experience in their fields will be pitching their ideas and competing for amazing prizes. For more information email Supriya Tamang at
supriya@globalcleveland.org.
 
February 14th
Valentine's Day
 
February 15th
Valentine's Gala: International Prom from 6-9 pm in the Kent Student Center Ballroom hosted by the Global Ambassadors
Join the Global Ambassadors for food, refreshments and dancing on the Saturday following Valentine's Day. Dress to impress because this is an all-out gala. 

February 19th
Latinos in the Media: The World Outside and the Pictures in our Head from 12-1 pm in White Hall Room 200, the Gerald H. Read Center
Join the School of Communication’s Director Elizabeth Graham, Ph.D., and faculty members Ikram Toumi, Ph.D., Yesim Kaptan, Ph.D. and Rekha Sharma, Ph.D. in an informative, thought provoking panel discussion of the images that we have of America’s growing Latinx population. This presentation, an invitational feature of the previous Ohio Latino Educational Summit, is being repeated to allow the Kent community to benefit from this presentation. A light lunch will be served. FLASHperks will be available, and we will take attendance for classes who are required to attend.

February 21st
International Mother Language Day
 
February 25th
An Exploration of Mood and Light, Mother Language Day from 12-1 pm in White Hall Room 200, the Gerald H. Read Center
Our international students, already away from home and using English as a 2nd language can feel a sense of loss. Couple those feelings with the dark and cold days of winter here in Ohio, and depression, loneliness and anxiety may appear. Alex Silverio, a Puerto Rican student, wrote a paper for one of her classes about SAD--Seasonal Affect Disorder—and ways to take care of skin and hair in the cold weather. It made us think about the effect of mood and resiliency in the dark and cold February. Alex will work with intern Esther Sijuwade and international students in designing this exploration of light and mood. Refreshments will be available. FLASHperks will be available for undergraduate students. Attendance verification will take place for those who require students to attend.
 
March 3rd
Fulbright TEA Participants Technology Posters from 1-5 pm in White Hall Room 200, the Gerald H. Read Center
Fulbright TEA Scholars from Eastern Europe and Central Asia will share posters defining problems to be solved by creative uses of technology to improve the teaching and learning in their home schools. Countries represented will be Ukraine, Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkey. FLASHperks will be available and snacks will be provided. Class sign-in process will document attendance. Refreshments will be served.
 
March 5th
Fulbright TEA Participants Media Literacy Present from 9 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm in White Hall Room 200, the Gerald H. Read Center
Fulbright TEA Participants will share their media literacy projects. Media Literacy is affecting their newer democracies, and these Fulbright international teachers will help lead the next generation on being more critical consumers of media. During their residency here at Kent State University, they have learned to combat disinformation, fake news, and propaganda. Teachers are from Czech Republic, Bosnia Herzegovina Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Northern Macedonia, Romania, Ukraine, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. FLASHperks will be available and snacks will be provided. Class attendance can be planned if requested. Refreshments will be served.

March 10th
International Women's Day

International Women's Day from 12-1 pm in White Hall Room 200, the Gerald H. Read Center
International students will present how women in their home country are moving and innovating for a better future. More information will be forth coming. FLASHperks will be available, and a light lunch as well.
 
April 9th & 10th
35th Annual Graduate Research Symposium in the Kent Student Center
Master’s students, doctoral students and post-docs are invited to present or perform at Kent State University's 35th annual Graduate Research Symposium. Poster presentations and fine arts performances will be scheduled for Thursday, April 9. Oral and session presentations will be held on Friday, April 10. 
Register by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 7th  for a chance to win awards for your presentation or performance. Questions should be directed to Srijana Bhandari at sbhanda3@kent.edu.

April 22nd
Earth Day
 
April 24th
Population Connection and Earth Day from 11 am-2 pm in White Hall Room 200, the Gerald H. Read Center
Population Connection (from Washington DC) will work with attendees on the latest global challenges with practical lessons, and activities. Participants go home with links and materials for use in the classroom. This program is designed for pre-service teachers at all levels and in any subject.

Population can be linked to global challenges ranging from traffic congestion and pollution to loss of biodiversity and climate change. These lessons engage students in many of the environmental, social, and economic issues impacted by population. Hands-on, engaging, and fun, these activities challenge students to tackle real global issues through data and graphic analysis, lab simulations, role-playing games, argumentative writing, and more. Each lesson can stand alone or easily be inserted into established units and course plans. Practical and many resources are shared. FLASHperks will be available, and a light lunch is provided.
May 1st-4th
50th Commemoration of May 4, 1970
Events will begin on Friday afternoon, May 1, and continue through the end of the traditional noon commemoration on Monday, May 4. No final exams or classes will be scheduled. 
KSU Calendar of Events

Spring 2020 Advising Schedule

Phone Walk-In Appointment SSN Signatures
Monday 1:30-4 pm Not Available 9-11:30 am & 1:30-4 pm Not Available
Tuesday 1:30-4 pm Not Available 9-11:30 am & 1:30-4 pm Not Available
Wednesday 9-11:30 am 9-11 am & 1:30-3:45 pm Not Available 11 am & 3 pm Only
Thursday Not Available Not Available Not Available Not Available
Friday 9-11:30 am Not Available 9-11:30 am & 1:30-4 pm Not Available

You can make an appointment via KSU Advising in your FlashLine. To reach us by phone, call +1 (330) 672-7980. If no advising is available, contact isss@kent.edu.
International Admissions Advising
Education Abroad Advising


Contact Us

Office of Global Education
International Student and Scholar Services
625 Loop Road
106 Van Campen Hall
Kent, Ohio 44242
Phone: +1 (330) 672-7980
Email:
isss@kent.edu
Website: www.kent.edu/isss
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