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Northwestern Office of International Student and Scholar Services

International Student Newsletter - May 6, 2024

Do you need a travel signature?

If you are traveling internationally over the summer and will re-enter the U.S., check your Form I-20 or DS-2019 to ensure you have a valid travel endorsement (also referred to as a "travel signature") for re-entry to the United States.

A travel signature (endorsement) is relevant only to F-1 students or J-1 students and scholars (and their dependents) who are planning to travel abroad and return to the U.S. in F or J status. This includes alumni who remain in F or J status for post-graduation F-1 OPT or J-1 AT. You must have an unexpired travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 on the date you re-enter the U.S. See the OISS F-1/J-1 Travel webpage for more details.

Request a travel signature by submitting a request on the OISS Portal or drop by the OISS Office during open hours with your I-20 or DS-2019 in hand to request a travel signature.


OISS Newsletter Schedule

The OISS Newsletter will be published once per month (on or around the first week of the month) in May, June, July and August. Be sure to like and follow OISS on Facebook and Instagram for the most up to date announcements, news and events.

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Join us for the remaining Coffee Talk sessions in Spring term!

  • When: May 17 and May 31, 3:00–4:00 p.m.
  • Where: In-person at OISS (630 Dartmouth Place) OR attend via Zoom. To receive the meeting link, please sign up with this form.
Coffee Talk is a welcoming space where attendees (international students and scholars) can: Support each other in navigating cross-cultural adjustment to academics and living in the US, 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! CAPS and OISS will provide tea, coffee and snacks for all in-person attendees.

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Have a quick question for an OISS advisor?

Check out "Web-in Wednesdays" for virtual advisement on Wednesday afternoons from 12:00–4:00 p.m. See the Web-in Wednesday webpage for more info and the link to join. Please note, students are helped individually in the order of joining the Zoom call. You will be placed in a waiting room until it is your turn. 


Buffett Institute for Global Affairs Event Highlights

May 8 - Join us for a Buffett Lecture featuring Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, journalist, and geopolitical commentator. Applebaum will explore global political and economic shifts, drawing from her expertise in world history and contemporary politics. Peter Slevin, Professor at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, will moderate the discussion. Please find the registration information here.

May 17 - Join us for a Buffett Book Talk with Frank Trentmann, author of Out of the Darkness: Germans, 1942–2022. The book explores why and how much Germans have changed since 1942 and who they are now. Please find the registration information here.

May 21 - Join us for a presentation from the Buffett Institute’s Language Curricula and Gender Global Working Group exploring their research on how foreign language curricula can reinforce, exacerbate or disrupt cultural assumptions and stereotypes about gender. Please find the registration information here.


Apply to be GLO Exchange Fellow!

The Buffett Institute's Global Learning Office (GLO), which facilitates study abroad opportunities for Northwestern undergraduates, is hiring for a new student position for the 2024–25 academic year. The GLO Exchange Fellow will liaise between GLO and Northwestern's international student community, create a peer-to-peer buddy system for incoming exchange students and more. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, May 7. Learn more about the position and apply today via the online application form.


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Career Tip from Northwestern Career Advancement 

Not sure whether to start when navigating a U.S. internship or full-time job search? Check out the international student career planning guide for tips on solidifying your career goals, recruitment timelines, preparing for on-campus recruitment and more. Please find more resources for international students from Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) here. 


Beware of Job Scams

As graduation time is approaching, navigating the job market becomes a significant focus for many recent graduates. Unfortunately, this period of transition can also attract scammers who prey on individuals eager to secure employment. Here's what you need to know:

Types of Job Scams:

  1. Fake Job Offers: Scammers might approach you with enticing job offers that promise high pay for minimal work or require you to pay upfront fees for training or materials.

  2. Phishing Emails: Job scams can also come in the form of phishing emails, where scammers impersonate legitimate companies and ask for personal information or financial details under the guise of a job application process.

How to Spot the Scam:

  1. Research the Company: Before applying for any job, research the company thoroughly. Check their website, reviews and presence on professional networking sites to ensure they are legitimate.

  2. Question Unusual Requests: Be cautious of requests for personal information like your Social Security number, bank account details or payment for training or materials. Legitimate employers typically do not ask for this upfront.

  3. Verify Job Listings: Cross-check job listings across multiple platforms. If a job is listed on the company's official website but not on reputable job boards, it could be a red flag.

Protecting Yourself

Knowledge is your best defense against scams. If something doesn't feel right or seems too good to be true, trust your instincts and seek advice from university officials or other trusted sources.

Remember, scammers prey on fear and urgency. Always take the time to verify information and consult with knowledgeable resources. The OISS team is here to support you, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns or questions.


Around Town:
Downtown Evanston Farmer's Market

The Downtown Evanston Farmer's Market will be open every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at University Place and Oak Avenue, behind the Hilton Garden Inn. This season, over 50 vendors will sell a wide variety of goods, including fruits, vegetables, meat, flowers, cheese, baked goods and more.  


Mark your calendar!


 
 

Northwestern University

Office of International Student and Scholar Services

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