蘑菇传媒

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Office for Global Engagement International Services Office
Resources
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Events and Programs

Explore upcoming programming and past events聽put on by ISO for our international community.

To register for International Services Office events, please .

Want event support for your student organization’s cultural event? Visit our Student Organization Support page and fill out a form to request support.

Events and programming

Upcoming events

New student programming

Visit our Orientation and Welcome Events page聽to learn more about the orientation process and for past event recordings. We also have a variety of new student resources聽to help you prepare for your time in Rochester.

Orientation events

Past events archive

Review a collection of past recorded events, broken out by audience below. If you have questions or trouble accessing these presentations, please contact our office.

For current students

Understanding the STEM OPT Extension
  • Date: April 10, 2026
  • Overview: Are you an F-1 student interested in extending your U.S. work experience after OPT? This workshop is designed for F-1 students and recent graduates in STEM-designated programs. ISO will walk you through the qualifications, what employers must do, how to complete the Form I-983 training plan and important reporting timelines. Join us to get head start on your STEM OPT planning!
U.S. Visa Interview Webinar
  • Date: June 13, 2025
  • Overview: Learn more about the U.S. visa process from a former U.S. foreign service officer.
International Student & Scholar Tax Overview
  • Date: March 20, 2026
  • Overview: Learn more about the United States tax reporting obligations for international students and scholars at the URochester. We will discuss tax filing requirements and resources available to help you navigate the process.
F-1 & J-1 Student Resident Alien Tax Webinar
  • Date: January 15, 2025
  • 翱惫别谤惫颈别飞:听Steve Kunkle, CPA, Tax Manager at Brighton Securities will provide some general guidance on the U.S. tax filing obligations for F-1 and J-1 students who are considered resident for federal tax purposes. Get expert advice from a seasoned professional who understands the unique tax challenges faced by international students.
Student On-Campus Employment, SSN, & Tax
  • Date: January 7, 2025
  • Overview: In this webinar, you will learn more about how to get on-campus employment at the URochester, how to get a Social Security Number (SSN), and tax withholding for on-campus positions.
Scam Prevention Workshop
  • Date: January 30, 2026
  • Overview: International students are often targets of scams in the U.S., but there are many strategies you can use to protect yourself from scammers. In this hybrid webinar, we’ll discuss common types of scams impacting international students, red flag scammer tactics, and methods to avoid getting scammed. We’ll also look at some scam data collected over the past few years about the impact of scams on international students at the URochester.
The National Interest Waiver for International Students & Recent Graduates
  • Date: May 23, 2023
  • Overview: In recent years, several policy changes have made the National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition a more attractive and viable pathway for international students and graduates to pursue US permanent residence. This is especially true for those pursuing advanced degrees in a STEM field. This presentation discusses the NIW eligibility criteria and timeline, and the NIW鈥檚 benefits relative to other filing categories. This presentation also offers information on steps and strategies to position yourself for success in a future NIW filing.
Life After F-1: Immigration Planning for International Students
  • Date: May 18, 2023
  • Overview: This presentation explores the visa options available to international students following an F-1 program. We discuss the eligibility criteria, application process, and potential challenges for a range of temporary visa categories, including the H-1B, J-1 , L-1, O-1, and the E-2. We also discuss options for permanent residence sponsorship, including labor certifications and National Interest Waiver petitions.
Canadian Entry: Opportunities for Living and Working in Canada
  • Date: February 8, 2023
  • Overview: Representatives from the Immigration section of the Consulate General of Canada conducted a presentation and covered a wide range of topics, including:
    • the process to become a Canadian Permanent Resident
    • opportunities to work in Canada
Academic Internships & F-1 CPT Application Procedures
  • Date: February 27, 2026
  • Overview:
    Graduating soon? Now鈥檚 the time to start planning your F-1 work authorization! This workshop breaks down everything you need to know about F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)鈥攚hat it is how to apply for it, and how to use it. We鈥檒l also cover travel rules, unemployment limits, the STEM OPT extension, and what to expect if you later pursue an H-1B. This session is open to F-1 students from all 蘑菇传媒 schools, undergraduate and graduate. Since you can apply for post-completion OPT as early as 90 days before finishing your program, graduating this term means it鈥檚 the perfect time to get started!

For scholars, employees, and faculty

H-1B Departmental E-Form Training
J-1 Scholar E-Form Training
J Exchange Visitor Program and H-1B Specialty Occupation Worker
  • Date: October 6, 2022
  • Overview: A webinar providing an in-depth presentation on the J Exchange Visitor Program and the H-1B Specialty Occupation Worker. Topics include: An overview of each process; Services provided by the ISO for J Exchange Visitors and H-1B workers; a department鈥檚 responsibilities and requirements for each process and more. By the end of the session, you will have a greater understanding of these two visa categories most often used to bring international scholars and employees to the University.

For everyone

Tax Town Hall (January 19, 2024)
  • Overview: Learn more about the United States tax filing obligations for international students, scholars, and employees at the URochester. We also discuss the resources available to help you navigate the process.