Weekly International Newsletter

Student Spotlight - Sahiba Gaba

Hello Raiders,

My name is Sahiba Gaba. I am an international student from the capital of India, New Delhi. New Delhi is the second-largest city in India, so it is all at once calm and chaotic. Moving from such a large city to a calm one like Dayton was a nice change.

I have been a raider for four years; I came to the United States back in 2017 and started with my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting at Wright State University. My journey here at Wright State has been amazing! When I first moved here, I was nervous about how the environment would be and how the people would be. I was pleasantly surprised to adjust at Wright State so quickly and easily. It was nice to see so many other international students and to be able to connect with them.

I graduated in Spring 2021 and am continuing my journey as a raider with my Master’s in Accounting degree. As an international student, I was happy to see such a diverse community at Wright State. I never felt like I was away from home. All the staff, professors, and the students here are great and very supportive! I am thankful to the UCIE staff who are dedicated to helping their international students in all the ways possible to make their journey at Wright State wonderful.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Email us at askucie@wright.edu if you would like to be featured

in our next Student Spotlight!

News and Updates

A timely COVID reminder

Due to the Omicron variant and the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Wright State University will keep the indoor mask policy at the start of Spring Semester. All students, faculty, staff, and visitors will continue to be required to wear a face mask when inside all buildings.

Wright State strongly encourages everyone who is able to get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster. Wright State will again offer vaccinations and boosters during Spring Semester at the Dayton Campus Testing and Vaccination Center. Everyone also encouraged to take at-home COVID tests both before and after traveling or gathering with family and friends over winter break.

Read More Here

Have you updated your

address and phone number?

***It is mandatory for all F-1/J-1 students to update their address and phone number in WINGS, as a part of Maintenance of Status visa regulations. It is a serious violation of your visa status if you do not report your correct contact information within

10 days of ANY change ***

How to update your personal contact info?

Log in to wings.wright.edu with your Campus 'w' username and password
Click on the 'WINGS Express' icon in the top righthand corner
Select the 'Personal Information' tab
Click on 'Update Addresses and Phones'
Enter your up-to-date phone number, and click 'Submit'
While there, update your current home address

𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲:

The UCIE and most Wright State offices will be closed starting Friday, December 24th and will reopen Tuesday, January 4th. During this time, paperwork and email may not be processed. In case of emergencies, please contact the University Police at 937-775-2111. We will look forward to hearing from you on Tuesday, January 4th. 𝘏𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴!

New International Students

Arriving for the Spring 2022 semester? Please check out our arrival page for more information about Spring 2022 Virtual International Student Orientation, Transportation, How to Register for Classes, Submitting Your Medical History Form, Check-in Process, and much more.

Arrival Page

Resource Guide

Q&A Session

Did you just arrive in the US or planning to get here soon?

We will be holding a Question & Answer Session to answer any of your questions (housing, registration,

transportation, etc.).

Wednesday, December 29

Friday, December 31

All sessions start at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time

Join Here

New Requirements for Air Travelers to the U.S.

Updated Pre-departure Testing Requirements for Air Travelers to the U.S.

Starting on December 6, air travelers aged two and older, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, are required to show documentation of a negative viral test result taken within one day of the flight’s departure to the United States before boarding. You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight. That includes all travelers – U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and foreign nationals.

Updated Requirements for Air Travelers to the U.S. due to COVID-19 and the Omicron Variant

On November 26, and at the advice of the President’s Chief Medical Advisor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Administration announced it will restrict travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe starting on November 29 due to concerns over the new Omicron variant.

CDC Order

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Order, which took effect November 8, 2021, requires all non-immigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the United States to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to the United States remains in effect.

Read More Here

Leadership Opportunities

Become a Student Ambassador

Have you considered becoming a Student Ambassador? The Undergraduate Admissions office is looking for additional Spring semester Student Ambassadors! If you are interested in applying or know a student that would be a great fit, apply on Handshake.

Application is open until

January 7^th

If any one has a question they can email paige.smith@wright.edu

or Kaelyn Bertsch at

Bertsch.12@wright.edu.

Apply Here

Important Deadlines

Jan. 10, 2022 - First Day of Classes (Spring Semester)
Jan. 10, 2022 - $100 late registration fee begins for initial enrollment on or after this date
Jan. 14, 2022 - Last day to change audit status
Jan. 21, 2022 - Registration Cancellation- Prior Term Balance
Jan. 28, 2022 - Deadline to Request Diploma Pick-Up

Click here to view full academic calendar.

Immigration Station

Request Travel Signature

Are you traveling and need to get your I-20 signed? You must request it in advance by clicking the link below.

Travel Signature Request

Immigration Q & A

Got questions for our Immigration team? Join us live on WebEx:

Tuesdays & Thursdays at 3-4pm.

Join the session

Spring/Summer 2022 Health Insurance

Spring/Summer 2022 Health

Insurance Premium

All international students were billed $1227 for their insurance.

This coverage is from January 10, 2022 to August 14/2022, combining both the Spring and Summer semesters.

The health insurance premium this year is 25% lower than in previous years.

To keep this premium low, WSU opted for an annual plan that is payable in two installments (Fall & Spring/Summer)

Therefore, insurance waivers will only be granted when:

Student has coverage through a U.S. based insurance from an employer, the employer of a spouse, parents, governmental sponsors such as SACM, or is graduating on Spring 2022.

Insurance waiver requests may be submitted electronically no later than Friday, January 21, 2022. You must submit proof of coverage or proof of graduation, such as graduation receipt showing you paid to apply for graduation.

SUBMIT INSURANCE WAIVER HERE

Reminders

Working Off Campus without

CPT Authorization is ILLEGAL

F-1 visa regulations 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) allow international students to ONLY work on campus. Off campus work is limited to internships/co-ops after 2 full time semesters after UCIE APPROVAL ONLY. Working off campus in any other capacity is illegal and if caught could lead to SEVIS Termination and possibly deportation.

OPT Application 2021

OPT Application Submission

for Fall 2021

If you are an international student graduating in the Fall 2021 semester, you may start applying for OPT on September 12, 2021.

Please use this link to access and complete all required documents for the OPT application.

Choose an OPT start date between December 11, 2021 and February 8, 2022. The final date for Fall 2021 graduates to submit application materials for OPT is February 8, 2022.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have any reservations regarding graduation for Fall 2021 semester, please do not apply for OPT until after semester end grades have been posted.

Maintaining status on OPT is still the same as usual

You are permitted only 90 days of unemployment between the start and end dates on your EAD card. In addition, you are required to report the following information through the SEVP Portal while on OPT within 10 days from the change:

1. When you start a new job.

2. When you change addresses.

3. Periods of unemployment.

4. 6-month validation (You can email fei.yu@wright.edu after you update your employment information and residential address through SEVP Portal)

Can I travel back to my home country during OPT period?

Please be aware that if you are unemployed for more than 90 days, you will lose your OPT status. Also, during this uncertain time, we do not suggest international travel as there is no guarantee of open borders.

Access OPT Instructions Here

Join the Tuesday/Thursday Event Here

Join the Wednesday Event Here

Fraudulent Advisory

Be aware of Phishing and Fake Job Offer Scams that you may receive in your email. CaTS has noticed a recent increase in the number of phishing attempts, specifically fake job offer scams and gift card exchanges, targeting Wright State faculty, staff, and students.