Friday, February 9th, 2024

Hello Raiders!

Check out the latest news and updates from the University Center for International Education for Wright State international community.

Student Spotlight is a great opportunity to share fun facts about yourself, your journey to Wright State University, your achievements, and the things you like the most about studying here. 

Every student story is unique and our international students would love to hear yours!

Submit your Spotlight to askucie@wright.edu

In 2024, the Lunar New Year, welcomes the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese zodiac. This auspicious occasion is marked by vibrant festivities, cultural traditions, and family gatherings in Asian communities globally.

During the Lunar New Year festivities, people engage in various customs such as cleaning their homes to sweep away bad luck, exchanging gifts, and enjoying elaborate feasts with symbolic dishes. Traditional activities like dragon and lion dances, fireworks display, and the giving of red envelopes containing money symbolize luck and prosperity for the coming year. It's a time of joy, renewal, and reflection on cultural heritage and familial bonds.

The International Student Support Group aims to create a space where fellow international students can connect, share experiences, and support each other. This group will start in the first/second week of February (days and timings to be decided on the basis of participant preferences as shared during the pre-group meetings). We will be meeting every Friday from 2-3 pm in the Counseling and Wellness Service group room. This is an open group, you do not need any pre-meetings or interviews to join. 

 We are currently looking for up to 7-8 students to join this support group. If you are interested or know someone who might benefit from being a part of this community, please reach out to me at hira.3@wright.edu. Your involvement and referrals would be greatly appreciated!

 Students can also to register for this group through:

• Walk-ins
• Calling the CWS Main Number (937-775-3407)

It is that time of the year to file your taxes! Whether you are a working student or a non-working student, you are required to file a tax return for 2024. 

UCIE will be hosting workshops to guide you through filing taxes from late February or early March. More information will be sent to your WSU email. Make sure you are checking and reading them! 

Want to learn more about why you need to file taxes? Visit the Sprintax webpage to gather more information about filing taxes in the United States. 

Since Tushar Gandhi's arrival in the Dayton area on Jan. 19, he visited several places of history and interest in the Dayton area, including the International Peace Museum, Wright brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar sites, and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

If you are an international student graduating in the Spring 2024 semester, you may start applying for OPT after January 29, 2024. 

Please use the link below to access and complete all required documents for the OPT application:

OPT Information | University Center for International Education

Choose an OPT start date between January 29  – June 25, 2024. If you already have a job offer or are regularly interviewing now, choose an earlier date. If you have not, choose a later date.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have ANY reservations regarding graduation for Spring 2024 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 of the change:

1. When you start a new job.

2. When you change addresses.

3. Periods of unemployment.

4. 6-month validation 

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.

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. 

• February 23 - Summer Class Registration Opens
• February 26 to March 1 - Spring break
• March 4 - Fall and Spring registration begins
• March 15 - Last day to drop course with a W grade

Registration is required, limited seats open!!

Great Escape Game

Escape games have come to Dayton, and it’s a different entertainment experience!

Each Game is a real-life escape room adventure for a small group. Work together as a team to escape the room before time runs out. Escape games are perfect for groups of friends, family, or coworkers. Solving puzzles and cracking codes, you'll have a great time - but remember, you have just one hour to escape your room!

Date & Time: look at the website

Location: 2332 Grange Hall Rd., Beavercreek, OH 45431

Riverscape Ice Skating

Sheltered under the covered pavilion at Riverscape, the region's largest outdoor ice rink is located in Downtown Dayton. Don't miss the fun!

Date & Time: look at the website.

Location: 111 E. Monument Avenue, Dayton, OH 45402 



All You Care To Eat for sandwiches, salads, homemade soups, wood-fired pizzas, grilled favorites, international cuisine and much more on campus!!!

Students, do explore the menu below and you can print them too.

"You can't understand a city without using it's Public Transportation System" - Erol Ozan

We have so many facilities that Wright State University provides and request you to use them for yourself.

Student organizations are a great way to meet people who share your interests, develop leadership skills, and make an impact on the university and community, all while having fun. We have more than 140 student organizations to choose from.

Explore our current student organizations at wright.edu/engage.

WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY

224 Student Union

3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.

Dayton, OH 45435 USA

937-775-5745