Announcements

Middlebury College in Vermont

Pre-Arrival

Returning students from LOA (leave of absence): Students intending to return to Middlebury must submit the Return to Middlebury request to the College. If you have not submitted the request to return or have not received your formal approval to return, please contact your Class Dean.

• Once you are approved to return, ISSS sends an I-20 application launch email to you. If you have not seen this email and have been approved to return, please contact ISSS (isss@middlebury.edu).
• Remember: you will be required to complete a F-1 Status Check-in meeting with ISSS within the first week of your return to campus. You will receive more information about this, but this is to alert you to this required check-in to complete your return to F-1 status.

Incoming new students: Our ISSS orientation program for first-year students also includes virtual events with Orientation and ISSS. 

• Be sure you haven’t missed out on any communication and events offered by Orientation.
• Your New Student Onboarding Course has many important pre-arrival tasks that must be completed.
• Also, visit our website for International Pre-orientation information.
   

Friends of International Students (FIS) Host Program

• Do you wish to experience life outside Middlebury College?
• Would you like to meet people in the local community?

If so, we invite you to discover more about the FIS Host Program!

Upcoming ISSS Programming & Information - Spring 2025 

For Seniors

• You are graduating—now what?
  Tuesday, March 11, 4:30-5:30 PM
  Zoom link: (to be added soon)
   

For Exchange and TA (Teaching Assistant)

Please check back soon for spring term events.
 

For Everyone — ISSS Express Events + Other Opportunities

Location: Service Building, 2nd Floor, Room 209 (or where otherwise indicated)

• ISSS Express: Welcome Back!
  Friday, February 21, 3-4:30 PM
   
• ISSS Express: Art Therapy
  Join us as we explore art therapy with Mikki Lane from Counseling
  Friday, March 28, 3-4:30 PM
   
• ISSS Express: Meet the Pets of ISSS
  Friday, April 25, 3-4:30 pm

Off-campus training/employment authorization 
 

OPT Q&A Sessions - All meetings use the same Zoom information

• This post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) information session and Q&A is intended for F-1 students in their final semester.
   
• For more information, see: https://www.middlebury.edu/international-student-and-scholar-services/students/student-employment-information/optional
   
• Scheduled Sessions (Eastern Time):
  • April 18, 3-4pm
  • May 6, 3:15-4:15pm
• Zoom link: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/92358103729?pwd=EWsdaWjt1zLqiXT1ovaRCFNgvESbMV.1 
  Meeting ID: 923 5810 3729
  Password: 027863

CPT Q&A Sessions 

ISSS and CCI invite Middlebury international undergraduate students intending to apply for a summer 2025 internship/CPT must attend one of these information sessions to be eligible.

All sessions require registration (unique links provided below). Once you have registered, the zoom link will be provided in the confirmation email sent to you. It can be helpful to review the CPT Presentation in advance. 

• April 30 at 4:30-5:30 PM EST — Register here! 

Post-Graduation Immigration Options Session

ISSS invites Middlebury international undergraduate and graduate students, plus recent alumni on OPT/STEM OPT or AT, to attend this special opportunity! Our presenter will be Dan Berger, an attorney and partner at immigration law firm Green and Spiegel.

This 1.5 hour session will include a presentation and time for questions and answers.

Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025

Time: 10:00–11:30 AM Pacific Time // 1:00-2:30 PM Eastern Time

Registration (required): https://forms.gle/o4bKofoMpH34EVMw8

Location: Zoom (details provided after registration)

Important Housing & Selected Academic Calendar Information

Break Housing

• The Middlebury College residence halls remain open for Thanksgiving, February, and Spring breaks. Students staying on campus will be asked to complete the break form. No approval is needed to stay for these breaks, but students must register to stay on campus. Thanksgiving break registration will be available in late October.
• Winter recess housing will be limited, and an application will be available, usually in October/November. You must be approved to stay during the winter break, and there are no dining services available.
• Facilities and Residential Life staff may enter rooms during breaks to conduct safety checks, perform work needed, and ensure the building is closed appropriately. 

Middlebury Institute in California

Upcoming ISSS Programming - Spring 2025 

Travel Signature Drop-In

Are you planning to leave the U.S. for spring break? Then make sure to get your travel signature! Bring your I-20 or DS-2019, visa, and passport at any time to this drop-in event to get a travel signature. 

Time: May 8, 12:00-2:00 PM

Location: Morse B106

Post-Graduation Immigration Options Session

ISSS invites Middlebury international undergraduate and graduate students, plus recent alumni on OPT/STEM OPT or AT, to attend this special opportunity! Our presenter will be Dan Berger, an attorney and partner at immigration law firm Green and Spiegel.

Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025

Time: 10:00–11:30 AM Pacific Time/1:00-2:30 PM Eastern Time

Registration (required): https://forms.gle/o4bKofoMpH34EVMw8

Location: Zoom (details provided after registration)

Off-campus training/employment authorization sessions

• For F-1 students:

OPT Q&A Sessions -All meetings use the same Zoom information

This post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) information session and Q&A is intended for F-1 students in their final semester.

For more information, see: https://www.middlebury.edu/international-student-and-scholar-services/students/student-employment-information/optional
 

Scheduled Sessions (Pacific Time):

• May 6, 12:15-1:15pm
   

Zoom link: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/92358103729?pwd=EWsdaWjt1zLqiXT1ovaRCFNgvESbMV.1 
Meeting ID: 923 5810 3729
Password: 027863

CPT Information Sessions

Join International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for an information session about Curricular Practical Training (CPT), followed by time for questions. This session is intended for F-1 students who will be eligible for CPT in summer. Those who will not yet be eligible may also join for informational purposes.

Scheduled Sessions (Pacific Time):

• Apr 18, 1-2pm
• May 13, 12:30-1:30pm

Link: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/93769167311?pwd=fbi2665680FjMZCuLMYfxaVuMShLEj.1

Telephone (US): +1 669 900 6833 

Meeting ID: 937 6916 7311

Password: 391674

• For J-1 Students:

Academic Training Information Session (for off-campus employment authorization) 

Our AT event was held on February 18.

• Note: J-1 students need ISSS authorization to work on campus. Email ISSS before working.

Middlebury Schools

**Stay tuned for updates.**

General Announcements

**Stay tuned for updates.**

See our Travel Updates website tab for information about Travel, Regulatory, and Information Updates. 

Awards

In October 2022, two International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) staff members received awards at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators-Region XI Conference held in Manchester, NH.

1. Data Systems, Engagement & Operations Manager Loren Scott was recognized with the Rising Professional Award for his engagement in and contributions to the field of international education, which range from offering conference sessions at the regional and national level, being selected as a RISE Fellow and NAFSA Academy participant, providing input to articles, webinars, and trainings for Peace Corps and other organizations, assisting at a week-long intensive English program for children in Costa Rica, and more.
    
2. Associate Dean and Director of ISSS Kathy Foley was nominated by colleagues from many different institutions and selected for the Sally M. Heym Award. This recognition celebrates the many ways Kathy has elevated her staff, the field, and peers across the region. A leader and mentor who is trusted for her astute and compassionate guidance and support, Kathy joins this select group of 25 leaders in our region who are making (or have made) a difference in international education since the award’s creation in 1996.

Updated 04/14/2025