Announcements
Find information about upcoming events for international students and scholars along with news and headlines! Scroll down to find information for Middlebury College and the Middlebury Institute as well as ISSS General Announcements.
Middlebury College in Vermont
Upcoming Programming for International Students
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!
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 Pre-orientation program for first-year students also includes virtual events with Orientation and ISSS.
Confirmation of Participation form registration is due December 1.
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.
Spring Term 2025 Programming & Information
For Seniors
You are graduating; now what?
Tuesday, March 11, 4:30-5:30 PM
Zoom link:
After Graduation Plans form is past due! For those who have not submitted it yet, please do so immediately!
Link: https://forms.gle/yMp4xviiVR74g7SC6
For First Years
DPS: Safety
Wednesday, February 12, 5-6:30 PM
Service Building 209
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
For Exchange and TA (Teaching Assistant)
Please check back soon for spring term events.
Off-campus training/employment authorization sessions
OPT Q&A Sessions for Middlebury College students during Spring Term
Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) information session and Q&A for F-1 students. This session is intended for F-1 students in their final semester. More information: https://www.middlebury.edu/international-student-and-scholar-services/students/student-employment-information/optional
Scheduled Sessions:
February 11, 3:15-4:15pm
February 25, 3:15-4:15pm
March 14, 3-4pm
March 27, 3-4pm
April & May dates TBD
Zoom link: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/92358103729?pwd=EWsdaWjt1zLqiXT1ovaRCFNgvESbMV.1
Meeting ID: 923 5810 3729
Password: 027863
CPT Q&A Sessions-All sessions require registration (unique links provided below)
It can be helpful to review the CPT Presentation in advance.
Please check back soon for the dates of our spring term sessions.
Once you have registered, the zoom link will be provided in the confirmation email sent to you.
Post-Graduation Immigration Options Session with Dan Berger of Green & Spiegel
ISSS invites Middlebury international undergraduate and graduate students, plus recent alumni on OPT/STEM OPT or AT, to attend this special opportunity! 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 and Selected Academic Calendar Dates
Break Housing
- The residence halls stay open for Thanksgiving, February and Spring breaks, and students staying will be asked to complete the break form. No approval is needed to stay for these breaks, but students must sign up 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 later in the semester. You must be approved to stay over 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 Programming
Off-campus training/employment authorization sessions
- For F-1 students:
OPT Q&A Sessions -All meetings use the same Zoom information
Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) information session and Q&A for F-1 students. This session is intended for F-1 students in their final semester. More information: https://www.middlebury.edu/international-student-and-scholar-services/students/student-employment-information/optional
Scheduled Sessions:
February 11, 12:15-1:15pm
February 25, 12:15-1:15pm
March 14, 12-1pm
March 27, 12-1pm
April & May dates TBD
Zoom link: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/92358103729?pwd=EWsdaWjt1zLqiXT1ovaRCFNgvESbMV.1
Meeting ID: 923 5810 3729
Password: 027863
- For J-1 Students:
-
Academic Training Information Session (for off-campus employment authorization)
Session to be held in February or March, time to be announced soon.Note: J-1 students need ISSS authorization to work on campus. Email ISSS before working.
-
Post-Graduation Immigration Options Session with Dan Berger of Green & Spiegel
ISSS invites Middlebury international undergraduate and graduate students, plus recent alumni on OPT/STEM OPT or AT, to attend this special opportunity! 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)
General Announcements
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) & International Programs and Off-Campus Study (IPOCS) represented Middlebury well at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators-Region XI Conference held in Manchester, NH from Oct. 18-20, 2022. See highlights below.
1. As NAFSA Region XI Chair for 2022, Assistant Director of ISSS Christy Fry oversaw the first in-person regional conference for international educators in New England since fall 2019. With 276 attendees (42% were first-time participants), it was a resounding success! Two pre-conference workshops and more than 45 sessions and events took place over the three days. Christy led the 22-person regional team in offering an engaging conference that provided opportunities for professional development, networking, plus social and self-care events. Two of three regional awardees were from Middlebury! (See the PIE News post about the conference and see below for photos.)
2. 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.
3. Associate Dean and Director of ISSS Kathy Foley was nominated by colleagues who represent many different institutions and was chosen 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.
4. Middlebury’s Christy Fry and Loren Scott co-led a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Roundtable session. Fifteen participants actively engaged in dialogue and discussion about lived experiences and best practices for making our field and our offices more attentive to DEI principles. The conversation also focused on identifying effective ways within Region XI and NAFSA to operationalize the many ideas generated.
5. Middlebury C.V. Schools Abroad showcased our 37 sites abroad and our 13 language schools at the Exhibit Hall. Assistant Director of University Relations Catherine Pierattini and Director of our School in Puerto Rico Teresa Peña-Jordán met with conference attendees to discuss opportunities for students to participate in our programs.
Middlebury Schools
**Stay tuned for updates.**
Updated 02/04/2025