UTA OIE

03/29/2022

Mavericks!🤙

I-Week is just around the corner, and we have some fun events in store for you! Mark your calendars!

Come join us and experience the diverse culture that our wonderful campus offers.

See y'all next week!

03/01/2022

Are you interested in learning a new language, brushing-up on your language skills, learning about different cultures, and making new friends? Then the Language Exchange Program is for you.

The Language Exchange Program is a free program, and a great opportunity to pick-up a new language, teach your own language, learn about other cultures, and make new friends. Tell us which language(s) you wish to learn, and we will try to pair you with a fluent/native speaker who wants to learn a language you speak. The Global Engagement team will attempt to find partners for all language learners on a first come first serve basis, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.

02/11/2022

AND WE ARE BACK!
The Global Engagement department with the Office of International Education is thrilled to announce that we will be resuming with Global Grounds this Thursday - a tradition that takes place weekly where students meet other students and faculty from around the globe and get a chance to network and build relations, as well as enjoy the infamous 'Global Grounds Chai'.
We hope to see you all there!
UC Palo Duro Lounge, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

01/25/2022

Welcome Back Mavericks!! Stop by the Activity Fair and be part of the UTA spirit #MavUp 🤙
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“Held at the start of each fall and spring semester, Activity Fair Day is a chance for UT Arlington student organizations, departments, and community agencies to showcase their services, interests, and involvement opportunities to the campus community. Activity Fair Day is a prime opportunity to meet face-to-face with an array of campus and community resources. It's a great way to begin or expand your co-curricular involvement. Join us Wednesday, January 26 from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the UC Mall. Find the Maverick Involvement Team table for a free UTA t-shirt!”

09/14/2021

Are you an international student interested in working off-campus after graduation? Come to our 1st OPT seminar of the semester on Wednesday, September 15 at 2 pm!

If you are completing your program this semester or want to plan ahead for May, this is a fantastic opportunity to get a comprehensive review of the entire OPT application process. We will review the forms, the timelines, how to choose your requested dates, what to expect, how to calculate days of unemployment, and so much more! We will also be taking questions at the conclusion of the presentation.

The seminar will take place as a Microsoft Teams Live Event and can be accessed by clicking the link in our bio.

We would love for you to join us tomorrow!

12/04/2020

Calling all international students 📢

Apply to be a Spring 2021 Global Connections Partner!

Help other UTA students learn about your home country, expand your UTA network, and help build intercultural understanding and appreciation.

If selected, you'll be paired with a small group of undergraduate geography students for one semester and interact with them through video messages!

Apply today at https://www.questionpro.com/t/AQiDPZj1tv

12/03/2020

Thank you to everyone who stopped by Global Grounds on the Go today!

We'll do this again next semester, so stay tuned for those dates. Good luck on your final exams and projects!

#UTA #utarlington #mavup

12/03/2020

Join us for a Global Grounds (to-go style!) on Thursday, December 3 from 12 pm to 2 pm on the UC Mall!

Stop by to say hello and get a free hot drink, on us! Please wear a mask when standing within 6 feet of others 😊

11/30/2020

Join conversation

Are you interested in working off-campus during Spring or Summer 2021? Join us for a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) seminar today at 2 pm!

Link to join: https://bit.ly/3odPDs3

11/16/2020

Happy International Education Week! We have some great virtual events planned every day this week!

To join, visit go.uta.edu/iew and follow along on Instagram at @uta.oie 🌏

11/11/2020

International Education Week is Nov 16-20, and we're kicking it off with the Study Abroad Success Series: Becoming a Global Leader!

Becoming a global leader doesn’t have to wait! Join @utastudyabroad and @utaleadership as we provide tools for developing critical leadership skills while studying abroad or at home!

If you can't join us, recordings of our sessions are available and can be accessed through our website, studyabroad.uta.edu.

11/05/2020

Are you an F-1 student interested in working in the United States after OPT? Join us for an H-1B seminar with guest speaker Toki Olowo! You will learn about your immigration options and will have time to talk with lawyers and ask questions!

Friday, November 6, 1 pm-2:30 pm

To join the virtual event, visit uta.edu/oie

10/23/2020

Thank you to everyone who came to our virtual Global Grounds yesterday- it was great to see you all again! And special thanks to @utajcs for hosting with us!

Check out the JCS Aki Fashion Show tonight at 6:00 pm! Visit their page for more info.

09/21/2020

Calling all student orgs: OIE would be happy to promote your upcoming events! Just share the information with us here or via email, and we'll help spread the word! 🌍

09/21/2020

Check out some great programs being offered by our friends at the Follett Student Leadership Center! For additional information about these programs, visit uta.edu/leadership !

08/25/2020

Join us for the virtual Mavs Meet convocation tonight!! Where in the world will you be watching from?

#maverickstampede #UTA

07/07/2020

Please read the following UTA statement on changes to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations.

05/21/2020

The Arlington Salvation Army has emergency food for anyone who is hungry. Distribution day is every Friday, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Food includes non-perishables, and can be picked up curbside.

Address: 712 W. Abram, Arlington 76013. Pickups will take place at the west side of the building at the grassy circle drive.You do not have to get out of the car, and staff will put the food in your backseat or trunk. If you have questions, you can call 314-882-4972 for more information.

04/22/2020

Here's another story from a student learning to adjust during this pandemic!

By Muhasina

"The COVID-19 pandemic is a life altering experience. It feels like just yesterday that the world was going on at its normal pace and suddenly, here we are. International students, like myself, are separated from their friends, family and loved ones. While I am grateful that I have the comfort of living in an apartment I call home, I cannot help but be heartbroken about the thousands of people who are breathing their last every day. As an international student, life during this pandemic is not easy to say the least. However, the help I have received from UTA in such trying times is commendable. The UTA community has helped international students feel safe and ensured that they are not alone. Narrowing down a bit, for graduate students like myself, I believe our advisors have acted as backbones and done their level best to stand by their students. From allowing students to work from home although it has impacts on the progress of research to engaging them in fun activities in order to ensure sound physical and mental health. I know that the period that we are going through is extremely difficult and unlike anything we have experience. However, we need to believe that “This, too, shall pass”. We need to remain positive and hope for a better tomorrow because there is always light at the end of the tunnel."

04/20/2020

UTA Division of Student Affairs

UTA Division of Student Affairs

Our UTA community, filled with students, faculty and staff are so much stronger together! We appreciate each and everyone of our Mavericks. We are sticking together through these tough times.

Here is one of the many videos (video 1) that we made thanks to the Mavericks around campus! 💙🧡

#UTAStrong #UTARemote The University of Texas at Arlington UTA OIE UT Arlington College of Science

04/17/2020

Thank you to everybody who participated in our first virtual Global Grounds yesterday! We loved seeing your messages and photos!

And special thanks to the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies for hosting with us! To learn more about their programs, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fq3z3q0T-CY2Pv3deeumHqJmMeNOlEhX8_8Co5KvZnc/viewform?edit_requested=true

04/15/2020

Jane Cloud is a Biology and Exercise Science double major from Meknes, Morocco. She is in the Global Mavericks program and has frequently participates in and volunteers for other OIE programs, including Global Grounds, the Language Exchange Program, and International Peer Advisors. Jane is also involved in the Leadership Honors Program, the Honors College, and the Office of Undergraduate Research. She spoke with us about some of her experiences:

“I chose UTA because of the value the university places on diversity. There are few things I love more than learning about people’s history and their culture and how it impacts them as a person. I remember when I was transitioning to life in the US and how intimidating the culture seemed at times. One of the things that impacted me the most were kind individuals who made me feel welcome and made sure I had the resources I needed to succeed. I want to give back to others and help international students feel at home at UTA. I started volunteering with the Department of Global Engagement because it is all about bringing people together, no matter the differences, and because I am passionate about understanding others and learning from their experiences.

As an international peer advisor, I am placed in a group with other leaders who have the same vision. My favorite thing is getting to know them on a deeper level while welcoming international students to UTA! Global Mavericks on the other hand challenges you to be more open-minded, a thoughtful communicator, and an individual who thinks more deeply about how we each play a role in shaping the world around us. One piece of advice I would give to new students is to take advantage of every opportunity you can. Study hard, but be intentional about developing meaningful friendships and joining organizations you’re passionate about from Day 1. Don’t tell yourself you have time to join later; it’s so much more rewarding to get involved early. I’m excited for you and I hope you have the most amazing time at UTA!”

04/14/2020

Join us for our first ever virtual Global Grounds this Thursday, April 16, from 4:00-5:00 pm (Central Time)! To participate, post a photo or short video of yourself having a cup of tea or coffee at home and tag this account, plus #UTAglobalgrounds . Your post will be an entry for a chance to win one of five $10 Amazon gift cards!

Follow along here and on our @uta.oie Instagram page to see messages from Global Grounds friends at their homes around the world. We also have some things to share from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, who is our co-host for the week!

We can't wait to virtually see you on Thursday!

04/10/2020

Here's another contest entry from a UTA student learning to study and work remotely in Seattle! Remember to share your story with us at [email protected] by April 20 for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

By Zainab from Karachi, Pakistan:

"I have been working from home, which currently for me is Seattle. I feel like this is a very tough time for the international students, because at this point not only are we stuck in a place where we just live as students but can not even return back to our countries because some of them are under lockdown. We came to the US to study, work and get experience but amidst the four walls and teams/zoom that is not fully experienced to its utmost possibility. We are far away from friends here, back home and from our families. And so, despite all these cons, we need to be stronger than ever and emerge more successful from this time. Rather than being sad or stressed. Walk, run or take a hike- nature is your best source of not only relaxing and lessening your stress but overall health. So make use of this time, talk to your family and friends via phone and work on yourself. Here are pictures of my pastimes these days, running by the water and hiking."

04/07/2020

We miss seeing you all on campus, and we would like to stay connected during this time! Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing students' stories about their hometowns or life changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These photos and stories have been submitted by UTA students for an OIE contest. Five lucky winners will be selected to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and winners will be announced on April 22. Additional details were emailed to all current UTA international students on Friday, April 3. To enter, or for additional information, email [email protected]

Here is one of the stories we've received so far:

By Anica from Kroonstad:

"People hate Kroonstad at first, before they learn to love it. It is a small town in the middle of South Africa, in the countryside surrounded by all kinds of farms ranging from corn farms, cattle farms, to lion farms. There is no hustle or bustle, and the most traffic you will get is a 10-minute delay to get from one side of town to the other. Instead of fast-food restaurants on every corner, we have little shops with home-baked goods made by anyone that loves baking. Freshly baked scones, cakes, cookies, and bread are everywhere. At every robot (which is what we call a traffic light), someone will try to sell you some fresh fruit, African art, or the daily newspaper. No one is in a rush to get anywhere, and no one is frustrated from sitting in traffic. This might explain why every single person in town is so friendly. Everyone knows everyone, and probably everyone’s parents and grandparents as well. It is the type of town where you can expect to be warmly welcomed with a basket of cookies from your neighbors if you are new to town, and you can be sure to be invited to MANY barbecues. In fact, people from Kroonstad take their barbecues so seriously that they already had a lockdown barbecue where everyone lit their fires at the same time from their own home to show their spirits won’t be crushed by a pandemic. People might find the town boring at first, but it makes you appreciate and enjoy the simple things. Entertainment options are limited so you have to settle for going for a bike ride with friends, take a walk around the neighborhood, or have a picnic next to the river and enjoy the warm South African sun."

04/02/2020

UTA | Office of International Education

A special message for our international students and scholars, from the Office of International Education (OIE):

Dear International Students and Scholars,

This is a stressful and confusing time for everyone, and it’s difficult to make decisions and plan for the future amidst confusion and quickly-changing policies. The Office of International Education cares about your well-being and health, and we are here to provide support and resources for you. Please let us know what you need from us.

It is troublesome that some scammers are taking advantage of these circumstances to spread false information to you. Some of you received a fake email from someone named "Michael Mack" who claimed to work for OIE. This email is 100% false and should be deleted immediately. Official communication from our office will be posted on our website (uta.edu/oie), or it will come via email from [email protected]. If you have any questions, you can contact us at [email protected] too. You should also take a look at uta.edu/security for guidelines on how to identify a potential scam. If you receive an email that looks suspicious, DO NOT respond or help spread false information by sharing it with your friends. Report the email immediately to [email protected] and OIE [email protected].

Life is changing for us all as we are taking precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19, but we understand that you are facing additional challenges and stressors as international students and scholars. OIE offers our utmost compassion and support to you during this time. Adapting to stay at home is challenging enough as it is, and many of you are doing it thousands of miles away from your families and support systems. You’re making the transition to online classes, but also have the added stress of checking in on family and friends, searching for jobs or internships, staying informed about the latest visa and immigration policies, and keeping yourselves healthy and safe.

In closing, we want to thank you for your strength during this time. It takes great resiliency, flexibility, and patience to persevere through all of this, and we congratulate you on keeping up with your studies and supporting each other through this pandemic. As international students and scholars, you contribute so much intelligence, spirit, and uniqueness to the UTA community, and we are grateful that each one of you has chosen to be members of our community. We will all get through this together, and we’ll hopefully see each other back on campus soon.

In the meantime, please reach out to us if you have any questions or need someone to talk to.