International Students and Postdocs

• Graduate and Professional School Students: Pre-arrival and orientation information specific to international graduate students.
• F-1 Visa Application Process: Step-by-step guide on applying for an F-1 student visa.
• Maintaining F-1 Status: Essential guidelines to ensure compliance with F-1 visa regulations.
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Information on off-campus employment opportunities related to your field of study.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT): Details about temporary employment authorization before or after program completion.
• On-Campus Employment: Guidelines and eligibility criteria for working on campus.
• Social Security Number (SSN) Information: Steps for obtaining a Social Security number (SSN) as an international student.
• Taxes: Overview of tax obligations and resources for international students.
• Law Enforcement & Safety: Guidance on interacting with law enforcement and knowing your rights.
• Legal Assistance & Outside Counsel: Resources for students seeking external legal assistance.
• Government Agencies & Immigration Enforcement: Key agencies involved in visas, immigration, and compliance.
• Events: Near term and past-recorded events focused on an array of relevant topics.

• International Scholars, Faculty, and Staff: Comprehensive information for international scholars, including visa processes and campus resources.
• H-1B Employees: Insights into H-1B visa eligibility, application procedures, and maintenance of status.
• J-1 Exchange Visitors: Details on J-1 visa categories, application steps, and regulatory requirements.
• Taxes: Information on tax responsibilities and available resources for international scholars.
• Social Security Number (SSN) Information: Steps for obtaining a Social Security number (SSN) as an international scholar.
• Law Enforcement & Safety: What to do in emergencies and how to interact with law enforcement.
• Legal Assistance & Outside Counsel: External legal resources for postdocs facing immigration or legal concerns.
• Government Agencies & Immigration Enforcement: Key agencies overseeing immigration policies and enforcement.
• Events: Near term and past-recorded events focused on an array of relevant topics.

All postdocs at Dartmouth are part of the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies and supported by Director of Postdoc Affairs, Cindy Rosalbo, and you also are members of the Dartmouth Postdoc Association (DPA).

Postdocs, especially those new to the United States, are encouraged to check the DPA’s pages for Incoming Postdocs, including the page International Postdocs Moving to Dartmouth and to sign up for the Postdoc Buddy Program.

Postdocs are also encouraged to join the DPA Slack space for ongoing information and post questions to the #international channel and #rideshare if you have questions or need someone to pick you up when you arrive to campus. 

The international graduate mentoring fellow is dedicated to facilitating a smooth transition for incoming international students from their home countries to the United States. Through informative sessions during June and September, the fellow fosters integration by organizing panel discussions with senior graduate students serving as panelists.

These sessions, which attract a diverse audience of over 50 participants from different countries, are conducted both online via Zoom (June) and in person (September) as part of an orientation event. This platform allows graduate students to connect, establish relationships, and engage in insightful conversations. Furthermore, the Guarini Slack channel functions as a platform through which international students can maintain connections and seek assistance by posing inquiries.

The fellow also oversees a mentor-mentee program that pairs incoming international students with experienced senior graduate students or mentors. These mentors offer guidance, address queries, introduce campus resources, and provide ongoing assistance throughout the student’s first year of graduate school. Additionally, the mentors provide transportation from the Dartmouth Coach bus stops to the students’ apartments upon their arrival, if needed.

To enhance their overall experience, the fellow also curates social events, both indoors and outdoors, to foster a sense of community and encourage cultural exchange among all graduate students.

To provide additional support for incoming international students, the fellow collaborates with the Graduate Student Council to address essential needs as they settled in the area, including providing a welcome package of groceries, to help ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all international students as they embark on their graduate school journey.

If you are an international student and have any questions, or need extra support, please reach out to the international graduate mentoring fellow.