International Services

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Congratulations on beginning your academic journey at Western Connecticut State University. We are ready to help you get started and have gathered important resources to guide you through the process of securing your F-1 visa, making your way to the United States, and transitioning into life on campus.

We understand that living and learning in a culture different from your own can be both exciting and challenging. Our goal is to offer you the support necessary to make you feel welcome at WCSU and to provide you with the guidance and tools to achieve your academic goals, and enough information to enable you to navigate your way around campus and the community at large.

Contact Information

Ms. Donna Warner, International Services Coordinator
warnerd@wcsu.edu
203-837-3270
181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Midtown Student Center, Room 207

About the Office

The International Services Office is located in the Midtown Student Center and assists international students from admissions through graduation with a variety of services. This includes advising F-1 students on federal immigration regulations to aid in maintaining lawful status.

The international services coordinator organizes support services for international students and promotes international awareness and understanding on the campus in a variety of ways. Her office commits to ease transition from one cultural experience to another and helps international students to secure the most benefits from their WCSU experience.

The ISC offers guidance with F-1 visa-related questions, employment , housing and other situations unique to international students. She works actively with the academic deans and various offices concerning progress or difficulties for students adjusting to a new academic setting and cultural environment. She also serves as the adviser to the International Student Association.

International student support services include:

  • Pre-departure details and first-arrival planning
  • Information and assistance on immigration policies and regulations
  • Guidance on internships through Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

The International Services Office handles two key areas at WCSU.

  1. Support of non-immigrant students holding F-1 visa (and their dependents) as a post-admissions service. We provide orientation and ongoing support and guidance of the non-immigrant federal regulations.
  2. Support of ISEP Exchange students.

Student Quotes

We've felt welcomed from day one and that we were never treated any differently, making us sometimes forget that we're foreigners. Our undergrad years were a blast and we're proud to have graduated from WCSU. Our adventures at WCSU are not over yet since I'm enrolled into the MFA program, and Tamara's doing her MBA.

– Anthony Colombero, France - B.A. ’21; MFA ‘23

Photo of Tamara

What Anthony said describes perfectly our experience. Every single faculty member took into account the fact that I was an international student and we had great in class discussions of international issues, especially in JLA - which also allowed my peers to discover how other countries work, and I felt as an asset to the class - which is great. Faculty also were always amazing because they understood that I was a foreigner and that if needed they always took the time to explain things in detail if I ever got confused or something.

Tamara Colombero, France – B.S. ’21, MBA ‘23

Photo of Tamara

I will always cherish my time at WCSU. I was able to get the education I was looking for and gain experiences and friendships for a lifetime. By getting involved in the programs WCSU provided and using the resources of the WCSU Career Center I was able to get an internship and eventually get hired by the same company. I had a very positive experience at WCSU as an international student or just as a student, because I never felt out of place!

– Lina Vorotnikova, Russia - B.S '20

Photo of Tamara