International students receive additional information

MT. PLEASANT — Iowa Wesleyan University Provost DeWayne Frazier and the International Advisory Team invited international students to a meeting for additional information in light of the impending closure at the end of May.

“When I first came to Mt. Pleasant in 2017, I was a little hesitant coming to such a small town not knowing how my American college experience would look like, however, after a few days of settling down I immediately understood that Mt. Pleasant was the right place for me to pursue my college career,” Italian international student Paolo Ancona said.

“This is a nice and friendly community where everybody inside and outside the university environment had made me feel like home already after only a few weeks,” he said. “It is with sadness that after almost six years I will have to leave this town due to external causes.”

“Of Mt. Pleasant and IWU, I will bring with me all the nice memories and knowledge that I gained during those years knowing that when I will look back to them I will be able to give a smile,” Ancona said. “Wesleyan is not a university, it is a family.”

Students like Ancona drive Frazier to provide the best he can, because they hold a special place in his heart.

“I'm the chief international student,” Frazier said. “My own kids are international.”

When everything happened, Frazier set to work.

“Everything's initial right now, so they don't have all their information, and we're going to help them (the international students),” Frazier said the day following the announcement. “I will do everything in my power to make sure that they get the information they need to be successful because that's what I do.”

Working alongside his team, Frazier put together a presentation which addressed the rules and regulations for transferring immigration records, the specifics about international scholarships, and how teach-out schools will work for international students.

According to the presentation, international students’ statuses will not change.

“You WILL remain ‘legal’ and in-status, but there is still work to do to keep your status maintained,” the presentation began.

Students may utilize the teach-out agreements with William Penn University, University of Dubuque, Upper Iowa University, and Culver-Stockton College, but the International Advisory Team asks that they inform the school of their transfer plans as soon as possible due to fewer resources once the school closes next month.

“Go to class, keep all copies of your I-20 [Certificates of Eligibility], notify [Designated School Officials] about status changes, and get familiar with your new advisor,” the presentation urged students.

While they will work with new advisors, the International Advisory Team told students, “It will be the job of your new advisor to serve you, and it’s ok to have high expectations.”

The team addressed concerns about Optional Practical Training (OPT) which is a benefit for international college students seeking employment. Students received a reminder to update any address changes.

For those students who anticipate their ending, they may choose to apply to a new school, change their status (such as applying for a green card), or return home.

The team discussed specifics about visas. If students currently have a U.S. I-20 they do not need to worry if their visa expires unless they leave the country and wish to return.

As with every other student at Iowa Wesleyan, the team encouraged these international students to keep up their grades, finish strong, and communicate often.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com