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Academic Advising with an International Lens

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Academic Advising with an International Lens

Academic advising with an international lens means we consider not only the Open Curriculum, academic policies, and degree requirements that apply to all Brown students, but also the additional contexts international students navigate — including immigration status, work authorization, and life after Brown.

Our team offers both proactive and responsive advising to help international students thrive in their academic journey at Brown. Through one-on-one conversations, small-group advising, and workshops, we support students in:

  • Adjusting to Brown’s academic norms and culture as an international student, and understanding academic policies and procedures relevant to F-1/J-1 visa-holders.
  • Exploring the Open Curriculum and selecting a concentration, making choices that reflect individual values, academic interests, career goals, and work authorization considerations.
  • Planning courses and mapping degree completion pathways, including grade options, Brown’s degree requirements, and petitions for 9th or 10th semester enrollment.
  • Engaging with professors and TAs effectively, while learning the expectations and norms of U.S. higher education.
  • Accessing campus academic resources, including academic coaching, tutoring, writing support, and peer mentoring programs.
  • Navigating academic transitions, such as personal leave-taking, course load reduction petitions, or credit recovery and academic progress review.
  • Exploring academic opportunities abroad, including traditional study abroad programs and other pathways for earning credit outside the U.S., in ways that align with degree progress and visa considerations. 
  • Pursuing academic approvals connected to work authorization, such as supporting students with the academic components of Non-Professional Track CPT (e.g., developing an Independent Study Proposal). Immigration policies, eligibility, and authorization decisions remain the responsibility of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS), and we collaborate with them to ensure students receive both accurate immigration guidance and academic support.
     

We also offer academic workshops open to all international students, designed to foster reflection and intentional planning. Recent topics have included:

  • Understanding Degree Options and Requirements for international students.
  • Exploring a Concentration with Intention, considering academic interests, career goals, and authorization pathways.
  • Setting Academic and Career Goals in partnership with the Center for Career Exploration, with a focus on employment pathways for international students.
  • Reflecting on Your Academic Journey, especially for juniors and seniors preparing for their next steps.

Additional details, resources, and upcoming workshop information are available on our Google Site, accessible to current members of the Brown community.