Interstride Courses for International Students
Make the most of your J-1 experience. Learn how to work legally during your program, understand Academic Training, and prepare for what comes next after graduation.
- Understand when employment is permitted on a J-1 visa
- Navigate on-campus jobs and Academic Training (AT) rules
- Work with your sponsor to request proper authorization
- Plan for employment after your program ends
- Recognize how the two-year home residency requirement may impact future visas
This course helps international PhD students and postdocs turn their research careers into long-term opportunities in the United States. You’ll compare work visa and green card pathways, understand sponsorship options, and build a clear strategy for navigating immigration alongside your professional goals.
- Compare employment-based visas like J-1, F-1, H-1B, and O-1
- Understand self-sponsored vs. employer-sponsored green card pathways
- Align immigration timelines with research and career milestones
- Strengthen your profile through publications, awards, and impact
- Plan next steps for long-term work authorization or permanent residency
- Explore the most common UK work visa routes, including the Graduate Route and Skilled Worker visa
- Check eligibility requirements and timelines
- Understand sponsorship and employer expectations
- Prepare key documents and application materials
- Identify job search strategies for sponsored roles
- Choose the path that aligns with your long-term career goals
- The entire college admissions process in the US
- Common challenges faced by international students during the admissions process and how to overcome them
- Types of college applications and how to apply
- How to choose the best-fit college for your goals
- Additional requirements and fees for international students applying to college in the US
- Expected tuition and living costs
- How to pay for college tuition or get financial aid
- How to get a student visa
International F-1 students are allowed to obtain work authorization under specific circumstances, whether during their studies or after graduation. In this course, you'll learn about:
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization
- STEM OPT extension
- H-1B visa
- TN-1 visa
- L-1 visa
- O-1 visa
It's important to understand the unique career challenges you'll face as an international student. Some employers may be reluctant to interview and hire you, but with the right framework and job search strategies, you can overcome these challenges. In this course, you'll learn to:
- Understand the challenges and the process to execute a successful job search
- Assess your profile and tailor it to the opportunities on the job market
- Prepare to execute a strategic job search process
Although there are many immigration paths to stay in the U.S. after graduation, the H-1B remains one of the most popular options among international students. Learning about the H-1B visa and preparing in advance can provide an edge as you explore your post-graduation employment options.
- What is the H-1B visa
- H-1B visa eligibility
- H-1B application and process
- Planning for the H-1B visa application process
- What if you aren't selected for the lottery or if your H-1B is denied?
- Life after your H-1B is approved
It’s common for U.S. employers to ask about work authorization on job applications. International students may be nervous about answering truthfully and fear that this will hurt their chances of getting the job. This course will help you learn how to answer sponsorship questions honestly, completely, and confidently during your job search.
- Factors to consider before answering sponsorship questions
- How to answer work authorization and sponsorship questions
- Strategic approaches for answering sponsorship questions
- How to find companies that sponsor international students
