Dear International Students,

October is here, which means cooler weather, Halloween is around the corner, and pumpkins suddenly are everywhere. With a beautiful Boston autumn and busy schedules, now is the perfect time to take a break, get involved, and explore BU and the city!

In Announcements, check out this month’s lineup, including Global Programs’ Origami Night and Mini Pumpkin Decorating Night, mental health and wellbeing events from Student Health Services, a first-internship workshop, and sunset kayaking on the Charles.

In Student Experiences, meet Ciara Hillert (CAS ’27) as she shares her experience transferring to BU from Spain and adjusting to life as an international student in Boston.

And in Culture Corner, we take a look at October in the U.S., from Indigenous Peoples’ Day to Halloween, and what these traditions can tell us about American culture, history, and campus life.

If you have any feedback or ideas for future newsletters, please contact Sheila Hernandez at sheilahz@bu.edu.

Announcements

Student Experiences

A Word from Students: Ciara Hillert (CAS’ 27), shares her experience transferring to BU from Spain and adjusting to life as an international student in Boston.

Learn More

Upcoming Events

Pronunciation Workshop

Day: Tuesday Nov 3rd Time: 2:00pm - 3:15pm 100 Bay State Road, Room 545
Details

Global Programs TY Postcard Making

Day: Tuesday Nov 17th Time: 5:30pm - 6:30pm Global Programs Office: 888 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd Floor, Room 240, Boston, MA 02215
Details

ISSO Insights

Graduating in January? It’s time to start thinking about OPT!

OPT season is officially here at the ISSO! If you’re completing your degree in January, October is your time to get started. The OPT application window opens on Saturday, October 17, and the ISSO will begin accepting requests for OPT recommendation I-20 processing on Friday, October 9.

Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered! Visit the ISSO website to learn about the application process, important timelines, and how to get started. We also encourage you to attend a virtual OPT workshop to walk through each step and learn what to expect along the way.

Join us for our first Post-Completion OPT Workshop of the fall on Monday, October 5, at 12 PM! Register here.

Be sure to check the ISSO calendar for additional OPT workshops and sessions covering a variety of topics throughout the semester. A little preparation now can help make your transition from student to OPT much smoother!

Culture Corner

October in the U.S.

For many international students, Halloween has always been one of those holidays you mostly see in movies, TV shows, and stories. Now that you’re here, you finally get to experience it for yourself and we’re excited to have you celebrate it with us!

Halloween is celebrated every year on October 31st and has roots in older European traditions around the end of the harvest season, when people believed the boundary between the living and the dead was especially thin. That is where a lot of the ghosts, spirits, masks, and spooky imagery comes from. Over time, those traditions changed and mixed with other celebrations, eventually turning into the Halloween we know today. Halloween is now associated with costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, haunted houses, scary movies, and parties. On college campuses, the entire month is dedicated to celebrating Halloween with pumpkins and costumes being a part of almost every event.

But October in the U.S. is about more than just Halloween. Another important holiday in October is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, observed on the second Monday of October. The day recognizes the histories, cultures, communities, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in the U.S. and provides an opportunity to learn more about them.

You might also hear the same holiday referred to as Columbus Day. Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus and his 1492 voyages across the Americas. Though Columbus Day has been celebrated for a long time in the U.S., it has also become the subject of significant debate because of the history and consequences of European colonization for Indigenous peoples.

Wondering how you can also celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day? On Saturday, October 10th, there will be a march throughout the Boston Commons from 12 - 4pm. On Monday, October 12th, the Museum of Fine Arts will have gallery tours, engaging and traditional art-making activities, and performances from the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers.

Whether you’re dressing up for Halloween, learning about Indigenous history and culture, or simply enjoying the changing seasons, October offers many opportunities to experience different traditions and perspectives in the U.S. As you explore the month, we encourage you to take part in something new—you might just discover a new favorite fall tradition!

Recent Newsletters