WEEKLY UPDATE – Nov. 17

In the United States, Thanksgiving is a holiday when people gather with their loved ones on the fourth Thursday of November. It’s a time to enjoy a traditional meal and be thankful for the good things in life. The tradition of Thanksgiving started almost 400 years ago in the early days of the British colonies. When we think of Thanksgiving, we usually think about spending time with family and being grateful, but it’s also important to remember the challenges that Native Americans faced, like disease, war, slavery, and genocide brought by colonization. Learn more about the history of Thanksgiving in the "Reframing Thanksgiving" article posted by Gleeson Library and this resource from the U.S. State Department. 

Express your gratitude by organizing a Friendsgiving (a casual, alternative gathering with friends for those away from home). Potluck-style gatherings, where everyone brings a dish to share, are quite popular for Friendsgiving, and they add a fun, diverse, and cost-effective touch to the celebration.

The ISSS office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 27, and Friday, Nov. 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The ISSS office will also be closed for winter break from Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025 – Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. The submission deadline for requests to be processed before winter break is Friday, Dec. 12, at 4 p.m. If you submit your request after Dec. 12, it is not guaranteed that your request will be processed before the break.

Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 1–3 p.m. 

USF is offering free Thanksgiving meals for current students. Just fill out the request form and plan to pick up your meal on the designated day. One meal per student, and you may list another student to pick up on your behalf. The deadline to sign up is Nov. 19.

Request a meal now »

Thursday, Nov. 20 | 5–6:15 p.m. PST
Fromm Hall, Berman Room & Online

The Center for Asia Pacific Studies is excited to welcome Nicole Wong, a writer and producer from Oakland, California, for a special talk exploring the cultural history and contemporary revival of mahjong. After the talk, stick around for an opportunity to play mahjong. This event is open to all USF community members.

RSVP today »

Thursday, Nov. 20 | 6–7 p.m.
University Center 411/412

Let’s feast! Join Cafe International as they indulge in a Filipino Boodle Fight of communal feasting with our hands! All USF students are invited to make community with international students and eat yummy Filipino food. This event is open to all USF community members.

Friday, Nov. 21 | 6–9 p.m. 
McLaren Conference Center

Join us for Culturescape 2025, USF’s signature cultural showcase presented by the International Student Association. This year’s theme, Threads of Peace, celebrates how our diverse cultures and identities are woven together through shared values of harmony and understanding. This event is open to all USF community members.

Buy tickets now »

Missed the H1-B workshop? You can still learn about your options for staying in the U.S. after finishing your studies. The recorded session features an immigration attorney explaining employment pathways for F-1 students with a focus on the H-1B work visa. For more information, review our H1-B resources.

Watch now »

For students planning to travel during the winter holiday season, ISSS will be hosting Travel Signature Days from Nov. 26 – Dec. 3. During this period, any travel signature requests submitted via MyISSS will be processed and ready by the end of the day on Dec. 9, so that students have the necessary documentation for a smooth return to the U.S.

Join our International Student Orientation (ISO) team as an ISO guide! You’ll play an important role in welcoming new international students to USF and helping them adjust to campus life. This position is great for anyone who enjoys building community and supporting students from around the world. Apply now to make an impact on campus »

ISSS is monitoring and communicating immigration updates that may affect our international students. Visit our International Student Support web page for updates and resources.

If you are requesting an immigration document or letter from our office, remember that requests are processed within 10 business days. Make sure you plan accordingly so you have enough time to receive your document before you need it. All ISSS requests should be submitted through the MyISSS student portal (log into your MyISSS account, go to Requests & Documents, and select the appropriate icon on the right side of the page). You can view our MyISSS Student Handbook for assistance with your submission.  

Click the Chat with ISSS button on the bottom right corner of any ISSS web page, and the ISSS team can assist you with your inquiry.  

Appointments can be made online. Appointments are booked in 20-minute increments. Find upcoming workshops on the ISSS Events and Workshops calendar.

Our podcast focuses on mindfulness, diversity, and inclusion, featuring episodes that cover diverse topics. Subscribe for engaging narratives, consistent audio quality, and a cohesive visual identity, and join us in building a mindful and inclusive USF community.

Want to submit content for future newsletters? For a student feature, fill out this form, and for all other contributions, email our office at isss@usfca.edu for more information.