Office of International Student Services (OISS)

Champlain Abroad

If you are a current Champlain student and U.S. citizen looking for opportunities to study abroad (Champlain students traveling outside of the U.S. for international experiences), please reach out to our colleagues at the Champlain Abroad office.

Champlain Abroad

Office of International Student Services (OISS)

Location

Skiff Hall, Room 204, 205, & 205B

163 S Willard St, Burlington, VT 05401

Office Hours

Monday – Friday
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Contact Us

Flags from different countries hang from the ceiling in the IDX Dining Hall.

Home Away From Home

We provide direct specialized services to all international students, exchange visitors, U.S. citizens from abroad, and exchange scholars through immigration, advising, academic support, cultural adjustment education, outreach, and programming. OISS also supports visiting international faculty and other international visitors to campus.

Who We Serve

International students and families
J-1 Exchange students and families
J-1 Exchange Scholars (visiting faculty and staff) and families
Various other non-immigrant visa classes and families
U.S. Citizens abroad and their families
U.S. Citizens coming to school in the U.S. from abroad and their families

U.S. Asylees and Refugees and families
DACA students and families
Undocumented students
International faculty and staff at Champlain in other statuses
Any Champlain College student, faculty, or staff members who wish to have an international experience on the Burlington campus.

Applying as an International Student/Scholar

International Students (F-1)

Students who are citizens of a country other than the United States who

wish to attend college for and pursue a degree in the U.S. and
might stay 1-3 years after graduation for authorized employment.

First Year International Students Transfer International Students

Students in the exchange program in fireside lounge holding flags from study abroad countries

Exchange Visitors (J-1)

Citizens of a country other than the United States who wish to visit/teach/learn at Champlain for a semester, a year, or longer.

Exchange students are in the U.S. for one semester or one year
Exchange scholars are professors or short-term scholars and are in the U.S. for a few days/months to many years.

Exchange Students Exchange Scholars

What Do We Do?

OISS provides direct specialized services to all international students, exchange visitors, and exchange scholars. Our services include:

Institutional Immigration Compliance
International Student Admissions Strategy/Recruitment/Admissions/Enrollment
International Student Services (geared toward specific regulatory timelines and processes)
International Student Alumni Relations
In-Bound Non-Degree Exchange Programs (faculty, staff, and student)
Institutional International Programming (International Student Orientation–both Virtual and In-Person, International Education Week, Nations United, World Cup Soccer Tournament, Get in Culture Series, and Farewell Bash/Graduation Ceremony)

Student and teacher working on paperwork in an office

Immigration

This section is for immigration matters pertaining to prospective, admitted, current international students and exchange visitors at Champlain College.

Explore Immigration

Various Legal Matters

We’re ready to assist you with the legal matters of traveling, studying, and working internationally. Our office is here to provide you with the resources you may need, related documents, and helpful tips so you can make the most of your experience at Champlain.

This section covers Social Security Numbers, driver’s licenses, travel and re-entry, and other legal matters pertaining to international students and exchange visitors while studying and working at Champlain College.

Explore Other Legal Matters

Students holding signs welcoming others and smiling in a group

Community Resources

Discover our amazing city of Burlington and the surrounding Vermont area. Explore our government, college, and community resources.

Government, State & College Resources

We’re here to help!

If you have specific or general questions, are seeking support and/or resources, or are simply looking to have a conversation, please reach out to schedule an appointment with our friendly and knowledgeable team.

Jessa Karki

Director of International Student Services

Office of Admissions, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Office of International Student Services (OISS) and Women’s & Gender Center

Jessa Karki

Director of International Student Services

Additional Roles	Interim Director of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Interim Director of the Women’s and Gender Center
Staff Member	Office of Admissions Office of Diversity & Inclusion Office of International Student Services (OISS) Women’s & Gender Center
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Education	Saint Michaels College, Master of Arts; Saint Michaels College, Bachelor of Arts
Connect Online	Facebook LinkedIn
Home State	Vermont
Fun Fact About Me	I was a professionally trained singer for 13 years (ages 11-23).
Contact	Skiff Hall (802) 865-6485 Email Me

Biography

Jessa has a B.A. English Language and Literature and an MA in Teaching English As a Second Language (TESL) from Saint Michael’s College. Jessa Karki has been in the field of international education in the State of Vermont since 1992. She started as a Student Assistant at the School for International Studies in the second year of her undergraduate studies at Saint Michael’s College and fell in love with the field. She is the Director of the Office of International Student Services (OISS) at Champlain College.

In her current position, she is a one-person office for ISSS and an area expert in international admissions, recruitment, student services, and international alumni relations. She is responsible for the welfare, safety, and immigration advising of all international students, exchange students, and scholars at Champlain. She is the Principal Designated School Official and the Responsible Officer for the College. She also teaches a one-credit, 5-week course of her creation, specifically designed for new international and exchange students which delves into the complexities of U.S. academic writing and cultural norms/expectations.

She has presented at various NAFSA Regional and National conferences. She is a former NAFSA National and Region XI Co-Chair for the One Person Office Member Interest Group and NAFSA VT State Representative for NAFSA Region XI. She currently serves on the NAFSA Region XI GRAC (Government Regulations Advisory Committee) and is the National Co-Chair of the OPO Mentoring Committee.

Jessa lives with her 3 teenage children and her husband in Essex Junction, Vermont. In her free time, Jessa loves to walk, hike, and run. She especially loves hiking the U.S. National Parks and has visited 28 so far!

What are your hobbies?

Long-distance walking, hiking Vermont and the National Parks, and running

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont

Chef’s Corner Table, Williston – hiking all seasons and spending time near, on, or in Lake Champlain.