The seats of room 8-155 in Baruch College filled up quickly as the International Student Service Center prepared to host an immigration workshop for the fall 2019 semester: “International Students and the Road to the Green Card.”

The fourth in a series of workshops titled “Immigration 101,” ISSC welcomed NPZ Law Group P.C. managing attorney Ludka Zimovcak to the lecture room podium, where she discussed the path to a green card for F-1 students.

The F-1 visa allows for students to enter the United States to study at an accredited academic institution. 

Zimovcak informed students of her history in dealing with immigration cases as an attorney for many years and described the process in obtaining a better visa status and a green card.

“I think it was really helpful that the speaker has knowledge and it’s really interesting to know how many options you have in applying for a visa through this presentation,” graduate student Francisco Balarezo stated, who is currently pursuing a master’s of science in finance.

Balarezo came to the event to obtain more knowledge from ISSC, and to also explore opions available to him. 

This event hosted truly highlighted the opportunities that international students have at Baruch.

As stated on their official Baruch College website, “We also offer information about programs of study abroad and arrange programs of special interest to International Students.”

“I chose this program at Baruch because I can work three years after graduation, which will help me get Visa approval and a better job at a better company,” Balarezo added.

While the event hosted also aimed to sharpen interview skills, Zimovcak didn’t address this during her presentation, but the rapid questions and welcoming atmosphere of the event showed that Zimovcak and ISSC were facilitating confidence and conversation — just like the end goal of an interview.