Schedules for Summer 2026 workshops will be updated periodically.
To help ease the transition to graduate school and reduce information overload during orientation, CIRCLE collaborates with campus partners to offer the Summer Pre-Arrival Essentials Series — a virtual workshop series and student engagement program for new international graduate students arriving at UW in the fall.
The series is designed to help students prepare for academic, professional, social, and personal life in graduate school and in the U.S. Workshop topics include understanding graduate school expectations, immigration essentials, communication with faculty and peers, graduate student success strategies, campus resources, mental health and well-being, and self-care in graduate school.
Through these interactive workshops, students will also have opportunities to connect with fellow incoming students, current graduate students, and campus partners before arriving on campus.
Join us this summer (see workshop links below) to help you prepare for graduate school and life at UW.
2026 Summer Pre-Arrival Essentials Virtual Workshops
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Summer Workshop #1: What is graduate school?
7 p.m.–8 p.m.
For the first virtual workshop, we will discuss the nature and expectations of graduate school, and how you can think broadly about best ways to use your time in graduate school for both short-term and long-term goals.
Summer Workshop #1: What is graduate school?
8 a.m.–9 a.m.
For the first virtual workshop, we will discuss the nature and expectations of graduate school, and how you can think broadly about best ways to use your time in graduate school for both short-term and long-term goals.
Summer Workshop #2: Pre-Arrival Immigration Essentials with ISS (J-1 Students)
8 a.m.–9 a.m.
Summer Workshop #3: Pre-Arrival Immigration Essentials with ISS (F-1 Students)
7 p.m.–8 p.m.
Join CIRCLE and the International Student Services (ISS) team to learn about key information related to F-1 visa and immigration before arriving the U.S.
Summer Workshop #3: Pre-Arrival Immigration Essentials with ISS (F-1 Students)
8 a.m.–9 a.m.
Join CIRCLE and the International Student Services (ISS) team to learn about key information related to F-1 visa and immigration before arriving the U.S.
Summer Workshop #4: How to be successful in graduate school?
7 p.m.–8 p.m.
The second virtual workshop will be focus on goal-setting and graduate school planning tools and opportunities that support your development and success.
Summer Workshop #4: How to be successful in graduate school?
8 a.m.–9 a.m.
The second virtual workshop will be focus on goal-setting and graduate school planning tools and opportunities that support your development and success.
Summer Workshop #5: TBD
7 p.m.–8 p.m.
Details to be announced soon.
Summer Workshop #5: TBD
8 a.m.–9 a.m.
Details to be announced soon.
Summer Workshop #6: What resources are available to graduate students?
7 p.m.–8 p.m.
In the third virtual workshop, will detail resources offered by the UW communities (beyond your graduate departments) that can enhance your experience as a graduate student and set you up for success upon and beyond graduation.
Summer Workshop #6: What resources are available to graduate students?
8 a.m.–9 a.m.
In the third virtual workshop, will detail resources offered by the UW communities (beyond your graduate departments) that can enhance your experience as a graduate student and set you up for success upon and beyond graduation.
Summer Workshop #7: Building Resilience in Graduate School with Counseling Center
7 p.m.–8 p.m.
Join CIRCLE and the Counseling Center team to explore mental health resources, normalize emotional ups and downs, and learn strategies for building resilience in graduate school.
Summer Workshop #7: Building Resilience in Graduate School with Counseling Center
8 a.m.–9 a.m.
Join CIRCLE and the Counseling Center team to explore mental health resources, normalize emotional ups and downs, and learn strategies for building resilience in graduate school.
Summer Workshop #8: How to Refuel Yourself in Graduate School?
7 p.m.–8 p.m.
Summer Workshop #8: How to Refuel Yourself in Graduate School?
8 a.m.–9 a.m.
Summer Communications
Throughout the summer we have been sending newsletters via email to all University of Washington incoming international graduate students in the fall. In these newsletters, we share tips and strategies to navigate graduate school and campus resources that support your holistic success. If you haven’t been receiving these emails please check your junk or spam folders. If the emails are not there or you have any questions about the newsletters, please email us at uwcircle@uw.edu.
Previous Summer Pre-Arrival Essentials Series
Throughout the summer we have been sending newsletters via email to all University of Washington incoming international graduate students in the fall. In these newsletters, we share tips and strategies to navigate graduate school and campus resources that support your holistic success. If you haven’t been receiving these emails please check your junk or spam folders. If the emails are not there or you have any questions about the newsletters, please email us at uwcircle@uw.edu. Please also find the newsletters in PDF. format below.
June 21 – Welcome to the University of Washington!
June 28 – CIRCLE Summer Engagement Series – Welcome to Graduate School!
July 12 – Making the Most out of Graduate School Experience
Previous Summer Pre-Arrival Essentials Virtual Workshops (2023-2024 Academic Year)
The first virtual workshop was hosted covered the following:
- Welcome and Introduction of UW, CIRCLE and Graduate School
- Debunking myths about graduate school.
- Networking Activities – Getting to know your peers.
- Partner Spotlight: Graduate Student Affairs in the Graduate School
In the second virtual workshop, the aim was to address what is needed to be successful in graduate school. The session included but was not limited to:
- Recapping on the first workshop
- Building an Informal Mentoring Team
- Making a First Year Plan
- Exploring resources that will assist you in being successful as an international graduate student
In the third virtual workshop, the aim was to address what resources are available to graduate students. The session included but was not limited to:
- Recapping on the second workshop
- Overview of CIRCLE Graduate Programs
- Programs for all graduate students
- Programs for students with spouses/families
- Highlights from the previous academic year
- CIRCLE Key Campus Partners for graduate international students
In the fourth and final virtual workshop, the aim was to address what resources are available to graduate students. The session included but was not limited to:
- Recapping on the third workshop
- Overview of activities in Seattle
- Overview of food options in Seattle
- Overview of transportation options and apps
- International graduate student panel and Q&A session