START HERE SERIES (2018-2021)
I developed and produced the Start Here video series—an evergreen library of short, high-clarity explainer videos aimed at demystifying key immigration and administrative processes for international students and scholars at Columbia University. The goal was to reduce information overload, answer frequently asked questions, and offer a warm, accessible entry point to ISSO services.
Working closely with ISSO subject-matter experts, I wrote scripts that broke down complicated topics like visa applications, tax obligations, employment authorization, and arrival reporting into friendly, digestible segments. Each video was designed to serve a different audience—F/J visa holders, J-2 dependents, visiting scholars, or departmental sponsors—with tailored language, pacing, and visuals.
Beyond scripting, I directed and edited every video in the series and provided the voiceover for several of them. I also recruited on-screen talent when needed, coordinated shoot logistics, and led post-production from start to finish.
The series now lives across Columbia’s ISSO website, YouTube, and email channels—helping thousands of international students, scholars, and departmental liaisons better understand and navigate both Columbia’s internal systems and complex U.S. federal immigration processes with greater ease, confidence, and clarity.
Start Here: How to Get a Visa to Study at Columbia University (2018)
Start Here: US Tax Basics for International Students and Scholars (2018)
Sponsoring an H-1B Visa at Columbia University (2019)
J-2 Work Permission (2019)
