International Student Orientation We are glad you’re here! August 2014 Sangamon Auditorium

Contact us International Student Services & Programming HRB 52 HRB 52 (217) Sarah Jome, Director Tracy Rakes, Office Administrator Erika Suzuki, Program Coordinator Zehra – GA, Kat – Student Worker

Culture & Culture Shock

How can I get help or learn more?  Talk to someone – Advisor, faculty, roommate, counseling center……  Call home  Get up/out – join something  Read newsletters  Read website and send us 1  Eat well and exercise  What else????

Getting Used to American Culture  Education System  Weather  Time & Appointments  Dress  Greetings  Informality  Individuality  Personal Space  Medical Care/Insurance  Dating  Smoking  Pets  Smells  Helping  Alcohol  Getting around  Shopping  Tipping  Food  Homework & tests

Getting Started  International Student Services Check-In – Get Orientation Schedule – Complete Check-in Form – Copy documents  Undergraduate Placement Tests – Math and English Proficiency  Course Registration – meet Academic Advisor and follow their advice  Immunizations, meet new friends

Where to get information and help……  Health Services  Counseling Center  Student Health Insurance – Human Resources  Campus Police  Brookens Library  Card Services  Residence Life  Food Services  USFSCO  CTL  ESL  Career Development Center  Diversity Center  Host Families  ………

Programming  International Student Services programs  International House (in Bluebell Court) – For juniors, seniors and graduate students  Student Life (uis.edu/studentlife)  Campus Recreation (uis.edu/campusrec)  Your Resident Assistant, Housing, Department, Library…

Contact us International Student Services & Programming HRB 52 HRB 52 (217) Sarah Jome, Director Tracy Rakes, Office Administrator Erika Suzuki, Program Coordinator Jeannie Capranica, Program Manager

Immigration

5 Main F-1 Immigration Laws 1.Keep immigration documents up-to-date 2.Be a full-time student 3.Understand employment restrictions for your status 4.Update address 5.Carry immigration documents

Keeping documents up-to-date  Passport – how to extend  Visa – when is this an issue?  I-20/DS-2019 – school, level, major, money, travel  I  Other?

Being a “full-time” student  Undergraduate - 12 credits  Graduate – 9 credits, 8 hours + GPSI  ESL –  Fall, Spring, Summer  On-Line courses

Employment - Jobs  On-Campus – GA/GPSI, Student Worker – Up to 20 hours per week during semester – F-1s with UIS I-20  Off-Campus – after one year – CPT – internships for credit, quick – OPT – $380, 90 days, 1 year  Social Security Number, Taxes, I-9s

Update Address  Nessie – Your UIS computer interface – Will automatically update SEVIS  AR-11 form if you leave UIS or F-1 status

Carry Documents  In town  In Illinois  Outside Illinois  Outside U.S.  Law # 6 – follow other laws – Alcohol, driving, dating…

D/S = Duration of Status  Duration = length of time  Status = good F-1 relationship with the U.S. government  How? By following the F-1 laws.  D/S = as long as you have a good relationship with the U.S. government, your documents don’t expire early and you can enjoy the benefits of your status

What are “benefits of F-1 status?”  Be in the U.S. legally  Transfer  Extend  Change level of study  Change major  Sometimes have a reduced course load  Employment – On Campus – Curricular Practical Training – Optional Practical Training – STEM extensions  Change status  sometimes we can help you “reinstate to status“

How can you find out how to apply for these benefits?  uscis.gov  uis.edu/internationalstudentservices  newsletters  advising from International Student Services

Repeat after me…. I understand that I am responsible for knowing and following the immigration laws for my status!

Safety  Personal Safety – Lock doors, walk in groups, don’t flash wealth – Blue Safety Lights – Campus Police – & – 911  Money – Cash, PIN numbers,  Weather – Winter and Summer – Snow & ice – frost bite, heat stroke  Driving – School buses, getting a driver’s license, etc.

Health Care & Insurance

Money & Banking

Other  Housing  Food  Programming  newsletter  Prayer room