May Highlights Include:

1.  Congratulations to Graduating International Students and Farewell to Exchange Students
2.  International Travel & Immigration Reminders
3.  Calling all Fall Orientation Volunteers!
4.  OPT Reminders for Summer Graduates
5.  Summer Registration & Summer Employment
6.  ISSO Student Satisfaction Survey Update
7.  Award-Winning Essays
8.  Address Changes
9.  Graduation Questions?
10. Marian and Denise out of the office in May/June
11. ISSO Summer Office Hours
12. Summer Programs/Activities
 

1.  Congratulations to Graduating International Students and Farewell to Exchange Students

We in the ISSO have enjoyed having you with us and hope that your experiences at UNC Charlotte have been positive as well as unforgettable!  We wish you well in your futures and hope that our paths may cross again someday.

 2.  International Travel & Immigration Reminders

The end of the semester is approaching fast, so if you plan on traveling outside of the U.S. this summer, please read the important reminders below… 

·         Make sure page 3 of your I-20 (for F-1s) or p.2 of DS-2019 (for J-1s) has been signed within the past year.  If not, bring it to the ISSO for a signature at least 1 week prior to your departure.

·         Check to make sure that your visa and your passport will be valid on the day you re-enter the U.S.  If not, you must extend them accordingly.  If you have questions about this, please ask us.

·         Take proof of financial support and registration with you, in case you are questioned upon re-entry to the U.S.

·         If you have applied for OPT, make sure you take your EAD and an offer of temporary employment with you.

·         If you will begin a new degree program in the fall, make sure you take your NEW I-20/DS-2019 for re-entry to the U.S.

·         If you will transfer to another university in the Fall, you must re-enter the U.S with your NEW I-20/DS-2019, rather than your current UNC Charlotte document.

·         If you are transiting via another country, check to see if you will need a visa from that country’s government.

·         Special Registrants (NSEERS) are still required to register their departure from the U.S. at http://www.ice.gov/graphics/enforce/imm/imm_sr.htm  If you have questions, please see Marian or Denise in the ISSO.

3.  Calling all Orientation Volunteers!

Remember when you were a new student here?  Want to help new students with their transition to UNC Charlotte?  Come and volunteer your experience and expertise at the fall orientation programs.  International Undergraduate Orientation will be held on August 16^th from 9am-12pm, and International Graduate Orientation will be held on August 17^th from 9am-12pm.  If you are interested and will be available please contact Denise at dvmedei@email.uncc.edu as soon as possible!

 
     4.  F-1 OPT Reminders for Summer Graduates

• August graduates interested in OPT must attend an information session on May 11^th at 4pm in Denny 111 or June 15 at 4pm in Denny 119.
• J-1 students interested in Academic Training must see Marian Beane prior to program end date for application information.
• For more information, see http://www.isso.uncc.edu/optcpt.htm
  
   

5. Summer Registration & Summer Employment

Students must register in the summer only if it is your very last semester.  Otherwise, it is not required.  Also, you may work on campus during the summer if you are registered for Summer and/or Fall Semester.

If you have specific questions, please ask!

6. ISSO Student Satisfaction Survey Update

Last fall semester, the ISSO sent out an optional, anonymous survey which asked about students’ overall satisfaction with programs and services at UNC Charlotte as well as questions about their adaptation to the U.S.  Many of you responded, and we want to thank you for your helpful feedback.  Some indicated that you would be available for more personal feedback and we are currently setting-up those individual meetings.   

Over the next year, we will be considering and implementing some of the suggestions you have made.  Meanwhile, if you have any thoughts or suggestions of things you would like to talk to us about or if you’ve arrived just this spring, please feel free to make an appointment with either Marian or Denise.

7.  Award-Winning Essays!

The International Club co-sponsored the Spring 2006 Student Writing Competition on the theme of "Crossing Borders".  Congratulations to the following students, whose papers were selected as winning papers.  You can read them by clicking on the links below (control & click).

 Spring 2006

8.  Address Changes

Continuing and graduating international students must update local and permanent address in 49er Express, both for SEVIS reporting purposes as well as university communication purposes.  If you are returning to your home country, please also make this update in 49er Express.

 
9.  Graduation Questions?

If you are not clear about procedures and times for the May 13^th graduation ceremonies, you may want to check the following website for information:  http://www.uncc.edu/graduation/

10.  Marian and Denise out of the office in May/June

Both Marian and Denise will be attending a conference from May 22-26.  Please make sure you have asked any important questions and obtained any travel signatures prior to this time.  Also, Marian will be traveling in China from June 12-July 10.
 

11.  ISSO Summer Office Hours

The ISSO will continue to be open regular hours during both summer sessions; 8am-5pm Monday through Friday.
 

12.  Summer Programs/Activities

The ISSO is planning a couple of summer activities.  When we have more details, we will send an email, so keep your eyes open!