May Highlights Include: 

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

2.  International Travel & Immigration Reminders

3.  5^th Annual International Local World Cup Soccer Tournament – June 9^th 

4.  $500 International Student Scholar Award from SpeedyPin.com Phone Card

5.  OPT Reminders for Summer Graduates

6.  Summer Registration & Summer Employment

7.  International Student Award Winners!

8.  Calling all Orientation Volunteers!

9.  Address Updates?

10.  Graduation Questions?

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

12. ISSO Summer Office Hours

13. 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.  5^th Annual International Local World Cup Soccer Tournament – June 9^th 

Enjoy a day of international soccer at Charlotte’s World Cup Soccer Tournament!  Watch 16 national teams compete, and enjoy music, vendors, food, and lots of socializing!  Event begins at 9am with finals at 6:15pm at Ramblewood Park, 10200 Nations Ford Rd. in Charlotte.  For more information, go to www.charlotteworldsoccertournament.com

 4.  $500 International Student Scholar Award from SpeedyPin.com Phone Card

International students currently attending a college or university in the United States can compete in an essay contest to win $500 of financial assistance for higher learning expenses. The winner will be chosen on June 15, 2007.  For more information and to submit your essay, go to http://speedypin.com/phone/card/scholar-award.html.
Please understand that this is an initiative from SpeedyPin.com NOT the ISSO or UNC Charlotte.
 

5.  OPT Reminders for Summer Graduates

·         August graduates interested in OPT must attend an information session on either Friday, May 4^th at 4pm or Thursday, May 17^th at 4pm in CHHS 289.

·         J-1 students interested in Academic Training must see Marian or Denise prior to program end date for application information.

·         For more information, see http://www.isso.uncc.edu/optcpt.htm
 

6.  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!
         

7.  International Student Award Winners!

The International Club and Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars co-sponsored the Spring 2007 Student Writing Competition on the theme of "Crossing Borders".  Congratulations to the following students, whose papers were selected as winning papers! 

Graduate Students
1^st place - Prasanth Ramu
Honorary mention - Ashwin Subramanian

Undergraduate Students
1^st place - Marc Petrequin
Honorary mention - Amila Dzebic

ELTI students
1^st place - Adrian Acuna
Honorary mention - Deise Vilela
 

To read these essays, go to http://www.oip.uncc.edu/pbd/writingwinners.htm . 

Special congratulations also to Gustavo Borel de Menezes, a PhD student in Infrastructure and Environmental systems from Brazil and winner of the 2007 International Education Student Award!   

To read more about Gustavo and see photos of all of this year’s winners, go to http://www.oip.uncc.edu/newsletter.htm and go to the current newsletter on pages 5 & 6.
 

8.  Calling all Orientation Volunteers!

Do you remember when you were a new student here?  Do you 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 15^th from 9am-12pm International Graduate Orientation will be held on August 16^th from 9am-1pm  

If you are interested and will be available please contact Denise at dvmedei@uncc.edu as soon as possible!
 

9.  Address Updates?

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.
 

10.  Graduation Questions?

If you are not clear about procedures and times for the May 12^th graduation ceremonies, you may want to check the following website for information:  http://www.uncc.edu/graduation/
 

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

Both Marian and Denise will be attending a conference from May 28-June 4.  Please make sure you have asked any important questions and obtained any travel signatures prior to this time.
 

12.  ISSO Summer Office Hours

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

13.  Summer Programs/Activities