ISSO October Newsletter  

This month's highlights include: 

1. IFest 2007 Thank You!
2. Optional Practical Training Information Session
3. “Green Card” Diversity Lottery Begins
4. International Coffee Hour Dates in October
5. Christmas International House Information

1. IFEST 2007
This is a big THANK YOU to all who participated in UNC Charlotte’s 32^nd annual International Festival on September 29th!  It was a wonderful event, and you played a role in helping to teach thousands of people a little bit more about your area of the world.  We hope that you will do the same next year!

2.  Optional Practical Training (OPT) Information Session for December Graduates

The ISSO will hold its final information session for students graduating in December and interested in applying for Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).  Please plan to attend, as lots of important information will be discussed.   

·         Friday, October 12^th at 3pm in CHHS 281

3.  “Green Card Diversity Lottery” Begins

The Diversity Visa (DV) 2009 Lottery online entry begins at Noon EDT on October 3, 2007, and ends at Noon EST on December 2, 2007.

 Each year, the Diversity Lottery Program makes 55,000 immigrant visas available through a lottery to people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The State Department holds the lottery every year, and randomly selects approximately 110,000 applicants from all qualified entries.  For more information and to apply, to go http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html

4.   International Coffee Hour Dates in October

If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out International Coffee Hour yet perhaps October is your lucky month!  It is a great place to come, meet other students, faculty, staff, and relax with coffee, snacks, games and good conversation!  It is always held the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of each month, and the October dates are listed below!  Take a friend with you or meet one there. 

Thursday, October 4^th & Thursday, October 18^th

Where?         The Prospector Faculty/Staff Dining Room
When?          Anytime between 4 and 6pm

5.  Christmas International House Information

If you are interested in spending the Christmas holiday with an American family in another part of the U.S. consider applying for Christmas International House, an ecumenical program started in 1965 by the Presbyterian Church (USA).  For more information and an application, visit http://www.christmasih.org

Applications will be accepted from October 1^st through November 22, 2007.