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Autumn Quarter 10/17/2022 - F-1 Student Newsletter

Featured Topics:
  • Meet our New ISS Student Assistants
  • Want to drop a class? Submit a request to ISS.
  • CPT Information Session - 10/21
  • Drop-In Advising Information
  • What is a travel signature? And why does ISS keep talking about it?
Reminders:
  • F-1 Student Travel Signature Clincs
  • F-1 Employment Video Series
Fun with Pumpkins

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

ISS & ISHIP Hours this week
ISS Student Assistants

Meet Our New ISS Student Assistants!

LEFT SIDE OF PHOTO: "Hi! I'm Jennifer and I use she/her pronouns. I'm going into my third and final year at UW with a major in Political Science. I lived in Washington State until I was 15 and then I lived in Germany until I was 19. A fun fact about me is that I have three cats: Frankie, Amber, and Tina."
SECOND FROM LEFT: "Hi. I'm Paulina. I use she/her pronouns and I'm a third year student at UW. I am from Mexico City and I am double majoring in English and Political Science. A little fun fact about me is that I have a Corgi named Mia."
SECOND FROM RIGHT: "Hi! This is Sherry, a third year student majoring in Economics and I prefer she/her pronouns. I am an international student from Beijing, China. Hotpot is my favorite food. So if there is any fantastic hotpot restaurant you love, please recommend it to me! Also, I'm looking forward to meet you at our ISS Office!"
RIGHT SIDE OF PHOTO: "Hey, I am Ujjval. I go by he/him/his pronouns. I am an International Student from New Delhi, India. I've lived in Doha, Qatar all my life. I am a junior in the Human Centered Design and Engineering Department. A fun fact about me is that I'm a huge cricket and soccer fan. I support Chelsea."

Want to Drop a Class? Submit a Request to ISS!

It's that time of the term where students often want to drop a class mid-terms. ISS is here to help. As students on F-1 visas, you MUST enroll full-time each quarter unless you have a full-time enrollment exception. Please review the information on our website so you know your options. You can also meet with an advisor to talk about the full-time enrollment exceptions.

CPT Information Session

If you're interested in CPT, please join our group advising session this Friday! The session is on Zoom and our advisors, Alisa and Kareen, are excited to share valuable information about the CPT with all of you. You'll also have a chance to ask questions at the end of the session.

Drop-In Advising Information

In-Person Advising

  • Days: Monday through Thursday
  • Time: 2 PM to 4 PM
  • Location: Schmitz Hall 490

Virtual Advising

  • Days: Monday through Friday
  • Time: 9 AM to 11 AM
  • Location: Zoom! Review the ISS Events Calendar to confirm availability and find the link!

What is a Travel Signature? And why does ISS keep talking about it?

In your orientation sessions, you heard a lot about travel signatures. The U.S. government requires your ISS advisors to confirm that you are maintaining F-1 status while you are a student here. One of the ways we do this is by signing your I-20 after we confirm your full-time enrollment. You only need the travel signature when you are re-entering the U.S. If you don't have one, Customs & Border Protection may decide to deny you entry OR you can be taken to secondary inspection for questioning. Travel signatures for continuing students are valid for 1 year. Students on OPT or STEM OPT need a new signature every six months.

REMINDERS

F-1 Student Travel Signature Clinics

F-1 students can begin attending travel signatures clinics in November.
For more information about travel signatures, review our website.

F-1 Employment Video Learning Series

The International Student Advising Team made some videos over the summer to help you understand common F-1 student employment topics! Please watch them to learn about these employment options.

Fun with Pumpkins

ISS staff members were asked what they do with pumpkins in the fall. Here are their answers:
  • Eating pumpkin pie with whipped cream -- Ed Farnham, ISS Program Assistant
  • While she prefers sweet potatoes, Ivonne Diaz (ISS advisor), will add canned pumpkin to oatmeal or pancakes.
  • Pumpkin carving and pumpkin sling shots (We're intrigued by the sling shot idea!) -- Leana de la Torre, ISS advisor
  • Pumpkin carving and then roast the seeds -- Alisa Sweet, ISS advisor
  • Bake pumpkin bread and bake the seeds -- Sharece M. Bunn - ISS Assistant Director
If you happen to make it to a pumpkin patch or carve your own pumpkin this year, make sure you show us a picture when you stop by the office or visit us for drop-in advising!

UPCOMING EVENTS & DEADLINES

ISS & ISHIP Early Fall Quarter Hours

The International Student Services office is open for regular business hours. You can visit our front desk Monday through Thursday, 1 PM to 4 PM.

The ISHIP Office has a virtual front desk Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 11 AM. An advisor is available to meet with you about insurance Monday through Thursday.
Let us know how we're doing by filling out our feedback form.
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