This past Saturday (March 25, 2017), UConn hosted its 47th Annual WorldFest celebration.  Read this great article from the Daily Campus for photos and a summary of the event.

Please be advised of recent fee changes associated with applying for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) and J-1 Academic Training (AT).

1)      For F-1 students: USCIS will raise OPT filing fees effective December 23^rd, 2016. Applications postmarked or filed on or after December 23rd must include the new filing fee, or USCIS will reject your application. The filing fee for all I-765 applications for OPT (including pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT and OPT STEM extension) will be raised to $410 (from the current $380).

2)      For F-1 and J-1 students: The University of Connecticut will begin implementing a Post-Completion Training SEVIS Maintenance Fee for all F-1 and J-1 students who will apply for post-completion Optional Practical Training (F-1) or post-completion Academic Training (J-1). This fee will be assessed at the time that you apply for post-completion OPT or AT, and will cover expenses related to maintaining your SEVIS record after you have graduated from the University. This fee will not be assessed for applications for pre-completion OPT or AT.  The fee will be $150 per 12 months of practical training that you are requesting. For example, if you are applying for 12 months of post-completion OPT, you fee will be $150. If you are applying for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, the fee will be $300. Details on how to pay the fee are posted on the ISSS webpage OPT application instructions. For OPT applicants, this fee is in addition to the USCIS filing fee mentioned above. The Post-Completion Training SEVIS Maintenance Fee will be required for OPT and AT applications submitted for approval to ISSS on or after January 1, 2017.

Please contact ISSS if you have any questions about these important changes.

Anna Middendorf and Charlotte Veitner were both named Longstreth/NFHCA Division I First Team All-Americans this week.  Middendorf and Veitner have received the All-America honors in the past, once before for Veitner and twice before for Middendorf.  Additionally Veitner was named All-Mideast Region Player of the Year and Middendorf was named Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year.  Read this great article detailing the honors received by these international student athletes.

http://today.uconn.edu/2016/12/innovative-device-could-offer-new-hope-for-heart-patients/

UConn international student Islam Mosa is ready to dramatically change the world of cardiac pacemakers; he’s winning awards and getting recognition for his work too.  Mosa recently won the People’s Choice Award in the 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition sponsored by Universitas 21. Read this terrific article in UConn Today and watch his 3MT presentation below.

http://today.uconn.edu/2016/12/innovative-device-could-offer-new-hope-for-heart-patients/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OfRBf_4RbI

Last Tuesday, ISSS welcomed dozens of international students to our Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon! ISSS staff served some traditional Thanksgiving foods like turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce to hungry students in celebration of the U.S. holiday. For some it was their first Thanksgiving in the U.S.!

Students shared what they are thankful for this holiday season and took photos. ISSS staff is thankful for all of our amazing and inspiring international students! We hope you have a wonderful break!

thanksgiving-flyer

ISSS Election Results

International students and scholars had a chance to voice their opinion on who should be the next U.S. president with a mock ballot box at the ISSS Front Desk. While turnout was low, the results may surprise you! The winner, with 15 votes, went to republican nominee Donald Trump. He was followed close behind by democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (12) votes. Gary Johnson (Libertarian) and Jill Stein (Green Party) each got one vote. And finally, the following candidates each got a “write-in” vote: Bernie Sanders, Barack Obama, and our own Arthur Galinat! Thanks to those who participated!

ISSS International Student Spotlight: Andreas Knappe
Watch the terrific video profile and read the story from November 4, 2016 on UConn Football team captain and international student Andreas Knappe.  http://today.uconn.edu/2016/11/uconn-football-profile-andreas-knappe/

The Olympic Torch
by Pauline Batista Souza da Silva, ’16 M.A.

As we all know, in spite of all controversy this year, the Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A Latin American capital we all know very well through the life stories of Pelé, Tom Jobim, Hollywood, Carmen Miranda and many other sources of the glamour 20th century entertainment brings.

Because eight years ago, me – from the Rio nobody shows in Hollywood (at least from an amicable perspective), a young woman who’s story has drastically changed, joined other 12 thousand Olympic Torch Bearers this summer.

I left the favela when I was 9 years old, moved to Paraty, a very charming town three hours away from Rio where my family has now become financially successful. I have always studied hard. I now have a bachelors degree as well as a masters degree and have already accepted a PhD candidacy offer. Nissan (one of the Olympic Games’ sponsors) found my story quite appealing and decided to make me an Olympic Torch bearer this summer. Precisely on July 27th, I crossed Paraty, bearing the torch and the hope for all of those who come from underrepresented communities in South America and who have ambitious dreams.