This message was originally sent by email on January 15, 2025

Dear International Students and Scholars!

Happy New Year!  I can’t believe that the winter break ends this week and the first day of classes for the spring 2025 term is next Tuesday, January 21.  CISS staff is busy this week participating in a variety of CISS Welcome Programs as well as other university and department orientation programs to help support new international students on our UConn campuses.  Please see some important reminders for new and continuing international students at UConn.

Reminders for All Students

Full-Time Enrollment – As a reminder all international students must be enrolled full-time and in predominantly in-person classes.  Only 3 credits of online coursework can count towards your full-time enrollment requirement.  Please review the full-time enrollment requirements here and contact your academic advisor if you have questions about your enrollment.  Follow these instructions to review your class schedule.

Connect with Your ISSS Advisor – As a reminder view the CISS Advising Services to meet your ISSS Advisor and to schedule an appointment.

Reminders for New Students

If this is your first semester at UConn or you received an updated form I-20 or DS-2019 with a January 2025 start date you must complete the “Immigration Check-in” with ISSS by submitting your arrival documents and completing all steps in the Arrival Checklist after you arrive in the U.S.  THANK YOU to all the new students who already completed their immigration check in, you do not need to do this again.

If you are working on campus in an on-campus job or as a graduate assistant, don’t forget to submit the Foreign National Information Form to the payroll office and to work with ISSS to apply for a social security number (SSN).  Apply for your Social Security Number with ISSS on January 30, 2025 from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Advanced sign up is required.

Please log in to MyHealth.uconn.edu and check your compliance with university immunization requirements.  If you are not 100% compliant please follow up with Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) ensure you are compliant. Storrs campus students can contact SHAW in person by visiting the SHAW at the Infirmary in the Hilda May Williams Bldg or by calling 860-486-4700 to schedule an appointment.  Regional campus students can contact the Nurse Navigators at their campus and they can help you find a local provider and submit documentation to SHAW online.  Students at the School of Law should follow guidance and procedures as instructed by the registrar at the School of Law.

Reminders for Continuing Students

Are you graduating in Spring 2025?  If you will be graduating in spring 2025 and you do not require a full course load to complete your degree, you can request to take a reduced course load for last semester from ISSS.   If spring 2025 will be your last semester and you only need to enroll in one course, it must be an in-person course and must be offered at UConn.   If you will graduate in Spring 2025 and you are interested to stay in the U.S. and work in your major field or complete an internship or training after graduation you should attend an OPT workshop and plan to apply for OPT with ISSS in February or March.  Review the Optional Practical Training (OPT) information and application procedures on our website.

Upcoming Events That We Recommend

Storrs Campus
“Winter Clothing Pickup” Monday-Friday @ CISS 2019 Hillside Rd. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Make sure you are prepared for the cold weather!  CISS received a small donation of used winter clothing specifically for international students who may need additional winter clothing. Come to CISS in person and ask the front desk to see the winter clothing.

U.S. Internships: The Process, Search and Authorization Tuesday, January 30 1:00-2:00 PM online.

Internship & Co-Op Fair Tuesday, February 4 11:00-3:00 PM Student Union, 3rd Floor
The UConn Internship & Co-op fair allows you to connect with employers from dozens of industries who are specifically interested in hiring UConn students for internship and co-op opportunities. This event takes place in February each year.

Involvement Fair Wednesday, January 29 – 1:00-6:00 PM at Gampel Pavilion
Find new ways to connect, make friends and get involved at UConn – see over 400 different student clubs and organizations.

Enjoy these last few days before spring term starts and stay warm!

Best regards,

Arthur

___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 860.486.5800

EMAIL: arthur.galinat@uconn.edu | http://isss.uconn.edu
Facebook: @UConnGlobal  | Instagram: @uconn.global

This information was originally sent to all GAs on an F-1 or J-1 visa in December 2024 and will be sent out again before the end of the Fall 2024 term. If you are not graduating this fall, this information will not apply to you, but is still important to understand for the future.

Dear International Huskies,

Federal government regulations allow graduate students on F-1 and J-1 visas to hold on-campus employment while they are pursuing their degree. If you complete your degree requirements during Fall 2024 and if your degree is conferred in December, you will no longer be pursuing your degree after December 15, 2024.

If you hold an Academic Year 2024/2025 or Fall 2024 appointment at Storrs or a regional campus (excepting UConn Health), the final date of your appointment is January 7, 2025. If your degree is conferred in December and you hold an F-1 or J-1 visa and your assistantship appointment is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Graduate Employee Union (GEU), the time from December 15, 2024 through January 7, 2025 should be treated as time off. Please work with your supervisor to ensure you finish the duties associated with your assistantship before December 15, 2024. You will still receive your full Fall 2024 GA stipend.

In addition, ISSS will be updating your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date to December 15, 2024 if you are graduating in December and hold a GAship this term. This means your grace period to depart the U.S., or your first eligible date to begin post-completion practical training will begin December 16, 2024. Please plan for this accordingly. ISSS will adjust your I-20 or DS-2019 end date automatically based on notification that you have applied for graduation, or at the time you apply for post-completion OPT (F-1 students) or Academic Training (J-1 students), whichever comes first. ISSS will notify you when your adjusted I-20 or DS-2019 is ready to download from your ISSS portal account later in December.

Please reach out to ISSS at international@uconn.edu if you have any questions about this change as it relates to your visa status, I-20, grace period, or practical training timeline.
Leslie M. Shor
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of The Graduate School

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student and Scholar Services

This message was originally sent by email on 12/2/2024

Dear International Huskies,

The holiday season is approaching, which is a busy time for international travel. Before deciding whether to travel internationally, please read the following detailed information carefully. More than ever, it is important to follow all international travel procedures and meet with your ISSS Advisor prior to international travel if your proposed trip falls outside of approved travel policy. We encourage you to monitor the CISS website for up-to-date information.

Report Your Travel

You must report your travel to ISSS every time you depart the U.S.  Complete a Travel Information Record in the ISSS Portal before you leave the U.S.  All students must return to UConn by the start of Spring term.  We recommend returning to campus no later than January 19, 2025, so that you have time to move back into your housing and get settled prior to the first day of classes.     

Valid Travel Signature

All students and scholars need a valid travel signature before you depart the U.S.  The “Travel Endorsement” section on page 2 of your Form I-20 for F-1 students or the “Travel Validation” space on page 1 of your Form DS-2019 for J-1 visa holders should contain a signature from our office, not more than one year old as of the date of your intended return. If you need a travel signature this fall, see the options below.

All Students/ All Campuses – 1) Complete a Travel Information Record in the ISSS Portal. 2) Download and print the updated I-20/DS-2019 with travel signature and sign page one or pick up your documents at your campus ISSS before departing the U.S.

Valid Visa Stamp
You must have a valid visa stamp in your passport to enter the U.S.* (with possible exception for short trips to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands**). If your visa stamp has expired or will expire before your planned return to the U.S., you must make a non-immigrant visa appointment at a U.S. Consulate. If you need a new visa stamp, we recommend that you reconsider your travel during winter break as there may not be enough time to secure your visa and return in time for the start of spring term.  Consider traveling over summer break to make an appointment with the U.S. Consulate in your home country. Be aware that U.S. Consulates are busy this time of year and will be closed for U.S. and local holidays. As always, the issuance of visa stamps is at the discretion of the Consular Officers.
*Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement.  ** Please contact your ISSS advisor if you have questions about automatic visa revalidation.

Prepare for Reentry to U.S.

Every time you travel abroad and reenter the U.S. the CBP officers at the port of entry will evaluate your request to reenter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 visa holder. Be sure to travel with all the documentation we recommend in our Travel Advisory (passport, visa, paper copy of form I-20 with travel signature for F-1 visa holders, paper copy of form DS-2019 with travel signature for J-1 visa holders, proof of funding, official UConn transcript, class schedule for spring term, proof of teaching or research assistantship, proof of participation in UConn athletics, proof of employment or invitation to UConn for J-1 scholars).  Don’t give the port of entry officers any opportunity to question your legitimacy as a UConn student.  This means arriving on-time for the start of the semester and traveling with all your required documentation.  This means traveling only during vacation periods, not when school is in session. When possible, try to schedule your flight to arrive Monday – Friday from 7:00 am – 4:00 pm, this way the ISSS will be open should the CBP officer call. If you arrive after hours and the CBP wants to call the ISSS they should call the UConn Police at 860-486-4800   

Restrictions on Working Abroad

As a reminder, F-1 and J-1 students are not permitted to engage in remote employment while outside of Connecticut, this includes GA or TA work performed from abroad.  Students engaged in student labor on-campus employment may not continue working from abroad when traveling home.  Graduate Assistants appointed as RAs or TAs should plan to use time off and may not perform any GA duties unless their department has secured approval of an exception in advance from graduatedean@uconn.edu and potentially from UConn’s Export Control officer as well.

Download the myUConn App and Connect with ISSS

Follow these instructions to download the myUConn app and “Opt In” to communications from International Student and Scholar Services. If there are any urgent notifications we need to communicate, ISSS will push a notification through myUConn with instructions on how to get more information or what steps you need to take.

Thank you for reading this important information. If you have travel or visa-related concerns or questions after reviewing the above information, please email international@uconn.edu and an advisor will be in touch with you.

We wish you a safe and warm winter season.

Best regards,

Arthur

___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 860.486.5800

EMAIL: arthur.galinat@uconn.edu | http://isss.uconn.edu
Facebook: @UConnGlobal  | Instagram: @uconn.global

This message was originally sent by email to all international students and scholars on October 8, 2024. 

Hello and greetings from the Center for International Students and Scholars!

We are about halfway through the Fall semester. On behalf of CISS, I wanted to check in to see how everyone is doing and send some important information about scams and checking in on your friends.

Scams are difficult to identify, but there are a few key pieces of information that will help you:
1. No one, including police from your own country, will ask you to use Skype, Teams, or a phone call to provide important, personal information. If they do, it is a scam.
2. You should never provide details on where you are going everyday to someone claiming to be an official from your country or from the US. If someone asks you to do this, go to the UConn police and report this or come to CISS and we will help you report this.
3. If someone tells you to not report something or not tell someone, then this is a scam and they are trying to trick you into doing something. It is never too late to stop a scam.
4. If someone texts you, calls you, send you an email, or a message that you that you have done something wrong and you will be arrested, that is a scam. Remember you are a victim and the police are here to help you.
5. If someone tells you what to say or what to do, this is a scam.

Verify: If you get a phone call you can always let it go to voicemail. CISS can help you verify if it is a scam. Never call back before verifying with CISS or another expert (in-person).

We would like you to take this time to check in with your friends. Is someone you know getting scammed? If anyone is sending money or information to someone else using Skype, Teams, email, text, or an app, now is the time to stop and report the activity. Your report will help others in the future. Please go to the UConn police and they will help you. The staff at CISS are always here to help you too. If you have any questions or if you would like to ask if something is a scam, we are here and you will not be in trouble. Please also remember to check in on your friends.
https://international-global.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2021/12/ISSS_170_Scams-Handout-DIGITAL.pdf

Regards,
Jeannie

Jeannie Slayton, Ph.D.
Director, Intercultural Programs & Support, UCAELI

UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Students & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Road Unit 1198
STORRS, CT 06269-1198
Phone: 860-486-8484
www.ucaeli.uconn.edu
www.ita.uconn.edu

CISS Services on Thursday, July 4, 2024

The Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) will be closed for the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, July 4, 2024. The 4^th of July is traditionally celebrated with backyard barbecues and fireworks displays.  Many cities all over Connecticut will have fireworks displays starting tonight.  Visit: https://ctvisit.com/articles/connecticut-fireworks-2024  for more information.  For Storrs campus students one local July 4^th tradition is the WILI “Boom Box Parade” on Main Street in Willimantic.

Staffing Updates at the Center for International Students and Scholars

CISS is pleased to announce that the addition of two new staff to the office.  Fernando Rodriguez-Barberet recently joined UCAELI, UConn’s Intensive English Program, on June 14, 2024 in the role of Academic Program Administrator. Prior to joining UCAELI he worked as an English language and Intercultural Communication lecturer at Shanghai Normal University both online and in-person. He attained an MSc in Applied Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh and a bachelors in triple languages at the University of Delaware. As a multilingual educator with fluency in Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese and English, his passion for languages and language education is resolute. He has varied experience in curriculum design, language teaching and linguistic research in Asia and Europe, offering a global perspective on ESL related administration. He enjoys volleyball, ping pong, cooking, reading and is a big fan of the outdoors. You can regularly find him on a trail deep in the woods whether it be on a mountain bike or on foot!

We are also happy to welcome Hailey Winschel to CISS in the role of Administrative Assistant as of June 28, 2024.  Prior to joining the ISSS Hailey worked at the University of Hartford and with the town of Simsbury.  Hailey earned her BFA in photography from the University of Hartford, spending her junior year abroad in Seoul, South Korea.  Hailey speaks a little Korean and Spanish and she is an avid gardener. You can find Hailey at the front desk when you come to CISS. Please join me in welcoming both Fernando and Hailey to CISS and to UConn.

Best,

Arthur

___________

Arthur Galinat
Director, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Student & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Rd., U-1083
STORRS, CT 06269-1083
PHONE: 860.486.3855  |  FAX: 860.486.5800