Announcing New Section on ISSO Website, Open Mic; Try-A-Pie, & Travel Signatures!

Nov. 11, 2011


1 – IMPORTANT DATES: ISSO Try-A-Pie, 11/17 from 2-4pm

2 – ANNOUNCEMENTS: *NEW* ISSO Open Mic section on website!

3 - UPCOMING ISSO EVENTS: Travel Signature Days

4 – REMINDERS: OPT Application Drop-In  Times

5- WORKSHOPS: November ISSO Off Campus Employment Workshops

1- IMPORTANT DATES

Try-A-Pie, November 17, 2-4pm

ISSO

The ISSO likes to start our Thanksgiving feasting early every year with Try-A-Pie! You are cordially invited to join us to sample an array of delicious pies contributed by Brandeis staff/faculty and vote for your favorite!  We look forward to seeing you there!

2 - ANNOUNCEMENTS

*NEW* The International Students & Scholars Office is excited to present ISSO Open Mic, the newest addition to ISSO's website: http://www.brandeis.edu/acserv/isso/openmic/index.html!

As international students and scholars, you bring an amazing and unique perspective to the Brandeis campus...The ISSO wants to provide you with an open forum to share YOUR perspective! Open Mic will be for you to tell us about your experiences as you adjust to Brandeis and U.S. university life, and to hear what your peers are experiencing as well!

Each month, ISSO will announce a different topic or question, and if you have something to say or share, all you need to do is respond to the email! Whether you are an international first-year graduate student, a research scholar, an undergraduate senior, or somewhere in between, we are interested in hearing from you!

So, with that being said, this month’s question is: "What do you do when you miss home?"

What are the Guidelines?

Please keep your submissions to a paragraph or two. Submissions can be anonymous or not-indicate your preference in your email.  Email your submissions to isso@brandeis.edu. Feel free to include a photo! 

When is the Due Date?

Submissions for this month will be due by November 29th.

Based on the number of responses, your submission will be featured in this month's Open Mic.

If you have any questions, or if you want to participate, please send an email to isso@brandies.edu. Thanks!


3 - UPCOMING ISSO EVENT

Travel Signature Days

November 14, 15, and 16 from 10am-4pm

If you will be traveling outside of the U.S. for the upcoming Thanksgiving or winter holidays, double check that you have gotten a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 that will be less than 6 months old when you re-enter the U.S.  If you need a new signature, you can get one on the spot at the ISSO on November 14, 15, and 16th from 10am-4pm.  If you have a previous signature, but it is not less than 6 months old, you need a new signature. 

To help you figure out if you need a travel signature or not, please find more information on our website under "Travel Information."

If you need a new travel signature, and you do not come to the ISSO for the Travel Signature Days, you will  need to leave your I-20 or DS-2019 and retrieve it the following day. Please plan in advance and come to the Travel Signature Days if you can make it!

4 - REMINDERS

Every week: OPT Application Drop-Ins

Mondays 10-12, 2-3

Tuesdays 10-12, 2-4

Thursdays 10-12, 2-4

Fridays 10-12, 2-4

ISSO, Kutz 215

Each week at the above days and times only, are OPT Application Drop-In Hours at the ISSO. There is more information about what to bring on our ISSO website under "Checklist for OPT Application Drop-Offs." Incomplete applications will not be accepted during OPT Application Drop In Hours. If you would like to make an appointment for OPT instead of OPT Application Drop-In Hours, we are happy to do so and PhD candidates CANNOT apply for OPT during OPT Application Drop-In Hours. They must make an appointment. Before applying for OPT, it is highly recommended to come to an ISSO Employment Workshop.  The schedule is below.

5-WORKSHOPS

 
Friday, November 4


All Fall 2011 Employment Workshops will cover Curricular Practical Training (CPT, for F1 Visa holders) starting at 3pm, Optional Practical Training (OPT, for F1 Visa holders) from 3:30pm-4:30, and Academic Training (AT, for J1 Visa holders) starting at 4:30pm until 5pm. Workshops will be in the conference room of Kutz 215.