Winter 2021 | Week 11 | Weekly updates for International Students @ UC San Diego
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Deadlines, Reminders and Updates
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Statement of Support for the Asian/Asian American Pacific Islander Communities
ISPO is saddened by last Monday's senseless violence in Atlanta. We are deeply concerned and condemn the ongoing violence and racist acts against our Asian communities in the U.S. and abroad. We stand in solidarity with our Asian/Asian-American Pacific Islander communities and are here to support you.
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3/26F - ISPO Office Closure: Cesar Chavez Holiday
ISPO will be closed on Friday, March 26th, in observance of Cesar Chavez Day. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, March 29, 2021.
Please visit iContact.ucsd.edu for business and closure hours and emergency contact information.
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Traveling to the U.S.? Check Your Documents!
As Spring Break approaches, we understand that many students are planning to take personal-related trips. We encourage our students to refrain from non-essential travel. If you are considering travel, be sure to check the latest CDC travel advisories, which currently recommend avoiding nonessential travel to certain regions. Also keep in mind that the situation is fluid and other countries can always add or change travel restrictions, flights may be canceled, and new re-entry restrictions could be imposed. Please be sure to provide family and friends with your itinerary and contact information before you travel.
If you choose to travel internationally, make sure you have all the required documentation for travel and re-entry into the U.S., including a valid travel signature on your I-20 (F-1 Students) or DS-2019 (J-1 Students). A travel signature is valid for one year from the date of last signature (6 months for F-1 OPT students). If your travel signature will be expired at the time of your re-entry into the U.S., you need to renew it before you leave the U.S.
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Planning to Work in the U.S. After Graduation?
Is Spring 2021 your final quarter at UC San Diego? If you plan to work after graduation, you should plan to apply for post-completion work authorization known as Post-completion Optional Practical Training (for F-1 students) or Post-Completion Academic Training (for J-1 students). Students may be eligible to apply for F-1 OPT or J-1 AT to gain practical experience in their field of study after graduation. This process takes time so plan ahead and understand your timeline.
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Check Your I-20 or DS-2019 Program End Date!
Take a look at your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 Program End Date. Before the program end date listed, consider if any of the following apply to you:
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If you need more time to complete your degree requirements, make sure you submit a Program Extension Request in iPortal before the end date listed on your document. Failure to do so may result in problems with your immigration status.
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If you changing degree level (bachelor to master or master to doctorate), make sure you submit a Change of Degree Level Request in iPortal before the end date listed on your document. Failure to do so may result in problems with your immigration status.
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New Interactive Map of Employers Who Sponsored Alumni Employer Data
The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) and International Faculty & Scholar Office (IFSO) is proud to announce two new innovative tools to support international students and scholars:
1) Interactive Alumni Employment map that shows the U.S. employers who sponsored UC San Diego international students on Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), Academic Training and STEM OPT in 2020.
The interactive maps include company name and address information. It is designed to be helpful tools for international students and scholars in their job and internship search process.
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Permanent Residency (PR) Overview
Tuesday, March 25
12:00 - 1:00 PDT
The workshop will introduce the main pathways for employment-based PR (Outstanding Professor or Researcher, Labor Certification for Advanced Degree Holders, National Interest Waiver, and Extraordinary Ability), discuss the connection of the I-140 immigrant and I-485 Adjustment of Status petitions, and the timing of submissions relative to the Visa Bulletin and USCIS processing times. This workshop is for researchers who are beginning to think about PR through employment as an option for the future.
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Changing Status to H-1B Overview
Tuesday, March 30
12:00 - 1:00 PDT
Are you interested in changing to H-1B status at UC San Diego? This workshop will provide an overview of H-1B status and how to change to H-1B status with employment at UC San Diego. Topics will include institutional policy, titles, J-1 212e restrictions, costs, timing, and more. Please note that this workshop focuses on H-1B status based on employment at UC San Diego and that the process will differ from an H-1B sponsored in industry.
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Sign up for these programs happening now!
Stay connected with ISPO and other Tritons by taking a look at our events calendar at iEvents.ucsd.edu
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Virtual Student Union
If you are looking for ways to connect with fellow Tritons during Spring Break and the rest of the academic year, the UC San Diego Virtual Student Union is a great place to start! Similar to iEvents but for a broader campus audience, the Virtual Student Union is a great one-stop shop for virtual activities and events designed for you to stay engaged and entertained!
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English in Action Conversation Program
Join the English-in-Action (EIA) conversation program to help you improve your conversational English language skills and exchange cultures with your conversation partner! Conversation volunteers are native English speakers made up of UCSD students, staff and community members. Participants meet remotely so you can join from wherever you are in the world!
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Triton Tools and Tidbits Podcast - International Women's Day & Women's HERstory Month
Listen Now!
This recent episode of the Triton Tools and Tidbits podcasts celebrates International Women's Day and Women's HERstory Month through a dynamic student panel who share stories of women who inspired them and how they plan to forge a more gender neutral world. Because the theme was International Women's Day, the host invited students from Belize, India, Singapore and Turkey!
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Let's Talk
Mondays from 3:30-4:30 PM PST
The UC San Diego Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is pleased to offer “Let’s Talk”, a program designed to provide drop-in consultation services to undergraduate and graduate international students. The one-on-one meetings with Dr. Rina Schul (CAPS/ISPO Liaison) are for international students who are seeking informal support with issues such as stress, adjustment, cross-cultural challenges, motivation, focus, and relationships. Let’s Talk sessions are designed to provide practical strategies, information, and support.
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As we continue to shift our services to accommodate the needs of our students, this schedule may fluctuate and is subject to change. ISPO's most current advising hours can be found at iContact.ucsd.edu.
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WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER?
You have been identified as an F-1 or J-1 International Student. To ensure you receive important regulatory information to maintain your immigration status while studying at UC San Diego, you have been automatically added to this newsletter to receive updates. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by clicking 'Unsubscribe...." at the bottom of this email block. If you are NOT in F1 or J1 status and believe you have been subscribed in error, please email iStudents@ucsd.edu.
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