Fall 2020 | Week 8 | Weekly updates for International Students @ UC San Diego
Office Closures for Fall Break: (Thursday 11/26 and Friday 11/27)

Please note that ISPO’s virtual office will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 in observance of the Fall Break. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, November 30. Please visit iContact.ucsd.edu for business and closure hours and emergency contact information.  
ISPO Advice for Fall & Winter Breaks
Because of continued health and safety concerns, visa delays, and existing travel restrictions still in effect, ISPO continues to recommend that students avoid non-essential travel both domestically and internationally. However, we recognize that some students have compelling reasons for traveling so below are several factors to consider when making travel plans:

  • Travel Advice: Recent travel and holiday gatherings will place you at an increased risk for SARS CoV-2 infection. This risk will carry over for at least 14 days after you return. Learn more about how to stay safe if planning to travel domestically or internationally during the fall break.  If you are traveling, make sure you provide your family and friends with your travel itinerary.
  • Get Tested Before Traveling: Many airlines and countries such as China require that passengers present a negative COVID-19 test and an antibody test before boarding a flight. Student Health Services (SHS) is offering antibody (IgG and IgM) tests to students. Call SHS at 858-534-3300 and request a COVID-19 antibody test. SHS can also write a letter confirming your test results for you to print off and present to airport and immigration officials. All test results and documents will be uploaded to MyStudentChart within 24-48 hours (please note there is a $57 charge). If you require a COVID-19 Nucleic Acid PCR test that shows you are negative, you can get a free test in the Price Center and any of the UC San Diego Health drive-up sites. SHS can also administer this test but if it is only for travel purposes there will be a $65 charge. For more information, visit returntolearn.ucsd.edu.
  • Immigration Documents: Visit iTravel.ucsd.edu for a checklist of immigration documents to carry with you when traveling domestically or internationally.  
  • Know Your Rights: The safety and security of our students is a top priority. It is important that you know your rights as a student and how you can be proactive in having a safe and enjoyable program of student at UC San Diego. Learn tips for interacting with U.S. law enforcement and government agencies and understanding your rights..
  • Housing During Fall Break: Students residing in campus-operated housing are welcome to stay on campus for the full duration of Fall Break and remain on campus for the rest of Fall Quarter. UC San Diego strongly recommends that any student who travels away from campus for Fall Break should not return to campus until the start of Winter Quarter in January 2021. Visit the HDH FAQ page for important details about each Fall Break option. 
Fall 2020 Course Modality Update
Based on new guidance from the State of California and the San Diego County Public Health Department, all courses that have an in-person element must now transition to remote or outdoor teaching no later than Monday, November 23rd.

  • Students Outside of the U.S.: Students who are physically located outside of the U.S. may continue their remote instruction during the fall term. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has not yet released any guidance for the winter term regarding eligibility for students with initial/new I-20 or DS-2019s to request entry to the U.S. for winter term. ISPO will update you once SEVP releases guidance for winter term. Please reference the FAQ for the Winter 2021 schedule of classes for more information.
  • International Students Inside of the U.S.: Students who are physically located inside of the U.S. may continue to remain in the U.S. and maintain their F-1 or J-1 status as per the latest guidance from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released on August 7, 2020. Ensure that you follow-up directly with your instructors and departments for updates and expectations moving forward if your course modality will change due to the public health guidance. 
Weekly Deadlines, Reminders & Updates
Check Your Form 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: 
  • 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.  
  • 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. 
  • If you are in your final quarter, consider the following options after graduation available for international students.  
Under-enrollment for FA20 Admits with Initial Records that are Outside the U.S.:  

  • Under-enrollment for FA20 Admits with Initial Records that are Outside the U.S.:  Students with initial SEVIS records that are outside the U.S. do not need to submit a Reduced Course Load (RCL) request if enrolled in less than 12 units.  
  • Continuing students with an Active SEVIS record:  Continuing students with active SEVIS record are advised to enroll full time, and if eligible for a RCL, should submit a RCL if they will drop below 12 units. 

For more information, review the Reduced Course Load webpage.
Housing, Dining and Hospitality Holiday Fall Break Hours
Café Ventanas and Seventh Market will remain open during Fall Break but with limited hours. All markets and dining halls will resume normal operating hours on Sunday, November 29, 2020
Café Ventanas

  • Thursday, Nov 26: 12 - 6 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov 27: 12 - 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov 28: 12 - 8 p.m.
Market @ Seventh College

  • Thursday, Nov 26: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov 27: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov 28: 9 a.m. - 5:30p.m.
Stay Connected with Fellow Tritons | iPrograms and iEvents
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
Fall Break Connection Program
Today's the Last Day to Sign Up!

Instead of our traditional Thanksgiving Exchange Program, this year we will be matching students who would like to connect with other students over the fall break - because a global pandemic should not be reason enough to prevent us from connecting and celebrating gratitude. We will match each student with two other students to connect over the fall break. 
J-1 Off-Campus Employment Webinar
Tuesday, December 1 from 12-1 PM

Learn about off campus work authorization for J-1 students. This webinar is intended for graduate and undergraduate students in J-1 status. 
Check out ISPO's Guide to Fall Break!
Looking for things to do over break? ISPO created a list to help you plan! From virtual activities and events to all of the classic Thanksgiving TV that you need to binge, this guide has lots of helpful suggestions on how to spend your time off.

See the complete guide HERE!

If you're in San Diego and want some fresh air, take this time to explore the Stuart Art Collection through the Self-Guided Stuart Collection Scavenger Hunt! Follow the list of tasks for each work of art and document the experience via photo of video. Different tasks are worth different points based on how challenging they might be. That being said, the goal of the hunt is not to get the most points but to have the most fun! You can do the scavenger hunt by yourself or with one or two other friends. For the rules, instructions and different tasks to complete, click HERE.

Happy Hunting!
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. 
Virtual Zoom Walk-in Advising 
ISPO has expanded virtual advising hours to accommodate different time zones for the fall quarter. See the exact advising times/hours on our website.
Online Contact Form
Send ISPO an email through our Online Contact Form. These inquiries are directed to specific advisors depending on nature of the request.
Download the Official UC San Diego Mobile App!
GET THE LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES FROM ISPO AND UC SAN DIEGO ON THE APP! ISPO Alerts--a new tool for receiving important updates for international students--will be available later this Fall term so don't miss out!  Available for iPhone and Android. Visit mobile.ucsd.edu for more information on how to download the app.
International Students & Programs Office | iStudents.ucsd.edu
WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER? All international students studying at UC San Diego are automatically subscribed to the iStudents Newsletter to ensure they receive proper immigration updates from our office. The information sent in this Newsletter is available on ISPO's website, iStudents.ucsd.edu, or may direct students to other external resources. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by emailing [email protected]. Note, all international students at UC San Diego are responsible for staying up to date with immigration regulations that may affect them. To learn more, visit our website at iStudents.ucsd.edu