Spring 2020 | Week 9 | Weekly updates for International Students @ UC San Diego
Reminders and Upcoming Deadlines
DEADLINE TO DROP WITH 'W' ON TRANSCRIPT (GRADUATE STUDENTS)

This Friday, May 29th, 2020 is your deadline to drop any courses on your transcript with a 'W' for graduate students. International students are required to enroll in 12 units every quarter (besides summer). Prior to dropping any courses, ensure you talk to an ISPO Advisor about your eligibility to drop below 12 units due to a Reduced Course Load...
GRADUATING THIS QUARTER AND NEED HOUSING AFTER GRADUATION?

The Summer Transition Housing Program is for Spring 2020 graduates looking for flexible housing accommodations on campus this summer due to extenuating circumstances presented by #CO VID19. Students who may need flexible housing accommodations this summer and meet the eligibility criteria below will have the opportunity to apply for short-term transition housing on campus for Summer 2020. Housing availability runs from June 15 through September 5, 2020.
AS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUPPORT INITIATIVE

With generous support from the Associated Students International Student Support Initiative, the iTable program now includes additional emergency and special relief funding for students experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19-related challenges. Please fill out the  iTable Referral Form  for support.
BEWARE OF SCAMS!

International students are a common target of financial scams. During this pandemic where everything has gone digital, take extra precaution! If you receive unusual calls, emails, or texts asking to make payments or provide confidential information for tuition, housing, or immigration purposes, it could be a scam! DON'T PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION - Don’t be one of the victims!  

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION?

Students completing their program of study at UC San Diego have several options following their final term.  After the last day of your graduating term, you can remain in the U.S. during your grace period.F-1 students have a 60-day grace period while J-1 students have a 30-day grace period. See below for more details.


  • Apply for post-completion employment authorization (Note: J-1 students must apply and be approved for Academic Training before the completion of their program)
  • Transfer your SEVIS record to another school in the U.S. (Note: J-1 students must apply and be approved for the SEVIS transfer before the completion of their program)
  • Change to another visa status
  • Prepare to return to your home country and depart the U.S.
  • Apply for a Change of Level (Note: Only if you've been accepted to another program of study at UC San Diego)

Visit iStudents.ucsd to learn more...
IS THE PROGRAM END DATE ON YOUR FORM I-20/DS-2019 CORRECT?

Each time you receive a new I-20/DS-2019 from ISPO, take a look at your program end date listed. Although this is an 'expected program end date', failing to extend this program end date if you need more time to complete your program before the date listed can cause some problems for you and your immigration status. Once this date passes, ISPO is no longer able to extend the program end date. Find out how to extend your program end date...
Tune into ISPO's Webinars (iWebinars.ucsd.edu)
Student Life & Getting Involved on Campus (Undergrad) - Upcoming Webinar
Come learn what student life and getting involved on campus as an undergraduate student looks like at UC San Diego! Join us on Thursday, May 28th at 8:30am PST.  NOTE : Depending on your location outside the U.S., you may need a VPN connection to access this webinar/meeting. To do so, please visit the following page for instructions on how to download use UCSD's VPN network . Register Now!
Navigating Employment During COVID-19 - Webinar Recording
The Career Center and ISPO are teaming up to answer your most pressing employment questions during this pandemic. What should you do if you're on OPT and can't find a job? How does remote work and changes in employment impact your immigration status? How can you best communicate these changes to employers and navigate your job search? Watch the Live Webinar Recording Now!
Stay Connected from Home | iPrograms and Events
Return to Learn
Are you a UC San Diego student living on-campus? If so, we are looking for undergraduate and graduate student volunteers who would like to be tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This confidential program allows you to administer the test yourself (no contact with medical professionals), receive results at absolutely NO cost, and receive results within 24 hours! Please join this campus-wide effort! For more information about the program or learn how to participate, visit returntolearn.ucsd.edu  
Alone Together: COVID-19 Emotional Support Forum for International Students   
We are alone together. CAPS & ISPO are offering an Emotional Support Forum for International Students! Sharing connection, coping strategies, physical and psychological safety will help us fuel resilience. This is a weekly drop-in forum and every international student is welcome. Together, we will help you manage in the face of the enormous psychological strain that COVID-19 is generating. This forum will be led by CAPS Psychologist Dr Sophia Chang.  
Weekly ISPO Chats
Let's Chat! We understand that the current COVID-19 situation affects international students in unique ways and want to ensure that your concerns are heard and addressed. The situation is evolving rapidly and we hope this form   and the weekly office hours allow us to advocate on your behalf, identify solutions in a timely manner, be more proactive, and improve communication with our international student community. 
Check out what else is happening around campus...
  • "The Parachute Kids" Podcast: Growing up in a foreign land could be one of the most rewarding yet scary experiences of your life. Xiangdi and Tina, two parachute kids from mainland China and South Korea, share their insights on how they grew up away from their families while navigating different cultures and how to #thrive. 
  • Bilingual Learners Project at UC San Diego - Get involved today!
  • Globally Engaged Tritons Calendar –Visit ievents.ucsd.edu to learn more about virtual global engagement programming that you can participate in no matter where you are!
  • OASIS Language Arts Tutorial Services – Spring 2020
  • Tritons Connect Tritons Connect is a Triton exclusive network where you can be matched with a mentor, post and apply for job opportunities, join a community group, access a directory of Triton community members, and so much more!
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  istudents@ucsd.edu  .   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