Office of International Student Services Newsletter

 Volume IV, Number 29

· GMSA and OISS end of the year picnic
· OISS Staff Attends NAFSA Conference May 27 to June 2
· OISS Closed for a University Holiday on May 28

Important Information

· Apply for OPT before May 18 if you are graduating in May
· Getting Ready to Go Home…
· Information for students completing studies Spring 2007
· Summer Options for F-1 and J-1 Students

Upcoming Events

· May 10 - GMSA and OISS end of the year picnic
· May 12 - Tea Tasting Fundraiser
· May 12 - Mila Mamo
Songs for Mother’s Day Concert
· May 14 - Travel Signature Day

Interesting Articles

· Campus climate survey goes online Apr 30-May 11
· ELS job: assist with computer-based testing on campus
· Graduating seniors and alumni: Still looking for a job?
· St. Thomas faculty to host free seminar for human resource professionals
· Student workers: Take care of these year-end payroll procedures
· Summer Internship as a Marketing Coordinator available
· University of St. Thomas announces commencement speakers for May 12 and 19 ceremonies
· World view: conversations with our international students

Personal Ad

· Items for sale

• You may return back to your home country and you have 60 days after graduation or until July 18, 2007 to depart the United States.
• You may continue your studies by applying for and being accepted for a higher level of study or the possibility of changing your program within the same level you are in now. You need to talk with an advisor in OISS to make sure you qualify for this opportunity and to start the process of obtaining a new SEVIS I-20. In both cases you would need to be accepted either here at St. Thomas or in a different U.S. university within the 60 days following the completion of your program. You would be expected to be a full time student beginning in the Fall Semester of 2007.
• You may change your visa if you qualify e.g. H-1, J-1, or Permanent Resident. If you qualify you need to apply for this visa change within the 60 days following the completion of your program (before July 18, 2007).
• You might be eligible for one year of Optional Practical Training (OPT), which means you may stay in the United States and work in a field related to your major course of study listed on your I-20. To follow this program you need to set up an appointment with an advisor in OISS to begin the paperwork for the Immigration Department. You do not need to have a job in hand to apply. You need to be sure that you are going to complete your studies by May 19. We recommend that you apply NOW since the Immigration Department must receive your OPT application before May 18, 2007 and it has been taking about 3 to 4 months to receive the EAD card, which is required to work during OPT. A student completing a course of study at the end of Spring semester 2007 may not apply for OPT after May 18, 2007. Please see an OISS advisor if you have any questions or concerns.