Office of International Student Services Newsletter

 Volume III, Number 5

· What is VISION?
· Talent Search for Intl Fair during Intl Education Week

Important Information

· Search for companies who applied for H-1b visas
· Apply for OPT if you are graduating this December

Upcoming Activities

· Oct 4 - OISS Ongoing Session:  "All about Off-campus Work Permission"
· Oct 4 - Social Security Number Trip #1
· Oct 6 - Social Security Number Trip #2
· Oct 7 - Multicultural Bar Reception
· Oct 7 - Dance the Dandia
· Oct 7 - Mall of America shopping trip with the mentors
· Oct 9 - Mall of America shopping trip with STAR

Interesting Articles

· Box Office and Expeditions has new athletic and camping gear for rent
· Interested in playing badminton?
· Life/Work Center Newsletter
October 2005
· Personal Counseling announces four free counseling groups for fall
· Public Safety warns of apparent telephone scam
· UST hosts concerts, recitals in October
· You can find out about the company you want to work for without even leaving campus

Photo Galleries

· Opening Celebration

• Venezuela: $1400, January 3-26
• Guatemala: $1400, January 4-25
• Ecuador: $1400, January 4-25
• El Paso, Texas/ Juarez, Mexico Border: $650, January 7-22
• Alabama: $350, January 14-22
• Colorado: $350, January 14-22

What do you do at these sites?

What you do really depends on the site you go to, but there are some things you will experience no matter where you go.

• You will participate in local service projects which could be anything from working in an urban revitalization project, teaching English to elementary school children, or being part of an after school program.
• You will be immersed in the culture of the site through a variety of activities and educational opportunities
• You will get to know the group of St. Thomas students very well as these are small groups that spend a great deal of time together in this experience.
• You will look at the social justice issues faced by the community you visit. VISION often travels to communities struggling with issues of poverty. You will have the opportunity to learn about these issues and be a part of the many creative solutions be implemented.
• You will have an amazing experience!

How do you get involved?

A good way to start is to go to an info session to find out more. Info sessions will be held on

• Tuesday, October 4th from noon-1 in MHC 155,
• Thursday, October 6th: VISION will be presenting at the GMSA meeting
• Monday, October 10th from 7 -8pm in MHC 155

What is the application process?

• You can pick up an application and a trip booklet in ISS. Fill out all sections of this application form
• Show up at the Center for Community Partnerships (153MHC) on Tuesday, October 11th.
  The doors to Murray Herrick open at 5am and VISION will start accepting applications at 7:30am.
• Take an interview slip for only one trip and attach it to your application
• Hand in your application.
• Sign up for an interview time for your first choice trip (we will do our best to get applicants on their first choice trip but this is not guaranteed, so be flexible)
• All applicants must be present to apply
• Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 11th

VISION is a great experience for International students as it is a wonderful way to connect with the larger St. Thomas community, See a different side to the United States, or Latin America and make a difference.

• J-term 2006 Trip Booklet
• VISION Application January 2006