iBuzz

ISSS Walk-In Advising Hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:30-11:30 & 1:30-4:30

Whats the International Buzz?

Welcome to new students!
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) would like to welcome our new international students starting classes at Georgia Tech this summer! ISSSs mission is to serve as a resource, advocate, and expert for the large and diverse population of international student and scholars at Georgia Tech. We strive to create an environment where international students and scholars are able to make a well-integrated transition to GT through diverse cultural, education, and leadership opportunities. iBuzz, the ISSS newsletter, is one of the more comprehensive ways we communicate with our students and scholars so please review the information each time its sent. Please also remember to review OIEs website for important information on your visa status, updates, upcoming events, etc. We also have a Twitter account that strives to keep you up-to-date on important deadlines, upcoming events, and of course the latest YouTube videos! Find us @GATechISSS. As youve noticed, summer is a slow time on campus so you will be hearing from us less and there tend to be fewer academic and other type of activities for students. However, when fall begins youll see our thriving international student body and we hope that you will take advantage of the myriad of opportunities available from ISSS, other administrative and academic units and student organizations on campus! Who is on campus during the summer? International Student and Scholar Services is; although our office space will be constantly changing as the 2nd floor of Savant undergoes renovations! Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have via our email address: info@oie.gatech.edu or by stopping by our office during walk-in hours to speak with an international student advisor. Our walk-in hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30-11:30 & 1:30-4:30.

ISSS Advising May 27th to May 31st

Georgia Tech (including OIE) will be closed Monday, May 27th for the Memorial Day holiday. In addition, ISSS will have reduced staff in the office from Tuesday, May 28th through Friday, May 31st because many international student advisors will attend a professional development conference. Walkin hours will remain the same (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30-11:30 & 1:30-4:30), but please plan accordingly if you send an email or would like to see an advisor during this time. With the start of summer semester, ISSS advisors are helping new students complete check-in, assisting recent graduates prepare for post-GT life, working with students preparing to come to GT in the fall, and advising continuing students on any issues they may have. Due to the high volume of the season, it may take us a few extra days to respond to an email sent via info@oie.gatech.edu or directly to an ISSS advisor. If your situation is an emergency, please resend your email and note the nature of your emergency in the first line of the email. Otherwise, we appreciate your patience and will respond as soon as possible.

Meet Samay Jhunjhunwalla: International Student Leadership Award Winner

Each year, the Office of International Education (OIE) honors one Georgia Tech international student who has contributed significantly to the internationalization of the Georgia Tech campus and has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills. The recipient must excel both in and outside the classroom by holding a high GPA, be an active member of cultural student organizations, attending a leadership seminar or conference, and holding a leadership position. A recommendation from a Georgia Tech faculty or staff member is an essential part of the application process. This year, the Office of International Education is proud to present the 2013 International Student Leadership Award to Samay Jhunjhunwalla. Samay is an international student from India. He came to Georgia Tech in August of 2010 to study Industrial Engineering. While at Georgia Tech, Samay has excelled both inside and outside the classroom. He holds a high GPA and this summer he is completing his final COOP semester with Delta Airlines. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Samay has become a model leader on campus. Some of his most outstanding accomplishments include acting as a Peer Leader for GA Tech Housing, a member of GA Tech International Ambassadors, a guest manager at the Student Center, and a logistics chair for the Student Center Programs Council. He is also a member of GT Qurbani, the South-East Asian dance organization. In January of 2013, he attended the Georgia International Leadership Conference at which he presented a session on the Challenges and Opportunities of Being a Successful Leader. During this session, Samay was able to share his experience and expertise with other students from across the state. Samay is a wonderful example of what an international student can accomplish and an example of how international students can take advantage of all opportunities presented here at Georgia Tech.

International Student Football Clinic

Georgia Tech football head coach Paul Johnson and his GT Yellow Jackets teams hosted the first Football 101 Clinic for international students at Bobby Dodd stadium. The evening clinic was a great success with international students and scholars participating: international students learned the basics of the game, tried on equipment, and ran drills with current football players. We hope that those who attended have fun and will keep you all updated if there are plans to host another clinic. If you are interested, tell your local Student Government Association member! Find a video about the event on Georgia Techs Facebook page and the online Atlanta Journal-Constitution article.

May Graduates Reminders

F-1 students who have graduated with the degree listed on their I-20 in May should now be on OPT, should be applying for OPT, or are now in their 60-day grace period beginning 5/4. If you have not already applied for OPT through USCIS, you have until July 3, 2013 to take one of the following actions: Apply for OPT; applications must be received by USCIS by July 3, 2013 at the latest! This means that should be prepared to watch our OPT tutorial, submit the e-form to ISSS, give adequate time for processing in ISSS, and leave time for it to reach USCIS. Get a new I-20 for a new program at Tech If you will begin a new program at another institution in fall 2013, you should complete the Transfer Out Request in iStart so that Georgia Tech is able to transfer your SEVIS record: please email or speak with an international student advisor to discuss the effect of transferring your SEVIS record on employment and to choose the transfer date Submit a complete I-539 change of status petition to USCIS requesting a change of visa status Leave the country.

OPT Deadlines for Summer Graduates

F-1 students who will graduate in summer 2013 should now be applying for post-completion OPT. Important Dates: May 5, 2013: First day summer graduates can send OPT applications to USCIS October 2, 2013: Last day to have application received by USCIS and/ or last day to begin OPT Find more information about OPT & the tutorial at http://oie.gatech.edu/OPT .

On Campus this Summer?

Check out the Atlanta Summer Internationals Group. This group was created to offer activities for international students at Georgia Tech who will be in Atlanta during the summer. Activities may include: dinner meet-ups, playing sports in the evening or on weekends, biking around Atlanta, bowling at Tech Rec, concerts, etc. For more information please see the Facebook group or email Nam at namratalucky@gmail.com

Fall 2013 Undergraduate Out-ofState Tuition Waiver: Application Available in iStart

Undergraduate F-1 Georgia Tech students are able to apply for an Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition Waiver if experiencing unforeseen financial difficulties and have attended GT full-time for at least two consecutive semesters. The purpose of the waiver is to offset the cost of tuition for F-1 international students experiencing financial difficulties that are unexpected or out of the student's control. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition Waivers are awarded on a short-term basis (no more than 2-3 semesters) to students who are experiencing unexpected financial difficulties. The waiver is not a scholarship, but rather a way for students to continue their studies during periods of financial stress and should not be seen as a long-term solution to ongoing financial issues. Students who have repeatedly applied for the tuition waiver will likely not be considered, particularly if they are not nearing graduation. Find more information as well as the full application in iStart. Fall 2013 deadline is July 5 so review the information and begin assembling your application now!

EXTENDING YOUR I-20 OR DS-2019

If your I-20 or DS-2019 expires at the end of spring or summer semester, but you wont complete your program of study by that time, you will be required to submit a request to extend your immigration document. If your I20 or DS-2019 expires, you are no longer maintaining your F-1 or J-1 student status. Both undergraduates and graduates can apply for an extension through iStart before the end date listed on your I-20. Please submit the request as soon as you know that you will not be finishing your program before the end date, but at least three weeks before your I-20 or DS-2019 expires in order to give all parties involved time to gather the documentation needed. A complete extension request includes approval from your academic department; please ensure that you have discussed your extension with them prior to submission to ensure a fluid and seamless process. You may also be required to provide evidence of continued financial support so make sure youve got updated financial documents ready when submitting the request.