Current ISO Student News
February 14, 2020
Table of Contents
- OPT Workshop TODAY 2/14 & Life After F-1 Workshop 2/26 (more)
- Recent US Travel Restrictions (more)
- 2019 Taxes - Next Webinar on 3/4! (more)
- Undergraduate International Student Mentor Applications - Due 2/21 (more)
- Upcoming UHS Programming (more)
- LinkedIn Photo Booth Event 2/17 (more)
OPT Workshop TODAY 2/14 & Life After F-1 Workshop 2/26
ISO will be hosting our first workshop of our Spring 2020 F-1 Employment Workshop Series TODAY, Friday, February 14, 2020, from 1:00 – 2:30pm in Gleason 318/418, Simon School of Business, River Campus. This workshop will cover working after graduation on OPT and beyond and is a great place to start if you need an comprehensive overview of topics related to OPT. If you will be graduating this semester, you may be eligible to file for OPT quite soon, so now is the time to start thinking about it!!
In addition, on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 from 12:00 – 1:30pm in Morey 321, ISO will be hosting a workshop on “Life after F-1 Status". This workshop will be presented by an immigration attorney and will go into more detail on immigration options that may be available to students after their time on F-1 status!
These workshops are part of a series of events related to F-1 employment authorization that ISO will be hosting during the Spring 2020 semester. These workshops can be a useful tool to get a sense of the timing and procedures required for various employment activities you may be interested in pursuing. For more details and future workshops, please see our Upcoming Events page.
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Recent US Travel Restrictions
Given that spring and summer breaks are coming up, it is important to be aware of current travel considerations and how they might impact you. On January 31, 2020, the Trump administration issued two separate proclamations that limit travel permissions for some foreign nationals. The first expands upon the existing executive order known as the Travel Ban and restricts US entry in immigrant categories for citizens of Burma/Myanmar, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania. Nonimmigrant visa categories, like F-1, J-1, and H-1B, are NOT impacted by this proclamation. A summary of this executive action is now posted to our Recent Immigration Actions & Policies page.
The second proclamation is tied to the current coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak and suspends entry to the US for foreign nationals who were physically present in China during the 14 days prior to traveling. Travel to Hong Kong or Macau is not currently impacted. This policy applies to all foreign nationals having spent time in China, regardless of citizenship, with exceptions for those with family ties to a US citizen or permanent resident. Please consult the University’s Coronavirus Update page and scroll through the Frequently Asked Questions about travel, common precautions, and University resources for support. If you have questions specific to your own travel plans, please contact the ISO for guidance.
These and other policies from the US government are subject to change, especially as international circumstances will continue to evolve. The ISO will continue to monitor any developments and offer practical guidance, as available.
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2019 Taxes - Next Webinar on 3/4!
Detailed information about international student tax filing requirements and resources for 2019 taxes is now available on ISO’s website. To get started, you should determine your tax residency status and reportable income from 2019.
This year, the ISO will be facilitating webinars about international student tax filing requirements. These webinars will be hosted by a licensed tax preparer who has expertise in nonresident and resident tax filing. The next webinar will be Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 6:00 – 7:30pm—please see here for access information!
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Undergraduate International Student Mentor Applications - Due 2/21
The International Student Mentor Program is recruiting student mentors for the 2020 – 2021 academic year. They are recruiting undergraduate international and domestic students who are globally focused, wish to assist in the internationalization efforts of the University, and enjoy learning from various people from all over the world. Mentors will provide the personal attention and guidance required for new international students to successfully transition to UR and U.S. life.
The International Student Mentor (ISM) Program at the University of Rochester exists to foster meaningful interactions between current University of Rochester students and incoming international first-year students. ISMs begin communicating with new international students in the early summer to help them prepare for campus life. Throughout the year, ISMs continue to support students by organizing fun events and serving as a resource for questions about US culture and academics.
Gain leadership and mentoring experience while having fun and making new friends! If you are interested, you can attend an upcoming information session and apply online—more information available here.
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Upcoming UHS Programming
UR Health Matters! Let your voice be heard.
Check your email for a personal invitation to complete the National College Health Assessment. Results from this research study survey will help UHS better understand student health needs and will be used to develop new student wellness programming. All students who submit a survey will be entered in a drawing for the grand prize of a $150 Visa card or one of four $50 Amazon gift cards. In addition, the first 200 students completing the survey will receive a coupon for Connections. For more information about the National College Health Assessment, see the UHS website.
Relax and Renew Retreat – 2/29
Relax & Renew Retreats are a half-day, silent meditation retreat for students, faculty, and staff who are interested in a more immersive meditation experience. Held on the River Level of the Interfaith Chapel, participants will experience four hours of noble silence while engaging in a variety of contemplative practices. The first retreat for Spring 2020 will be on Saturday, February 29th from 12:00 – 4:00 pm in the Interfaith Chapel. You can register online.
Stressed Out? UR Supported!
If you’re struggling with things like end-of-semester stress, feeling overwhelmed, or time management issues, UR Supported is available to lend an ear and provide some useful strategies to help you cope. UHS will be organizing UR Supported group sessions led by staff, faculty and students during the first three weeks of December.
These sessions are not group therapy; instead, they are a safe space to share what’s on your mind and what’s stressing you out, hear from other students who may be struggling with the same things, and a chance to learn new tricks to help you thrive for the final weeks of the semester. Registration and more information about days, times, & locations are available here.
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LinkedIn Photo Booth Event 2/17
The UR Photography Club understands that it is difficult for students to find a photographer to get a professional portrait of themselves! Because of this, the club will be offering free services for any UR students or staff members that would like a headshot for their LinkedIn profile. This event will be held on Monday, February 17, 2020 from 2:00 – 4:00pm in Gowen Room, Wilson Commons.
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Editor: Wendy Owens, Immigration Advisor