International Center

December International Student Bulletin

Important updates for F and J student visa holders

Dec. 8, 2011

Please take a few minutes to read the updates and announcements below for F and J student visa holders. 

• International student news
• International student workshops
• MU and Community Announcements

International student news

Advising Improvements! Remember that all international students are assigned to one international student adviser based on their last (family) names.  Below is a list of which adviser will be assigned to each section of the alphabet:

• Becky Showmaker: All Sponsored Students (students funded by their home government, the U.S. government, an organization, or a business)
• Leah Buretta: A-J
• Kristen Albrecht: K-R
• Callie Fleming: S-Z

Looking for International Student Orientation volunteers - Spring 2012. Orientation is coming in January, and the International Center is looking for volunteers to help make this transition for new students easier and more memorable! If you are interested in volunteering, contact the International Center at isss@missouri.edu or sign up online by filling out the Volunteer Application.

International Orientation Volunteer Coordinators Program. Are you interested in taking a leadership role within the MU international community, building up your resume, and welcoming students from all over the world? Apply to be an international orientation volunteer coordinator for Spring 2012! You will assist the International Center Staff in creating a meaningful orientation experience for new international students upon arrival, and serve as a leader of other volunteers. To apply, contact the International Center in person or via e-mail at isss@missouri.edu, or complete the application found on our website. Applications are due to the International Center, and the deadline has been extended to Friday, December 9, 2011.

Email Partners Program. With many new international students making plans to arrive for the spring semester, there are also many questions! If you would like to communicate with a new international student before his or her arrival to campus in the spring, sign up for our email partner programs online!

Traveling abroad during the breaks? Please review the travel information on our website and plan to obtain a travel signature before you depart (if your current signature is more than six months old). Students are invited to drop by the International Center on the following days for some hot tea and a travel signature:

• Friday, December 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Thursday, December 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

We're looking forward to hearing about your exciting travel plans! Students are also welcome to have their I-20 or DS-2019 signed for travel during walk-in advising times.

Reminder about Residential Hall and Dining Services. We would like to remind students living in the on-campus residence halls that some of the halls close over the Thanksgiving holiday (November 19 - November 27).  Defoe-Graham, Dogwood, Galena, Hawthorn, Mizzou Quads, South, Tiger Diggs, and True Scholars House remain open through the Thanksgiving break. However, if you do not live in one of these residence halls, we encourage you to think about your living arrangements during the break. Also, all students living on-campus should be reminded that most dining halls will close after dinner on November 19, 2011 and meals will resume in the morning on November 28, 2011. Please plan ahead for these closures.

Congratulations Fall 2011 Graduates! Congratulations to all international students graduating in December! Please take a moment to consider the following as you prepare for graduation:

• Please return an Exit Form to the International Center to confirm you are graduating and leaving Mizzou.
• If you plan to transfer to a new school for a new academic program, make sure to fill out and submit the Transfer Request Form to the International Center.
• If you intend to apply for OPT, please plan to attend an OPT workshop and then consult with an international student adviser as soon as possible.
• J-1 students may be eligible for academic training. However, this benefit must be approved by an international student adviser prior to the program completion date listed on the DS-2019.

International student workshops

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshops. All F-1 students interested in applying for OPT work authorization are required to attend one of the upcoming mandatory OPT workshops. Workshops are scheduled once a week and will take place at the International Center. Participants will learn about the benefits of OPT and how to apply.

• Thursday, December 8, 4–5 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 14, 10–11 a.m.

MU and community announcements

Calling all international student visual artists.  The International Center would like to recognize your special talents by displaying your visual artwork, including but not limited to painting, drawing, sculpture, jewelry, weaving, apparel design and photography. A large “World of Talent” exhibit in Ellis Library is planned for the month of January 2012 but it can’t be accomplished without your artwork. Contact Dottie Heibel at HeibelD@missouri.edu for more information.

Holiday Hospitality. The Missouri United Methodist Church would like to give a warm welcome of old-fashioned hospitality to international students during the holiday season. The church has families who have signed up to welcome college students to their home for some type of fun event during the weeks of winter break, and especially close to Christmas Day. It could be eating a home-cooked meal together, going to a holiday concert together, dining out, going to a sporting event, etc. This opportunity is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, either by yourself or with your family. If you are interested in being hosted by a family, or would like to get more information about participating, please contact Heather Morgan at 443-3111 or  heather.mccainmorgan@moumc.org.