*Reminder: Labor Day is Monday, September 1st. Banks, postal offices, government offices and ISSS will be closed.*

Transcription

1 International Student & Scholar Services NEWSLETTER ********* August 2014 *Reminder: Labor Day is Monday, September 1st. Banks, postal offices, government offices and ISSS will be closed.* Published monthly by International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), a division of the Office of International Initiatives, the International Services newsletter brings you updates on immigration rules and regulations, University services and programs, and conveys opportunities for campus and community involvement. CONTENTS: 1. Welcome back! 2. TRANSFER Student I-20 pick-up Day is September 9 th - Food, Games, Music! 3. *Important Dates to Remember* 4. Updates from ISAC (International Student Association Council) 5. Panthers Abroad Learning Society (PALS) 6. Asheville, North Carolina trip- October International Student of the Year Award 8. Like ISSS on Facebook! 9. Thank you V.I.S.A Leaders & 2015 V.I.S.A. Leader Recruitment 10. AMIS Welcome Concert and Reception Welcome Back to the Student Recreation Center! ********* 1. Welcome Back! A new school year is upon us, and ISSS and the Mayor of Atlanta we would all like to wish you a warm welcome and best of luck for the Fall 2014 semester. There are 445 new students joining the Georgia State University community this year representing 65 different countries! Wow!

2 2. TRANSFER Student I-20 Pick-up Day Attention all TRANSFER students: Your updated I-20 will be waiting for you in the Map room (Sparks Hall 248) on September 9 th from 11AM until 2PM. Come by at your convenience during these times. Your new I-20 will show Georgia State University instead of your previous school. There will be food, music, games and lots of new people to meet!

3 3. *Important Dates to Remember* August 29 th, 2014: Last day to Add/Drop classes September 2 nd,2014: Last day to pay tuition/fees before classes are automatically dropped September 3 rd, 2014: ISAC Organization Fair (See details below) September 9 th, 2014: Transfer Student I-20 Pick-up Day October 2 nd -5 th, 2014: Asheville, North Carolina Trip 4. Updates from ISAC (International Student Association Council) Join an International Student Organization! The International Student Association Council is hosting the International Student Organization Fair on September 3rd from 12-3pm in Dahlberg Hall. Come and learn about all the GSU international student groups and get some free food! Socialize and have dinner with fellow International Students! The International Student Association Council is hosting a Welcome Dinner for all new and returning students on Tuesday, September 9th from 7-9pm in Dahlberg Hall. Come and meet fellow international students while enjoying some great food! 5. Panthers Abroad Learning Society (PALS) The Panthers Abroad Learning Society (PALS) partners students from different countries in order to engage in cross-cultural exchange by doing various activities together throughout the Fall semester. It s not too late to sign up for PALS this Fall semester! Read over the PALS brochure (attached) and if interested, simply fill out the PALS application (attached) and submit it to 252 Sparks Hall. If you have any questions regarding PALS contact Brittany Palmer at bpalmer7@gsu.edu or Asheville, North Carolina Trip: October 2 nd -5 th, Mark your calendar! Need to escape to the mountains? ISSS staff will be taking students to the wonderful mountain city of Asheville. Historically known to be a healing place, let Asheville wash away your stress. You have the options to explore the city on your own, or there will be options for excursions and activities such as a haunted tour, tour bus theater, and tour of Basilica of St. Lawrence. Look for more details on our Facebook page. If you are interested in reserving a spot, please contact Brittany at bpalmer7@gsu.edu by SEPTEMBER 10 th *Spaces are limited*.

4 7. International Student of the Year Award Applications Applications for the International Student of the Year Award will open Sept. 8 th. Deadline to apply: Oct. 6 th. Watch the ISSS Facebook page and website for details soon. Contact Brett at breichert@gsu.edu for application materials. 8. Like ISSS on Facebook! Just click on the Facebook icon here! Our ISSS Assistant Director has challenged you to help us reach 1000 likes. He will offer you a special video surprise that will be posted that day. 9. Thank you V.I.S.A Leaders & 2015 V.I.S.A Leader Recruitment We want to give special thanks to our VISA Leaders who made our Fall Orientation a success! We also want to remind you that we will be recruiting new VISA Leaders in October. We hope you will join us! Please thank all of our Fall VISA Leaders: Ange Akproh, Jezreel Amica, Chuma Chuma-Obi, Valentina Ferrari, Guan Gao, Anu Konduru, Ishaka Maskey, Priscillah Mogaka, Brian Nguyen, Lauren Purser, Decio Ribeiro

5 Saramento, Gloria Rinomhota, Shruthi Satyamurthy, Osato Uzamere, Jiyao Yu, Jsanelle Wright, and Ashley Williams! 10. AMIS Welcome Concert and Reception 2014 AMIS (meaning friend in French and also Atlanta Ministry with International Students) is hosting a concert and welcome reception at Spelman College for all new international students in the city of Atlanta. Brittany and Christy at ISSS will escort students to Spelman College, so stay tuned for further updates via Facebook. This event is free including the concert, food, friends, and fun! Date: Sunday, September 28 th, 2014 Location: Spelman College Time: 4:30PM 11. Welcome Back to the Student Recreation Center! This fall we have a lot in store for everyone at the Student Recreation Center! For more info on all these events, see: Thursday, August 31 from 4 8pm Evening at the Rec. Games, music, food and more Sunday, August 31 from 4-10pm Splash Bash / Screen on the Green at the Indian Creek Recreation Area. Pool party, DJ, inflatables, food and a movie Beast Mode. September 2 8 Be one of the first 50 to participate in 4 different FREE fitness classes to win a FREE t-shirt. Sport Club Recruitment Fair. September 2, 12 2 pm and September 3, 4 6 p.m. Both sessions are in the Student Recreation Center Lobby. Annual Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk 5K. September 11, warm up starts at 5:30 p.m Join #TeamGSU in the Rec Center lobby. The official race starts at 6:30 p.m. at Turner Field.

6 Back to school hustle! Thursday, September 18, from 7 8 p.m Come relax and unwind from your day with Sunset Yoga under the night sky! For a complete schedule of all Student Recreation Center events visit recreation.gsu.edu. For questions about any of the information mentioned above, contact: International Student & Scholar Services Office of International Initiatives Georgia State University 252 Sparks Hall (phone) (fax) isss.gsu.edu Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:15pm Walk-in Advising Hours Monday & Wednesday Mornings: 9am-11:30am Monday-Friday Afternoons: 1pm-4:00pm