Foreign Exchange: January 2004

01/2004 Vol. 8, No. 5.

DHS Launches US Visit Program Today
US-VISIT helps to secure our borders and expedite the entry/exit process while enhancing the integrity of our immigration system and respecting the privacy of our visitors

The Goal of US-VISIT is to enhance the security of the United States without slowing the system for legitimate visitors. While this has required some changes in our entry and exit procedures, many things have not changed. The United States of America is still a nation where diversity is celebrated and people from all over the world are welcome. Today we - like most other countries - are working to keep our borders secure while we maintain the freedom to exchange ideas, keep businesses thriving, and enrich lives all over the world.

For more information, visit the US Visit Program web site.

U.S. Visa Lottery Over - Good Luck!
The US Visa Lottery for green cards is now officially closed. Good luck to all of you who applied. Winners will be notified sometime between May and June of 2004. ONLY WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFED. Remember that the lottery is FREE, thus next year you do not have to pay anyone to do the application for you. Be aware of companies who guarantee your application submission for a $65 fee or so; that is a scam. Again, good luck to all of you entered the lottery.

Last Day to Register to Maintain Full-time Status
Monday, January 12, is the last day to register for classes. Remember that you must be enrolled full-time to maintain your legal status in the U.S. If you are an undergraduate student, you must be enrolled for at least 12 units and if you are a graduate student, you must be register for at least 8 units.

New & Transfer Student Orientation
There will be mandatory orientation for all new and transfer international students. The orientation take place in the Cactus Room, in the Dining Commons, on January 13th at 5p.m., and will cover topics such as immigration rules and regulations, how to open a bank account, how to get your Social Security Card, buy a car, and many more useful and necessary information.

Jan. 5. Classes start.

Jan. 8. University Worship, LSUC. 11am.

Jan. 9. 7:45pm. First Service, LSUC.

Jan. 12. Last day to register.

Jan. 13. Tuesday Tunes, EN. 8pm

Jan. 29. University Worship, LSUC. 11am.

Jan. 16 - Jan. 18. SALSU Retreat (TBA).

Jan. 17. 7:45pm. First Service, LSUC.

Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Day. No School!

Jan. 20. Assembly, LSU. 11am; Tuesday Tunes, EN. 8pm

Jan. 21. Sierra Towers Open House: 6-8pm; Angwin & Calkins Halls Open House: 8-10pm

Jan. 22. University Worship, LSUC. 11am.

Jan. 23. 7:45pm. First Service, LSUC.

Jan. 24. Drama: Cinderella (HMA). 7:30pm

Jan. 25. SALSU Winter Banquet @ Palm Springs. (TBA)

Jan. 27. Tuesday Tunes, EN. 8pm

Jan. 26 - 31. Missions Emphasis Week

Jan. 29. University Worship, LSUC. 11am.

Jan. 30. 7:45pm. First Service, LSUC.

Jan. 31. Homebase's 2nd Annual Crystal Heart Awards Ceremony, Riverside Convention Center. 7pm

Check the School's Calendar web site for other up to date events!

Check the Golden Eagles' web site for game schedules and scores.

Insurance Cards Not Ready
Because we are renegotiating the contract with the insurance company, the insurance cards are not ready yet. The Office of International Student Services is working really hard to resolve the problem and renew your insurances promptly and without disruption of coverage.

Once the problem has been fixed, this is how you will print your new insurance cards:

Go on-line to GGH Students.com .
Click "Sign-In"
If you already registered with them, enter your email address and password. If you never logged in before, then enter your email address and select "I'm a new user." Follow the instructions. If you need your Certificate Number, contact us.
Click on the upper left corner in the "My Benefits."
Click on the "ID" green icon (to the right). You will need Acrobat Reader to see your card.

REMEMBER: you never know when you will need to go to the hospital, so print your insurance card ASAP!

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marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov
"Spirit" landed safely on Mars. Now you can see the images and track the voyage of the century at the official Mars exploration web site.

www.sephora.com
Valentines Day is coming––guys be warned: You must give your lady a good gift. And what a better place to go than Sephora.com, the classiest on-line store for all your needs.

Student Essay Competition $2,000 Cash Prize!
GGH Students is having a student essay competition. The first prize is $2,000 cash and there are many other prizes too! What do you have to do? Just write an essay describing the influences and motivations that contributed to your decision to study internationally in 1500 words or less! For complete guidelines, rules, and regulations, and submission instructions, go to http://www.gghstudents.com

Snow Summit and Bear Mountain Tickets
The Office of Student Life has Snow Summit and Bear Mountain lift tickets for sale for only $43 ($11 cheaper than at the resorts!). Tickets are good at both resorts. Contact Natan for more information or to purchase your tickets.


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Foreign Exchange is a monthly publication from the Office of International Students Services at La Sierra University.
© 2003