Foreign Exchange - April 2005

The e-newsletter for International Students at La Sierra

Vol. 9 Issue 7 - April 2005

The beginning of the spring quarter has come and gone. The last day to register was last week—and you'd better be registered full time! :-)
Believe it or not, mid-terms are around the corner and projects and papers are starting to pile up! The spring weather is making it harder and harder to sit inside and study and for some, the spring allergies might be driving you crazy! But whatever your case may be, hang in there. You are almost done!

If you are a new international student at La Sierra University this quarter, welcome! We have approximately 20 of you this quarter! Please remember to print your insurance card before it's too late! For instructions on how to print your card, see our January issue of Foreign Exchange.

Please read this issue carefully since there are several deadlines coming up soon (Taxes, OPT, Graduation Invitation Letters). And, remember, the Office of International Student Services is here to help you and assist you. Feel free to call us, email us, or come see us.

-The OISS Team

If you do not see the upcoming events, click here.

DHS Eyes SEVIS Privacy Act Exemption

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed that SEVIS be placed on the list of data sources that are exempt from certain requirements of the Privacy Act. Read more.

Graduating Students: Last Call for OPT's

If you are planning on finishing your studies during Spring quarter and would like to apply for your Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), you should apply not later than early April. The longer you wait to apply, the longer you will be waiting after graduation to start working. To apply for your OPT, you will need an application, which is available outside the OISS.

Visit the La Sierra University Career Center web site to learn more about the companies that will be attending and to get help on resume writing and interviewing tips. Career Night - Wednesday April 20th. If you are looking for a job or internship for after you graduate, this is the event you want to attend!

注意中国国际学员
Attention Chinese International Students ˆ Ni yao chi fan ma? The Loma Linda Chinese Youth & Young Adult group would like to invite you to a Cooking Synergy featuring authentic Asian food. Come join us on April 30, 2005 at 6:00pm to cook and eat nice food and meet other Chinese friends. Rides can be provided. For more information contact Kar-Wai Yung (909) 709-7889 or lilgirlkai@yahoo.com. The Cooking Synergy will be held at 25665 Van Leuven St., Loma Linda, CA 92354.

International Connections of Homebase
by Kelly Durward
Just so you know, international worship is starting up again for this
quarter. It has and will continue to be an exciting and fun time where we
can gather together and praise the Lord. All students are invited, so
bring you're friends!!! Also keep your eyes open for some international
student activities. In the last two quarters we've had game and movie
nights, and we're planning more activities for this quarter! We'll see you
there, and God bless!

Thanks for reading
Disclaimer: You have received this email because you submitted your email address to the La Sierra University Office of International Student Services when you registered. If you are no longer a student at La Sierra University, you may be removed from this list by sending an email to oiss@lasierra.edu. Pictures courtesy of Corbis. © www.corbis.com

TAXES due FRIDAY
April 15th!
If you worked on campus during 2004 you are required by law to file a tax return by April 15th at midnight. Thursday is the last day to turn in to OISS your IE Tax package, if you would like them to help you. Tax packages are available outside OISS.

Graduation Invitations
Students participating in this year's Commencement Ceremonies (June 10-12) might want to invite their parents/siblings to attend their graduation. If you are such a student and need a letter of support for your relatives to present at an US embassy overseas, please fill out our "On-line Letter Request." Graduation Invitation Letters have a 24 hrs turn-around time.

Did you know that if you have applied for OPT, you cannot leave the country unless you have secured a job? Read more.

News From Washington:
Declining enrollments of foreign students at U.S. universities, caused in part by tighter security restrictions imposed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, threaten the nation's higher education system, economy and even security, a top Senate Republican said. Read more. (Yes, bear with us; everyone is frustrated!)

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