ISS Parent/Family Orientation

1. ISS Parent/Family Orientation Dr. Laurie K. Cox Assistant Dean and Director International Student Services (ISS)

2. ISS Staff are here to help • Many of the ISS staff have lived, studied and worked abroad • They enjoy meeting and helping international students and learning more about them and their home countries. • Nothing would please them more than to help your sons and daughters achieve their academic and personal goals.

3. ISS Services and Programs • Support • Advice • Programming • Advocacy

4. UW-Madison: The International Student Experience • YouTube video designed and filmed by UW-Madison Student and now Alumnus, Pahoua Xiong • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3C9gLljk4w

5. Orientation

6. Passport • Must be valid at all times • In most cases, to enter the United States, students must carry a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date they enter or reenter.

7. Visa • Can expire in U.S. • Only needed to enter the U.S. • Cannot be renewed inside the U.S.

8. I-20 • Document needed for travel each time an international student leaves the country and needs to re-enter the U.S. • Eventually the U.S. Federal Government is expected to discontinue the use of these paper documents. • We will inform our students in advance of this change.

9. Enrollment • Enroll full time during fall and spring semesters. • 12 credits for undergrads • Summer enrollment is usually optional • If students are thinking about dropping a class, encourage them to come to ISS first and talk to an advisor • Sometimes international students are allowed to drop below 12 credits but only for very specific reasons and only with their academic advisor’s permission

10. On-Campus Employment • No written permission needed for on campus employment. • Up to 20 hrs/wk during fall & spring semesters. • Not restricted during vacation periods (winter, spring & summer breaks).

11. Travel • Valid passport • Valid visa page (in the passport) • I-20 or DS-2019 endorsed for travel Other things to remember when traveling: • Security and background checks sometimes make the visa application period longer. • New visa applications in some countries may take a few weeks during busy periods. • Apply early for visa renewals over the summer to avoid delays in returning to Madison.

12. Social Security Numbers • Only students who have jobs are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). • Students need a letter from ISS in order to apply for an SSN. • Your son or daughter may visit ISS or our website: http://iss.wisc.edu/students.html to learn more about how to apply for a Social Security Card.

13. Service with a smile: • Encourage students to consult with ISS if help is ever needed: • In person: Red Gym, Room 217 • By e-mail: iss@studentlife.wisc.edu • Via the web: www.iss.wisc.edu

14. Shopping Trip to West Towne Mall ISS Shopping Trip Saturday August 24 4-9:30pm Buses leave from in front of the Chazen Museum, at 800 University Avenue every half hour.

15. New International Student Reception • Please encourage your students to attend the New International Student Reception • A great way to make new friends • Friday August 30 from 3-5pm in the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, Town Center • There will be many live dance performances by international students and delicious food and drinks.

16. Your daughters and sons are very important to us • We want them to achieve their academic and personal goals. • We want them to enjoy their university experience and feel connected to the University of Wisconsin, Madison. • Please encourage them to always contact us if they have any questions or problems.

17. Thank you for your kind attention.Any Questions? Presenter: Dr. Laurie K. Cox Assistant Dean and Director International Student Services