Celebrating 30 years of International Students from 1984-2014.
Diversity Immigrant Visa Program 2016
Each year, the U.S. Department of State sponsors a "lottery" to award 50,000 permanent residence visas to persons meeting the eligibility requirements. Diversity visas provide an immigration opportunity for persons from countries that do not send large numbers of immigrants to the US. Applicants will be selected at random by computer. The online registration period will be October 1 – November 2, 2014. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information. Several of SRJC’s international students have won the lottery in past years.
Alex Ling Memorial Scholarship
The Alex Ling Memorial Scholarship is available to international students who have already completed a semester at SRJC. The scholarship is for $450. Students must be currently enrolled with at least 12 units and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students must also enroll in at least 12 units at SRJC during Spring 2015. Financial need is considered when awarding this scholarship. More information can be found on the Scholarship Website. Remember, to be awarded a scholarship, you must apply!
Ambassador Lukens speaks at SRJC
The SRJC International Club, in association with the International Program, multicultural committee and Study Abroad, was proud to present the program “Passport to the World” with Ambassador Lewis Lukens. The program, moderated by SRJC political science instructor Jeanette Ben Farhat, included information regarding the benefits of international education, opportunities for studying abroad, and discussions on diplomacy. Ambassador Lukens is currently Diplomat in Residence at UC Berkeley Career Center as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomat in Residence Program. Most recently Ambassador Lukens served as US Ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, managing bilateral relations with both West African nations.
Optional Practical Training - Work Authorization
Optional Practical Training (O.P.T.) is a benefit of the F-1 Student Visa status that allows one year of full time employment to gain practical experience in your field of study. You must wait until you have earned an Associate degree before applying for this benefit. The employment must be directly related to your major. You can begin looking for a job a few weeks before you expect to receive your Employment Authorization card. Processing time for Practical Training applications is about 3 months, so you should submit your request 3 months before you wish to begin working. US CIS advises students not to leave the country while a request for work permission is being processed. Travel is possible once you have received your receipt notice or EAD card. You are not required to enroll in classes while on OPT.
The USCIS Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization is available online. Submit your completed forms, photos and documentation to Kim Hunt in International Student Programs. We will review your application and mail it to USCIS by certified mail.
New Electronic Brochure
Have you checked out the new International Student Program eBrochure? You will find a link to it from the ISP homepage at: www.santarosa.edu/international
Peer Mentor Program Excursion: Fun at the Beach!
Student mentors and international students went to Salmon Creek on Saturday, September 27, for some California sun and fun!
Student mentors are paired with first-semester international students taking Counseling 10 to provide advice, insights and friendship. The program is helping new international students acclimate to life in the U.S.