If you require any disability support, please contact Disability Support Services at: http://counseling.umd.edu/DSS.
Arrival Date
Don't forget, J-1 students may not enter the US more than 30 days prior to the start date of the DS-2019.* Your form likely has a program start date of August 21, meaning your visa does not allow you to enter the US before July 22. Plan travel accordingly!
*Exception: Transfer students using the same SEVIS# may arrive earlier.
If you will be starting studies at the University of Maryland this August, this email is a reminder to register for and attend International Student Orientation events, most of which are scheduled August 21-25. The program includes a variety of sessions and social activities that will help you "land" at UMD as well as satisfy your immigration requirements.
Today's Tip: Register for Orientation
As an international graduate student, you may have to complete two parts of orientation:
1.) International Student Orientation
2.) Your Academic Department Orientation
1.) International Student Orientation
Every J-1 student must attend an Immigration Session on J-1 regulations and do a Documents Check-In.
These steps are necessary so ISSS knows you have reported to UMD - it allows us to activate your J-1 SEVIS record and report your arrival to the US government.
Date to attend: The J-1 Immigration Session is scheduled for Wednesday, August 23.You will receive information about how to maintain legal immigration status and meet ISSS staff here to assist you with any immigration issues during your stay in the United States.
How to Register for International Student Orientation Events:
Select "Register for Orientation" if you need to download the schedule.
Then click the "Session Signups" side menu. Click on various session titles to view descriptions.
Next, find the date the event is offered in the calendar (location/time are published there). Click "sign up" for each event you plan to attend. Only register once so you do not take up multiple slots!
If you see a session you wish to attend is "full," show up at the event anyway - ISSS can often accommodate extra people. (Usually at all events except Immigration Sessions)
Document Check-In Process - FOR AFTER ARRIVAL IN US
The Documents Check is a quick but important online process in iTerp (https://iterp.umd.edu). Instruction will be given in a later Tip, as well as during the Immigration Session. DO NOT try to do the check-in until AFTER you arrive in the US.
Other ISSS Orientation Events
In addition to the required Immigration Session, ISSS offers a full program of Orientation Week events August 21-25 and we hope that you will attend as many as possible. These events are designed to aid your transition to life at UMD, College Park, and the United States. We also hope you will have fun and meet others! Here is the week's schedule at a glance:
2.) Your Academic Department Orientation
Every department has its own academic orientation events and procedures, so please also follow your department's instructions to ensure you attend their necessary dates.
The Graduate School will hold an orientation event for all new graduate students on
Monday August 21, 9:30 AM-1:00 PM, with a picnic lunch immediately following. RSVP Here: https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_6J7EjMlQgkMKmt7
If you will have a Teaching Assistant position, you may also have to attend additional events. Usually the
Teaching & Learning Transformation Center will hold an event for you on the Friday before classes start. You may also be interested in the TLTC's
International Teaching Fellows program to develop your professional skills as a teacher in the US.
We hope that you find these emails informative and helpful. If you do not intend to enroll at UMD and would like to stop receiving these emails, please inform your department and the Graduate School.
