INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER |
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Welcome back and
Happy Summer 2021!
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OISS Announcements
- Closures
- COVID Vaccine Information for International Students
- OISS Virtual Front Desk
- Policies, Deadlines & Important Info
- Health Insurance Information
- International Student Scams: Protect Yourself!
OISS Activities & Events
- Let's Talk About Tarot
- Summer Term Talk Time Café
PCC Events, Info & Resources
- COVID-19 Resources
- ASPCC Loves You Cookbook
- Zoom Around the World
- ESOL Club
- Student Spotlight
- Watermark Scholars STEM Scholarship Opportunity
- Scholarship Opportunity
Housing
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PCC Campuses and Centers are mostly operating remotely for Summer term due to COVID-19.
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COVID Vaccine Information for
International Students
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You can sign up with Get Vaccinated Oregon to get the most up-to-date information about eligibility. If you aren’t eligible yet, you can opt in to receive text and/or email notifications when you become eligible. *You can change the language of the site in the top right corner of the page.*
Your PacificSource health insurance plan will cover the cost of the vaccine at both in and out of network facilities! Read their blog HERE to learn more.
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Meet LIVE with an OISS Office Assistant or Receptionist for general questions, admissions help, and campus information, each week!
The Virtual Front Desk is open
Monday-Friday from
11 AM-12 PM (PST)
AND
3-5 PM (PST)
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Policies, Deadlines & Important Info from the SEVIS Team
Most summer term classes and student services are offered remotely for the entire term.
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ENROLLMENT FOR SUMMER TERM
As a reminder, all F-1 international students must be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits) each term to maintain their status. (Exceptions: Students on an annual vacation term, or approved Reduced Course Loads)
MANDATORY SEVIS CHECK-IN FORM
All F-1 international students must complete this Mandatory SEVIS Check-In form by Wednesday, June 30, 2021. If you have not already filled it out, please do so before the deadline. (Exception: Students in their first term at PCC)
IMPORTANT ACADEMIC DATES
The following important dates help you plan ahead for the Spring term at PCC. Please review the Academic Calendar for a full list of academic dates.
- Tuesday, June 29, 2021: Last day to add classes
- Tuesday, June 29, 2021: Last day to drop classes (to receive a full refund)
- Saturday, August 28, 2021: Last day to change grade option
- Saturday, August 28, 2021: Last day to withdraw from classes
DROP CLASSES
DO NOT drop any classes! Please confirm with your OISS SEVIS Coordinator before dropping any classes. The last day to drop any classes and receive a full refund is Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
Sometimes, instructors will drop students from their class if the student does not attend their first class session or stops attending class any time through the end of the first week. Remember though, it is not an instructor’s responsibility to drop you from a class. If you don’t plan to attend, be sure to drop your class officially through your MyPCC account. You will still be charged tuition for a class if it is not dropped before Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
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Health Insurance Information |
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Remember to use TelaDoc! You can use it for both medical and mental health issues.
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If you need to be tested for COVID-19, the testing (including co-pay) is covered by your PacificSource health insurance.
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International Student Scams: Protect Yourself! |
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Are you interested in tarot? Do you want to learn more about tarot cards? Sign up to join us next Thursday, June 24 from 5-7 PM to learn more about it from an expert: PCC Instructor Alisha Nahoku. Students who sign up and participate in the event will receive a deck of tarot cards afterwards in the mail (only those currently in the US). |
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Summer 2021 Talk Time Cafe Schedule |
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Join us for Talk Time Café starting next Monday, June 28! |
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PCC Events, Info & Resources |
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PCC is working hard to support students during this time. See below for some of the resources available through PCC during COVID-19. Please reach out if there are specific resources you'd like to see!
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For this project, students were offered a $25 Safeway gift card to create their culinary masterpiece and were asked to make these recipes as low cost as possible. Then, students submitted the recipe, directions, images of the production and product, as well as the reason why they chose the recipe.
Check it out (and maybe make a recipe or two)!
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Hello / Hola / Kia Ora International member of PCC!
My name is Cameron Bynum, and I teach Public Speaking (COMM 111) at Portland Community College. This upcoming Summer 2021 term I have an assignment where my COMM students have a ~30 minute Zoom with someone from another country. I'll have a set of pre-made questions (samples: "How do you greet someone where you're from?" "Do you have a special or deferential term for someone who is older or in a position of authority?") but you're free to leave the script as much as you'd like. My class is Public Speaking so I mostly want them to just talk to a stranger, ideally with an accent (they'll write a brief paper about it afterwards), and for you hopefully it's a nice fit as it's a great excuse to meet someone local, talk about where you grew up, and practice your English. I'll be (virtually) "there" facilitating, and you're welcome to bring a friend, but it will mostly be a one-on-one conversation between you and one of my students.
Just click here for a short Google Form. Any time (in July) you pick can work, as long as I have a student I can match to your availability. The class you're pairing with meets Tuesday's from 6-8pm, so, if you're able, right before/after their class would likely align with their schedule. The more open you are, the more likely I can pair you, and I'm only asking for one actual meeting (or 2-3 if you're interested), once we sync calendars of availability. Thanks again, and if you like it and everything goes well, we can run it again in the Fall (this we would still do online) and in future terms. Please respond as soon as you can, so I can coordinate everyone's schedules before the new term begins. I'll happily answer any questions you may have.
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ESOL Club will start again in summer during Week 2 on
Thursday, July 1. We will meet every Thursday from 12pm - 1pm.
Please note the new day!
We also have a new Zoom link. We will use the same Zoom link for every meeting.
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BE THE NEXT STUDENT SPOTLIGHT!
Being the next student spotlight will give you the exposure to show off your achievements but it is also a way to get connected to other people.
Here are the rules:
- Must be a PCC student
- Make a post on instagram and tag @rockcreekmc or DM us with the following things:
- Your name
- Why you are attending PCC
- Your plans after PCC
- Career goals
- Interests/Hobbies
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Are you a womxn in STEM?
The Watermark Scholars program application is now open!
Two students will be selected from the pool of applicants, and awardees will each receive $5,000 to help continue their education. To participate, submit a written essay, up to 500 words, or a short video on the topic of “Who has inspired you to pursue a career in science or technology, and what do you want to achieve upon graduation?”
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Are you interested in winning a $1,000 scholarship? How about also helping other international students who are dreaming of achieving what you already have — studying in the USA?
Take this short survey, and you'll be entered to win $1,000, AND you’re also helping prospective international students learn what their U.S. education experience might be like.
Plus, the survey:
• Is easy to enter
• Has no essay requirement
• Is open to all accepted students
And the money is yours to use as you need for your U.S. life and education — there are no strings attached!
If you would like estimates or more information, please contact Mim Lee Phillip (she/her) at mim@studyusa.com or (425) 750-5928
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Check out the pages on our OISS website for more great
information and tips!
You can also visit the PCC Event Calendar and our social media pages linked below to connect with us!
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If you are looking for housing or have housing available and would like to share with other students, please complete the form HERE and we will include it in this newsletter for two weeks.
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Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is meant to provide assistance in locating off-campus housing. Inclusion of any property, rental unit, or other housing options in this newsletter does not constitute, and shall not be construed or reported as an endorsement or approval by Portland Community College of the housing option, landlord, its properties, or its business practices. Portland Community College expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any problems that may arise with regard to such housing options, property or rental units or with regard to disputes between landlords and tenants concerning such property or rental units.
All prospective tenants are encouraged to exercise their own good judgment
when evaluating housing options, a prospective rental unit, or landlord.
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