Winter 2020: Week 2
Hello International Triton,

Greetings from the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO)! Stay up to date by reading our iStudents Newsletter for the latest of immigration updates, deadlines, reminders, and fun programs and events for international students at UC San Diego!
LAST DAY TO ADD CLASSES!
ARE YOU ENROLLED IN 12 UNITS?
Remember the last day to add classes is Friday, January 17 . F-1 and J-1 regulations require all international students to enroll in at least 12 units every Fall, Winter and Spring Quarter at UC San Diego, unless they are authorized by ISPO for a Reduced Course Load . You may be eligible to apply for a Reduced Course Load and part-time or half-time status if this term is your final graduating term.

ISPO OFFICE CLOSURE
ISPO will be closed on Monday, January 20 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
We will reopen on Tuesday, January 21 at 9:00AM
HAVE YOU MOVED? REPORT CHANGES NOW

Regulations require international students to report any change of U.S. or permanent address within 10 days of moving to a new residence.
GRADUATING IN WINTER 2020?
APPLY FOR OPT NOW!

If you are graduating this term, and plan to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) you should submit your OPT documents as soon as possible. Remember, it could take USCIS up to 90 days to process your documents, so you should already be thinking about your timeline to start working.
WEEKLY WEBINAR SERIES
January 21 at 12:00PM
The iStudents Weekly Webinars is a series of webinars to update and inform F-1 and J-1 students on topics that may impact their visa status while they are in the U.S. Visit iWebinars.ucsd.edu to learn more about the upcoming webinar: OPT Stage 1 Information Session
WINTER INTERNATIONAL MIXER
Start off the new year and a new quarter with food, friends and fun at the Winter International Mixer! Join us on January 15th at 7PM in The International House's Great Hall.

For a complete list of international programs by ISPO, International House, the Colleges, Global Education and others, see the Globally Engaged Tritons Calendar!
WRITING DISCUSSION GROUPS FOR ESL/EAL GRADUATE STUDENTS

The Writing Hub has a new pilot program for graduate students who identify as "EAL"
(English as an Additional Language) and want to develop their skills in written academic English. Writing Discussion Groups meet once per week (Weeks 4-9) to share their writing and get peer feedback on drafts in progress. Each group is facilitated by a Graduate Writing Consultant from the Writing Hub, and each meeting creates space for 2 group members to share their writing and get positive, constructive feedback. Groups prioritize clarity and coherence over "correctness." Together, participants support each other in the writing process while also gaining confidence with academic writing.

Participation in a Writing Discussion Group does not require any reading or work outside of the regular weekly meeting time.

To learn more about the Writing Discussion Group, please visit the Writing Hub Information Page.
COFFEE HOURS AT ISPO
Join us  Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11AM  at ISPO Coffee Hours!   
  • Meet ISPO Staff & Other Students!  
  • Enjoy Free Coffee & Tea  
  • Pick up AWESOME ISPO Swag such as bags, SAVR Cups, Stickers, and more!  

Learn more at iprograms.ucsd.edu 
CONTACT ISPO
Visit our website at iStudents.ucsd.edu or send us a message through our Online Contact Form
FOLLOW ISPO ON SOCIAL MEDIA
WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER? All international students studying at UC San Diego are automatically subscribed to the iStudents Newsletter to ensure they receive proper immigration updates from our office. The information sent in this Newsletter is available on ISPO's website, iStudents.ucsd.edu, or may direct students to other external resources. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by clicking the 'unsubscribe' link below. Note, all international students at UC San Diego are responsible for staying up to date with immigration regulations that may affect them. To learn more, visit our website at iStudents.ucsd.edu