WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER PLANS? Re-Orientation for New International Students April 1, 2011

Summer on Campus $ Some international students stay on campus during the summer to conduct research or to work for an administrative office. Research grants are awarded competitively, but if you would like to work on campus, you’ll have to apply for a summer job. $ Don’t forget that the Virtual Job Fair always begins on the first Monday in April. Most of the available on-campus summer jobs will be listed in JobX at that time. You can also look for jobs for next fall during the Fair. Keep looking until the end of the semester.JobX $ If you’re working in an administrative office on campus (*not* Dining Services) during the semester, you may want to ask if there are also jobs in that office during the summer. You never know!

Summer Housing on Campus $ It does cost money to live in a dorm during the summer. Also, you are responsible for your own meals. If you are doing summer research, housing is paid for you. In addition, summer jobs in *some* administrative offices will include paid housing. However, most students working in offices will have to pay for their summer housing. $ Visit ResLife’s web site for information about housing: The application for summer housing is available through ISIS. $ I requested and received money from President Pasquerella to hire Fleet Drivers (and I’ve reserved the 28- seater minivan) so that there will be trips to Price Rite, the Big Y, Holyoke Mall and Hampshire Mall several times each month starting in June. I’ll provide ResLife with the schedule of trips after Commencement.

Summer Storage $ There is absolutely no storage available during the summer months—not even for students studying abroad the following fall, spring, or academic year. International students must take their belongings to a friend’s or relative’s house in the U.S., or store them in an off-campus storage facility. Any items found in dorm rooms or trunk rooms after move-out day will be discarded. $ ResLife maintains a list of local storage companies: Please consult this list! Some companies will pick up your belongings at MHC and then return them to you in the fall. Of course, this costs more! If you have access to a car, I would recommend : Chuck It Self Storage, 346 East Street, So. Hadley, MA (413) This facility is close to campus, but not within walking distance. You’ll have to ask a friend with a car to take you there, but remember that someone will also have to take you back there again in the fall to pick up your things.

Students with Summer Internships $ If you have an internship off campus in the U.S., don’t forget that you need to apply for CPT (or OPT). Even if you are doing volunteer work and *not* receiving a paycheck, you should apply for CPT (or OPT). There is information about CPT and OPT on the McCulloch Center web site. PLEASE READ THIS! CPT: OPT: $ If you have any more specific questions about CPT or OPT, call x2072 and make an appointment to meet with Jenny Medina in the McCulloch Center.

Questions or Concerns? Donna Van Handle (dvanhand) or stop by the McCulloch Center and make an appointment to speak with her!