1. International Student Advising “For Dummies”
Presenters:
Molly Heidemann
Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor
Miami University
Sarah McNitt
Study Abroad Advisor
Charles Schwartz
Senior Admissions Officer
University of Cincinnati

2. Introduction Who are we? Who is our audience?
Why International Student Advising for Dummies?

3. Visa Types
F-1 Visa
Eligibility:
An alien having a residence in a foreign country
No intention of abandoning their home country
Full-time student
Entering the US temporarily and solely for the purpose of studying
At an established academic institution or language training program in the United States,
F-2 Dependent: An alien spouse or minor children following to join the F-1 student

4. Visa Types
J-1 Visa
Part of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act) of 1961
"to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges."
Eligibility:
An alien having a residence in a foreign country
No intention of abandoning home country
J-visa category of visitors most common in higher ed:
Student (Non-degree, Associate, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, Intern)
Scholar (Research, Short-Term)
Professor
Specialist
Physician
Other Categories: Teacher, Au Pair, Camp Counselor, Government Visitor, Summer Work/Travel
J-2 Dependent: An alien spouse or minor children following to join the J-1 exchange visitor

5. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
SEVIS
What is SEVIS?
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

6. SEVIS
SEVIS is the internet-based system by which P/DSOs and A/ROs interact with ICE, process F-1 and J-1 records, and track changes
P/DSO = (Principal) Designated School Official – for Fs
A/RO = (Alternate) Responsible Officer – For Js
Managed by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) – a unit of ICE (which is a unit of DHS)
Became fully operational in 2003
Used to process I-20s and DS-2019s, and track changes in students’ personal, financial, and academic information
Requires a password to log in
SEVIS II: Coming soon!

7. Immigration Documents
I-20/DS-2019
Passport
Visa stamp
I-94 card

8. Immigration Documents
I-20/DS-2019
Issued by host institution
Student should keep this document with their passport

9. Immigration Documents
Passport
Issued by home country government
Should be valid for at least 6 months in the future when entering U.S.
Must be kept valid

10. Immigration Documents
Visa stamp
Issued by US Consulate/Embassy
Stamped into passport
Entry document only (can expire)

11. Immigration Documents
I-94 card
Filled out on plane by student
Stamped by US Customs & Border Patrol at Port of Entry
Stapled into passport
Shows visa status and how long they can stay (duration of status)

12. Admission and Document Issuance
An I-20 or DS-2019 does not automatically grant a visa; it is more like a “certificate of eligibility” to obtain F-1 or J-1 status

13. Admission and Document Issuance
I-20 Issuance
To issue an I-20 to a school must:
Be approved by DHS to admit F-1 students and be enrolled in SEVIS
Receive a written application from the student for admission
Receive and review the applicant's academic credentials for admission
Accept the student a full-time program
Assess the student's ability to meet all expenses during the course of study, and specifically examine documentation showing finances for at least the first year of study

14. Visa Application School issues I-20/DS-2019
Student pays SEVIS fee and schedules visa interview
If visa interview results in approval, student receives visa and can travel to the US

15. Visa Application Required at visa interview: I-20/DS-2019
Passport valid for at least 6 months
Proof of proficiency in English (if necessary)
Proof of financial resources to cover the cost of education and living expenses in the U.S.
Proof of SEVIS fee payment
Admission letter
Evidence of ties to home country

16. Entering the U.S.
U.S. Customs & Border Patrol officer checks documents
Passport is valid
I-20 is valid
Visa is valid
Ask for purpose of entry
U.S. Customs & Border Patrol official stamps I-94 card, which is stapled into passport

17. Maintenance of Status Attend the school listed on the I-20/DS-2019
Pursue a full course of study (12 credits for undergrads; institution-specific for grads)
Make normal progress toward completion
Report changes of address within 10 days
Don’t work without authorization
Follow proper procedures for extension, change of level, transfer, etc.
Abide by grace periods
Keep passport valid

18. What else does an International Student Advisor do?
Orientation
Challenges:
Erratic arrival times
Motivation
Range of communication skills
Goals:
Provide info that US students already have
Provide tools for finding info on their own
Provide basic understanding of US and Academia
Key Concepts
Practical matters
Housing
Transportation
Communication
Recreation
US Academia
System Structure
Student expectations
Student services
Cultural Adjustment

19. What else does an International Student Advisor do?
Programming
Examples: Friendship programs, conversation partners, film series, city tours, etc.
Goals:
Long-term awareness
Transition to campus and American life
Entertainment
Personal, professional, and cultural needs

20. What else does an International Student Advisor do?
Cultural Adjustment
Intercultural Communication
D.I.E.
Description: “what I see”
Interpretation “what I think about what I see”
Evaluation “what I feel about what I see and think”
Obstacles:
Assumptions of similarity/difference
Language/communication
Ethnocentrism
Anxiety
Be a Bridge
Listen to the person
Through the accent
Allow them to finish
Ask clarifying questions
Ask how it works at home/explain how it works here
Be directive, inclusive, personal

21. Questions & Answers