International New Student Orientation

MiraCosta CollegeOceanside, Californiawww.miracosta.edu

David HalttunenCounselor, Institute for International Perspectives

MAINTAINING YOUR LEGAL F-1 VISA STATUS - Have valid documents that are NOT EXPIRED!

[Take action BEFORE any documents expire & KEEP THEM SAFE]o PASSPORTo I-20 FORMo 1-94 PRINTOUT FORM

- Update addresso Always notify the International Office with your new address within 10 days of moving

- Attend school “Full-Time”o Always be taking at least 12 units (minimum of 9 units “in person” that are not online)o You may take 3 units of “online” or “flexible attendance” classes

toward “Full-Time”o Dropping a class and receiving a W grade is NOT part of your “Full-Time” 12 units

- When traveling outside of the USo Bring your documents to the International

Office 3 DAYS BEFORE you travelo You MUST have a “Travel Signature” from the

International Office BEFORE you travel

- Do not attend any free, publicly-funded classeso No “free adult school”

- Make academic progresso You must complete your program before your

I-20 expires

- Work with permission onlyo Always get permission for ANY kind of

employment Including: on-campus employment,

practical training, and/or internships

MIRACOSTA MUST MAINTAIN AND REPORT:- Name & date of birth- Place of birth & country of citizenship- Current address- Date program of study begins and ends- Current academic status: full-time or part-time- Number of credits completed each semester- Degree program and field of study- Whether the student has been certified for

practical training, the start and end dates of each employment and the name and address of each employer

What happens if I get in trouble with the law?o Many possibilities:

You can go to jail Pay fines Be deported from the U.S.

o Do not follow advice from American friends What may be considered minor to a U.S. citizen can possibly have

major consequences to youo You may need to hire an experienced lawyero MiraCosta cannot provide legal advice to international students

YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

According to the requirements of the F-1 student visa, international students’ primary purpose to be in the United States is to study. You have rights and

responsibilities while in the United States. One of your responsibilities is to follow all the laws of the United States whether you understand them or not.

IMPORTANT POINTS• Keep your passport, SEVIS I-20 form, & I-94 card safe & up-

to-date• If your information changes (major, housing, travel, class

attendance) talk to the International Office IMMEDIATELY

• Take a minimum of 12 units• Must have 9 units in-person (NOT online) • Maintain minimum 2.0 (C) GPA• Stay safe & out of trouble with the law• Keep in contact with the International Office• ENJOY YOUR TIME AT MIRACOSTA, AND HAVE FUN!

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!

• Check all your documents: F-1 visa & Passport (expiration date?)• International Office for I-20 travel signature (at LEASE 3 DAYS BEFORE)• Mexico? Check for additional information

Leaving the U.S.

• Cannot work until you get permission• At MiraCosta: talk to International Office;

Career Center• Outside MiraCosta: after 1 year with permission

from U.S. Government & must be required by your program, or must be related to your major after you graduate

Work

• Required to work in the U.S.• Must be offered a job BEFORE you apply for a SSN• Not needed for bank accounts, driver’s license, or other forms

SSN (Social Security Number)

SEVIS• Database with information on all F-1 international students• International Office entered your info into SEVIS• SEVIS I-20 was sent to you • U.S. Embassy in your country for visa -- SEVIS info confirmed• Border patrol checked SEVIS• MiraCosta confirmed

- Passport and arrival- Your address- Where you go to school- What you do at school (full/part time)- Your work permission- When you are going to graduate

IF YOU BREAK A LAW IN THE UNITED STATES, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS A LAW

So, now what?• Assessment• Class Schedule• College Catalog• SURF• Enrolling in Classes• Certificates• Degrees• Transfer• And so much more!

The ASSESSMENT / PLACEMENT TEST- What is it?

o A 60-90+ minute computerized exam available from 8:00am – 1:00pmo It covers READING, GRAMMAR/ENGLISH USAGE, LISTENING SKILLS &

MATH- Study?

o Online resources to review before you take the testo BUT, your scores are based on what YOU know

- Scores?o YOUR scores tell us what class levels are best for YOU to start witho It is VERY important to start at the right levels in:

English Reading Listening Grammar Math

College Catalog

1ST SEMESTER CHECKLIST & GOALS- Take 12 units no matter what

o Early morning, late evening, weekends, but NOT ONLINEo Start the ESL/ENGL sequenceo Pass ALL of your classes

- Meet with an International Office counselor as soon as possibleo Create an Educational Plan with all the classes you’ll need to graduate/transfer

- Choose a MAJOR and possibly a SCHOOL to transfer to- Meet with a Transfer Center counselor- Go to the Career Center- Understand the requirements/rules for being an International Student in the U.S.

o FOLLOW THOSE RULES- STAY SAFE [call boxes around campus] & OUT OF TROUBLE- HAVE FUN, MEET NEW FRIENDS AND ENJOY BEING A STUDENT HERE AT

MIRACOSTA!!

1st day of the FALL 2014 Semester

AUGUST 18, 2014 The International Office:

Oceanside CampusBuilding 3400, Room 3443

(760)795-6897

Thank You

English Language Institute• Intensive English as a Second Language program• Minimum 1 year English language in high school or college levels• Language immersion• Individualized instruction• Small class size (average 12 students)• 20 hours per week; 5 sessions per year; each session is 8 weeks• Not for advanced ESL students or w/ a TOEFL score above 500