ISSS-BU News . 06 November 2006.  ISSS-BU News

Visit ISSS on the Web! http://isss.binghamton.edu

Editor's Note : For technical reasons, Monday's edition of ISSS-BU News is being distributed on Sunday.

Have you recently moved? The ISSS reminds all individuals in F or J status of the requirements under SEVIS to report any change of U.S. address to the ISSS within ten days of the change. You may take care of this requirement and fulfill your SEVIS responsibilities by going to the following link:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/forms/addrChange.html

Tuesday, November 7 is Election Day in the United States. Unlike many countries, elections in the United States are held on a weekday, and most offices and businesses throughout the country are open. Schools are in session. Since Election Day is not a federal holiday, mail is delivered on that day. In New York, there are local, state and national elections. The major contests in New York are in the US Senate where Senator Clinton is up for re-election, the Governor's Office, and the State Assembly. There are a number of local positions up for election as well.

CONTENTS:

1. National Holidays for November
2. Early Registration for Spring 2007 Is Underway
3. Interested in Inviting Your Spouse and/or Dependent Children to Join You in the United States? Pre-register to attend the Dependent Visa Workshops.
4. Next Employment Workshop: The US Job Interview, is Friday, November 10
5. Nominations Now Being Accepted for Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges
6. Information for Korean Males Who are Planning Military Service
7. Thinking of Doing an Internship During the Winter Break?
8. Scholarships for Female Students From Developing Countries

1. National Holidays for November

The following countries are celebrating national holidays during the month of November:

2. Early Registration for Spring 2007 Is Underway

Currently enrolled degree-seeking undergraduate students and all graduate students can now register for courses for the Spring 2007 term. Online registration on the BUSI (Binghamton University Student Information) system will be available from 8:00 am to 6:00am (22 hrs) seven days a week until early registration ends on Friday, December 1.

Complete information on Spring 2007 registration procedures may be found by visiting:
http://registrar.binghamton.edu/newinfo.html#regdates

3. Interested in Inviting Your Spouse and/or Dependent Children to Join You in the United States? Pre-register to attend the Dependent Visa Workshops

Amelia Shafer, International Student Advisor at ISSS, has scheduled Dependent Visa Workshop for students and scholars who are interested in inviting their spouse and/or dependent children to join them in the United States.

You can attend either session:

Friday, November 10 th at 2:30pm
In RC 205 (The Hinman Commons Building above the ISSS office) OR

Friday, November 17 th at 2:30pm
In RC 205 (The Hinman Commons Building above the ISSS office)

If you would like to attend, please pre-register by sending an e-mail message to isss@binghamton.edu Use “dependent workshop” as the subject. In the text of your message, please provide your name and e-mail address, and the workshop (November 10 or November 17) that you would like to attend.

If you are unable to attend either of the sessions, please contact the ISSS office at 777-2510 to set up an individual appointment with Amelia Shafer. She will be happy to assist you.

4. Next Employment Workshop: The US Job Interview, is Friday, November 10

The last in a series of Fall semester employment workshops designed exclusively for international students will be held Friday, November 10 from 3:30pm – 5:00pm in Career Development Center Workshop Room Library North Ground Floor 307.

Titled: " Presenting Yourself in Person: the US Job Interview " it offers tips to international students for participating in a successful job interview with U.S. employers.

This workshop series is sponsored by the Career Development Center and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.

5. Nominations Now Being Accepted for Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges

Nominations are now being accepted for membership in “Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.” This national program recognizes students each year for outstanding contributions to their schools through campus leadership, scholarship and community achievements. There is no fee associated with this program and national membership does not require dues.

Undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants must have at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and be in good judicial standing. Strong involvement and /or leadership in campus/community organizations are highly recommended. Applications are available on-line through the XCEL Center's website: http://xcel.binghamton.edu/recognize/whoswho/
Nomination deadline is Monday, November 22, 2006 at 5:00pm.

6. Information for Korean Males Who are Planning Military Service

Many undergraduate male students from the Republic of Korea consider beginning their required military service sometime during their undergraduate study. Most students return home to begin service after a Fall or Spring semester, and then return to Binghamton to resume study once their military service is over. The ISSS has prepared a summary of the requirements for leaving, and then resuming studies, and it is available at the following link:
http://isss.binghamton.edu/pubs/korean.html

7. Thinking of Doing an Internship During the Winter Break?

If you are in F-1 status, don't forget that you must apply for Curricular Practical Training CPT) authorization! Whether the internship is paid or unpaid, international students must be authorized before beginning internships or employment. Protect your valid immigration status!

It is easy to apply for CPT– you will need an offer letter from your employer with certain information. Your academic advisor will also need to fill out the required Academic Advisor's Recommendation form.

You can pick up a CPT application at the ISSS Office or download the Academic Advisor's form from the ISSS website. More information on the federal immigration rules for CPT is found at the following link: http://isss.binghamton.edu/emp/curr.html Remember that you must have the approved authorization before the internship or other employment can begin.

If you have any questions, contact Assistant Director, Karen Keefe-Guzikowski, or International Student Advisor, Amelia Shafer. If you prefer, you can make an appointment with either of them to discuss your specific situation.

8. Scholarships for Female Students From Developing Countries

Several organizations have announced scholarship grant competitions for students from developing countries for the 2007-2008 academic year.

The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund awards 10 non-renewable grants of $11,000 each year to women from specific developing countries (136 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean appear on their approved list). The Fund is administered by World Bank Volunteer Services. The application deadline is February 28, 2007. Applicants must have a record of service to women and/or children in her country, demonstrate financial need, plan to return to their home countries in about two years, be currently residing in the United States, be in a valid non- immigrant status, be studying at a US accredited institution during the period of time covered by the grant, be at least 25 years old by December 31, 2006, and not be related to any World Bank group staff member or their spouse.

A copy of the list of all eligible developing countries for this Scholarship as well as application forms are available now on the Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund web site. Visit http://www.wbfn.org and scroll down on the left to “Outreach,” then select MMMF.

The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund
World Bank Volunteer Services
The World Bank
1818 H Street NW, Room MSN H2-204
Washington, D.C. 20433
202-473-8751 (phone)
202-522-3142 (fax)
e-mail: MMMF@worldbank.org

Other sources of financial aid include:
1. American Association of University Women International Fellowships
2007-2008 deadline is December 1, 2006
AAUW Educational Foundation
PO Box 4030
Iowa City, Iowa 52243-4030
telephone: 319-337-1716 ext. 60
e-mail: aauw@act.org
http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowshipsgrants/international.cfm

Eligibility: women only, graduate students, citizen of any country except United States, admission to an accredited U.S. institution, outstanding academic record, professional potential, record of civic or community involvement concerning women, intent to return to home country, potential of the field of study to improve lives of women and girls in the country of origin. Up to 57 fellowships awarded.

2. PEO International Peace Scholarship Fund
Philanthropic and Educational Organization For Women
2007-2008 deadline is January 31, 2007
3700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
telephone 515-255-3153
http://www.peointernational.org/about/

View the following links, all are pdf files:
http://www.peointernational.org/about/ips-fact-sheet.pdf
http://www.peointernational.org/about/ips-policies.pdf
http://www.peointernational.org/about/ips-eligibility.doc

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