International Student Services - UIS€¦ · International Student Services D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 STAFF Rick Lane Director ... through Monday, January 1st, 2018. We will resume

International Student Services D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7

S T AF F

Rick Lane Director Rachael Matingi Immigration Specialist Tracy Rakes Immigration Specialist Joel Short Immigration Specialist Jolene Vollmer Immigration Specialist Erika Suzuki Program Coordinator Varsha Bangera Student Worker Lauren McPherson Graduate Assistant Yu Shao Student Worker Rajat Sinha Student Worker

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Celebrations 2

Student Spotlight 3

Events with Erika 4, 5

Holiday Tips 6

Office Information 7

Congratulations, Graduates! International Student Services congratulates the large group of international students and each individual on your completion of your studies at UIS. You have put in many hours and gained new knowledge. You have also contributed to the learning of your classmates and the cultural enrichment of our entire campus community. We wish you the very best as you return to your home country and begin your professional career or continue your learning through a practical training opportunity in the United States. We hope that you have created new relationships and memories at UIS that will last throughout your life and that you will always be proud to be known as a UIS Alum.

Our office would like to thank and congratulate Rajat Sinha, Varsha Bangera, and Yu (Christina) Shao (pictured left to right) on their graduation! This trio served ISS as student workers this past year. Please stay in touch. _____________________________________________________

ISS Closed for Holidays

Please note, ISS will be closed Monday, December 25th, 2017, through Monday, January 1st, 2018. We will resume normal hours on Tuesday, January 2nd. If you have plans to travel over the break, please make sure have an updated travel signature.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T S E R V I C E S P A G E 2

Christmas: December 25th

A Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas evolved over two millennia into a worldwide religious and secular celebration, incorporating many

pre-Christian, pagan traditions into the festivities along the way. Popular

customs include exchanging gifts,

decorating Christmas trees, sharing meals

with family and friends and, of course,waiting

for Santa Claus to arrive.

World Celebrations Prepared by Harini Jilla

Winter Solstice: December 21st

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year. People all over the world participate in festivals and celebrations. Long ago, people celebrated by lighting bonfires and candles to coax back the sun.

St. Lucy’s Day: December 13th

To honor this third-century saint, many girls in Sweden dress up as “Lucia

brides” in long white gowns with red sashes, and a wreath of candles on their heads. They wake their families up by

singing songs and bringing them coffee and twisted saffron buns called

“Lucia cats.”

Hanukkah: December 12th-December 20th

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days. It is also known as the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication. The festival is

observed by the kindling of a menorah. Other Hanukkah festivities include playing dreidel and eating oil-based foods such as doughnuts and latkes.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T S E R V I C E S P A G E 3

Christopher Vemagiri Marbaniang

Hometown: Shillong, India and Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Major: Public Health

Future Plans: Become an actor/public health educator

Christopher Vemagiri Marbaniang, a graduate student at the University of

Illinois Springfield, hopes to combine his two passions, public health and

theatre, to educate people about important health issues. He was recently

part of the UIS Theatre production of “Machinal” and has appeared in

three other productions at UIS. Vemagiri Marbaniang is also treasurer of

the Student Government Association, chair of the Student Organization

Funding Association, a senator on the UIS Campus Senate, vice president

of the UIS Public Health Club, a worship leader for the University Bible

Fellowship, member of the UIS Mock Trial team and has served as a host

for the International Festival since 2015. He says the Graduate Public

Service Internship Program (GPSI) is what brought him to UIS. He is

currently interning at the Illinois Department of Public Health.

See Christopher’s full UIS Leadership Lived feature.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T S E R V I C E S P A G E 4

Events with Erika

Students attended a Thanksgiving lunch and learn on Wednesday, November 22nd. They enjoyed traditional American Thanksgiving fare, and Dr. Kenneth Owen of the UIS History Department spoke about the traditions of the holiday. More photos from this event are

posted on ISS UIS Connection page.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T S E R V I C E S P A G E 5

Events with Erika Spring 2018

January 8th: New International Student Check-In, 9am-4pm, HRB 111

January 9th: New International Student Orientation, 8am-2:30pm, PAC G/H

January 10th: Illinois State Museum, 1pm, PAC Tear Drop

January 15th: Student Union opens!

January 19th: New International Student Welcome Party, 5-8pm, Student Union South Ballroom

January 26th: DMV workshop, 2-3pm, Brookens Auditorium

January 30th: International Student Tax Workshop, 3-4pm, PAC G

February 2nd: Ski Trip with TRAC

February 16th: H1B Workshop, Time TBD, PAC C/D

March 27th: OPT Workshop-Spring Graduates, 2-4pm, Brookens Auditorium

April 6th: St. Louis City Museum, Time TBD

April 13th: Etiquette Dinner, 5:30-7:30pm, Student Union North

Ballroom

May 11th: International Student Graduation Ceremony,

2-4pm, Location TBD

Check our News and Events page throughout the semester for updates on programs offered through ISS.

Fall 2017 Orientation

Welcome Party

I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T S E R V I C E S P A G E 6

HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS

AT HOME

• Place gifts where they cannot be seen from a window or doorway.

• Light the exterior of your home around doors, windows, and driveway; also trim

hedges and trees around doors and windows.

Use only fire resistant ornaments and make sure holiday lights are in good

working order. Turn off tree lights at night and when gone.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Shop before dark when possible and shop with a friend. Never park in an

unlit area or parking lot no matter how convenient it is.

Lock your purchases in your trunk. Keep your vehicle doors locked and windows

closed. Park under or near a light source.

Don’t overburden yourself with packages. Have your car keys

ready, in hand, when walking to your vehicle. If possible, carry

a cell phone for use in case of an emergency.

HOLIDAY PARTY SAFETY

• If you plan to drink, bring along a designated driver or set aside

—-cab fare. Control your alcohol intake and remain with friends.

• If you are hosting a party, have non-alcoholic beverages available;

—-also have alternative transportation available for intoxicated guests.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON FROM THE UIS POLICE

Walk-In Hours

If you need to speak directly with

an immigration specialist, you can

come during walk-in hours, or

email [email protected] to make an

appointment.

Monday– 2:00-4:00

Tuesday– 2:00-4:00

Wednesday– 9:30-11:30

Thursday– 2:00-4:00

Office of International Student

Services

Find Us:

University of Illinois Springfield

One University Plaza, HRB 10

Springfield, IL 62703-5407

Office Hours:

8:30-5:00pm, Monday-Friday

Contact Us:

Phone: 217-206-6678

(country code 011)

Fax: 217-206-6680

Email: [email protected]

http://www.uis.edu/

internationalstudentservices/

On Facebook

P A G E 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L S T U D E N T S E R V I C E S

Yamz Camara was

selected by the

World Bank

Group to attend

the annual youth

summit in

Washington

DC from

December 4-5th.

Congratulations,

Yamz!