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!