q103/random_k4/random_2.md

Hobart and William SmitH CollegeS

Handbook for
International Students

intercultural affairs Center
288 Pulteney Street
geneva, nY 14456
(315) 781-3319 – Phone
(315) 781-3888 – Fax

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I: General Information
  Welcome

important Campus Phone numbers

  office locations

banks and theaters
Places to Stay
Frequently asked Questions

SECTION II: Immigration Procedures
  How to get assistance with immigration matters
immigration basics and definition of terms

  obtaining a Visa and Form i-20

differences between F-1 and J-1 Status

  arriving at a U.S. port of entry… What a student can expect

dealing with the department of Homeland Security (dHS)
exceptions to a Full Course of Study
duration of Status for F-1 Students
temporary departure from the US

  accepting U.S. government Public assistance or Public benefits
  Work opportunities for students with F-1 Status
  Work opportunities for students in J-1 Status

Practical training
  optional Practical training (oPt)
  Curricular Practical training (CPt)
departure Checklist

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SECTION III:

Sample Fall orientation Schedule for international Students

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SECTION I:
GENERAL INFORMATION

Welcome!

Welcome to Hobart and William Smith Colleges (the Colleges or HWS). to you, the
decision to study abroad might have been a small one – or, indeed, a rather big step.
either way you won’t know what your experience will be like until you are here. this
handbook is designed to help you prepare for the adventure of studying in the United
States. in our experience the better prepared you are the more you will benefit from
your time at the Colleges.
  While we are trying to answer many of your questions prior to your arrival in the
United States, some of your questions will only arise once you are here. the inter-
national Student adviser will serve as a resource to you and your parents or guardians
throughout the application process and during your stay at Hobart and William Smith
Colleges. The adviser will be your primary contact for any questions or concerns
regarding visas and immigration issues, employment, travel and a host of other
 matters that may arise.

the International Student Office (iSo) is located on the second floor of the

intercultural affairs Center at 288 Pulteney Street. this office advocates for and ad-
dresses the needs of international students as well as provides programs and services
related to immigration matters. during the academic school year the iSo sponsors
and co-sponsors events designed to promote cross-cultural sharing between the many
groups at the Colleges and
geneva communities.
Currently, international
students come to us from 22
nations: austria, bulgaria,
Canada, China, Colombia,
Czech republic, germany,
india, iran, nepal, Pakistan,
Portugal, Scotland, South
africa, South Korea, Swe-
den, Switzerland, thailand,
the netherlands, turkey,
Ukraine and Vietnam.

Intercultural Affairs Center – Home to the International Student Office.

in the fall international students attend a special two-day orientation before
the regular first year orientation begins. at Hobart and William Smith, we ask that
incoming international students join us ahead of time as it is a wonderful opportunity
to get acquainted with the new culture, get assimilated with the campus, and provide
a forum to answer your questions before the rush of orientation activities begins. at
the iSo, we will check to make sure that all your immigration paperwork is in order as
well as help you gain a better understanding of what your F-1 or J-1 status means and
how to maintain it; help to answer any questions that you might have about adjusting
to life as a student in the United States, specifically life at HWS; and meet students,
staff and faculty members.

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Questions? Please
contact the International
Student Adviser by phone
 at (315) 781-3319. The
 International Student
 Office is located on the
 2nd floor of the
Intercultural Affairs Cent-
ter, 288 Pulteney Street,
Geneva, NY 14456. (315)
781-3319 – Phone (315)
781-3888-Fax. Office
hours are 8:30 am to
5:00 pm weekdays during
the academic year.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE GOING ABROAD
before you can board a plane and start your study
abroad adventure, there are some formalities you will
need to take care of. the earlier you start thinking
about the things you need, the smoother your prepara-
tions will go. this list will help you consider some of
the things you will have to do.

Obtaining a Visa
Upon receipt of the form i-20 (for F-1 students) or dS-
2019 (for J-1 exchange students) you can apply for your
student visa. it is wise to schedule an appointment with
the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country as soon
as possible as sometimes there are no appointments
available for weeks. You should also give yourself some
time to prepare for your visit to the U.S. embassy or
consulate. Visa procedures vary from country to country.
make sure to check the website of the embassy or

consulate in your country to find out what documents you need to bring. document
you certainly need include: (1) a current, valid passport; (2) your i-20 or dS-2019
form; (3) evidence of financial support for the duration of time you will spend in the
US; (4) proof that you have a permanent residence outside the US; (5) one or more
passport pictures meeting U.S. requirements; (6) a nonimmigrant visa application.

Medical Insurance
HWS Colleges require that all students buy the medical insurance provided by
the colleges. all J-1 student-visa holders (that is, all exchange students) are also
required by U.S. law to have their own medical insurance. While F-2 students are
covered by the Colleges medical insurance you might nevertheless consider buying
additional medical coverage.

Important Documents
You need to bring all important documents relating to your legal, medical, and aca-
demic history with you. Such documents might include medical and dental records,
certificates of immunizations, information about medical conditions and treatments,
prescriptions for medication and eyeglasses or contact lenses, and official transcripts
from secondary school and college. make sure you photocopy all documents and
leave some copies with a person you trust in your home country. it is also helpful to
translate these documents into english before you leave your home country.

Packing
Pack as light as possible. remember that you might have to carry all your things at
different times during the journey. if you are studying abroad for only a semester you
might not need to bring your entire wardrobe. You might also want to leave room
in your suitcase for souvenirs you will buy while in the US. at the same time there
might be things you want to bring because they will make you more comfortable

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and will make your transition to a new environment easier. Some exchange students
and international students also like to bring small gifts from their home country to
share with new friends abroad. this might be a means for you to share and explain
your culture to your new acquaintances. if you have traditional, national cloth-
ing consider bringing it to wear at events sponsored by the international Students
association or other cultural events. if you arrive during spring semester (January),
to bring a warm jacket and boots, a scarf, gloves and hat. We encourage you to take
advantage of the option to ship your packages ahead of time using the box number
that will be provided to you from the Colleges orientation office.   You may also
consider purchasing larger items upon your arrival at our local shopping centers.

Traveling Tips
You can book your flight as soon as you find the Colleges start date for international
Student orientation. at this time, you might have already received the schedule of
international student orientation. the Colleges provide a complimentary pick-up
from rochester and Syracuse airport for those international students coming to the
Colleges for the first time if you arrive during the assigned times. long-distance
traveling can be really exhausting, so try to get a good-night’s sleep before the trip,
eat lightly and drink plenty of water. it is also a good idea to wear several layers of
clothes so you can accommodate to changes in temperature. label your luggage with
both your home address and the address in the United States (if you don’t have an
address yet, use that of the international student office). Keep you passport, impor-
tant documents, flight tickets, and money or traveler’s checks with you at all times.
You might also want to pack everything you need for a one-night emergency stay
into your hand luggage in case you get stuck at the airport or your luggage gets lost.

Money
You should carry a small amount of U.S. dollars with you while traveling so that you
can buy some food or other small things you might need. However, it is not a good
idea to carry large sums of money. We recommend that you buy traveler’s checks or
get a credit card that allows you to withdraw money from a cash machine when you
need to. Upon arrival on campus, the international student adviser can help you to
set up an account with a local bank. it is highly recommended to have an U.S. bank
account because it will make payments so much easier. Students can create bank
accounts free of charge.

GETTING TO KNOW HOBART AND WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES
College is an exciting time for everyone and it is a transition for all students. if you
are an exchange student, you already went through the transition process once.
nevertheless, studying abroad brings with it a range of new experiences. every col-
lege is a little different and if you have never studied in the United States before,
many things might be very confusing.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Hobart and William Smith is a small, private liberal arts institution. You can expect
to study in relatively small classes and build close relationships with your classmates

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and professors. Virtually all students are being housed on campus. living so close
to each other has many advantages: it is relatively easy to get to know new people,
get involved in clubs and activities, and make an impact on the community. at the
same time it can be hard to find personal time and separate school from other activi-
ties when the two are not physically separated.

Classes
at HWS, a normal course load is four classes per semester. this means that you
will be in class for between 12 and 15 hours every week, or more if you take courses
requiring labs or studio work. there are different types of classes. 100- and 200-level
classes are usually introductory classes and have a wider focus. 300- and 400-level
classes have a narrower, more specific focus. Some professors prefer to lecture, but
you also encounter class-discussions. Higher level classes tend to be taught in a semi-
nar style, in which a lot of the class’ content relies on student presentations. there
are also independent study classes in which you research a topic under a professor’s
guidance but without the classroom structure. as an upper-class student you might
choose to work on an honors project. this is an independent research project that
will culminate in a 80- to 100-page paper. You can take classes from all departments
but at the end of your Sophomore (2nd) year, you will need to declare a major and a
minor subject (or one major, two minors; or two majors, one minor; or two majors,
two minors). as part of your liberal arts education, you will also have to fulfill cer-
tain academic goals. Your academic adviser will help you with that.

Grading and Grades
Foreign students often find that americans are very competitive. this also reflects
on the system of grading. You will find that you will have many opportunities to
prove your knowledge of a subject in class. many professors will give short, unan-
nounced quizzes that test your knowledge of the course material assigned for that
day. exams are bigger, announced tests that cover the course material of a longer pe-
riod of time. they can be compromised of true or false questions, sentence comple-
tion (“fill in the blank”), multiple choice, matching, essay questions, or a combina-
tion of these. Professors will also assign essays and papers you have to write on your
own time. Your class participation might also count toward your final grade. the
Colleges use the grading system based on a four-point scale: a= 4.0, b= 3.0, C= 2.0,
d= 1.0. You need at least a C average in your classes to remain a full-time student.

Homework
Some foreign students are overwhelmed by the quantity of homework assigned by
american colleges. especially in the beginning when you still have problems with
the english language, keeping up with homework can be really hard. if you find
yourself struggling to keep up with work, ask for help. Find the Center for teaching
and learning on campus and schedule an appointment! Ctl is open to all students
and its services are already covered by your tuition. they can help you with your
writing assignments, help with time management, or assign you a tutor to help you
with the content of a class. it is also important to realize that most american stu-
dents prioritize their work: decide what readings are important to do and read them
thoroughly; skim the others.
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Professors and Advisers
every student at HWS is assigned an academic adviser. He or she will help you
with any questions you have related to your academic life. Feel free to consult them
before choosing classes, if you are struggling with certain classes or professors, if you
want to know how and when to declare majors and minors, and any other questions
you might have. most professors are also interested in helping you as much as pos-
sible and want to get to know you outside of class. don’t feel embarrassed to ask a
professor a question after class. You should also take advantage of their office hours.
interaction between professors and students in america is a lot tighter than in many
other countries. Students sometimes stop by their professor’s office simply to talk
about something that they are interested in.

Important information on financial aid
Hobart and William Smith Colleges offer merit scholarships as well as need-based
grants to international students. the average package typically equals more than
half the annual cost of tuition, room and board. Highly competitive applicants will
be considered for a full tuition scholarships.

Financial aid is available for a maximum of four years for those who enroll as

first-year students. For those entering with advanced standing (transfers), aid is
available for the time allotted to complete a degree. awards based on demonstrated
financial need, if it becomes apparent that such need no longer exists, may be re-
duced. Students must resubmit a financial aid application each year.

ADJUSTING TO A NEW ENVIRONMENT
going abroad for a semester or the duration of one’s studies is exciting. at times,
however, the confrontation with a foreign culture can be challenging. Studying
abroad is a learning experience in every sense of the word. besides your scholastic
learning in college courses, you will get to know the american culture and how
people around you view their world and their lives. by experiencing and understand-
ing a different way of life, you will also learn about things in your own culture you
have never thought of before. this is your chance to broaden your view and reflect
on and mature your own values. the process of learning about a new culture and
finding your own place in the new environment can be confusing and tiring. the
best way to deal with a new situation and find out about something you don’t under-
stand is to ask questions.

Culture Shock and Adjustment
Culture shock is a normal phenomenon on your way to adjusting to a new environ-
ment. For some people, the encounter with a new culture can be shocking, indeed,
but for most people culture shock is not as sudden and dramatic as you might expect.
When the excitement about being in a foreign country wears off, cultural differences
can become overwhelming. You might think your language skills are inadequate; you
might be struggling with course work; you might be troubled by unfamiliar food; you
might have difficulties interpreting other people’s behavior; you might be offended
by the way people act or dress or by their body language. there are a variety of
symptoms of culture shock. Some people feel tired and nervous; some are frustrated

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with or even hostile toward the american culture; some get angry and irritated very
easily; some isolate themselves or socialize only with other international students and
people who speak their language. You might also feel very homesick and question
why you decided to go abroad in the first place. a way to prepare yourself to deal with
culture shock is to clarify for yourself why you want to study abroad. Knowing your
personal expectations and goals will help you overcome periods of doubt.

THINGS TO DO
• Chose a non-credit or half-credit class like tennis, scuba diving, or basic sailing.
• Join some of the many student clubs on campus (http://www.hws.edu/studentlife/

campuslife/sll/clubs).

• You like to be active? Visit the sport and recreation facilities and take a yoga class,
borrow a racquet and play tennis or racquetball. You can also try out for intramu-
ral sports.

• get involved in the religious life on campus! there are services and meditation as
well as bible study sessions, ecumenical candlelight prayers, Sabbath dinners and
a lot more.

• Participate in ongoing events – take in a movie on Fridays at Friday Flix, visit the
Cellar Pub in the basement of Coxe Hall and see what is happening (comedians,
bands, etc.), show school spirit by supporting one of many sporting events hap-
pening on campus.

• are you interested in current events? Political and social developments? the
Fisher Center lecture Series, the President’s Forum and the President’s radio
Show are a few venues through which you can satisfy this interest.

• travel the area! intercultural affairs (iC) and the Center for global education

(Cge) will occasionally offer trips to see the area, oraP (outdoor recreational
activities Program) organizes hiking, rock climbing and rafting trips (among
others), and you can always get a group of friends together and go somewhere on
your own.

• offer your help in the language departments. maybe someone needs a Spanish

tutor or a teaching assistant for mandarin?

• discover geneva. Volunteer. to find out how visit the Public Service office in

trinity (2nd floor) (or call x3825).

• do you like to dance? or watch others dance? the dance department is big on
campus and the students as well as the faculty put on dance shows! ask about
Koshare or join one of the dance teams.

• Check the daily Update!  there is always something going on – just show up and

try it out!

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P
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           Extension

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Office
business office
Center for global education
Center for teaching and learning
Counseling Center
deans: Hobart
deans: William Smith
Financial aid
Hubbs Health Center
information technology
intercultural affairs
registrar
residential education
Security
emergency
Student accounts

3655
3307
3351
3388
3300
3467
3315
3600
4357 (HelP)
3319
3651
3900
3656
3333
3386

OFFICE LOCATIONS
admissions
alcohol and other drug Programs
alumni House
athletics (WS)
buildings and grounds
business office
Career Services
Center for global education
Ctl
Chapel
College Store
Communications office
deans: Hobart
deans: William Smith
dining Services

Financial aid
Hubbs Health/Counseling Center
information technology
intercultural affairs
President
Provost’s office
Public Service office
registrar
residential education
Security
Student accounts
Student life and leadership
WeoS radio Station

bradford House
Smith Hall
615 South main
Winn-Seeley
medbery Parking lot
demarest (basement)
trinity (1st Floor)
trinity (3rd Floor)
Harris House (678 S. main St.)
St. John’s Chapel (near 630 S. main St.)
51 Saint Clair Street, Sherrill Hall
durfee House (639 S. main St.)
Smith Hall (1st Floor)
Smith Hall (1st Floor)
Scandling Center Café, Saga,
Cellar Pub, de Cordova Café
demarest (basement)
119 St. Clair St.
Williams Hall
288 Pulteney St.
Coxe Hall (2nd Floor)
Coxe Hall (2nd Floor)
trinity (3rd Floor)
gulick (1st Floor)
101 St. Clair St.
medbery Parking lot
demarest (basement)
Scandling Center (2nd Floor)
113 Hamilton St.

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BANKS AND MOVIE THEATERS IN GENEVA

Community Bank
5 Seneca St.
geneva, nY 14456
Phone: (315) 789-7700
Website: www.communitybankna.com

First Niagara Bank
811 Canandaigua road
geneva, nY 14456
Phone: (315) 789-1049
Fax: (315) 789-6009
Website: www.firstniagarabank.com

BANKS
Five-Star Bank
P.o. box 193
geneva, nY 14456
Phone: (315) 789-2300
Fax: (315) 787-3263
Website: www.five-starbank.com

Seneca Falls Savings Bank
342 Hamilton St.
geneva, nY 14456
Phone: 315-789-8100
Website: www.seneca24.net/

MOVIE THEATERS
Geneva Movieplex 8
t & C Plaza, Hamilton St.
geneva, nY, 14456
Phone: (315) 789-4524
Web: www.cinemanorth.com

PLACES TO STAY
Note: the Colleges provide this list as a service to all who might visit our area, but
do not endorse any local hotel, motel, inn or bed and breakfast.

the following are a handful of accommodations that are available in and around
geneva, no more than 30 minutes from campus. lodging is also available in ithaca,
rochester and Syracuse, which are each approximately one hour from Hobart and
William Smith. You can find out more about accommodations outside the greater
geneva area by visiting the geneva Chamber of Commerce or ontario County
tourism bureau websites.

Holiday inn, Waterloo
(315) 539-5011 or (800) HolidaY

Hampton inn
(315) 781-2037

ramada inn, geneva, lakefront
(315) 789-0400

belhurst Castle/White Spring manor,
geneva
(315) 781-0201

microtel inn & Suites, Seneca Falls
(315) 539-8438

geneva-on-the-lake, geneva
(315) 789-7190 or (800) 3-geneVa

motel 6, Hamilton Street, geneva
(315) 789-4050 or (800) 466-8356

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G
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PLACES TO EAT
*Please note that some restaurants are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays,
so call ahead.

The area code for all numbers listed below is (315).

American/Continental
abigail’s restaurant, routes 5 & 20, Seneca Falls, 539-9300
belhurst Castle, lochland road, route 14, 781-0201
the Crow’s nest, 415 boody’s Hill road, 781-0600
emile’s restaurant, east north Street and routes 5 & 20, 789-2775
geneva-on-the-lake, 1001 lochland road, 789-7190
madderlake Café, West lake road, 781-2424
the red brick inn, 291 main St., 789-3247

Diners/Grilles
Flour Petal Café, 34 linden St., 781-2233
Parkers’ grille & tap House, 100 Seneca St., 789-4656
Ports Cone & grill, 4432 W. lake road, 789-2020
Water Street Café, 467 exchange St., 789-2560
the Captain’s room, 372 exchange St., 781-0122
dana’s time out, 258 Hamilton St., 781-2107

Italian-American and Pizza
nonna Cosentino’s trattoria, 1 railroad Place, 789-1638
Uncle Joe’s Pizzeria, 99 n. genesee Street, 781-1199

International
ling ling, 481 Hamilton Street, 781-0668
main moon, 480 exchange Street, 781-5106
Wing tai oriental restaurant, 164 Castle Street, 789-8892
garcia’s mexican restaurant, 313 Hamilton Street, 789-5760

Fast Food/Family Chains
routes 5 & 20 west of downtown geneva (Hamilton Street) offers an array of popu-
lar fast food and family chains, including Quiznos, tim Horton’s, Club 86 bagels
and Cakes, Friendly’s, KFC-taco bell, mcdonald’s, long John Silver’s, Pizza Hut,
Subway, Waffle Works and Wendy’s.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Do you require the TOEFL for international students?
Yes, we do require the toeFl (test of english as a Foreign language). We offer limited
english language support on campus, and require that students have a solid foundation
in english prior to admission. the minimum required computer based toeFl score is
220. the Colleges also will accept the aPiel examination in lieu of the toeFl.

Do you offer financial assistance for international students?
need-based scholarships are available to international students. the cost of attend-
ing college here for the 2007-2008 academic year is U.S. $45,968. the average aid
package typically equals more than half the annual cost of tuition, room and board.
Highly competitive applicants will be considered for a full-tuition scholarship. the
financial aid application forms are included in the application for admissions.

How many international students do you currently have on campus?
We have 32 full-time matriculated students in a degree program Fall 2006
Semester.  the following countries are represented: austria, bulgaria, Canada,
China, Colombia, Czech republic, germany, india, nepal, Pakistan, South Korea,
Sweden, turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Vietnam.

Do you have an international student adviser?
Yes, the student adviser is responsible for working with our international students
on campus to help them make the transition from home to the Colleges. We offer an
international student orientation prior to the first-year and transfer student orienta-
tion at the beginning of the academic year, and the beginning of the spring semester
for new arrivals. a variety of activities and programs are available throughout the
year. Student advising and counseling is available in a variety of other areas on cam-
pus, including faculty advisers, Hubbs Health Center, and the Center for teaching
and learning. We make every effort to work individually with each student to help
them reach their potential and make the most of the opportunities available here.

Do you have an international student organization?
Yes.  the international Student association (iSa) is a student organization that cel-
ebrates the diverse cultures found around the globe. other cultural clubs with interna-
tional perspectives represented on campus include asian Student association (aSU),
latin american organization (lao), Caribbean Student association (CSa), and
dia al-din: muslim Student association.

Do you have E.S.L. services?
Yes, an entry level course is offered, as are workshops and one-to-one tutoring. How-
ever, the Colleges do not offer a full e.S.l. curriculum.

What kinds of housing are available?
Within the Hobart and William Smith community are dozens of smaller communi-
ties--those of the individual residences. the range of housing options is extensive,

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with coed or single-sex college residences, cooperative houses, theme houses, and
town houses among the choices you’ll find over your four years here. residence
halls offer a variety of configurations, with traditional singles and doubles as well as
suites. Some recent theme houses have included Jewish Culture House, multicul-
tural Sisterhood House, Writers House, and international awareness House. the
ten cooperative houses provide an alternative to standard residence-hall living, with
residents sharing responsibility for food and housecleaning arrangements.

Is it possible to work on campus?
You are eligible to work up to 20 hours a week on campus, if your visa status permits
it. However, the demand for such employment exceeds the number of jobs available.
therefore, you cannot use on-campus employment as a resource for the issuance of
the i-20 form.

STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL YEAR ITEMS
Special consideration will be given to those international students who need storage
on campus during the school breaks.  international students must attend a manda-
tory meeting in September regarding storage and transportation of school year items.
attendance will be taken at this meeting.  Students unable to attend this meeting
must take the initiative to set up a meeting with the international Student adviser
before oct. 1.

the storage and transportation meeting in September will encompass the following
information:
a. date and time of transportation to and from storage areas

- Winter break (december)
- Summer break (may)
b. location of storage areas
c. How to pack and maximum number of storage items allowed
each student will be allowed no more than 8 items.  items must be labeled with
students name, return date and number of items.  boxes must be secured properly
and must be easily manageable.  large items such as refrigerators, sofas, etc. will not
be accommodated due to limited space.
d. transportation requirements: items are to be placed at curbside 15 minutes
before van arrives for pick up.
e. Cost of transportation = $20 per student (gas and labor cost)
f. information on surcharges:  the student’s account will be charged a surcharge for
each infraction:

- No shows = $50
- Fail to have items at curbside = $20
- Not packed = $20
- Change of time and/or date without 24 hour notice to Intercultural Affairs
  Office = $40

Please Note: Storage space is limited, therefore there is no guarantee that you
will get storage or transportation support.

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IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
if you should have a need to contact the international Student adviser while travel-
ing outside of the United States please call (315) 781-3656 and ask for extension
3319. You can also contact the office directly by calling (315) 781-3319.

In an emergency, they can be reached at (315) 781-3333.

remember that the international Student adviser, while a resource to you, is not
your only resource during your time at the Colleges.  While on campus, your respec-
tive deans will be available to assist you with a variety of issues, and should always
be kept aware of important matters.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING SCHOOL BREAKS
Since not everyone is able to return home during school breaks, international
students are allowed to remain on campus during those times.  at specific times
during the fall and spring, you will receive e-mails from the residential education
office asking about their plans during the upcoming break.  Your immediate response
is necessary as it is the only way to ensure that you will get permission to remain in
your room or elsewhere on the campus during school breaks.

Students are not allowed to remain in their rooms during fall, winter and spring

breaks. during summer vacation, students who remain on campus must move into
temporary housing.  once again, an e-mail from the residential education office
is the first step in determining where students will be staying during the summer.
Currently, international students are allowed to stay on campus during the summer
holiday free of charge (subject to change).

the dining hall is not open to students during the summer months so students
will need to provide their own meals.  most summer housing will feature a kitchen,
but in the event that one doesn’t, appropriate accommodations will be made for
those students who wish to prepare their own meals.

the international student adviser must also know your plans and should also be

notified if you will or will not be staying on campus.

US Holidays/Observances
January 1
January 15
3rd monday in February
2nd Sunday in may
4th monday in may
3rd Sunday in June
July 4th
1st monday in September
october 31
november 11
4th thursday in november
december 4
december 25
december 26

14

new Year’s day
martin luther King Jr. day
Presidents day
mother’s day
memorial day
Father’s day
independence day
labor day
Halloween
Veterans day
thanksgiving
Hanukkah begins
Christmas day
Kwanzaa

SECTION II:
IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES

HOW TO GET ASSISTANCE WITH IMMIGRATION MATTERS

the international Student adviser is available to help you process your immigration
forms and documents.  Working with the department of Homeland Security can be
very complicated, detailed, and time-consuming. it is important that you do not rely
on information obtained from friends and other students because circumstances may
vary from one student to another and the regulations can and do change.
    the international Student adviser must work within the federal immigration
laws. When making a request, please make sure that you allow plenty of time for
your request to be processed and plan to be patient. Have your documents, such as
your passport, i-94 card, i-20 or dS-2019 with you when you go to the international
student office for immigration assistance.

Important: You should allow at least one week for processing signatures, letters
and/or other types of paperwork. Special consideration will be given for emergency
situations.

Reminder: the international Student adviser cannot remember when each
student’s documents expire.  it is YOUR responsibility to keep track of all immigra-
tion documents and keep them current.

Hristo Dimitrov ’09 (Bulguria), and Ayokunle Abogan ’06 (Nigeria)

15

IMMIGRATION BASICS AND DEFINITION OF TERMS

as with all countries, the United States has laws and regulations governing foreign-
ers who are temporarily within its borders. the immigration regulations are adminis-
tered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

immigration regulations can change frequently and are difficult to interpret. it
is important for international students to understand the rules as they apply to stu-
dent status. The DHS does not consider ignorance of the law a legitimate reason
for failing to obey it.
  Questions should be directed to the international Student adviser, who will be
able to assist with legal regulations and can sign your immigration documents.

dHS requires that a copy of your passport, i-94 and other immigration docu-
ments be kept on file by the international Student adviser, as well as your local
address and telephone number.

Passport
be sure to keep your passport in a safe place. it is your most important document.
most passports are good for a limited period of time. Your passport must be valid at
all times while you are in the United States.

the expiration date of your passport should be six months beyond the date you

enter the U.S. if your passport expiration date is close to the date you will begin
classes, obtain a new passport before leaving home.

it is your responsibility to remember when your passport will expire and to con-
tact the nearest consulate or embassy for your country. to find the nearest consulate
or U.S. embassy check http://usembassy.state.gov.

Your passport can only be extended by your government and it usually takes
several weeks for a passport to be renewed, so be sure to allow enough time. You may
extend your passport in the U.S. at your home country’s embassy or consulate. You
are in this country illegally if your passport expires and are subject to deportation.

Visas
the visa stamped in your passport at the U.S. embassy or Consulate is for permis-
sion to enter the United States for a specific purpose and period of time. Students
are usually given an F-1 visa.  J-1 visas are given to researchers, scholars and students
who are sponsored by agencies or universities.

Since the visa stamp is only important for entry and re-entry to the United
States, there is no need to worry if it expires while you are here if you are maintain-
ing your student status. because a visa is only a permit to apply for entry into a coun-
try, it is not possible to obtain a U.S. visa while you are in the U.S. to apply for a
visa, you must go to a U.S. consulate or embassy in a country other than the United
States, usually your home country.

I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
Form i-94, also called the arrival/departure record of Stay Permit, is the small white
card given to you at the port of entry to the U.S.  this form is very important since it
officially determines how long an international student can remain in the U.S.

16

Students on the F-1 and J-1 visas usually have their i-94 stamped “d/S” (dura-

tion of Status), which means that the student can remain in this country for the
length of time required to complete his/her studies as long as the student follows all
of the regulations of the student visa. the eleven-digit number written on your i-94
is your dHS admission number, which is used by the dHS to monitor entry into and
departure from the U.S. The I-94 cards are turned in when leaving the U.S. and a
new I-94 is completed with each subsequent entry.

if you are on a visa other than a F or J, or if you have a specific date stamped on

your i-94 card instead of the “d/S” designation, you must apply for an extension, a
Change of Status, or exit the U.S before the expiration date or you will be consid-
ered out of status and a visa overstay, which can have serious dHS consequences.

SEVIS
an acronym for Student and exchange Visitor information System (SeViS).  it is a
data collection and monitoring system that creates an interface between institutions
of higher education, the department of Homeland Security (dHS), consulates and
embassies abroad, and ports of entry.  Schools are required to make regular electronic
updates in SeViS throughout each semester on the records of their enrolled students
in F-1 and J-1 status and their dependents and their researchers and faculty on J-1
status.  this includes, but is not limited to enrollment status, changes in address,
changes in level of study, employment recommendations and school transfers.

Form I-20
When Hobart and William Smith Colleges accepts an international student for
full-time study, the student is sent a Form i-20 a-b as proof of acceptance and to
use when applying for an F-1 Student Visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad. the student
presents the i-20 with their passport and visa at the Port of entry and the i-20 is
stamped and given back to the student.  this is your Certificate of eligibility, and
it must be signed by a dSo/ international Student adviser before you leave the
United States. Students should keep copies of all i-20 issued to them.

Immigration Status
this is often confused with “visa” but your immigration status, e.g., F-1, J-1, etc. is
determined at the time of your entry into the U.S. by an immigration official and is
noted on the Form i-94.  You may have many visa stamps in your passport but, upon
entry into the U.S., an immigration inspector will admit you in only one immigra-
tion status which is noted on the i-94 card.

OBTAINING A VISA AND FORM I-20
Your passport should be valid at least six months beyond the date of entering the U.S.
as a student. be sure to check your passport expiration date. if it will expire close to
when you will begin classes, obtain a new passport before applying for your visa.

How to Obtain a Visa
although U.S. embassies will not issue a student visa prior to 120 days before the
start date on the i-20 (or dS-2019 for J’s), you can schedule an appointment prior

17

to the 120-day period. Since processing times have become longer due to increased
security clearances, students should check with their local U.S. embassy or consulate
to learn the estimated waiting time and allow plenty of time to obtain the visa. a
list of consulates and embassies can be found at http://usembassy.state.gov/.

You will need to pay a $100 SeViS fee at least 3 business days before your visa
interview. the fee can be paid online or by mail. For complete directions, see http://
www.fmJfee.com.
  Unless you are a sponsored J-1 student or already in another visa category, the
Colleges’ office of admissions will send you a Form i-20 when you are admitted and
have submitted proof of your ability to finance your education. take the i-20 form,
your acceptance letter, passport, copies of sponsorship letters and bank statements
to prove financial support, and a receipt for your SeViS fee payment to the United
States embassy or consulate nearest your home. once you have acquired the visa
stamp in your passport, you are ready to enter the U.S.

Note: Students may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the start date
on their I-20.

Canadian and some British Commonwealth citizens do not need visas to enter
the U.S., but they must request F-1 status and present their i-20 forms for process-
ing at the point of entry even if the official does not ask for it. they should also be
prepared to show evidence of financial support and proof of citizenship. Without a
stamped i-20 and an i-94 card with the F-1 or J-1 designation on it, you are con-
sidered a tourist in the United States and will not be legally able to study and take
advantage of the special privileges allowed those in Student Status until he or she
has been in an immigration status appropriate for studying for at least nine consecu-
tive months.

Note: If you will not be entering the U.S. on an F-1 visa, do not use an I-20 form
to obtain a visa. If you received an I-20, please return it to the Office of Admis-
sions with an explanation of the type of visa you hold.

if your visa document (i-20 or dS-2019) does not arrive in time for you to secure
the proper visa, do not enter the United States on a B1/B2 Visitor Visa. obtain a
b-2 “prospective student” or “prospective exchange visitor” visa from a U.S. embassy
or consulate post in your country. be certain the consul writes “Prospective Student”
or “Prospective exchange Visitor” (for J-1) in your passport on the visa page. You
will need to present your letter of acceptance and evidence of financial support to
request this visa.

in general, it is best to avoid using the b-2 visa since you will have to pay a fee
and do a time-consuming change of status through dHS (department of Homeland
Security) after you arrive. You may not begin your studies until the change is com-
pleted, so this could also delay the start of your studies until a subsequent term.

Note: Students must attend the school named on the I-20 or DS-2019 presented at
the port of entry in order to be in status. Also, do not enter the U.S. on a “W-T”

18

(waiver) as this classification cannot be extended or changed and you will lose your
legal immigration status as a student.

Students Transferring From another Colleges in the United States
if you are an F-1 student transferring from a U.S. institution and will not be leav-
ing the country prior to enrollment at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, follow
the procedures required by dHS. bring your completed i-20 to the international
Student adviser’s office as soon as possible after your arrival on campus. Sign the
document and leave it to be processed by a dSo/ international Student adviser
who will notify you when you may pick it up.

if you leave the U.S. before beginning your studies at Hobart and William
Smith Colleges, use the new i-20 issued by the Colleges when you arrive at the port
of entry. Keep the i-20 from your old school with your immigration records, but do
not use it to enter the U.S. it is not necessary for transfer students with an unex-
pired student visa and who have maintained their status to obtain a new visa, even
though the former school’s name is listed.

Transfer to another School
to be eligible to transfer schools, you must be pursuing a full-course of study at your
current school. otherwise you are “out of status” and must apply to dHS for rein-
statement to student status, which, if granted, will allow you to transfer.

Students transferring to another school must notify the dSo/international
Student adviser of their intent to transfer. Hobart and William Smith Colleges
must release your SeViS record to the new school before a new i-20 can be issued
for the transfer.  Upon arrival at the new school, the student should take the new
i-20 to the international Student adviser at the new school.  J-1 students wishing to
transfer should consult with their sponsor.

Changing Your Academic Level
if you are currently a student at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and will be
continuing your studies in an additional program of study (such as a mat Program),
you should follow the transfer procedure. a new i-20 will be issued for the new pro-
gram, and you will use the new i-20 to enter the country. if you do not leave, bring
it to the international Student adviser as described in the transfer process in the
preceding paragraph. Failure to complete this “internal transfer” will cause you to
be out of status with dHS, which can adversely affect work authorizations or other
student privileges.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN F-1 AND J-1 STATUS
there are two types of entry visa issued to nonimmigrant students who intend to
study full-time at Hobart and William Smith Colleges—the F-1 student visa and the
J-1 exchange visitor visa.

• Source of Funding: J-1 exchange visitor visa status is available to those students
who are supported substantially by funding other than personal or family funds.
Such funding may include that which comes from the U.S. government or the

19

student’s home government, or an international organization, or the Colleges.  Stu-
dents who are supported by personal or family funds are ineligible for J-1 immigra-
tion status and must come to the U.S. to study in F-1 immigration status.

• Foreign Residence Requirement: Students in J-1 immigration status and the J-2
dependents may be subject to a “foreign residence requirement.” J-1 students who
receive direct or indirect U.S. or home government funding, or who are studying
in fields for which personnel are considered in short supply in their home coun-
tries (most developing nations have “Country Skills” lists of varying lengths), are
ineligible to apply for a change to another non-immigrant status (except a or g)
or permanent residency in the U.S. until they have satisfied the “two year home
country physical presence requirement.  only those in J-1 status with government
funding or whose skills are on Country Skills list are subject to the foreign resi-
dence requirement, which mean upon completion of the program of study they must
reside in their country of last legal permanent residence for two years before they are
eligible to apply for entry into the U.S. on an immigrant visa or on specialized work
visa (H or l).  there is no foreign residence requirement for students on F-1 student
status.  refer to the department of State’s website for additional information on the
exchange Visitor Program.

• Medical Insurance: Students in J-1 status and their J-2 dependents are required to
have comprehensive medical coverage in order to fulfill U.S. government regula-
tions governing the J exchange Visitor status. Currently the medical insurance
offered by Hobart and William Smith Colleges does not cover all requirements for
those in J immigration status. the U.S. department of State specifies that program
participants and their dependents have medical coverage with the following mini-
mum requirements (22 CFr 62:14): medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident
or illness; repatriation of remains in the amount of $7, 500, medical evacuation of
the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10, 000, and a
deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.  For more information please
contact the international Student adviser.

• Work Permission: Students in either F-1 or J-1 immigration status may work part
time (up to 20 hours per week) on campus with permission from the international
Student adviser. For both statuses, permission to work off campus based on eco-
nomic need may be requested only after the first full academic year of student status,
and only under extraordinary circumstances of unforeseen need. the United States
Citizenship and immigration Services (USCiS) authorizes F-1 students to work off
campus, whereas J-1 students submit an application for work permission to their visa
sponsor, i.e. the agency or school that issued the dS-2019 form.

• Practical or Academic Training: Students in F-1 and J-1 immigration status are
eligible to engage in differing lengths of practical or academic training during their
studies and at the completion of their academic programs. Practical training, a
privilege of F-1 immigration status if you are eligible, is employment in one’s field of
study. those in F-1 immigration classification may be eligible for “curricular” practi-

20

cal training (which is authorized by the international Student adviser) during their
programs, in addition to one year of “optional” practical training that may take place
during or after one’s program of study. Permission to engage in practical training may
be granted only after you have been in valid student status for one academic year,
except in a graduate program that requires it from the first term. the international
Student adviser recommends optional practical training and the USCiS authorizes
it. refer to the Practical training overview for complete information on both cur-
ricular and optional practical training. academic training, a privilege of J-1 immi-
gration status if you are eligible, is employment which is integral, not just related,
to one’s field of study. one is eligible to apply for permission to engage in academic
training after one academic term in valid student status. a total of 18 months of
academic training is possible during or following completion of a program of study,
with the exception of some postdoctoral research positions that may qualify for up
to 36 months. an application for academic training is made to the J-1 student’s
exchange Visitor program sponsor. refer to academic training authorization for
those in J-1 exchange Visitor immigration Status for complete information.

ARRIVING AT A U.S. PORT OF ENTRY …
WHAT A STUDENT CAN EXPECT
Plan your arrival: You may be refused entry into the United States if you attempt to
arrive more than 30 days before the start date listed on your SeViS i-20 form.

Always carry your passport and I-20 on hand: do not check the following docu-
ments in your baggage. if your baggage is lost or delayed, you will be unable to pres-
ent the documents at your port of entry. as a result, you may not be able to enter
the United States.

In addition, it is strongly recommended that you carry on hand the following

documentation:

1. evidence of financial resources
2. evidence of student status, such as tuition receipts
3. name and contact information for your international Student adviser,

including a 24-hour emergency contact number at the school

Complete your entry paperwork:
Arriving by Air: Flight attendants will distribute Customs declaration Forms and
arrival departure Forms (i-94). these must be completed prior to landing.

Arriving by Land or Sea: the CbP officer at the port of entry will provide the
necessary Customs declaration Form and the arrival-departure Form (i-94) to be
filled out upon arrival.
  as you arrive at the port of entry proceed to the terminal area for arriving
passengers.  Have the following documents available for presentation: you passport,
i-20, arrival-departure Form (i-94), and the Customs declaration Form. Your docu-
ments will be examined and processed by the department of Homeland Security
(dHS) at the port of entry. Your passport will be returned to you along with an i-94
card (arrival/departure record) designated “d/S” which means “duration of status”

21

and refers to the time you are engaged in a full-time course of study as indicated on
your visa document. the dHS official will stamp and return your i-20 to you.

Note: Your documents are extremely important. They legitimize your presence in
the United States. Keep them in a safe and secure place.

For Further Information:
Preparing to Study in the U.S. http://educationusa.state.gov/
applying for a Visa to Study in the U.S. http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/
types_1268.html

MAINTAINING & BEING IN STATUS WITH DHS
an F-1 student is considered in-status for the entire length of time during which
he/she is enrolled as a full-time student in an educational program if adhering to
the conditions of the visa designated on the i-94 card, plus any authorized period of
practical training and an additional sixty (60) days to prepare for departure. be sure
to pay close attention to the conditions described below:

• report to the international Student adviser for SeViS registration upon arrival
at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

• attend only the school authorized. this means that you must only attend the
school whose i-20 you last used to enter the U.S. or the school whose i-20 you used
to transfer schools. if you decide to withdraw from the Colleges before completing
your program, you are not allowed to remain in the U.S. with in-student status un-
less you transfer to another institution.

• Complete a full course of study for each academic term and make normal academ-
ic progress towards completion of program. attendance and/or full-time enrollment
is not required during the summer. at Hobart and William Smith Colleges 4 credit
hours per semester is required and exceptions can be made on the recommenda-
tion of the international Student adviser for valid medical or academic reasons as
defined by the dHS.  be sure to speak with the international Student adviser about
any exceptions beFore dropping below full-time status in order to avoid the seri-
ous consequences that may result from being out of status.

• transfer or extend program in a timely manner.  duration of Status expires if a
student takes longer than expected to complete a given academic level (e.g. bachelor’s,
master’s, and doctorate).  the amount of time permitted for completing studies at a
given level is determined by the date on the initial i-20 issued at the beginning of each
academic level. Students must pay close attention to the expected completion date
noted in item 5 on the form i-20 for each level.  if more time is needed, an applica-
tion for extension of stay must be filed with the dHS. there are certain requirements
to meet in order to be eligible for an extension, so you will need to consult with the
international Student adviser at least 45 days before the completion date.

22

• Keep continuity in the program of study (in general an absence from the U.S. of
more than 5 months terminates status. However, an authorized study abroad pro-
gram does not break continuity).

• refrain from unauthorized work. When you apply for an F-1 visa, you must prove
that you have full financial support.  the law assumes that you will not be employed
in the U.S. and therefore will not accept employment that could be filled by a U.S.
worker or student. there are some exceptions to this policy provided that full-time
enrollment during the year is maintained and the appropriate permission is ob-
tained, but you should always check with the international Student adviser before
accepting employment, especially if it is off campus.

• When traveling abroad, always return in proper F-1 status.

• maintain a valid passport for 6 months into the future (Some countries have
agreements with the U.S. that recognize the passport as valid for 6 months after the
expiration date).

• report any address changes to the international Student adviser within 10 days
of the change. dHS regulations require that the international Student adviser
maintain a record of the current address where you are living.  therefore, you must
always notify the international Student adviser immediately of any change of ad-
dress. addresses with a post office box number or addresses of your academic depart-
ment are not acceptable to the dHS.

• Comply with Special registration requirements if applicable (nSeerS).

• File timely requests of change of status, practical training and other benefits.

• obey all State and Federal laws.

• depart form the U.S. in a timely manner.

• do not enter on a tourist visa (b-1 or b-2).

Note:  Students who fail to maintain full-time enrollment are not eligible for any
of the benefits of the student visa, such as on-campus and off-campus employ-
ment, practical training, remaining in the U.S. during summer vacation, transfer
to another school or change of level, or registration for further courses.  they are
considered to be “out of status” and must apply to dHS for reinstatement to valid
student status. eligibility for benefits will be regained only if and when the dHS
approves the reinstatement.  if you have any questions regarding reinstatement, see
the international Student adviser immediately.

23

EXCEPTIONS TO A FULL COURSE OF STUDY

• the normal vacation period;

• medical problems documented by a licensed medical doctor, osteopath or clinical
psychologist. approval for reduced or no course load for a medical condition is limited
to 12 months total for the program of study;

• teaching or research assistantship;

• Valid academic reasons, such as first semester language difficulties and/or adjustment
problems, improper course placement, unfamiliarity with american teaching methods;

• the final term when the student needs less than a fulltime course load to complete
program of study. Student must be enrolled in at least one credit;

• during a period of full-time optional or Curricular Practical training.

DURATION OF STATUS FOR F-1 STUDENTS
an F-1 student is admitted to the U.S. for a period known as “duration of Status”
which is recorded upon entry documents i-94 and i-20 with the notation “d/S”. du-
ration of Status refers to the period a student is pursuing a full course of study, plus
any authorized practical training following completion. The dates on the I-20 de-
termine the initial parameters of the duration of status. A student can be admit-
ted to the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the report date on the I-20 and may remain
60 days after completion of program or practical training.  Certain factors may
reduce grace period to 15 days or to 0 days. an international Student adviser au-
thorized withdrawal from classes is allowed a 15-day period for departure. a student
who fails to maintain status is not eligible for an additional period for departure.

TEMPORARY DEPARTURE FROM THE U.S.
If you plan on leaving the U.S. temporarily to visit your homeland or some other
country, an International Student Adviser must validate your I-20 for re-entry into
the U.S. You may not be allowed back into the U.S. without the validated immigra-
tion documents, a current visa, and a passport which is valid for at least six months
after you re-enter the country.
  most students with valid status may travel to Canada, mexico and many of the
adjacent islands if they have a valid passport, a valid i-94 and a valid i-20 or dS-2019.
if you re-enter the U.S. in fewer than 30 days, an unexpired U.S. visa is not required.
However, Canada, mexico and the island nations do require entry visas for citizens of
certain countries.

it is always best to check with the embassy or consulate of any country you wish

to visit. Since certain countries are ineligible for this benefit and travel regulations are
subject to change, you should check with the international Student adviser if you
intend to travel with an expired visa.

Students who apply for a new visa in contiguous territory forfeit the right to re-

24

enter with an expired visa. if the new visa is denied, the student would not be able to
re-enter the United States to study until a valid visa is obtained in their home country.

ACCEPTING U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OR PUBLIC
BENEFITS
international students and scholars should not, under any circumstance, accept public
benefits from the federal, state, county or any other local government agencies in the
United States. this includes, but is not limited to, participation in programs such
as medicare/medicaid, Supplemental Social Security income, aid to Families with
dependent Children, food stamps, and subsidized housing. accepting such benefits
can cause you to lose your legal status in the United States and create a bar to your
re-entry to this country.

Cooperation between state social service agencies and the inS and department

of State make it possible for an inS inspector or U.S. Consular officer to become
aware of an individual who has accepted public benefits. the acceptance of public
benefits is interpreted as a declaration that the individual is unable to meet his or her
financial obligations (a requirement of obtaining and maintaining status) and thereby
rendering him or herself ineligible for F-1 or J-1 status.
  occasionally a well-meaning social service agency, hospital or public housing admin-
istrator may offer such assistance not realizing that non-immigrants are ineligible for such
benefits. additionally, even though U.S. citizen children of non-immigrant parents may be
eligible for pre and post-natal public benefits, the non-immigrant parent may be denied a
visa or re-entry based on the child’s receiving the benefits. again this is interpreted as the
non-immigrant individual not being able to meet his or her financial obligations.

Information on U.S. Social Security Numbers (SSN)
if you will be employed in the United States, including at Hobart and William Smith
Colleges, you must obtain a U.S. Social Security number, which is used by the U.S.
government to identify wage earners for tax purposes. the number assigned to interna-
tional students is not a valid U.S. Social Security number.

to apply for a Social Security number (SSn) you must obtain a “proof of work”

form from the international Student adviser confirming your student or exchange
visitor status, that you are authorized to engage in on-campus employment, the nature
of the employment to be engaged in, and identify the department/office for whom you
will be working before being able to apply to the Social Security administration for
a SSn. You must also present your passport, your i-20 or dS-2019 form and your i-94
form. the Social Security administration office is open monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. (closed on federal holidays).

Social Ssecurity numbers will not be issued to foreign nationals who are not
authorized to work.  a Social Security number is not required for opening a bank
account, registering for school, filing a U.S. tax form or applying for a driver’s license.
if you are required to file a tax return and are not eligible for a U.S. Social Security
number, you will have to apply to the internal revenue Service (irS) for a tax iden-
tification number (tin) on form W-7. this form may be obtained from the Colleges
payroll department.

For more information about U.S. Social Security Numbers visit the website or

call their toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213.

25

WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN F-1 STATUS
The following is a list of all opportunities to obtain authorization to work in the
United States if you are in F-1 immigration status.  Each category may allow for
authorization under different circumstances and at different times during your
stay in the U.S.  This is summary of work benefits but does not include all regu-
lations governing employment.

On-campus Work:  Full-time students are allowed to work up to twenty hours per
week during the academic year. on campus employment means that you are paid by
Hobart and William Smith Colleges or working at a Colleges location with an em-
ployer that is providing services to students, such as Sodexho’s Saga dining hall or
the Café.  on-campus employment requires an i-9 employment verification autho-
rization form to be completed by you at the Colleges business office.

Off-campus Work Based on Financial Need:  Students who have been in F-1 status
for one academic year and who are experiencing extreme financial difficulties due to
unforeseen changes that severely affect their financial resources may apply for work
permission. authorization is given by the dHS with the recommendation of the
international Student advisers/ dSo.

Internship with an International Organization:  Students in F-1 status are eligible
to apply for permission to work for international organizations such as the World
bank, the international monetary Fund, etc.  authorization is granted by the dHS
with the recommendation of the international Student adviser/dSo.

WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN J-1 STATUS
J-1 On-Campus Employment
enrolled J-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week during the
semester and full time during the break with the permission of their sponsor.  if the
Colleges are your sponsor please see the international Student adviser.

J-1 Off-Campus Employment
if a J-1 student needs employment during the academic year due to financial hard-
ship arising form unforeseen circumstances, the program sponsor may authorize it.
Such employment cannot interfere with full-time pursuit of the exchange visitor’s
program objective and is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year and
full-time during break.

PRACTICAL TRAINING:
this is defined as employment related to your field of study and is available dur-
ing and after completion of your studies. the following is a list of the categories of
practical training:

Curricular practical training (before completion of your studies) is defined as

employment pursuant to a required or optional internship which is an integral part
of the established curriculum of your school.

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optional practical training is defined as employment related to your field of study.
it is authorized in variable increments, deducted form the maximum of one year of
optional practical training per educational level, and is available in the following
variations:

1. optional practical training after completion of  your studies
2. optional practical training before completion of your studies with three pos-

sible variations:

a. practical training during the annual vacation. the annual vacation must

follow at least two consecutive terms of fulltime enrollment and is usually taken in
the summer

b. practical training when school is in session, provided that employment

does not exceed 20 hours a week

c. practical training following the completion of all the course requirements

for the degree except the thesis or equivalent

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Before Completion of Degree Requirements
definition: employment related to your field of study before completion of all degree
requirements. it is authorized in variable increments and is deducted from the
maximum of one year (12 months) of optional practical training per educational
level. there are three circumstances under which this type of practical training can
be authorized:

1. Following completion of all degree requirements except the thesis or equivalent
2. during the annual vacation
3. Part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the academic year

Eligibility to Engage In OPT: You must:
• be a registered student in F-1 status physically in the United States at the time of
application
• have been enrolled in lawful student status on a full-time basis for at least one full
academic year
• not have used twelve months or more of full-time curricular practical training
oPt is permitted for a period of up to a maximum of twelve months per educational
level (bachelors, masters, etc.).

Procedure: obtaining authorization for oPt is a two-step process. Your first step in
obtaining an employment authorization document (ead) is to qualify for a certifica-
tion from the international Student adviser/dSo recommending you for oPt. the
international Student adviser/dSo cannot authorize oPt - only the United States
Citizenship and immigration Services (USCiS) can do so by issuing you an ead.

You may not begin employment until you have been issued an ead by the US-

CiS and can work only within the time period indicated on the card. requests for
employment authorization must be mailed to the USCiS regional Service Center
having jurisdiction over your place of residence and may require 6 to 12 weeks for
adjudication.

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When to Apply:
• not more than 90 days prior to being enrolled for one full academic year·
• not more than 120 days prior to the employment start date that you select
Please note: the employment start date cannot be earlier than the date on which
you will have completed one full academic year.

How to Apply:
Obtaining the International Student Adviser recommendation
Since you must first obtain a new SeViS i-20 with the international Student ad-
viser/dSo’s oPt endorsement, which may require 5 working days, you should make
every effort to apply as early as possible within the 90 or 120 day window. You might
need to come twice to the international Student adviser/dSo—once to submit the
application and another to pick up the approved recommendation on a SeViS i-20.

Curricular Practical Training in F-1 Status
Definition: Curricular practical training (CPt) is employment pursuant to an intern-
ship requirement or internship elective which is an integral part of the established
curriculum of your school, which will be counted towards completion of your degree.

Eligibility to engage in CPT: You must be a degree candidate who has been in
lawful status for at least one academic year. You must have been offered a specific
training opportunity that must fall into one of the following categories:
• to satisfy an internship requirement expected of all students in your program
and necessary for completion of your degree;
• to satisfy an internship elective which counts towards completion of your degree.
the internship elective must be listed in your school’s bulletin and must state in the
official course description that it is specifically designed to allow students enrolled in
the course to engage in off-campus internships;
• the internship may be done to engage in research necessary and integral to the
completion of the doctoral dissertation.

Restrictions: U.S. Citizenship and immigration Services (USCiS) regulations do
not place an absolute limit on the amount of CPt you may utilize. However, if you
engage in one year or more of full-time CPt, you will lose your eligibility to engage
in optional Practical training.  CPt is always part-time during the academic year
unless the student is engaged in doctoral dissertation research. CPt may be full time
during the annual vacation.  You may engage in curricular practical training only
after your SeViS record has been updated by the international Student adviser and
the i-20 has been printed, indicating the approved employment. the endorsement
will indicate the precise details of the authorized training, including the name and
location of the employer, the specific dates of the training period, and whether it
is full-time or part-time. We encourage you to contact the international Student
adviser/dSo if you have questions.

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Departure Checklist

q admissions letter from HWS

q evidence of Financial resources

q Passport with Student Visa

q Form 1-20 or dS-2019

q Copies of medical records and other important documents translated into english

q if J-1 visa holder – additional health insurance requirements.  this must also be

translated into english, if needed.

q emergency outfit packed in carry-on luggage

q Calling card to use during travel

q emergency phone numbers (HWS: 1-315-781-3333)

q minimum of 100 U.S. dollars for use in an emergency

q Sweater or jacket in event of bad weather

q if taking prescription medicine bring prescription for future refills (translated into

english)

q Photocopy of your passport, visa, etc.  do not carry in the same place as your

original documents.

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SECTION III:
*SAMPLE* ORIENTATION SCHEDULE *SAMPLE*

Hobart and William Smith Colleges
international Students orientation
“let Your adventure begin!”
august 22 -25, 2006

Tuesday, August 22
8:30 a.m. –7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 23
8:30 a.m. –12:00 p.m.

arrival/Check-in
location: office of intercultural affairs
288 Pulteney Street
**bring all immigration paperwork

arrival/Check-in
location: office of intercultural affairs,
288 Pulteney Street
**bring all immigration paperwork

HWS Student id Cards
location: registrar’s office

Campus tour

Shopping @ Wal-mart & Wegmans Supermarket,
Van leaves from intercultural affairs parking lot

12:30 p.m.  -  1:30 p.m.

lunch with deans of the Colleges
location: blue room in Scandling Center

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

overview of library Services
location: Warren Hunting Smith library

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

dinner
location: intercultural affairs Center

Thursday, August 24
7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

8:15 a.m. 9:45 a.m.

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breakfast
location: Saga dining Hall in the blue room

immigration regulations overview
location: Conference room, 2nd Floor,
intercultural affairs

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

11:05 a.m. – 11:35 a.m.

on Campus employment/Social Security
elaine Ferrara, business office
location: tba

benefits of the HWS Health insurance
ann brink, bursars office
location: tba

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

lunch with Chaplain lesley adams
location: Chaplain’s residence, 630 S. main St.

1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

money matters
beth turner, director of Financial aid
location: tba

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

a Healthy You
location: Hubbs Health Center

3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Friday , August 25
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Study basics
Center for teaching & learning
location:  Center for teaching & learning
(Ctl)

Welcome dinner
President and mrs. mark gearan & Family
location: President’s House – 690 South main St.

guide to U.S. education & Culture
amy teel and doug reilly, Center for
global education
location: delancey House

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

lunch
location: delancey House

1:30 p.m.

Join regular campus wide orientation schedule

Welcome to Hobart and William Smith Colleges

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