The important point of the international meeting
By Alejandra Hurtado
Spanish Editor
With the I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant) and passports in their hands, some international students attended the meeting organized by Tyler Junior College in order lo learn some immigration policies, procedures and regulations for the F-1 student visa (Academic Student).
“The most important reason [for the meeting]is to satisfy the requirement of SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) in contact with each student and get the latest information to register on the SEVIS system for that specific semester,” said Nidia Arellano Hassan, Tyler Junior College admissions director. “The main topic is to remember and clarify the USCIS laws (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service) and offer our services on campus and the International Student Office.”
Hassan and the new coordinator of international students, Daisy LaRue, met with students from different countries on Jan. 27 and 28 in the Ornelas Gold Room. This international meeting convenes each semester with the objective of telling them the latest news about the immigration process to introduce new students from others parts of the world.
“Approximately, TJC has 150 international students this semester. There are approximately 60 countries represented in TJC from around the world,“ said Hassan, “We had very good attendance. Most of them assisted and those who could not, they came and took appointments to go over the points of the presentation.“
Maria Arias, an international student from Panama, said, “I think the meeting was very informative and they talked about points that all international students should know.“
Specifically for Oscar Lara, from Mexico, the meeting was key to resolve work questions “the topic more important was employment on and off campus because sometimes we need extra resources or money in another way.”
According to the information provided by TJC admissions, some of the ways for international students to work are:
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Students can work on campus, on average up to 18 hours per week.
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Applying for CPT (Curricular Practical Training) allows students to obtain work experience while continuing studies.
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Request before graduating OPT (Optional Practical Training) this allows them to have experience working in their majors.
For Arias, another topic of interest was “the things necessary to keep a good visa status.”
Based on TJC information, some of the regulations to maintain a good status in the country are:
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Enroll in minimum 12 credits
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Only take 3 hours of online classes
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Maintain a good academic progress
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Avoid disciplinary problems
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SEVIS record must be updated
According to Hassan, this meeting was more than information “of course, this also was time for all the students to get to know other students from countries around the world.“
Finally, Hassan said, “it is a privilege they come to this great country of opportunities and we hope they enjoy it and take full advantage of its achievements and dreams.”
For more information call 903-510-2590, or email to Daisy LaRue dlar@tjc.edu or Nidia Arellano Hassan nhas@tjc.edu.
