Aug 19 2024

International Student Seminars

Fall 2024 International Student Orientation

August 19 - 21, 2024

Location

Virtual - Zoom links will be shared with all new international students

Calendar

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Join your fellow incoming international students for a series of 45-minute seminars addressing topics that support your arrival to the U.S. and adjustment to life at UIC. While attendance at the seminars is optional, students are encouraged to maximize their international student orientation experience by attending as many sessions as fit their schedules and interests.

Registration for the seminars is not required. All sessions will be held via Zoom and links will be shared with all new international students via email.

Monday, Aug. 19

9:00-9:45 a.m. | Healthcare & Health Insurance in the U.S. with CampusCare
What exactly is health insurance, and why is it so important to have while living in the U.S.? In this session, OIS advisors will provide a general overview of health care and health insurance in the U.S., including common terms and questions. Representatives from CampusCare, the UIC Student Health Benefit Program, will provide an overview of the program and answer questions.

10:00-10:45 a.m.| Money Matters & Understanding your UIC Student Account with University Bursar
Managing your money as a full-time student in a new country can come with challenges. This session will cover some of the typical methods people use to save and spend money in the U.S., along with discussing best practices for setting a realistic budget. Representatives from the University Bursar will also be on hand to explain your UIC Student Account and your options for paying tuition and fees.

11:00-11:45 a.m. | Safety in Chicago & Avoiding Scams with UIC Police
Safety is a top-of-mind issue for many new international students. Join representatives from UIC Police and OIS as they discuss how you can best position yourself for safety while moving through both physical and online environments.

Tuesday, Aug. 20

9:00-9:45 a.m. | The U.S. Legal System: What international students need to know
Do you understand basic U.S. laws such as the legal drinking age, driving laws, and city ordinances? Would you know what to do if you were issued a ticket or arrested for violating a U.S. law or ordinance? Do you know your legal rights while in the U.S. and how to navigate the U.S. legal system? If the answer to these questions is no, this session is for you. We will cover these critical topics, plus how interaction with law enforcement and the legal system could impact your immigration status.

10:00-10:45 a.m. | Finding Your First On-Campus Job with Student Employment
If you are interested in working on-campus, this session is for you! OIS representatives will start by explaining the immigration regulations surrounding F-1 and J-1 student on-campus employment. Then SEO representatives will go over how to find on-campus jobs at UIC and tips for getting hired. Please note that this session will cover on-campus hourly employment only and will not address graduate assistantships.

11:00-11:45 a.m. | Next Steps After Landing the On-Campus Job: Introduction to Social Security Numbers, U.S. Taxes, and University Payroll
This session will provide an introduction to key processes new international students hired to work on campus must follow. A representative from University Payroll & Benefit's Foreign National Service Center will be on hand to explain new hire steps and answer questions.

Wednesday, Aug. 21

9:00-9:45 a.m. | Introduction to U.S. Culture
In this session, OIS advisors will overview basic concepts of culture and how it impacts our values, thoughts, and behaviors. Keeping in mind that the U.S. is a large, diverse, and dynamic country, we will also review some common generalizations of U.S. and Midwestern culture that international students may experience while living in Illinois.

10:00-10:45 a.m. | U.S. Academic Culture with Dean of Students Office
What are the expectations for students, professors, and the interactions between them that may or may not be clearly stated? How does academic integrity function as a cultural concept and why is it important for international students to be aware of it? What is the culture of student support services and how can international students utilize services to increase academic success? All of these questions and more will be discussed in this important session.

11:00-11:45 a.m. | Cultural Adjustment & Your Mental Health with Counseling Services
Moving to a new country and culture can be thrilling, exhausting, fascinating, irritating, fun, and depressing...all in one day! Culture shock is real but the good news is you do not have to experience it alone. In this session, presenters will discuss what culture shock is like, how to manage it, and what kinds of mental health resources are available to you and your friends.

This event is offered as part of Fall 2024 International Student Orientation. More information can be found in your latest Countdown to UIC email or by emailing newintl@uic.edu.

Learn more about International Student Orientation hosted by OIS.