Preparing your Arrival
At BHSU, we work with our students on an individual level. You will notice our individualized student service from the day you arrive here when you will be greeted at the airport by staff from the International Relations and Global Engagement Office. Below, you will find important information you will need to plan for a smooth arrival at BHSU.
STEP 1: Book your Flight and Request Airport Pick-up
We offer complimentary pick-up at the Rapid City Regional Airport prior to the start of each semester (Fall and Spring) and before the start of the new student orientation.
If you wish to take advantage of our complimentary airport pick-up service, you must arrive at Rapid City Regional Airport on the dates specified below, and confirm your pick-up time and date with the International Relations and Global Engagement Office. You will receive communications from our office via email about this service, so check your email regularly!
Spring 2021 Pickup Dates: January 7 and 8
STEP 2: Clearing US Customs and Passport Control
We recognize your initial arrival in the United States may be stressful! The better prepared you are to talk with the Customs and Border Patrol agent upon your arrival at the US Port of Entry (usually, this will be the airport you arrive at from your international flight), the less stressful it will be. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
- Review the Study in the States website to learn about the arrival process and requirements.
- Ensure you have with (NOT in your checked baggage!) the following documents:
- Passport with at least 6 months of validity
- US visa (F-1 or J-1)
- Original, signed I-20 (for F-1) or DS-2019 (for J-1)
- Financial documents (recommended)
- University admission letter (recommended)
- Contact information for your DSO at BHSU (recommended)
- If you have not visited the US before, it might be helpful to watch this video to give you an idea of what to expect as you proceed through US customs and passport control upon arrival at the US port of entry.
STEP 3: Review Additional Resources:
We know students will rely on their friends, family, and other social networks to gather information about what it is like to study and live in the US. We encourage you to use this information to help prepare for your arrival, but we also know a lot of misinformation is shared through personal networks and the “stories” people tell. In addition to your personal contacts, we suggest you take advantage of these official resources in preparing for your studies in the US:
International Student to Student Transcript
(Music)
Priyadarshini
Hi! My name is Priyadarshini, and I'm from India.
(Laughter)
Geoffrey
And my name is Geoffrey, and I'm from Kenya.
Priyadarshini
Going to college and studying in the United States has been a dream come true for us. It has been an amazing cultural exchange and provided us with wonderful experiences.
Geoffrey
As current F status international students studying here in the United States, we know first-hand all of the great things an American education can provide, not only for us, but to our countries and our families back home.
Priyadarshini
I found out about studying in the United States through the Study in the States website. There are many government agencies involved in the F and M international student process, and this website provided you with all the information.
Geoffrey
For example, the Study in the States website told me to go to an EducationUSA Advising Center to get guidance on finding and applying to a U.S. college or university.
Priyadarshini
Once you've been accepted to the school you would like to attend, you'll need all of your paperwork ready before you come to the United States. This includes your visa, valid passport, your I-20 Form or DS-2019 depending on your status. Remember- check your information. Make sure all of your information is correct and consistent throughout all of your documents.
(Music)
Victoria
It's probably a good idea to have your proof of school enrollment or acceptance letter, too. You'll also be able to enter the United States 30 days before your program start date, which is great as it gives you plenty of time to get settled in.
(Music)
Yelena
After you arrive in the United States, it's always a good idea to keep copies of your official documents with you. Keep copies of these official documents with your family back home just for safekeeping.
Geoffrey
Once you arrive on campus, make sure to meet with your international student advisor or designated school official. They will be your point of contact and are helpful in making sure that you follow U.S. immigration regulations. They can provide guidance and be your advocate at your school. You should always make sure you talk with them about changes to your classes, living situation; if you want to transfer to a different school, take time off, or even take an extended trip home.
Priyadarshini
If you have any questions during your time at school, remember, your international student advisor is there for you. For example, I wasn't sure if I could legally work while I was here in the United States, so I asked my international student advisor. Turns out, you can't do any unauthorized work. There are certain opportunities to do education-related job training, but it depends on your status and school. You must go through your school for all job opportunities and authorization. I'm glad I talked to my international student advisor about this.
Geoffrey
Although the United States offers so much to see and do, remember that your primary reason for coming here is to study and there are some academic requirements you must follow. Here are some requirements to keep in mind. You may only take one class online, and the rest must be in the actual classroom. You must also maintain a full course of study and attend all of your classes.
(Music)
Mila
It is important to know that immigration rules can change, but you can keep up with the latest information through the Study in the States website, or by following Study in the States through Facebook and Twitter. If you have questions and concerns, you can always contact the Student Exchange Visitor Program, SEVP, by phone or email. SEVP is the Department of Homeland Security's Program that handles all F and M international students. They've answered all my questions, and have been a real help to me.
(Music)
Geoffrey
SEVP is an especially good resource if you suspect that something unusual is going on at your school. Some clues to look out for include: most or all classes are online, or there are no work restrictions. These are usually signs that people are trying to abuse you or the system
(Music)
Priyadarshini
Studying in the United States has been a great experience for us. If you're interested in learning about any post-graduate opportunities the Study in the States website is a great resource for government information. Having a clear understanding of the rules has made our time in the United States much easier and more enjoyable. We hope it will be the same for you.
(Music)
EducationUSA: Know Before You Go Transcript
Barack Obama
We study together and we learn together, we work together and we prosper together.
Kevin Barta
Hi everyone. I would to welcome the international students who are joining us from around the world in for the first in a series of Education USA interactive Study in the USA programs. And a special welcome to our virtual audience in Mexico City. I'm Kevin Barda from EducationUSA, a US Department of State network of more than 400 advising centers in 170 countries that promotes higher education in the United States. Most likely there's a center near you. We are here today to provide you with information on your student visa status and entry into the United States. This information should be especially useful to those of you who are about to begin your studies in the United States. As you know, there are procedures for entering and remaining in the United States. We realize that this process is new to most of you, so here to explain it, we have two Department of Homeland Security officials who will discuss how you can prepare for your departure to the United States, what to expect upon arrival, and how to maintain your non-immigrant student status while pursuing your education in the United States. Throughout this discussion, you will hear several acronyms and we'll discuss documents that are identified by letters and numbers, such as an I-20, or a DS-2019. We have uploaded a glossary of terms in the resource area on this page to help you navigate some of the more technical terms we mention today. For further clarification, please feel free to log into the live chat area and ask any questions you might have. We'll have other officers who will be looking at that as we're taking live questions as well. So let's jump right into the discussion with Jason Kanno, who represents SEVP. Thank you for joining us, Jason, and maybe you can start off by just giving us a little but information about SEVP.
Jason Kanno
Well, first of all, Kevin, I want- thank you for having me here today. I'm happy to be participating in today's discussion. To answer your question, SEVP stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. We are part of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, which falls under the US Department of Homeland Security. We help students identify US schools that are CVP certified institutions. We are also the primary program that monitors school and student compliance using the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, otherwise known as SEVIS.
Kevin Barta
Wow, it sounds like some real serious but necessary work considering right now we have around 960,000 international students studying in the United States each year, but SEVP is not the only government organization represented here today. Also joining us is Guy Cange from Customs and Border Protection, or CBP. It's great to have you with us, Guy. Can you please tell us a little but about CBP.
Guy Cange
Sure, Kevin. CBP's mission is to facilitate the entry of legitimate travelers such as students, like those of you watching today, while also preventing high risk individual and improperly documented travelers from entering the United States. CBP officer is the first official you will meet when arriving at a United States port of entry. We are here to help make your entry into the United States as seamless as possible.
Kevin Barta
Wow, so as you can see, we're really fortunate to be joined by two experts on how you can enter the United States as an international student and maintain the appropriate documentation. That brings us to one of our top questions that we've seen funneling into our chat area over the past few days, and that is, "What type of documents do students need to have with them when arriving in the United States? I think, Jason, this would be a question best answered by you.
Jason Kanno
Okay. Once you are accepted to an SEVP certified school, your international student advisor or designated school official, also know as a DSO, will send you a document called a form I-20 certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant status. The form I-20 is a paper record of your information in the SEVIS database. Each school that accepts you will send you a form I-20. We are all familiar with passports, and most of you know that your visa is placed inside your passport. However, there are a few things you want to keep in mind about these documents. First, you should confirm that your passport and non-immigrant visa are still valid for entry into the United States. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay in the United States. It is also important to verify that your visa accurately reflects your correct visa classification, as well as the name of the institution or exchange program you will attend. If you find any discrepancies on your visa, you need to visit your nearest US Embassy or consulate to obtain a new one.
Kevin Barta
Wow, it sounds like some very important things to know. I guess what are some other documents that students should be aware of?
Jason Kanno
Other documents that you should bring with you include proof of school enrollment or your acceptance letter. You should also carry the name and contact information of your school official, as well as a 24 hour emergency contact telephone number at your school. If you have any questions about these documents, you can contact SEVP by phone or email.
Kevin Barta
Great, well thanks, Jason. So now we'd like to go to our audience in Mexico City, and we'll take a live question from them. Mexico City, do we have any questions?
Audience member in Mexico City
Hi, can you hear me?
Kevin Barta
No worries, yes, we can hear you.
Audience Member in Mexico City
Hi, my name is Andrea (Nunez?)I'm a full-ride grantee. I will start on- next for my master's degree at Columbia University. So, as you probably know, in Mexico City at the Embassy, there has been a problem with the visa, with the j-1 visa and the tourist visa waiver system. So what happen if I don't get my j-1 visa at the time? Can I travel with a visa tourist to the US and then change to a student visa, to a j-1 visa?
Kevin Barta
Okay, that's an interesting question. I think that's almost a combination from different people but, Guy, do you have something you could talk about that?
Guy Cange
Oh yes, I'm gonna- CVB is working with the State Department, and CPS set up a Support Operations Center to actually help the State Department with their visa issuance. We know they have difficulty issuing visa at the moment, so we're actually working with them. So, um, if you- I'm not sure exactly when you plan on traveling. If you plan on traveling soon, you can actually contact the Embassy in Mexico City and they will work with us so we can facilitate your entry to the United States.
Kevin Barta
So you're saying don't travel in on a tourist visa, but wait for-
Guy Cange
Yeah, exactly.
Kevin Barta
Okay, okay. Great! Well, thank you. We're going to ask for another question. We're going to, again, go back to our group here at Mexico City. Can someone else ask a question that you may have about coming in to study in the U.S.?
Audience Member in Mexico City
Hi.
Kevin Barda
Hi.
Audience Member in Mexico City
Can you hear me?
Kevin Barta
Yeah, we can hear you great.
Audience Member in Mexico City
Okay, hi. My name is Fanny. I work at the Fulbright office in Mexico, and my question is j-1 students are subjected to the two-year home residency requirement always, or is there, you know, policy or a rule that I remember some years ago maybe j-1 visa holders were not subjected to this two-year home residency requirement if their program was three months or less. Can you please, you know, explain this to me?
Kevin Barta
That would be a Jason question, right?
Jason Kanno
Actually this is a question that is best directed to the Department of States Exchange Visitor Program. SEVP deals with f-1 and m-1 visa holders, so that's a question that's better directed towards the Department of State.
Kevin Barta
We can- some of these questions too, if they're more directed at other audiences than we have, we can feel free to try to follow up with you guys after this as well, and try to answer some of those questions, so. I guess if we have another question that may be directed for CBP or SEVP? We'll take one more from them.
Audience Member in Mexico City
Hi, good morning.
Kevin Barta
Morning!
Audience Member in Mexico City
I just wanted to ask a bit more information about the SEVIS number. I'm not really sure how does that work?
Kevin Barta
In regards to just what the number is, or what your- can you go into it a little bit more?
Audience Member in Mexico City
Yeah, well, what's the number? How are we supposed to use it?
Kevin Barta
How are we supposed to use the SEVIS number?
Jason Kanno
Oh, well, the SEVIS number- are you referring to the number that starts with the letter N at the very beginning followed by two or three zeros?
Audience Member in Mexico City
Yes, that's right.
Jason Kanno
Okay. That number helps- helps us identify you as an individual in the SEVIS database, so basically when a school issues you your form I-20, the SEVIS system automatically generates that number and it- for all the information that's been input into the system regarding your- your personal information. So, anytime- any authorization your need for say work or travel, we're going to use that number to basically know that either you have that work authorization or you're traveling.
Kevin Barta
Great, well thank you for that answer, Jason. So thank you for those questions from Mexico City. Now let's take some questions from some of our online viewers. A viewer joining us from the live chat wants to know if they can travel within the US after completing their program. Is this possible?
Jason Kanno
Um, yes. You have a 60 day grace period after the completion of your set- after completion of your program study. Once you've graduated or once you've completed the program, you have those 60 days in which to travel or really do anything but- you have 60 days basically, yes.
Kevin Barta
Okay, so we have another question for Jason. You're getting a lot today. Elmer from El Salvador asks, "What are the steps for working with a student visa?"
Jason Kanno
Well, most important thing to keep in mind if you're seeking work authorization is that you need to speak with your designated school official first. They're the person that's going to actually work with you to get that authorization. Without that, you are not allowed to work. There are many different kinds of work authorization. You're going to have to speak with your international student advisor in order to determine what authorization is most appropriate, but the most important thing is to first go to your DSO, and work that out from there.
Kevin Barta
Great, so another viewer is asking, "What is a form I-20?" So I guess, what's a general form I-20?
Jason Kanno
Form I-20 is the form that you get that is generated from the information that your DSO has input into SEVIS, includes your name, your program of study, where you're from. And basically it's your form that basically tells SEVP, CBP, and other government agencies that you are a f-1 or m-1 student, and that you are studying in the United States.
Kevin Barta
Great, thanks. Just a reminder to some of those terms like the I-20 are in the glossary that's um- you can see in the resources area on the webpage. Thanks for all of your questions so far. Don't forget to keep submitting questions to the live chat area. We're going to keep going through those. We're going to go back to- so Guy, I guess I've been hearing about a new program at CBP called Know Before You Go. Can you tell us a little bit more about that and how it can help students?
Guy Cange
Sure, Kevin. Approximately one million travelers enter the United States daily. The goal of CBP Know Before You Go initiative is to help them know what to expect when arriving in the United States. You can visit CBP.gov for more information about Know Before You Go and requirements for international travelers arriving and departing the United States.
Kevin Barta
Great, it seems like a really good resource. So what are some of the key things that students should know before they go?
Guy Cange
Well, prior to arriving at a United States port of entry, you will need to complete the CBP declaration form 60-59B. This form provides CBP with basic information about who you are and what items you are bringing into the country. For a list of prohibited items, visit www.CBP.gov/travel. You'll receive form 60-59B on your international flight to the United States. Another critical document is the form I-94: the arrival/departure record. The form shows that you are admitted to the United States legally, your class of admission, and your authorized period of stay. Those of you arriving to the United States by air or sea do not need to complete the paper I-94. CBP will create an electronic, automated arrival record for non-immigrant entering the United States. If you need to prove your legal status, for example to employers, universities, or a government agency, you can access your electronic arrival departure record at www.CBP.gov/I94. For those of you arriving at a land border port of entry, CBP will provide- will continue to provide the paper I-94 for you. Remember to check all the information on your own electronic admission record is correct. This will help you secure benefits such as a social security number. If you find any errors on your I-94 record, visit the nearest deferred inspections site. A list of the deferred inspection sites on CBP's website.
Kevin Barta
Great, that's really good to know. So when students step off the plane or cross the border for the first time, what can they expect at the inspection area?
Guy Cange
At a primer inspection booth, also referred to as passport control, a CBP officer will ask you questions to verify your documentation, examine your luggage and determine whether to admit you into the U.S.- into the United States. An officer may ask you some basic question about your stay in the United States, such as the purpose of your trip, how long you plan on visit, and where you'll be staying. The most important thing is to have your forms ready, be straightforward, and be honest with the officer.
Kevin Barta
Great, thanks again. That's some really useful information. So, Guy, let's get back to our viewers, and I think we're going to taking some more questions I believe. So we got a few live questions. So, maybe, the first one. Do we have a live question as of yet? Any questions? No? Okay, so we don't have any questions as of yet, so I guess we could talk about- I had a question myself, I guess, about like secondary inspections. So I've heard some students when they get to secondary inspection they're not sure what happens to them. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
Guy Cange
Secondary inspection- it's an inspectional area that resolve issues that cannot be done at the primary booth. So, you are at- the primary officer will refer you to secondary because in secondary, you get a little bit more- the officer get a little bit more time to ask you further questions to do a little bit more research.
Kevin Barta
So what do- would I do after inspection? Would there be something where I'd have to do or?
Guy Cange
No. After you complete the inspection, if you are processing on primary- you were actually admitted to the United States. If you were referred to secondary and you were admitted into the United States, you go, retrieve your luggage, and you're on your way out.
Kevin Barta
Okay, great. Um, so I guess, after that [unintelligible] question for Jason. So, as an international student, if I'm arrived in the US, I've made it through customs and that okay, what are my next steps of going to campus, and I'm really excited at that point probably. What do I do to make sure that I'm meeting all the correct things?
Jason Kanno
Well the first thing you want to do even before you get to campus is to call your DSO. Just let them know that you have arrived in the United States. The next thing that you want to do, once you've arrived on campus the first thing thing that you want to do is go see your DSO. When you're issued a form I-20, you're issued that with the program start date. Basically that program start date indicates to SEVB and CBP and the rest of the US government that you have- you're starting your program on this date. So as soon as you arrive on campus, go see your DSO. Tell them that you're here, you're ready to start studying, ready to start classes, ready to move into your dorm, and they'll basically know that, you know, - this person has arrived on the date that's the program start date and they're ready to go.
Kevin Barta
Great. So, I guess another live question I've received. I received forms I-20 from more than one school. So, basically I've applied to multiple schools, they've all sent me different I-20s. Which one do I use for entering the United States? I know it's confused some students.
Jason Kanno
Well that's...that's actually a very good question. You should really use the form I-20 for the school that you intend on actually attending. It might be a little bit confusing both to SVP and maybe even CBP if you entered the United States with a form I-20 that doesn't match the school that is a notated in your visa. So the best things that you can do is enter with the form I-20 for the school that you're going to attend.
Kevin Barta
[unintelligible] anything?
Guy Cange
I would even add something. It's very important that you use the I-20 that- for the school that you plan to attend. If you plan to attend a specific school, use that I-20 for that specific school because that's-
Kevin Barta
Okay. So another question we've had come in, kind of riding on this one is who can I contact if I need help when arriving in the United States, like if they have any problems. Do they contact you? Do they contact their DSO at the university? What would you guys say to that.
Jason Kanno
I think the first thing you want to do is contact your DSO. So they are basically our boots on the ground for any problems or any concerns that our visiting or our non-immigrant students might have. They will have the best resources to help you. They will have the best information. If they are not available you can contact SEVP. We have a call center or, um response center. Their phone number is 703-603-3400.
Kevin Barta
Great. So I guess another question we've seen kind of come up and some students were like what is an I5-15A? It's kind of a long one. I think maybe these evening maybe you could help us a little bit with this one, an I I5-15A. Can you explain that?
Guy Cange
The I5-15A is a document that CBP will issue in secondary. It- when a student has some document deficiencies, which means all their documents are not correct, I would say. We issue the I5-15 for the students and the I5-15- I mean like we'll check the box for the document that the student needs to- needs to present to SEVP. It's- the document is issued for 30 days, which means the student is admitted for a period of 30 days. But in that 30 days the student will actually go to their designated school official and the designated school official will actually work with them. And when they're- when they've actually gathered all the required documents, they will mail the documents to SEVP.
Kevin Barta
Great, very interesting. I know some students worry about some of those kind of things of what happens kind of after the fact, so. I guess another thing- another question we've had come in, I've personally myself, I've seen this working in the universities, what happens if I just forget a document? Am I going to be told to go back home to my country or what would happen if say I forgot my I-20 or something like that happened? I think maybe that bends a little bit on the question you just answered, but.
Guy Cange
If you forget your I-20, you have a valid visa, and- on primary the officer will refer to secondary. On secondary, that's where CBP will actually issue you the I5-15A, and you can bring that I5-15 to your school designated official and they'll work with you.
Kevin Barta
Okay. Another question we've seen kind of come up here and there from students is in regards to online courses. A lot of universities are now offering some of these online courses, but we know that there's some regulations surrounding them when studying in the United States. And maybe, Jason, can you talk just a little bit about what is allowed for online courses and what's the expectation there.
Jason Kanno
So, online courses- students are allowed- F-1 students are allowed to take online courses. However, they're only allowed to take one online course per term or session. Any more than that and the student is no longer maintaining their non-immigrant status. So you're allowed to take one online course only.
Kevin Barta
Great, great. Maybe we can talk a little bit and switch it up to talking about just maintaining status in general. I know as a student- we're working with international students that there's some markers that they have to hit each semester, and maybe you can talk about what is required of a student to keep that status going. Anything like that.
Jason Kanno
Sure. The most important thing is that you enroll in a full course of study. Your DSO will have information as to what that- what those requirements are, and to continue making progress within your program. It's really as simple as going to class and continue doing the studying that you came here to do.
Kevin Barta
Great, great. I guess some other questions we could talk about too- one that comes up very frequently for us is- Jason, maybe you can talk a bit about what is OPT. I know that- I believe that's in the glossary terms as well, but if you give us some basics on what it is, I know a lot of students have questions.
Jason Kanno
Okay, OPT is otherwise known as optional practical training. It's a form of work authorization that can come either during or after your program of study. You have an aggregate of 12 months of OPT. Typically a F-1 non-immigrant student will take their OPT after they've completed their program of study. You have 12 months of OPT. You have to apply first with your DSO, and then you and your DSO will put in an application with US Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, using a form I-765. Once you've but that in the adjudicators over at USCIS will determine whether or not you are eligible for OPT, and once they have made that determination and if they find you eligible, they will send you an employment authorization card. And from there, you have 12 months in which to work.
Kevin Barta
Great, thanks. And again, with that, I believe you work with your DSO or your school official...
Jason Kanno
The only way you're going to be able to get this is to work with your DSO.
Kevin Barta
Okay, Okay. So that's a good point to always remember. So, okay, it seems like we have some more questions coming in from our live audience in Mexico City. So, let's go to them. Mexico City.
Audience Member in Mexico City
Hi, again.
Kevin Barta
Hi, guys!
Audience Member in Mexico City
Some students have some problems [unintelligible] or understanding the difference between a DS-2019 and an I-20. So I was wondering if you could, you know, help us with this.
Kevin Barta
Okay. Do you guys have any thoughts on explaining the differences between a DS-2019 and an I-20? I know you don't handle- (laughs).
Jason Kanno
So the difference between the DS-2019 and the form I-20 is- really speaks to the difference in visa classifications. The form I-20 is issued to students who intend on becoming either an F-1 or an M-1 non-immigrant student. Whereas the DS-2019 is issued to exchange visitors who intend on entering the United States as a J-1 non-immigrant student.
Kevin Barta
Great, so I hope that answers your question. Can we have another question from Mexico City? I know it's a pretty big group of you down there. I see a hand up, okay.
Audience Member in Mexico City
Hi!
Kevin Barta
Hi.
Audience Member in Mexico City
As a student visa holder, how many times can I apply for a renewal?
Kevin Barta
For a renewal?
Audience Member in Mexico City
Is there a limit?
Kevin Barta
A limit- so if you add another core- another degree or something like that is what you're asking?
Audience Member in Mexico City
Certainly, yeah.
Jason Kanno
Actually, as long as you are continuing to enroll in classes and you're making progress towards completion of a degree or certificate, you can stay as long as you need to study. So, if you start with a bachelor's, you can go to master's, then you can go to PhD. Your F-1 non-immigrant status is as good as your studying lasts, basically.
Kevin Barta
Great, okay. All right. Can we have another question from Mexico City? Anyone else? I see some hands up, maybe. Nope. Okay. Well, thanks again for all those great questions. We have some more coming in from our live audience so we'll be looking at those as well. The first viewer asks can you please explain the two-year rule. So I guess, what is the two-year rule? Um, what are specific- are you meaning the two-year rule in regards to j-visas I'm assuming? The- that one again, as Jason mentioned earlier is primarily related to the j-visas which we would cover in a different session from this. So I don't know if we have another question. Some of that information, too, can be found on the EducationUSA website. There are links that are there that can link you to the appropriate information if you're looking for that on the two-year rule. So what are specific procedures once I arrive on campus. I know we mentioned that a little bit, but, you know, what's kind of the standard would campuses do?
Jason Kanno
Truly, SVP doesn't have any procedures in which a student needs to follow once they arrive on campus. The only important thing that we want you- that we would note or encourage you to do is go see your DSO first thing. They might have other specific procedures that you need to follow, but again, the most important thing that you can do once you arrive on campus is go to see your DSO and check-in.
Kevin Barta
Coming from working at a university myself, I'd add to that. We're typically, you know, you go through, you go, and you check in- the offices love to see the international students. It's always fun when you first coming in- you got your bags. We like to talk to you and see how you're doing. Usually, a lot of students may have multiple orientations to also attend, so make sure to be looking for that. Sometimes you may have a specific international student orientation that's very specialized. It may talk about insurance and some of the maintaining your status and things like that. And then on top of it, you may have a regular orientation for the university with the rest of the domestic students which is more generalized information about living on campus or going to classes. So make sure to definitely check that, and don't just go to one or the other. Um, so I guess, do we have some more questions, or how do we want to...? So we have just a few minutes left I guess, so I'd like to pause and take some time to allow our speakers to go over some key reminders with everyone. So I guess we'll start with Jason if you have some key points that you'd like to put out for everyone.
Jason Kanno
Sure, okay. Remember, you can enter the United States 30 days before your program start date. It is also a good idea to carry your original documents with you at all times. Don't put them with your checked baggage. Make at least two copies of these documents. Once copy to leave with your family before you depart, and another to give to your international student advisor or DSO. Also, be sure to carry your name and contact information of your school official. If there is a 24 hour emergency contact phone number at your school, be sure to include that too.
Kevin Barta
Okay. Guy, given your years of experience, I assume you've seen various issues or misperceptions arise at ports of entry. Do you have any advice for students preparing to enter the US for their first time?
Guy Cange
Yes. The process may seem complicated, but it's not, and you can do it. Remember, have all your documents in order and be prepared to answer questions about your entry. Answering questions honestly will help facilitate an easier entry process. We are really pleased to welcome international students like you to the United states, and we want to help you successfully navigate the arrival process.
Kevin Barta
Um, and Jason, although properly filling out documents is obviously very important, what are some other things that students should know to help them avoid issues and maintain their status throughout their studying in the United States?
Jason Kanno
Sure. Remember that your primary reason for being in the United States is to study, and there are rules that you must follow in order to maintain your full-time student status. You must take a full course of study each term and you may only take one class online. If you cannot study full-time or experience issues, contact your international student advisor, or DSO, immediately. It's also important to know that immigration rules can change, but you can keep up with the latest information through the Study in the States website, or by following Study in the States on Facebook and Twitter. If you have questions or concerns, you can always contact SEVB by phone or email.
Kevin Barta
Thank you, both. We really appreciate this. This has been a very informative session and we hope we have equipped all of our viewers with the tools you will need to make your journey to the United States as easy as possible. Thank you all for joining us. I know several US embassies and consulates held viewing parties for this online session, including the consulate in Monterrey, Mexico. It's great to see your enthusiasm to study in the United States. I want to thank all of you for participating online and at the viewing parties. You can continue to participate in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag (#StudyintheUSA) or feel free to visit EducationUSA.state.gov for general information on studying in the United States. Our next session will be at the same time next Tuesday, August 19, when we discuss acclimating to academic and campus life in the United States. We look forward to seeing you them. Thank you.
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