The International Student Newsletter
April 2004
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
University of Puget Sound (253) 879-3652
Best wishes to all those who are graduating or moving on from UPS! We always enjoy receiving news of your adventures through
e-mail or regular mail, and remember, you’re always welcome at the Office of International Programs whenever you visit!! For those of you returning, hopefully you were able to take part in some of the inauguration events for President Thomas. It was a grand week of festivities, food, poetry and inspired promises for the future of the University of Puget Sound. We have a great deal to look forward to.
-Sally
CONGRATULATIONS AND GOODBYE
As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to say adieu to those international students who are leaving Puget Sound at the end of the year.
Congratulations to our graduating seniors:
Eri Sakai-Japan
Eric Mwiti-Kenya
Nelly Phatracharukul- Indonesia
Okoon Kwon- South Korea
Hyung–Ki Park- South Korea
Anna Raciborska-Canada
Alex Jolovic- United Kingdom
Chin-Hua Hu-Taiwan
We also say goodbye to our exchange students:
Paul Tidmarsh Aberystwyth
Alex Gould Aberdeen
Chris Foulston Aberystwyth
Lisanne Krewinkel Maastricht
We’ve enjoyed having all of you at Puget Sound, and wish you happiness and success at your home institution! Keep in touch with OIP – we’d love to hear from you down the road!
Our Fondest Goodbye
After 13 years, Sally Thompson will be retiring from the Office of International Programs. In her position as Program Assistant she’s helped hundreds of students find the Study Abroad experience of their dreams(along with the credits that will transfer).Sally received the 2004 award for Excellence in Student Support Services from the faculty, staff and students of the University. We have all benefited from her kindness and willingness to help out in all circumstances. She’ll be greatly missed!
PLEASE remember to return your program evaluations
before you leave campus. You are providing us with the information to continue to improve our program.
INS/USCIS INFO CORNER
OPT and CPT
If you’re graduating this May and have not yet filled out your application for OPT- Optional Practical Training, please stop by the International Programs office before May 5th. This work authorization request must be processed before graduation.
SUMMER TRAVEL
If you will be traveling within the U.S. or internationally, remember that you must carry your passport, SEVIS I-20, and have a valid visa in your passport. The SEVIS I-20 will be used to electronically verify your status. You should also carry proof of enrollment (available from the Registrar’s Office) with your passport to show that you are registered for classes for fall semester 2004.
RETURNING STUDENTS
*Check the expiration on your passport
*Make certain that your I-20 has been signed for travel
*If you are renewing your visa this summer, contact Sally for a list of the documents you need to bring with you.
Summer Work
If you’re an F-1 student who will be continuing at Puget Sound in the fall, you can work up to 40 hours/week on campus at UPS. As always, any work off campus requires authorization from the Office of International Programs and/or from the BCIS/INS. Questions about employment? Contact Sally at x2871.
Leavin’ Town?
If you’re an F-1 student who is graduating, and not applying for OPT or graduate school, you have 60 days to depart the U.S. after graduation. If you’re a J-1 student who will not be doing Academic Training, you have 30 days to depart the U.S. If you plan on traveling in the U.S. this summer for longer than 30 days, please contact Sally at x2871.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
The Office of International Programs sends out birthday wishes to the following students who will celebrate their birthdays in April, May or June:
Pei-Ju Chien April 19
Yuri MiyamuriJune 3
Chin-Lin Ku June 5
INTERNATIONAL CLUB
The club has been busy this Spring with an a full slate of activities ranging from international films and meals together to a wildly successful Henna Night and an evening talk entitled “Gypsy 101” by Margi Nowak. Other meetings have included screening international films and snacks, and sampling the fare at local restaurants. One of the final events for the year will be the DiversityCenter End-of-Year BBQ Bash! Featuring free food and games, and tons of cool people-Friday, May 1
from 2-4. The wrap-up outing will be a trip to Seattle to
watch the Mariners “play ball” on May 5.
Special congratulations to Allison Mizushima and Caitlin Blomquist- the past and future presidents of the International Club- they received Leadership Award from ASUPS!
If you would like to get involved with the International Club, they’ll be meeting again in the fall semester. New officer elections will be held in September.
LENDING CLOSET
Do you have any items that you borrowed from our lending closet? If so, please return them to the Office of International Programs before you leave campus. The Office is open Monday – Friday, 8:30-12, 1-4:30. Do you have household items that you have accumulated while here but don’t want to take home with you? If so, please donate them to our lending closet! Future exchange students will be grateful!
TRANSCRIPTS
If you are an exchange student, remember to request an official copy of your Puget Sound transcript for your home university. Stop by the Office of the Registrar on the ground floor of Jones Hall to submit your request. It will cost you $3.00, and your request must be made in person or in writing. You might want to order an extra copy or two for yourself, as well. Make sure when you order your transcript that you request it be sent AFTER grades have been posted for spring semester 2004. This is not a service that International Programs can perform for you, so please don’t forget to do this before you leave!
Have a great summer!
OF SPECIAL INTERESTand DEAN’S LIST
Eric Mwiti a Senior and Labs/ResNet Student Manager, won the coveted Senti-Merriman Undergraduate Scholarship. Eric will attend the 2004 ResNet Conference at PrincetonUniversity, June 18-22.Nice work!
The Office of International Programs would like to congratulate the following students for being on the Dean’s list for Fall or Spring:
Eric Mwiti Masato Narita
Chin-lin Ku
Many thanks to Amy Peterson who has been the BEST student assistant for all the international students. She has contributedcreativityand willingness to tackle every unusualproject. France and Englandwill be her home for the next year as she explores new parts of the world.
Bon Voyage, Amy!
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Spring and summer are perfect season for getting out and enjoying the great outdoors in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re sticking around this summer, take a ferry ride, go for a day hike, walk along the beach, attend an outdoor concert, or just relax and enjoy the sun!
Web Link
For information on activities in the South Sound region, visit
BASEBALL
The International Club is sponsoring a trip to the Mariner’s game on May 5. Contact Allison Mizushima for tickets. For those wanting to avoid the drive, Tacoma’s own Rainiers play right here in town at Cheney Stadium. For schedule information and tickets, call (253) 752-7700.
Farmer’s Market
Each Thursday from June 5-October 16, you can enjoy a farmer’s market in downtown Tacoma on Broadway, between 9th and 11th. Great food, crafts and entertainment!
Independence Day
Celebrate America’s Independence Day on July 4th! You can see a fantastic display of fireworks in Tacoma over CommencementBay. Fireworks start at dusk – times are printed in the paper nearer to the 4th of July.
GRADUATION
May 16 is graduation!! This year’s graduation ceremony will be in Baker Stadium at 2pm. A great advantage of holding the commencement ceremony in Baker Stadium is that graduates can invite as many guests as they like – there is no limit as in the past. The ceremony will be held rain or shine, so make sure you and your guests dress for the weather! Graduation caps and gowns will be distributed May 11 and 12 from 9-4 in the Wheelock Student Center 101. In lieu of a commencement rehearsal, graduates should come dressed in the academic cap and gown to Karlen Quadrange at 1pm on Sunday May 16 and must come prepared with information available on the commencement website at:
If you would like more information or have questions, contact Marilyn Bailey, at