Category Archives: Campus Resources

2020 Spartan Leadership & Career Conference

Join the Spartan Leadership and Career Conference! Learn how to refine your leadership skills and utilize them to lead yourself to a successful career. Register in Handshake to receive the full agenda with all of the Zoom links.  

Conference Information:

  •  Theme: Leadership in a Virtual World
  • Date and Time: Friday, October 9 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. (You don’t need to commit to the entire day; come and go as your schedule allows.)

Schedule: Check Handshake for the latest updates as more sessions are being added!

    • Keynote Speaker – Itza Sanchez, eBay
    • Employer panel (10:15 AM) – including representatives from Lockheed Martin, Texas Instruments, and HPE
    • Alumni Panel (11:15 AM) – including representatives from City of San Jose, Verizon Media, Dublin Unified School District, and BrightTALK, UK
    • Breakout sessions starting at 1:30, 2:45 and 3:30 PM on a variety of leadership topics including:
      • Networking: Finding Connections in a Virtual World – presented by Enterprise Holdings
      • How to Operate a City Remotely – presented by City of San Jose
      • Why not me? Understanding how Impostor Syndrome Stunts our Leadership Potential – presented by the Engineering Student Success Center
      • Unconscious Bias
      • Personal Brand – Designing your X-Factor by Reggie Waterman

This event is sponsored by Student Involvement and the Career Center.   Learn more about Handshake.

 

Flu Shots

Flu season is just around the corner, and we want to make sure that you’re prepared with information regarding flu shots. International students on our insurance plan can receive free flu shots through an Aetna network provider or pharmacy. View Aetna 2020 Flu Shot brochure.

How can I get a flu shot?

  • Make an appointment with your network primary care doctor, OR
  • Visit one of the Aetna network pharmacies, OR
  • Walk in or schedule a flu shot at MinuteClinic at select CVS Pharmacy and Target locations

Have your insurance ID card ready BEFORE you go to get a flu shot. See our blog post to learn how to get your digital Insurance ID card.

How do I find a network primary care doctor?

For more information on staying healthy through the flu season and for flu prevention tips, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at CDC.gov/flu

Questions about your insurance?

  • For specific questions about your benefits, call Aetna at 1-877-480-4168
  • For general questions or if you’re not sure who to contact, email the ISSS main desk at international-office@sjsu.edu 

Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

 

USCIS Application Fee Increase Suspension & I-765 Edition Clarification

Hello Global Spartans,

As many of you are probably aware, USCIS announced that they would be implementing application fee increases by October 2, 2020, which would result in the I-765 fee increasing from $410.00 to $550.00. However, effective September 30, 2020, a Federal Judge issued a preliminary injunction (temporary suspension) on the proposed USCIS application fee increases slated to begin on October 2, 2020.

This means that the I-765 FEE WILL NOT CHANGE and will continue to be $410.00. Please remember that this is merely a temporary suspension of the proposed USCIS application fee increases. It is still possible that the application fee increases could eventually be implemented by USCIS. We strongly recommend that you continue to check our website, consult our International Student Advisors, and read the ISSS Views & News Blog posts for any updates regarding this matter.

Forbes article on USCIS fee increase injunction.

Current I-765 Edition Clarification

There is also a temporary suspension of the new 10/02/2020 I-765 edition. The current I-765 edition will remain to be 08/25/2020 until further notice (see example below). ALWAYS go to the USCIS I-765 landing page to download the current I-765 edition each time that you apply for OPT (e.g., Post/Pre-Completion OPT & STEM-Extension OPT). 

 

You can find the I-765 edition date in the bottom left corner of the I-765

Warm Regards,

The ISSS Staff

Cultural Conversation: Gender & Identity 

Join us on Friday, September 25, 2020 | 2:00-3:00 PM (PST) via Zoom

Why do some Americans introduce themselves with “they/their/theirs”? What does queer mean? How can I be an ally? If you’ve ever wondered these things, you won’t want to miss out on this Cultural Conversation, where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and share what you feel comfortable sharing in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Facilitators: Dr. Kyoung Mi Choi (she/her) & Dr. Robert Marx (he/him), Lurie College of Education 

Dr. Robert Marx & Dr. Kyoung Mi Choi

 Message from Dr. Kyoung Mi Choi 

“Welcome, new international students! My name is Kyoung Mi Choi and I am an associate professor in the department of counselor education at SJSU.  I was an international student from South Korea when I first came to the United States in 2001. I remember learning and navigating the cultural differences and norms were both exciting and challenging. Compared to U.S. culture, Korean culture is more collective and conservative. It was not easy for me to explore and embrace my own sexual orientation in a new culture. However, I can say that it has been the most inspiring and healing journey. I’d like to share my story with you and would also love to hear yours. I hope you can us” 

Message from Dr. Robert Marx

“Hi, there! I’m so excited to meet with all of you! I’m Robert Marx, and I’m an Assistant Professor in Child and Adolescent Development at SJSU. I grew up in Virginia in the U.S., lived abroad as a student in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and worked abroad in Singapore. I definitely had to adjust to new ways of thinking about gender and sexuality, not only living outside of the U.S. but also moving from the South to the North to the West Coast. I’d love to talk more with you about gender and sexuality, and I’d love to get to know you! I also hope that Kyoung Mi and I can answer any questions you might have!”

What we are planning to share:

  • Diversity in Gender and Sexual Identity
  • What Are Pronouns? Why do they matter?
  • Your Culture vs. US Culture: Are They Different or Similar?

Useful Resources

  • Queer Educators and Counselors Network. To learn more about Drs. Marx and Choi’s work, check out QECN
  • Here is a list of resources for LGBTQIA+ International Students

West Coast Wildfire Resources

Dear Global Spartans,

We hope that you have all been keeping safe and hunkered down during the intense wildfires of the last few weeks. Unfortunately, it is hard to predict when and where these wildfires will strike, and the wildfires are occurring even earlier and with more frequency than anticipated. In order to ensure that you have the best resources at your disposal in the event of a wildfire in your area, we have provided the following guidance from the state and federal government on how to prepare for wildfires and to whom to reach out should you become affected by a wildfire in California or on the West Coast of the U.S.

We strongly recommend that you review the following resource on state and federal guidance for wildfires that have been occurring in California, Oregon, and Washington:

West Coast Wildfires Resource

We wish you a safe and successful Fall 2020 semester! #TalkToUs should you have any queries by contacting us at our international-office@sjsu.edu general inbox or you may choose to schedule an appointment with an International Student Advisor for more complex questions.

Warm Regards,

The ISSS Staff