New Customs and Border Protection App

Check out the new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) phone app! CBP One is a free mobile app for those who are planning to travel to U.S. This new app will provide a more convenient way for you to apply for an I-94, review your past travel history, check your I-94 expiration date and obtain proof of your electronic I-94 from your mobile device. Please note that you can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play and complete an electronic I-94 form up to seven days before your trip to the U.S.

Madison College COVID-19 Guidelines and Vaccinations

Madison College encourages you to follow CDC guidelines for international travel including self-quarantine for 2 weeks after travelling. If you are NOT vaccinated, following free vaccination clinics are planned during Wolfpack Welcome.

• Madison College Truax campus: Aug. 23, from 5-8:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 24, from 1-4:30 p.m.
• Madison College Goodman South campus: Aug. 19 from 5-8 p.m.

If you miss the free vaccine organized by Madison College, you can visit Wisconsin Department of Health Services website to schedule a free vaccine near you.

On August 5, 2021, Madison College reinstated its face covering requirement for anyone inside any district facility. This requirement applies to everyone - those who are fully-vaccinated, and those who are not.

SEVP Continues COVID Enrollment Accommodations Through Spring 2022

The U.S. SEVP has announced that existing COVID-19 Enrollment Accommodations will continue for the upcoming academic year including both Fall 2021 and Spring 2022. This means that if you:

• Were studying in the U.S. as of March 9, 2020 and have maintained valid F-1 visa status, you may continue to enroll in all online classes in the upcoming academic year.
• Arrived to the U.S. in F-1 visa status after March 9, 2020, then you may not pursue a 100% online course of study, but you may engage in a hybrid course of study that exceeds the standard 3 credit online limit. The New International Student Seminar satisfies this hybrid requirement for your first semester. We recommend students who were new to the F-1 visa status after March 9, 2020 to enroll in at least one hybrid or in-person course for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 to ensure compliance with the most narrow interpretation of the policy guidance.

Call for International Student Spotlights!

We want to spotlight YOU as an international student here at Madison College! Over the next terms, we will be highlighting our amazing international students on our social media accounts and our CIE newsletter. On the form, you can share information such as your program of study, your academic or career goals, what you like about studying at Madison College and more!

If you would like to be spotlighted, please fill out the form that can be found on our ISS Portal log-in page here!

ISS Resources for New and Current Students

Check out our new "Resources" tab on the ISS Portal log-in page! You can find resources about community connections, emergency services and safety preparations, finances and budgeting, health, housing, shopping, transportation and utilities. These resources are here to help both current students and new students in their transition to Madison, WI.

Check out the resources here!

Tips and Items to Remember!

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has been made aware of a spoofing scam involving individuals using an SEVP Response Center (SRC) phone number (703-603-3400) or a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office phone number (757-441-6533) to target nonimmigrant students. Fraudulent callers are claiming to be SEVP representatives and asking students to provide their immigration information, such as their Alien Registration Number or Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” information, or face deportation.

Tips and items to remember:

• NEVER divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
• SEVP officials will NEVER ask stakeholders to provide credit/debit card/gift card numbers, wire transfers, or bank routing numbers, or to make bitcoin deposits for any purpose.
• Report all suspicious calls to the HSI tip line and if you are unsure about the validity of a call from SEVP officials reach out to your designated SEVP field representative.

Travel Recommendations

CIE discourages non-essential travel due to COVID-19.

If you must travel, use caution and carefully consider the following:

• Visa expired? Anticipate delays and possible difficulty renewing. U.S. Embassies and Consulates, in general, are open for some services. However, the resumption of routine visa services is occurring on a post-by-post basis. Many are not at full capacity and some have not resumed routine visa services. Anticipate delays or the possibility of cancelled visa interview appointments. If your F-1 visa has expired and you leave the U.S., there is risk of not getting a visa interview appointment to return for Fall 2021.
• Travel Signature expired? Allow at least 2 weeks to receive a new I-20 via the I-20 Reprint Request process due to campus closure. CIE’s Travel Requirements
• Review US Entrance Requirements! All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and F-1 international students, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recent recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States. Please visit CDC’s website for additional information.
• US State Department International Travel Advisories- the US State Department has issued Travel Advisories for much of the world. 80% of the world is currently listed as Level 4-Do Not Travel, due to COVID-19 and other risk factors. Although this is not binding, please consider the recommendations when considering travel. See the Travel Advisories website for more information.
• Risk of Quarantine and Delays- the COVID-19 situation is still fluid both in the US and abroad. Any travel may result in unexpected delays, quarantines, and expenses (related to unexpected hotel stays, quarantines, etc) either on departure or arrival.

Farewell Amy!

Dear International Students,

It comes with great sadness to share that August 9^th was my last day working at the Center for International Education as the International Admissions Specialist & Engagement Coordinator. I had been with CIE for an amazing 10 years and have had the honor to watch hundreds of international students like you make their journey through Madison College (and sometimes back!) and onto more wonderful things. I have loved meeting each and every one of you--getting to know you through the admission process and meeting many of you at International Orientation for the first time. I will miss being part of this beautiful global community, but I will not be far! I will be moving into the Employee Learning and Organizational Development department as the new Mentorship Program Coordinator to work closely with employees of color. If you see me on campus, continue to say hello! My heart will always be with International Education and the students that have made working with CIE so special for so many years.

I cannot wait to check in on you all and see where your educational and life journeys take you.

Until then,

Amy Kue

New On-Campus Job Opportunities!

There are many on-campus job opportunities for Madison College students. Below are two units that are hiring. Please reach out their respective contacts if you have any questions! 

• Dining Services is currently hiring for multiple positions at both the Truax and Goodman South cafeterias. No experience necessary! Everything from cashiering to food prep and more! Please email Chef David for more info: dbdorst@madisoncollege.edu
• The receiving dock is looking for a few students to help fill a job position. For questions about the position, please call the number listed in the job listing. You can find the job listing on the page below:   https://app.joinhandshake.com/jobs/5041133

Welcome Laura!

Hello International Students!

My name is Laura Pham and I recently joined the Center for International Education team in a new capacity as an International Admissions Advisor! Over the past year, I worked with CIE as a Graduate Student Intern and now have graduated from UW-Madison in Global Higher Education. I have enjoyed working with you all and CIE over the past year and am thrilled to be re-joining in this new role.

From the admission process to CIE programming throughout the semester, I look forward to supporting each of you along your educational journey here at Madison College. I am extremely excited to meet you all soon, virtually or in-person. Please feel free to reach out and say “hello” or introduce yourself!

I wish you all the best of luck as the fall term begins soon!

Sincerely,

Laura

Check us out on Facebook and Instagram!

Madison College International Student Services is on Facebook and Instagram. We are excited to connect with students, staff and our community. See you there!

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