TECHnational News In

February 27, 2013

InTECHnational News is a bi-monthly publication from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for all Georgia Tech international students and scholars. ISSS shares important updates including changes in immigration law and policies, important reminders, and upcoming events and opportunities. You should carefully review the newsletter each time you receive it and send any questions to info@oie.gatech.edu.

ISSS Walk-In Advising Hours Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

8:30-11:30am & 1:30-4:30pm Global Buzz
Do you work on campus? Do you plan to change your status to H-1B or apply for permanent residency in the future? The Global Buzz provides the latest updates and news for foreign national employees at Georgia Tech and employment related immigration. Subscribe via rss feed or by email today! http:// globalbuzzgeorgiatech.blogspot.com/

Tax Season is Here!

We are officially in tax season for 2012 and ISSS and Global HR are here to help! Please keep in mind that all non-US citizens (who are not US green card holders) should identify their tax residency status prior to completing any tax forms. To determine if you are a resident or nonresident alien for tax purposes, log into your GLACIER account and access GLACIER Tax Prep. If you do not have a GLACIER account then email nra.ask@ohr.gatech.edu to get a GTP access code. GLACIER Tax Prep will help you complete your federal tax documents if you are a nonresident for tax purposes. Note: There are two separate GLACIER Tax Prep websites. Make sure you are at the correct one!

Workshops are available to help individuals who have completed their nonresident federal return to complete Georgia state tax returns. Workshops are held each week through April 12; please see the schedule below and sign up for a session in iStart. More information about accessing GLACIER Tax Prep and how to sign up for a Georgia state tax workshop in iStart can be found at ISSSs taxes website at http://oie.gatech.edu/isss/taxes. See the International Student and Scholar Tax FAQs for additional information. Questions? Email nra.ask@ohr.gatech.edu

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InTECHnational News

Optional Practical Training

F-1 students who would like to work off-campus must have immigration authorization for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT). ISSS is here to help you through the process! The procedure for OPT includes viewing a tutorial and completing the required E-form to request OPT. You can access the tutorial through our OPT website. *Please notice that there are different processes for thesis and non-thesis students so make sure that youre watching the correct tutorial and taking the correct quiz.*

F-1 Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition Waivers

F-1 undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the undergraduate out-of-state tuition waiver upon experiencing unexpected financial difficulties. The purpose of this waiver is to offset the cost of tuition and is intended to address short-term financial needs for the upcoming semester. To be eligible, you must have been enrolled at Georgia Tech full-time for the two semesters prior to the semester for which youre applying and have a minimum 2.25 cumulative GA Tech GPA. Applicants should also be able to exhibit active involvement in student organizations and community engagement projects. For more detailed information and the application, please log into iStart and complete the e-form Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition Waiver.

Getting USCIS approval for OPT can take up to three months so get started early!
Important Dates for Spring 2013 Graduates: May 4th: Spring 2013 Graduation July 3rd: Last day USCIS will receive OPT applications ISSS has also implemented 17 month STEM extension tutorial. Please view this tutorial if you are currently on your post-completion OPT and considering the STEM extension.

Deadline for Summer 2013

Friday, March 29

Free Ticket Giveaway!

Be the fifth person to tweet the below message and win two tickets to this Saturdays performance by Jake Shimabukuro. Going to see Jake S rock the ukulele! @gatechisss

Ferst Center Performance

Ferst Center for the Arts presents Jake Shimabukuro, Saturday, March 2 at 8 p.m. Hawaiian-born Jake Shimabukuro has redefined what it means to play the ukulele. Renowned for his lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary technique, this young virtuoso defies labels or category, mixing jazz, rock, classical, traditional Hawaiian music and folk, creating a sound that is both technically masterful and emotionally powerful. A reception sponsored by the Office for International Education will be held for Georgia Tech students at 7 p.m. at the Ferst Center. The reception is free for all GT students attending the concert. Georgia Tech Student tickets for the concert are available for $10 in the Student Center Box Office. Students may purchase up to 2 tickets at $10 each. Please show Buzz Card for ID. For more information call the Box Office at 404-894-9600.

Hiring Welcome Week Student Assistants

The Office of International Education is looking to hire several students to assist the OIE in welcoming over 1,000 new international students to the GA Tech campus for Fall 2013. There are two types of International Welcome Week Assistant positions available: Welcome Week Coordinator & Check-in Assistants. All GA Tech students are welcome to apply as we seek to hire both graduate and undergraduate international and non-international students. Deadline: Friday, March 15th at 5pm. Applicants will be contacted by Friday, March 22nd to set up interviews. Please visit http://oie.gatech.edu/ISSS/oie-assistantapplication for specific job details and to apply.

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Anne Robinson Clough Conference Grant

If you have attended or will be attending an academic or leadership conference this Spring 2013 semester, you are eligible to apply for the Anne Robinson Clough Conference Grant, sponsored by the Anne Robinson Clough International Student Endowment Fund. This grant was created to assist F-1 or J-1 students at Georgia Tech to attend domestic or international academic or leadership conferences. You are able to access the Anne Robinson Clough Conference Grant Application e-form within iStart.gatech.edu: here you will find more detailed information, requirements, and the complete application. Deadline for spring 2013: March 15

Contest to rename InTECHnational News

InTECHnational News is getting a makeover! It has been with us for years, but its time for a fresh look and a name change. Please submit suggestions to Emily Dolezal at emily.dolezal@oie.gatech.edu. Submissions should be internationally-them, focused on GT, and catchy. Deadline: March 13 and name change will be used for the 3/20 edition. Prize includes iPod speakers, pens, highlighters, cup, cozies, etc.

Applying for a Georgia State Drivers License

If you are considering applying for or renewing your Georgia State drivers license, please carefully read the information found at Georgia Department of Driver Services Information for Non-US Citizens.

Global Connections
Join other international students, ISSS, GT faculty and staff for an hour of conversation, snacks, and stories during our upcoming Global Connections sessions. Wednesdays at 12 in the Clough Commons Lounge. If you are interested in getting involved at Georgia Tech, learning about other cultures and making new friends, this Global Connections is for you. 2/27: Learn from Division of Professional Practice advisors about the process to apply for internships (both domestic and international) and COOPs. An international student advisor will also be available for questions on how to complete these critical types of off campus employment and maintain your F-1 visa status. 3/13: Culture Fest 2013 is coming!!! Come learn about this exciting campus-wide event and Global Jackets, the student organization that coordinates this annual celebration of internationalization and multiculturalism. This year, Culture Fest will take place between Monday, April 1st and Monday, April 11th and will include a number of events showcasing the extensive diversity found on Georgia Techs campus. In addition to learning more about Culture Fest and Global Jackets, students in attendance will participate in a fun and interactive cross-cultural communication game.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Graduate Assistant Position for 2013 Beijing-Singapore Study Abroad Program
The Office of International Education is seeking a graduate assistant for the 2013 Beijing-Singapore Study Abroad Program. This is a paid position and requires travel to Singapore and China from June 12 - August 3, 2013. Applicants should be bilingual in Chinese and English and be authorized to be paid by Georgia Tech as an employee. J-1 visa holders are not eligible to apply. Please email any questions to Mary Alice Allen at maryalice.allen@oie.gatech.edu.

Spring 2013 Commencement Fair

Come to Commencement Fair 2013 where spring 2013 graduates can purchase regalia, order announcements, RSVP to the ceremony, confirm graduation status take cap and gown photos, and meet with a variety of vendors to discuss next steps after graduation from Georgia Tech. ISSS will also be there to discuss optional practical training, academic training, and inviting family for graduation. When: Wednesday, March 6, 12pm-4pm Thursday, March 7, 10am-2pm Find more information at http://www.gatech.edu/ commencement/commencement-fair

Culture Fest 2013: April 1st-11th

Global Jackets is a student org that works closely with the OIE to enhance the appreciation of cultural diversity at Georgia Tech. Each spring, Global Jackets hosts Culture Fest, a week -long celebration of internationalization and multiculturalism, bringing cultures from around the world to Georgia Tech. Events include: International Food Fair, Language Caf, International Karaoke, International Trivia, and much more. Global Jackets is looking for new members as well as volunteers to assist with Culture Fest. Contact Meg Popick at Meghan.Popick@oie.gatech.edu to get involved.

China Care Carnival

Come out to the China Care Carnival and enjoy street food, performances and carnival games! Choose to spend your tickets on delicious food or try your luck for some of the big carnival prizes! $10 for 10 tickets! 50% off with Buzzcard! Make sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, March 9th from 1-4 PM and be sure to stop by this amazing carnival in the Ferst Amphitheatre! See you then!

Buzzinga!
Buzzinga! is a new student-run competition to find the best and most creative student-driven solutions to solve important campus issues to make Georgia Tech a better place. In this competition, undergraduate and graduate students will form teams to solve the campus issue of the year, and the winning team's project can receive up to $10,000 in funding and support from campus departments for implementation. The inaugural competition will focus on Tech spirit and culture. Applications open on March 1 and each team will have until April 1 to submit a project proposal. Judging will be conducted by a panel of campus administrators, faculty, and students. Teams will be judged on a popular vote, feasibility, creativity, sustainability and campus reach. More information can be found at sga.gatech.edu starting this Friday, March 1. You can also 'like' SGA on Facebook at for ongoing updates! If you have any questions, please e-mail Amit Khanduri at amit.khanduri2@gmail.com.

International Student Leadership Award: Apps Available through iStart

The 7th annual International Student Leadership Award will honor an international GT student who has contributed significantly to the internationalization of the GT campus and has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills over the past year. Recipient will be honored at the annual GT Up with the Gold and White Ceremony. For more details and to submit an application,, log in to iStart and complete the e-form entitled International Student Leadership Award Application & Recommendation. Applications are due by 4:30pm on Friday, March 15th.