newsletter 20120423
TRANSCRIPT
The International Student Ambassadors present:
The ISAO Newscastin this issue:
ISAO News
May2012
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UMKC and Kansas City News
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Travel Endorsements
FYI ISAO & ISC
International Olympics
International Student Olympics
Newsletter & you Student Spotlight
SIFE financial cornerMessage Board
Last month, the International Student Ambassadors and ISAO hosted the annual International Student Olympics. Games included volleyball, badminton, soccer, and a mix of fun wild-card games that involved everyone. After the event, the International Student Council funded a lunch/dinner for all participants. A big thank you to everyone involved! Check out more hilarious photos from the day HERE: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.381242678575481.94808.100000692551845&type=1
page 3Graduation Celebration
Our volleyball champions Our soccer champions Our badminton champions
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With summer break approaching fast, many international students are planning to travel outside of the U.S.! Before you leave, do not forget to request a Travel Endorsement for your I-20 or DS-2019! Travel endorsements are a signature from your International Student Advisor on Page 3 of your I-20 or Page 1 of your DS-2019, verifying that you are a student in good standing and will be returning to the U.S. to continue your studies. Travel endorsements should be signed each year, but when it doubt, request a travel endorsement! Travel endorsements can be requested using ISAO’S Online Services: http://www.umkc.edu/isao/services/. Please also remember that if your visa is expiring or has expired, you must renew your visa before you can return to the U.S. For more detailed questions or concerns about travel endorsements, please come to ISAO or schedule an appointment with your International Student Advisor. Have a wonderful, relaxing, fun and safe break!
ISC had been nominated and chosen to be the Council Of The Year for 2011-2012 in the SGA Leadership Awards! This award serves as a huge honor for the current ISC officers and members. The SGA Leadership Awards ceremony is followed by Apple Polishers’ Awards which is a way of students showing appreciation towards their faculty members. ISC would like to thank all student organization leaders for their continued support and hard work to make the council as outstanding as they were able to be this past year. ISC hopes to make this upcoming year even bigger and better for international students on campus!
Travel Endorsements
ISC
iAll the answers you need are a click away.http://www.umkc.edu/isao/fyi/
FYI ISAO
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
GRADUATION CELEBRATION
April 27 Friday 5pmStudent Union Rm 401bc
Official speakerPamela Roffol-Dobies
Join us for international cuisine, music and dancing. You will also have the opportunity to take a photo next to your national flag.
please let us know if any members of your family will be joining you.
RSVP: [email protected]
The International Student Ambassadors invite you to:
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Name: Merlita Patten Country: The PhilippinesMajor: Nursing
--What made you choose UMKC? I chose UMKC because it offered an accelerated path to a bachelor of science in nursing degree. In addition, UMKC School of Nursing has a really good reputation and offers more clinical hours than any other nursing programs I looked at.
--What is your favorite thing to do in Kansas City? I love spending time with my family and going to church.
--What is your favorite thing about UMKC? It is a good university for a student interested in pursing a nursing degree.
--What makes you unique as an individual? I have never forgotten where I came from and how important it is to make the most of opportunities. I still try to help poor children from the poor areas in Philippines when I can.
Name: Elena Stoyanova Country: BulgariaMajor: Nursing
--What made you choose UMKC? After I moved to Kansas City I started looking for a school with an accelerated track in Nursing. UMKC is one of the few institutions in the area that offers that option, so I decided to apply to the program. The great reputation of UMKC School of Nursing and the exciting perspective of getting a BSN degree in 18 months were the main factors that made me choose the school.
--What is your favorite thing to do in Kansas City? I enjoy going shopping in Zona Rosa or taking a walk and getting something to eat on the Plaza.
--What is your favorite thing about UMKC? The diversity of the student body! It is great to be surrounded by people from different cultures, different countries and different social backgrounds. It is a truly enriching experience.
--What makes you unique as an individual? My dream has always been to be able to make a difference in people’s lives. When I got my first degree in Biology I wanted to do biomedical research, so I could make a difference by helping advance medicine. However, I came to realize that I was missing the human interaction in the process. I found my passion in nursing because I do make a difference on an everyday basis. It is a very rewarding profession and it reflects who I am and what I believe in.
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As the semester comes to a close, many students anticipate summer break. While some International students use the time off to go back home, others stay at Kansas City to save money. Here are some tips to make the most of your summer break without breaking the bank.
VolunteerThere are hundreds of charities and non-profit organizations in Kansas City that benefit both volunteers and the community. While volunteer work isn’t done for material gain, it is a good way to give back and experience the satisfaction of helping others. Not only that, this can be a great opportunity for résumé building and internship opportunities.
Plan a road tripAlthough unleaded gas prices average $3.80 in Kansas City, it is possible to plan a day trip on a frugal budget. For a typical sedan that averages 24 mpg, about a 250 mile round trip averages $80 based on current gas prices. With five passengers, that is less than $20 per person. Cities within 250 miles of KC include St. Louis, Tulsa, Omaha and Des Moines.
Stay at Kansas CityThe phrase “staycation” became popular several years ago. A combination of “stay” and “vacation,” staycation-ers in Kansas City have plenty to enjoy.www.visitkc.com is an online guide to Kansas City attractions that includes discounts and promotions. Getting a change of scenery can shake up a typical routine.
Camping tripLocal camping trips are a more budget-friendly alternative to long-distance vacations that involve air travel and hotels. According to www.familyfinances.com, the average cost of a weekend camping trip is about $380. The average total spending on travel and vacation for an individual under the age of 25 is $435, according the Department of Labor Statistics (2008). Be sure and check out state parks and other rustic attractions.
BY U-NEWS STAFF ([email protected])The SIFE Financial Corner is created by members of UMKC Students in Free Enterprise.
For more information, find us on Facebook and Twitter, or attend our weekly 7 p.m. Tuesday meetings in the Brookside Room of the Administrative Center.
The SIFE Financial Corner is created by members of UMKC Students in Free Enterprise. We write weekly columns for the campus newspaper in order to provide valuable financial knowledge for students. It is our pleasures to post articles on the international student newsletter. Our articles will mainly focus on meeting international students’ needs.
The SIFE Financial Corner
Vacation
Message Board E-mail ReminderStudents are required to check their UMKC e-mail frequently and maintain it. ISAO will always send important e-mails to your UMKC e-mail!Please note that you are responsible for the contents of all emails ISAO sends you, especially when it is related to any of your important immigration documents: I-20 or DS-2019, visa, I-94 or passport.
ISAO
5235 Rockhill RoadKansas City, MO 64110Phone: 816 235 1113Email: [email protected]
Students EditorsSunny SyarovaStefan Panov
Layout artist Sunny Syarova
Email [email protected]
Staff Advisor Jamie Kanki
Post a MessageWould you like to include a message, story, or pictures in the next newscast? Please contact the International Student Ambassadors by [email protected]
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As a reminder, before you can access the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) Metro bus system, you will need to get your new UMKC One Card! Bring your old ID card to the One Card office to receive your new one FREE! The Office is located in the University Center, room 101, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. For more information on getting your new One Card, go to: http://www.umkc.edu/onecard/how-to-get-a-umkc-onecard.asp. Please note that your old ID card will still work for building and garage access (if you already had this access) until you get your new card. In addition, you will need the new One Card to utilize the US Bank banking services that will be offered to UMKC students this Fall.
The newsletter is from and for international students and we would like to hear your feedback. The newsletter is designed to not only keep you updated about important immigration announcements but, also to inform you about scholastic and fun activities at UMKC and it’s surrounding area. But we often hear that students do not read the newsletter on a frequent basis. We would like to change that and are curious to get your input. Is there anything you would like to see in the future newsletters? Is there anything you would like to change? More UMKC news, international student interviews, etc.? Please go to our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=17065&uid=95374984370 to participate in our discussion board titled “What would YOU like to see in the newsletter?” and post constructive ideas or suggestions. The ambassadors are looking forward to hearing from you.
What would YOU like to see in the Newsletter?
Have a fun Summer Break!