Back to School: You’re Here
August 13, 2012
When you arrive in the United States to begin your program of study, one of the first things you will do is fill out your Form I-94 during your flight. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will stamp this form, which provides proof that you have gained lawful admittance to the United States and specifies how long you can stay. If the CBP officer cannot verify your identity, or if you do not bring all required documentation, you will go through secondary inspection at the port of entry. If you do not bring all required paperwork (but still gain admission to the United States), the CBP officer will issue you a Form I-515A. Send in the Form I-515A with all required documents before the 30-day deadline. Finally, you must report to the designated school official (DSO) at your school within 30 days prior to, but no later than the official start date of your program.
Then what?
You may want to get involved in campus life. Many colleges and universities have programs you can participate in that aim to make international students feel more at home on campus. You can join a number of organizations to meet other students and get accustomed to the American way of life. Another way to be involved in campus life is through sports. Collegiate athletics are an important part of most campuses. You can feel like more of a part of the community by attending games or even playing an intramural or club sport.
The most important thing to remember is that you must maintain your status. Enroll in a full course of study, and be sure to attend all of your classes. Talk to your designated school official (DSO) about how many classes you must take, program extensions, work and any changes you want to make to your program of study. Tell your DSO before you move or travel out of the United States. Remember that your DSO is there to help you, so be sure and speak with your DSO if you have any questions.