Travel and Your I-20: IMPORTANT

As we approach the end of the semester, most of you will begin to think about taking trips over the summer. Some of those trips will take you outside the United States. If that is you, this post is for you.

The first thing to mention is that last year, US Immigration redesigned the I-20 form. Some, mostly our new students, have already received one of these updated forms. For those that didn't, it was no problem, as both were accepted as you re-entered the US. We have been informed that will no longer be the case. So, if you are planning to travel outside the US this summer, even if you still have a valid signature, you MUST contact someone at International Affairs to print you a new I-20. Will they deny you entry if you have a valid I-20, with a valid travel signature, just because it is the older version? I don't know, but why would you risk it if all you need to do is have a new one printed?

Secondly, if you are in need of a travel signature, whether your current signature is expiring or you just need an updated form, you MUST fill out and bring the Request For Travel Signature form with your I-20 for someone to sign it. We have been using this form for a year, now. The form helps us process your I-20 for travel much faster, and reduces the number of students who need to be called back in due to issues, such as holds, wrong I-20, etc. The form asks you to verify your passport expiration, visa expiration, and make sure there are no holds on your account. It is really for your benefit, as well as ours. It reduces the processing time from 3 days to 1 day, though, we still ask that you bring your I-20 to us for signature 1 to 2 weeks prior to your planned departure. Don't let an emergency on our part cause you to miss your flight because we didn't have enough time to get to your form.

There are two ways you can get the form. First, you can come to either Peck Hall 208 or Jones Hall 111 to pick up a form. Take the form with you, verify the dates in your passport and that you have no holds, then return with both forms and leave it with us to sign. Secondly, you can print the form from the ISSS page, or here, fill it out, and bring it to either office for signature.

*Please note, the Request For Travel Signature form only applies to undergraduate students. Graduate students MUST take their I-20 to the Graduate Studies office for signature. Please check with them for their process.

April Events Flyer

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Events of Interest, 3/28-4/3

Tuesday
- Conversation Partners Meal, 6pm, PSF House

Thursday
- Softball vs Austin Peay, 4pm, Softball Field

Friday
- Men's Tennis vs Memphis, 2pm, Buck Bouldin Tennis Complex
- Baseball vs Rice, 6pm, Reese Smith Field
- International End of the School Year Dance, 7-10pm, RFC Building

Saturday
- Baseball vs Rice, 4pm, Reese Smith Field

Sunday
- Men's Tennis vs VCU, 11am, Buck Bouldin Tennis Complex
- Baseball vs Rice, 1pm, Reese Smith Field

We hope you are making plans to attend the Dance this Friday, April 1. As a follow up to requests from the Valentine's Dance, this dance is again open to all MTSU students, spouses, and dependents (aged 16 and up). Come dance in celebration of the end of the school year before you get too busy studying for finals. Don't know how to dance? Don't worry. We will have instruction between 7 and 8pm in salsa, rumba, and basic swing. Then, between 8 and 10pm we will have open dance. Dance any style you'd like. This event is free, so we hope to see you there!

Upcoming Events:
Friday, April 8, Community Theater, "Tom Sawyer." We will leave campus at 6:30pm and should return by 10:30pm. If you would like to reserve a ticket, email the ISSS office before April 1. Tickets are free.

Events of Interest, 3/21-27

Tuesday
- Conversation Partner Meal, 6pm, PSF House
- Baseball vs Vanderbilt, 6pm, Reese Smith Field
- Softball vs TSU, 6pm, Softball Field, near Rec Center

Wednesday
- 9-Ball Pool Tournament, 6:30pm, Student Union Game Room
- Women's Soccer vs Martin Methodist, 7pm, Coach Dean Hayes Soccer & Track Complex

Events of Interest, March 14-20

Tuesday
- International Tax Workshop, 5pm, Jones Hall 109B
- Conversation Partners Meal, 6pm, PSF House
- Baseball vs Belmont, 6pm, Reese Smith Field

Friday
- Opry Mills Shopping Trip, 3pm, Nashville
- Baseball vs FAU, 6pm, Reese Smith Field

Saturday
- Baseball vs FAU, 11am, Reese Smith Field
- International Day with Men's Tennis & Parade of Flags, 2pm, Buck Bouldin Tennis Center
- Softball vs FAU, 2pm, Softball Field
- Softball vs FAU, 4pm, Softball Field

Sunday
- Baseball vs FAU, 12pm, Reese Smith Field
- Softball vs FAU, 12pm, Softball Field

Please contact the ISSS office if you would like to take part in the Parade of Flags. We have the flags, we just need you to carry them!

Family Fun Night, Follow Up

 As you can see, we had a great time at the Family Fun Night last Friday. These are only a few of the games we played, and some of the group who made it out. You can view more photos by going to our Google Drive page.

The children had a great time playing and making new friends. I also want to thank Duo Duo Ye for coming out and helping. She gave of her time and helped make this evening possible.

 We look forward to more events like this. If you'd like to help, please let us know. The children will enjoy it, and our office will appreciate it!

Events of Interest, March 7-13

Tuesday
- Baseball vs Memphis, 6pm, Reese Smith Field

Friday
- International Family Fun Night, 6-8pm, Tom Jackson Building

Saturday
- Softball vs Southern Mississippi, Doubleheader, 2 & 4pm, MTSU Softball Field (near Rec Center)

Sunday
- Softball vs Southern Mississippi, 12pm, MTSU Softball Field

Our Family Fun Night is designed for those international students and scholars who have spouses and children with them here at MTSU. We hope you'll bring them out for a few hours of fun and games.

Events of Interest, March 1-6

Tuesday
- Conversation Partners Meal, PSF House, 6pm

Wednesday
- MT Idol, JUB Tennessee Room, 8-10:30pm

Thursday
- Women's Basketball vs FAU, Murphy Center, 6:30pm

Saturday
- Women's Basketball vs FIU, Murphy Center, 2pm

What is MT Idol? It is MTSU's annual singing competition. Similar to American Idol, students will compete against one another and the audience will "text vote" to choose the winner.