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MIT | ISO | International Students Office
ISO Newsletter
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Apply for Social Security Number - Special Appointment Date
Additional date is Tuesday, November 16, 2021
The ISO was informed by the Social Security Administration Office in Cambridge (SSA-Cambridge) that they have set up another special date for MIT students who have on-campus employment positions to appear, by appointment only (No Walk-Ins), to submit their SSN applications.
 
We want to assist as many students who have on-campus job offers to submit their SSN application on Tuesday, November 16 during the hours of 9:00am to 3:45pm.
 
In order to schedule your SSN application appointment via the ISO, students must first obtain a letter from the ISO confirming their on-campus employment. Students can request this letter via iMIT:
 
F-1 Students
*Login to iMIT (https://imit.mit.edu)
*Select the left-hand menu “F-1 Student Services”
*Click on and complete the eform “Letter of Social Security (F-1)”
 
J-1 Students
*Login to iMIT (https://imit.mit.edu)
*Select the left-hand menu “J-1 Student Services”
*Click on and complete the eform “J-1 On-Campus Work Authorization”
*Click on and complete the eform “Letter of Social Security (J-1)”
 
After the ISO generates your SSN letter, you will receive an email that includes the link to reserve an appointment time to submit your SSN application in person at the SSA-Cambridge Office at 10 Fawcett Street, Cambridge.
*If you are not able to submit your application to SSA on November 16, you will still be able to schedule an appointment through the normal procedure highlighted on the ISO website.  
 
Details on the required documents to carry with you to submit your SSN application are available on the ISO website (https://iso.mit.edu/employment/social-security-number-ssn/).  

Special Note: If you will be employed in the US, you are required to complete the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form within three days of your employment start date. You do NOT need an SSN in order to complete the I-9 form. If you are or will be employed at MIT, please see the I-9 Process at MIT for more information and complete your I-9 form with MIT immediately.
 
We hope this information is helpful.  Please feel free to contact the ISO by phone (617-253-3795) or by email (iso-help@mit.edu) if any questions arise.
Presidential Proclamation Lifts Travel Bans and Establishes Vaccine/Testing Requirements for Air Travel to US
Effective Monday, November 8, 2021
On October 25, 2021 President Biden issued a Proclamation, effective November 8, 2021, removing most travel restrictions on entry to the U.S. by nonimmigrant air travelers. The Proclamation eliminates four restrictions now in place (“travel bans”), replacing them with a requirement that all air travelers to the U.S., from all regions of the world, show proof of COVID vaccination and negative COVID test results before being able to board a flight to the U.S. The Proclamation only addresses air travel.  Beginning sometime in November (date to be determined soon), fully vaccinated travelers from Canada and Mexico will be allowed to enter the U.S. visa land border and ferry crossings. See details here. Until an official effective date is announced, restrictions on land border entry to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico remain in place. Please view the full announcement, with links to the Proclamation and guidance from the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, posted on the ISO Major Immigration Updates webpage here.
READ MORE
Reminder: Reporting Requirements for F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, J-1 Academic Training Necessary to Maintain Status in U.S.
Please report in iMIT
The ISO is providing a reminder to all students on Post-completion F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), F-1 STEM OPT Extension, and Post-Completion J-1 Academic Training (AT) that there are  regulatory-required reporting that must be completed in a timely manner in iMIT in order to maintain their F-1 and J-1 status in the U.S.
The ISO makes it easy to comply with this requirements by completing reporting in iMIT so that the ISO can submit the information to SEVIS on students/alumni behalf.Reporting Requirements guidelines and instructions are available on the ISO website:

F-1 Optional Practical Training Reporting Requirements

F-1 STEM OPT Extension Reporting Requirements

J-1 Academic Training Reporting Requirements

Please feel free to contact your ISO Advisor if any questions arise. Thank you for your urgent assistance in this matter. 

If you are not sure if you have updated documentation recently, please go ahead and re-submit in iMIT. Thank you for your attention to this matter. 
Upcoming Live F-1 Employment Information Sessions
Next one is November16, 2021
The ISO will be offering live, online F-1 Employment Information Sessions, reviewing  the types of off-campus employment authorization, their eligibility requirements and application procedures, available to international students.
A separate session for J-1 visa holders will be announced soon.The schedule of F-1 Employment Information Sessions during Fall 2021 are:

Thursday, November 4:  7:00pm-9:00pm
Tuesday, November 16:  2:00pm-4:00pm
Friday, December 3:  10:00am-12:00pm
Friday, December 10:  10:00am-12:00pm

Students must sign-up for a session in iMIT.

Additional information about Employment for international students, including the off-campus employment authorization types, are available on the ISO website (https://iso.mit.edu/employment/).
SIGN UP
Reminder: Plan for Travel Now & Check Travel Signature
Travel signatures are required, including for new students who started Fall 2021

If planning to travel outside the US during fall or winter breaks, check your immigration form NOW for a recent travel signature.

You are required to request a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 on iMIT.  New Form I-20 will be sent electronically to F-1 students when completed; New Form DS-2019 will be mailed to J-1 students or a pick-up at the ISO will be arranged.  

If you are planning to travel during the Fall semester, or over the Winter Break/IAP period, it is not too early to make sure you will have the required documentation needed to return to the U.S. from abroad. 

For all students, instructions on how to request a new Form I-20/Form DS-2019 with travel validation signature in iMIT, and guidance on documents to carry when traveling, is available on the ISO “Visas and Travel” webpage.  

Please note federal regulations require that the generation of a new Form I-20/Form DS-2019 requires submission of current financial support for the current academic year (for the upcoming 12 months including the current academic term, or up to the listed program completion date if that date is in less than 12 months). *Current financial documentation is also needed to be carried by a student when traveling due to the fact that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) can request this documentation at time of entry to the U.S., and is required to present to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate during a visa interview if requested by the consular officer.   

In general, a travel signature is valid for one year, and students must have one if they are returning to the US after traveling abroad (can re-enter the US multiple times using your travel signature during that 1 year period as long as student is returning to continue their academic program at MIT).  Please note that any dependents in F-2 or J-2 status who are traveling must also have a travel signature on there Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.
*Students on F-1 Post-Completion OPT, F-1 STEM OPT Extension, or Post-Completion J-1 Academic Training, travel signatures are valid for only 6 months from the date of signature for entry to the U.S. 

Travel signatures on the Form I-20 (F-1/F-2 visa holders) are provided on Page 2 on the Form; travel signatures are provided on Page 1 of the Form DS-2019 (J-1/J-2 visa holders).  

The ISO has a number of resources available to guide students on preparing for travel.
Please be sure to consult the ISO “Visas and Travel” webpage for details on requesting a new Form I-20 or DS-2019 with travel signature, guidance on “Entering the U.S.” to verify documents to carry when traveling, and links on how to apply for a new entry visa, if needed, from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

For students who need to apply for a new entry visa to return to the U.S., please be sure to review the guidance provided by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad where you will be applying.  Procedures on securing a visa interview, which is recommended to schedule prior to departing the U.S., and required documentation, will be available on the U.S. Embassy/Consulate website.

Processing time for new Form I-20/Form DS-2019 is within 10 business days of a completed submission in iMIT. We will be sending I-20s electronically (by email) and mailing DS-2019s directly to your address. You do not need to stop by the ISO for travel signatures.
 
Students who have unexpected emergency travel, where departure is in less than 10 business days, should contact their ISO Advisor to assist with timely processing of your new document with travel signature.    
READ MORE
MIT Closed November 11
November 11 is Veteran's Day
ISO, along with other MIT offices and departments, will be closed on Thursday, November 11, 2021 for the Veteran's Day holiday. We will re-open at 9am on Friday, November 12.
ISO SPONSORED EVENTS
Navigating MIT Series - Fall 2021
Next session: Budgeting
Tuesday, November 9 at 4pm
Various topics to support international students with adjustment to MIT and the U.S. during the fall semester.

1.    Discover Boston- Tues, Oct 12 at 4pm (ISO)
2.    American Culture & Friendship- Tues, Oct 19 - 12noon (ISO)
3.    Motivation, Focus, & Productivity - Fri, Oct 29 at 12noon (Zan Barry, Community Wellness)
4.    Budgeting - Tues, Nov 9 - 4pm (Erica Aguiar, Student Financial Services)
5.    Hack your sleep - Fri, Nov 19 at 12noon (Zan Barry, Community Wellness)
6.    Stress Management - Fri, Dec 3 at 12noon (Dr. Xiaolu Hsi, Mental Health & Counseling)

Register for each workshop
LCE: Conversation Groups
Join a small group for language practice and conversation exchange!

Our enthusiastic volunteers are leading small groups for Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French and Portuguese/Spanish!

Find dates and times in our LCE Community Slack Space and by subscribing to our newsletter.  Interested in starting a group for another language? Reach out to the LCE team at .

If you are interested in another language, please fill out the form. We are also looking for new group leaders.

Link to interest Form here
LCE: Find a Language Partner
Nothing beats one-on-one conversation for improving your language speaking and comprehension skills!

How to find a language partner with the LCE:
  1. Make an account on the website. Upload a photo and a descriptive bio!
  2. Send a custom message to potential partners. It helps to say why you reached out to them specifically and why you want to practice.
  3. Join the LCE Slack and come to events to talk to more language learners
More resources on our website:
MIT EVENTS & PROGRAMS


Save TFP: Boba and Boardgames
HAPPENING TONIGHT!
[Boba and Boardgames]

what: Enjoy some Boba and Play some Boardgames with friends
​where: ​Coffeehouse Lounge, third floor of the Stud
when: this Friday, 11/5, 9-11PM

Weekly Board Games Night!

Oct 8 – Dec 10 every Friday from 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
Walker Memorial E50-316

The Strategic Games Society presents our flagship weekly board games night (In-Person)!

With 150+ games, we have a game for everybody!

No Prior experience required.

May the victory points be with you!

Link for RSVP

Hearing Amazônia Concert
Saturday, November 6 at 8:00 PM
Kresge Auditorium (W16)

Please join us for our first event of the season!

 

On Saturday, November 6th at 8 pm in the Kresge Auditorium (W16) MIT is hosting Hearing Amazônia–The Responsibility of Existence. The concert will be “inspired by Brazilian music influenced by the natural world and by 2020 MIT graduate Talia Khan’s research on natural botanical resins and traditional carimbó music in Santarém, Pará, Brazil.”

 

To RSVP and read more about the free event: https://mta.mit.edu/events/amazonia

MIT Veterans Day Celebration
Thursday, November 11 from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Morss Hall - Walker Memorial Building

Join us as we showcase veterans who are students, faculty, and staff at MIT and offer the wider community a way to say “thank you for your service”. We will have a joint-service Color Guard present the Colors at the event followed by remarks delivered by special guest speakers, including Rear Admi. Food will be served for all guests, but space is limited. Reserve your tickets today!


Link to sign up

FAIL! Event
Friday, November 12 at 6:00 PM
Room 10-250
After almost two years, a new in-person event is about to happen!

When: Friday, November 12th, 2021 at 6pm
Where: MIT, room 10-250
HowFree tickets + Facebook Event Page + MIT COVID Policy

How many times have you heard that "failure is not an option"? Yet, a misstep can happen at any time and to everyone, even professionals, experts, CEO’s, or professors. For this reason, we bring them on stage to FAIL!, an event aimed at understanding the deeper meaning of failures and vulnerabilities, and how to accept, understand, and conquer them.
 

- Rosalind Picard, professor and founder of the Affective Computing Research Group at MIT. Affective Computing is a new research field based on the idea that artificial intelligence must meet and understand human emotions in order to be better at interacting with people.
 

- Jennifer Cohen, author, influential personal trainer and health fitness consultant. Graduated in Psychology, she aims at helping people achieve what they want through the deep connection between physical and mental health: mens sana in corpore sano.
 

- David Edwards, inventor, professor of Bioengineering at Harvard University, founder of ArtScience and the culture lab of Le Laboratoire and Cafe. He explores new ways of improving human health and wellbeing.

Writing and Communication Center- Free 1:1 Consultations
The Writing and Communication Center (WCC) has resumed its free one-on-one consultations on different types of written, spoken, and visual communication. You can receive support there at all stages of the writing and communication process, from brainstorming to the final version, on such projects as research papers, fellowship applications, cover letters, personal statements, dissertations, presentations, or posters. The WCC can also mentor you through writer’s blocks including procrastination, perfectionism, demoralization, and imposter stress. To learn more about the WCC, check their website and make an appointment through this link: https://mit.mywconline.com.

Don’t wait, schedule today!
MIT Career Advising & Professional Development - Home | Facebook
CAPD: Interview Rooms Available for Student & Postdoc Use
Available through reservation
Career Advising & Professional Development (E17-294) has private interview rooms which can be reserved if you need a space for a virtual employer interview. These rooms are available to current students and postdocs on weekdays from 10am – 4pm.
 
To reserve a room, please fill out the CAPD interview room reservation form and submit your room reservation request 24 hours prior to your requested start time.
If you need to use a private room when the CAPD office is closed, the MIT Library has rooms available to reserve through mycard.mit.edu.
Wellness Events & Resources
MedLinks
  • Our full team of MedLinks volunteers are back in service this semester.
  • MedLinks can help you figure out how to connect with MIT resources and support you by serving as a sounding board.

  • They can also provide single doses of common over-the-counter medications and first-aid supplies to address minor medical concerns.

  • Visit medlinks.mit.edu to learn more about the program and find your local MedLinks volunteer(s) (MIT certificate required).
     

Contact: wellness@med.mit.edu

URL: https://medlinks.mit.edu/





Know Your Resources!
  • ask.mit - https://ask.mit.edu/ You shouldn’t have to think about where to turn for help. Just ask. Leave a question and a Student Support and Wellbeing team member will get back to you within 1 business day.
  DoingWell was developed to empower students to prioritize their wellbeing. Prioritizing your wellbeing is a journey that looks different for everyone and what works for you one day might need to change another day. What’s most important is that it’s what YOU need. Sometimes, DoingWell means reaching out for support because you’re not feeling good or need help. Other times, DoingWell means going for your weekly run or writing in your journal. This website serves as a place for all MIT students – undergraduate and graduate – to access resources that help you prioritize your wellbeing and get support.
Fall Unwind Classes
Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00pm/ 5pm
Fall Unwind
Noon Unwind – Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-12:15 pm starting September 7
5PM Unwind – Tuesdays and Thursday 5-5:20 pm starting September 7
These live, virtual classes combine simple stretches to release tension in the body and guided meditation to release tension in the mind. Register for free anytime this fall, attend as often as you wish, and feel free to invite others to register as a self-care routine.
 
You can find other upcoming courses from Community Wellness. Click here and go to the Mind – Live Classes menu to sign up for Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Koru Mindfulness 4-week course, a virtual mini-retreat, and more.
Yoga Poses A-Z: Search Yoga Journal's Extensive Pose Library
Online Yoga Classes With Aly
Sep 29 – Dec 22 every Wednesday from 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Virtual
Westgate is offering Yoga classes for the MIT community. The classes are online and free of charge. We would like to thank the MIT GSC Funding Board for sponsoring this event. Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, starting on Sept. 29 and ending on Dec. 22, 2021. Please sign-up to receive the Zoom link.

Contact: axelvera@mit.edu
Things to do around Boston
3,313 People In Movie Theater Illustrations & Clip Art - iStock
Movies at a Discount!
Get your discounted tickets for almost all theaters in the area through MITAC. Including Museum of Science Omni IMAX, Chunky's Cinema, Jordan's IMAX, Brattle Theater, AMC Yellow, Regal, Showcase Cinema, and Kendall Square Landmark Theatres.
 
  • $7 Tuesday Movies at Kendall Square
Watch with an even greater deal on $7 Tuesday at Landmark Theatres
MIT International Students Office
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
Office Hours:
9:00-16:00 (M-F)
Closed (W) 10:00-11:30
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