Welcome to the Winter quarter at Foothill College and
Happy New Year! We hope that you start 2007 with renewed
energy and enthusiasm that will translate into outstanding
academic achievements and greater involvement in our
invigorating student life that will surely create many
enjoyable moments with fellow Foothill students, faculty
and staff.
We have started the New Year with a renewed commitment to provide excellent service to our international students and help you bring your dreams one step closer to reality during your tenure at Foothill. Some of the new additions include the purchase of a tax software with free access to international students (see below) and increased programming with international education focus. Be sure to check out many programs and events that we are lining up for this quarter!
This quarter Foothill welcomed about 85 new students from 25 different countries such as Cameroon, Colombia, Finland, Iran, Kuwait, Nepal, Thailand, Ukraine and others! Let us extend a warm welcome to this addition to our diverse international student body on campus.
The United States tax system requires every nonimmigrant present in the U.S. in 2006 (even for a day), WHETHER YOU WORKED OR NOT, to file a form with the Internal Revenue Service. This also applies to your spouses and dependents/children on F-2 visas.
The forms that you need to file depend on your status. For federal tax purposes, you must first determine whether you are considered a RESIDENT or a NONRESIDENT alien. If a student spends more than 5 years in the United States in F-1 status, he/she will be considered a resident alien and must be taxed like a U.S. citizen. Note that any part of a calendar year in which a student is present in the U.S. counts as a full year. If you determine that you are a resident for tax purposes, you will not be able to use CINTAX (see below).
Note: The International Student Office is not able to provide individual tax advice.
However, our office will be introducing a new service exclusively for international students for the first time this year - FREE ACCESS to CINTAX software. The software provides an easy and user-friendly way to prepare your federal tax returns online in under 20 minutes. Since there is a limit on the number of people accessing the software, international students will have to request a password in advance on a first come first serve basis. Information about obtaining a password and software instructions will be available in February. Please wait for the announcement in the next issue of the I-NEWS.
Deadlines: If you worked in 2006, the last day to meet your federal and California state tax obligations is April 16, 2007. If you did not earn any income in the U.S. in 2006 or for spouses and dependents/children, your deadline for filing a federal Form 8843 is June 15, 2007.
Employer documents: In order to fill out your federal and state tax forms, you will need the following forms depending on the income you receive: W-2 and/or 1042-S.
These forms will generally be mailed to you by your employer by January 31 of this year. If you worked in 2006 and do not receive a W-2 and/or 1042-S by the middle of February, you should contact your employer's payroll department. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR EMPLOYER KNOWS YOUR NEW ADDRESS IF YOU RECENTLY MOVED.
For questions about your W-2 and/or 1042-S forms if you worked in Foothill College, you should contact the Accounting office at 650-949-6250.
The U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection have issued a new rule, effective January 23, 2007 that requires valid passports of all U.S. citizens as well as all nonimmigrant aliens (students on all types of visas) with citizenship in Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico, departing from or entering the United States from within the Western Hemisphere at air ports-of-entry. Prior to this, these individuals were exempt from the passport requirement. This rule does not change visa rules, only travel document requirements. A separate, future rulemaking will address land and sea travelers.
Current students: Are you expecting to graduate soon and thinking about applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT)? If so, now is a good time to attend our Practical Training seminar and get all the information you need to prepare your OPT application.
New students: This is your chance to get all the information about employment and practical training options available for international students (Curricular Practical Training, CO-OP, CO-OP Education, Internships, OPT).
Practical training workshops will be held on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at 1:00p.m. in Room 3206 and on Friday, March 2, 2007 at 10:00a.m.in Room 3204.
January 31, February 1-2, 2007, 8:00 PM, Flint Center for Performing Arts, De Anza College
Through the generosity of Dick Henning, the founder of Celebrity Forum and a former Vice President at Foothill College, the International Programs office is able to offer an exclusive opportunity to international students to attend the fascinating speaker series for FREE. A limited number of tickets will be available for each event (general public tickets are sold out) that will feature knowledgeable heads-of-state, brilliant scientists, prominent educators, members of royalty, outstanding business leaders and various notable newsmakers. Some of the past speakers have been Ehud Barak, Mikhail Gorbachev, Neil Armstrong, Bill Clinton, Steve Wynn, and many other prominent individuals.
This is a unique chance for international students to get a glimpse of the American cultural landscape, listen to some of the world-famous leaders and thinkers, and above all, challenge yourself intellectually!
A limited number of free tickets will be available for the upcoming event:
DAVID BREASHEARS on January 31, February 1 and February 2
World-class filmmaker, adventurer and mountaineer, David Breashears has combined his skills in climbing and cinematography to become one of the world's most acclaimed adventure filmmakers. In 1996, he was making the IMAX film on Mt. Everest when disaster struck, and he immediately postponed work to offer aid to the surviving climbers, including past speaker Beck Weathers. He will narrate his film which includes dramatic footage of the rescue effort and some stunning views of Mt. Everest.
Please email Viktoria
Kolesnikova to request tickets before Wednesday, January 31. Tickets will be assigned on a first come first serve basis and must be picked up in Room 5403. Please pick a day (Thursday, February 1 or Friday, February 2) before requesting the tickets. A maximum of two tickets can be requested at a time. All performances are held at the Flint Center for Performing Arts on De Anza campus. No transportation will be provided.
Additional information on the Celebrity Forum such as map and directions can be found on their site: Celebrity Forum
Friday, February 9, 2007, 8:00 pm, Smithwick Theatre
Foothill College will host the world famous Dallas Black Dance Theater for its 30th anniversary season. The curtain goes up on this contemporary dance company's repertoire of modern, jazz, ethnic and spiritual works to provide a performance filled with excitement, energy and elegance that only DBDT's dancers can deliver. A complimentary reception follows the performance in the Library Quad Event Tent.
Please sign up by sending a message to isc.foothill@gmail.com. We will be attending as a group of international students and International Student Connection club members to share this experience. There may be a possibility of getting discounted tickets if you sign up in advance.
Tickets are $15 for students with an Owl Card. They can be purchased through the Foothill College Box Office (650) 949-7360 or through brownpapertickets.
Saturday, February 10, afternoon, Russian Center of San Francisco
Join members of the International Student Connection club in attending the Russian Festival 2007 at the Russian Center of San Francisco. Come to explore Russian culture and to taste delicious Russian food and pastries! You will meet famous Russian dancers and singers, Russian Folk Ensembles and, directly from Moscow, "Medovij Spas" Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble!
Entrance fee will be covered for international students who sign up in advance. Transportation and other details will be discussed if there is enough interest. Please sign up to participate by Monday, February 5 by sending a message to Viktoria Kolesnikova.
Join members of the International Student Connection club in attending the performance of the world-famous comedian Vince Morris. He will discuss social and personal responsibility, AIDS awareness, safe sex, peer pressure, and alcohol and drug use. With his smooth charismatic style and thought-provoking material, he challenges you to look at-and change-the negative images and stereotypes you accept in your daily life. His screen credits include The Late Late Show, segments on Comedy Central, Sex & The City and BET's Comic View. A complimentary reception follows in the Library Quad Event Tent.
To attend this event as a group with other international students, please sign up by sending a message to isc.foothill@gmail.com.
Sunday, February 18, 11:00 am, Downtown San Jose, Free admission
Join members of the International Student Connection club and International Programs in attending the annual colorful New Year Parade. The event will feature Vietnamese arts and crafts, liveperformances by famous Vietnamese entertainers, martial art demonstrations, children's games and rides, a talent show, and food booths showcasing authentic Vietnamese cuisine and other multi-cultural fare.
Transportation and other details will be discussed if there is enough interest. Please sign up to participate by Monday, February 12 by sending a message to Viktoria Kolesnikova.
The International Programs office together with the International Student Connection held a holiday coffee hour on December 6, 2006. The event included interactive games with holiday prizes and other festive activities. Photos of the coffee hour can be found in our photo
album (scroll to the bottom, on the left).
The International Programs office together with the International Student Connection club organized the first-ever Ice-Skating Trip on December 14, 2006. About 30 students and staff enjoyed the delightful ambience of the Circle of the Palms in downtown San Jose. The trip concluded with a walk through the adjacent Christmas in the Park with hundreds of holiday lights and displays. Photos of ice-skating trip can be found in our photo
album (scroll to the bottom, on the left).
If you are a new student at Foothill College and arrived for the Winter 07 quarter, please remember to turn in your Health Statement with the MMR and TB test results to the International Student Office (Room 5922) if you have not done so yet. Please note that the form DOES NOT get turned in to the Health Center office.
In observance of the President's Day holidays, the International Student Office (Room 5922 and Room 5403) WILL BE CLOSED between Friday, February 16 and Monday, February 19. We will re-open on Tuesday, February 20 at 9:00 am. Please plan accordingly. Note that weekend classes do not meet February 17 or 18.
International Student Office welcomed a new student employee, Natalija Koreka, in December 2006. Natalija is a second-year student at Foothill majoring in economics and also the captain of the tennis team. She is originally from Riga, Latvia and came to Foothill in the Spring 2005. Natalija is working as an international student assistant in Room 5403.
Yes, it is true that there is a limited number of scholarships available to F1 visa students, but you may qualify for some through the Foothill College Financial Aid Office. Check out this website: Campus Scholarships.
Are you on the soccer team with a minimum GPA of 3.0? Are you a non-smoker who is transferring? There MAY be a scholarship for you!!! It takes some time to look at each award, determine the criteria, and then apply, but it may be worth it!!! Scholarship applications are due by March 15. Get those letters of recommendations (if required) early! Don't wait until the last minute. In addition to the Foothill website, you may want to check out these sites as well: fastweb and edupass.
Did you apply for the CSU or UC for Fall 2007? If so, you should be checking your email often to make sure you are submitting requested information and updates on time. You should be receiving an email asking you to input your grades from Fall 2006 and to update your classes that you have in progress (Winter 07) and planned (Spring 07). Don't miss those deadlines and see your counselors if you have any questions!
Meetings are Thursdays at 12:00 pm in room 3102! We want to invite you to join the APIH committee to plan the cultural events and guest speakers for the Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month in April. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the APIH advisor, Debra Lew, at (650) 949-7066 or send an email to lewdebra@foothill.edu.
A special performance "Ambition Facing West" by TheatreWorks, the leading arts organization in the San Francisco peninsula, will be playing now through February 11
at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Dreams of freedom and fulfillment send a family ever westward throughout the past century, from turn-of-the-century Croatia to 1940s Wyoming and finally to 1980s Japan. Full of riches for the mind and heart, it is a wise and wonderfully evocative exploration of the immigrant experience, an intriguing tale of heritage and identity spread across generations of parents and children caught between holding close and letting go.
Student tickets are only $22. January 31st will also feature a special interaction with cast members as part of Discussion Wednesdays. Please visit Theatre Works for additional information.
If you are new to this area, skiing is a great option to explore! Lake Tahoe, located on the border of California and Nevada, has more ski resorts and terrain than any other North American destination. Most ski resorts can be reached within 3 or 4 hours by car from the Bay Area. Check out the following student discounts that we have assembled for your convenience:
Boreal
Mountain Resort: College students ride Fridays for just $10 with a college student ID.
Mt. Rose: Student Wednesdays - Present any current student ID and receive a full-day lift ticket for $21! Void holidays.
Kirkwood: Full-time students can ski or ride for just $35 Sun-Fri, non-holiday & $45 on Saturdays & holidays! Must present valid college ID and proof of full-time enrollment to receive the discount card; cost of card is $20.
Northstar: "College Weeks" - during the weeks of Jan. 22-26, March 26-30, April 2-6 and April 9-13, students can bring a valid school ID and purchase a lift ticket for just $44.
Diamond Peak: College season pass is $246 for full and $197 for midweek usage (Mon-Fri).
Squaw Valley USA: College students ski/ride at Squaw for $45 every Monday-Thursday all season. You must register and print an online coupon in advance. Additional details can be found on the Squaw Valley resort's website.
Did you know that 192 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion?
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.
In the Spotlight...
