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Congratulations! We are delighted you are nearing the completion of your academic program and wish you every success in the future. Please find below a few notes on grace periods, records, preparing for home, and a handy checklist for departure.
Grace Periods: F1 visa holders are allowed to remain in the States 60 days after completion of program and J1 holders have 30. Students who have applied for or have already received approval for an alternate visa status may remain in the U.S. The time indicated on your I-20/ DS 2019 does not allow you to remain in the U.S. unless you are continuing to study full-time to fulfill your program requirements.
Records: Be sure to keep all old immigration documents. In the event that you have any contact with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services in the future, they may request all previously issued immigration documents. ISS keeps your file for three years from the date of graduation or until the end of a practical training.
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Preparing for Home: Many of you will be preparing to return home, with your US degree in hand, and wondering what lies in store for you there. Have you thought about what it will be like to go home after all these years of studying abroad? The following are some ideas extracted from "Going Home" by Martha Denney, Colorado State University, along with our own:
Sometimes people returning home find it is more difficult than their original adjustment to the U.S. They expected some difficulty when first arriving to study abroad, but adjusting to home? But while away, they have changed and their friends and family have changed too.
Here are some ways you can prepare:
- Be prepared for an adjustment process. Give yourself time to work through what you are feeling and give your family time. Remain flexible, keep laughing and try not to do too much too fast.
- Many people will want to know "What is it like in the U.S.?" They listen for a few minutes and then tell you something important that has happened in their lives. After a while they do not ask at all! Give short answers and focus on just a few things that you did while in the U.S. Be sensitive and interested in the news they are sharing with you.
- Reserve judgment. Give yourself time to process what you learned and think through the larger impact of introducing new ways of doing things. Try new things...but not immediately.
- Try not to idealize the U.S. or criticize your own country...and vice versa. Attempt to remain objective. Be careful about how you phrase your comments and criticism about your country.
- Find UW-Madison alumni, graduates of other U.S. institutions, or Americans to discuss your experiences with. They will probably welcome the chance to talk about their experiences too. The Wisconsin Alumni Association web page containing a list of international alumni clubs may be found at: http://www.uwalumni.com/international.
- Have fun and enjoy being home!
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Pre-departure Checklist: Here is a handy list of tasks to consider when moving:
- Call to have your phone and long distance service, utilities, and cable services terminated by your moving date. You'll need to return your phone if you leased it.
- Clear all of your bank accounts, pay the balance on all outstanding bills. You may need to call to ensure that your account(s) have been cleared.
- Notify your landlord of your moving date and be sure to discuss the procedure for checking out at the end of your lease. This is especially important if you will be moving before the end of the contract date or if you have a refund on your security deposit.
- Sell your automobile if you have one. Be sure to have the title transferred before you leave. If that is not possible, sign a power of attorney form and leave it with the person selling the automobile.
- File any medical insurance claims if they are still outstanding. Pay the balance that you owe.
- Cancel any magazine or newspaper subscriptions.
- Clear any accounts with the university and leave your home address so your final paycheck, if applicable, can be mailed to you. Failure to clear your accounts could result in your diploma being held.
- Leave your permanent home address with your department, faculty supervisor and others who might wish to be in contact with you. Return any department keys.
- Determine shipping regulations to your home country by asking the U.S. Post Office. Ask about special rates for mailing books.
- Check with the airline that you will be using to fly home and ask about specific regulations on the weight and size of suitcases, excess baggage, and airfreight costs. The regulations can vary by country and carrier.
- Consult your embassy or consulate to determine what customs regulations you will need to consider when taking your belongings home.
- Make arrangements for transportation to the airport. Be sure to arrive early especially if you have a lot of baggage. Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours early for international flights.
- Fill out forwarding address forms at the Post Office.
- Sell or give away any furniture or contact the Madison Friends of International Students at 263-4010. MFIS will take the donations and give to future international students.
- Notify friends of your new home address.
- Leave your forwarding address with your landlord so that s/he can return what is left of the security deposit.
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It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with you.
Best wishes,
ISS
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