Welcome to Cornell! Adjusting to the rigors of graduate student life is both rewarding and challenging. It can be even more challenging for international students who may have to adjust to a new society, culture (see section 5.6), language, and weather, and who must be aware of the immigration regulations that govern their stay. It is important to remember that you are not alone. The international students around you, 48.4% of the Engineering College's graduate student population, have gone through what you are going through right now. You should approach them for support and advice.
If you need information on immigration matters, however, we urge you not to rely only on the advice of friends and acquaintances. Immigration regulations are complex and are subject to frequent changes, especially in the recent years. You should always consult with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) if you have questions about your immigration status, including employment authorization.
The ISSO is dedicated to serving the needs of international students and foreign academic staff and their families. They are located at B-50 Caldwell Hall.We encourage you to utilize their services. The contents of the following pages will hopefully be useful in facilitating your adjustment to the US and to life as an international student at Cornell. Most of the following information, and a great deal more, can also be found at the ISSO web site: CLICK HERE. Their business hours are MTRF from 9 am to 4:30 pm and W from 1 pm to 4:30 pm.
ISSO maintains three electronic mailing lists: ISSO-NEWS-L, iPrograms-L and International-L. The instructions for subscribing to them are available on the web site of ISSO.
ISSO-NEWS-L is a restrictive list and all international students are registered in it. Only ISSO can send mail to subscribers of this list, and the information disseminated in this list concentrates in immigration issues, changes, new requirements, etc... So please make sure you read them.
iPrograms-L e-list is used for receiving announcements about activities organized by the ISSO, like trips, and non-immigration programs. If you want to receive this information you need to subscribe to it.
International-L has a threefold purpose: to serve as an additional channel to hear your voices, opinions, and in general, your feedback about the services ISSO provides; to disseminate information related to international students and scholars quicker and more accurately; to be used as a bulletin board for student organizations and as well as by individuals. This list also has open membership.
Other invaluable sources of information are student
organizations. This could be the easiest way to meet students
from your own country. For the most recent listing of student
organizations check out
CLICK HERE). There are more than 150
different international student groups on campus; many countries
and cultures are represented. Furthermore, anyone can join any
international student group; if your home country is not
represented or if you are interested in learning about another
culture, these groups can be a great resource.