<properties><property name="text">&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;Following the University&amp;#39;s recent &lt;a href=&quot;https://today.uic.edu/spring-semester-online-start-and-testing-updates&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;announcement&lt;/a&gt; that the spring 2022 semester will begin with two weeks of online instruction, the Office of International Services has decided to transition our orientation events to virtual formats only. No in-person ISO events will be held. New UIC international students can view the adjusted Virtual Spring 2022 International Student Orientation below and contact newintl@uic.edu with questions. Zoom details will be shared via email with all spring admitted international students on Jan. 5, 2022. While we are disappointed to not be able to meet in person quite yet, we look forward to virtually connecting with you soon!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;&lt;em&gt;Please note that all international students new to UIC must attend the Introduction to OIS &amp;amp; Immigration Matters session on Thursday, Jan. 6 at 10:00 a.m.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2 id=&quot;ScheduleOfEvents&quot;&gt;Schedule of Events&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;strong&gt;First Friends Virtual Social Hour&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Wednesday, Jan. 5 | 3:00-4:00 p.m.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Location: Zoom&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;(access details will be sent prior to the event)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
New and current international students participating in the First Friends program are invited to a virtual social hour where we will connect, share tips, and answer your questions about life as an international student at UIC. Zoom details will be sent to those enrolled in the First Friends program.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;mso-bidi-font-weight:normal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; line-height: 115%; font-size: 18px;&quot;&gt;Virtual International Student Orientation - Day 1&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Thursday, Jan. 6 | 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.&lt;br /&gt;
Location: Zoom (access details will be sent prior to the event)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Welcome new international students! On day one of virtual international student orientation, we will cover immigration matters, campus safety, and two engaging sessions on navigating culture. Please note that the Introduction to OIS &amp;amp; Immigration Matters session at 10:00 a.m. is &lt;u&gt;mandatory&lt;/u&gt; for all international students new to UIC.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;Sesssion Schedule&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;Welcome &amp;amp; Orientation Overview - 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.&lt;br /&gt;
Introduction to OIS &amp;amp; Immigration Matters - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. (mandatory session)&lt;br /&gt;
Campus Safety &amp;amp; Avoiding Scams - 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.&lt;br /&gt;
Break - 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.&lt;br /&gt;
U.S. American Culture 101 - 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.&lt;br /&gt;
U.S. Academic Culture &amp;amp; Faculty Tips for Success - 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;Virtual Incoming Exchange Student Orientation&lt;/u&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Friday, Jan. 7 | 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.&lt;br /&gt;
Location: Zoom (access details will be sent prior to the event)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
Incoming international students participating in the UIC Exchange Program are invited to a specialized orientation session designed to address questions specific to the exchange program and provide an opportunity to connect with OIS Advisors and fellow exchange students. Email invitations will be sent directly to exchange program participants.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Virtual International Student Orientation - Day 2&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Friday, Jan. 7 | 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.&lt;br /&gt;
Location: Zoom (access details will be sent prior to the event)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
On day two of virtual international student orientation, we will cover health and legal topics, and welcome a special guest from the CampusCare Student Health Benefit Program.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;Session Schedule&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;Healthcare &amp;amp; Health Insurance in the U.S. - 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.&lt;br /&gt;
The U.S. Legal System: What you need to know as an international student - 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;Registration &amp;amp; Fee Information&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;International students new to UIC for spring 2022 should check their latest Countdown to UIC email from newintl@uic.edu for the ISO schedule and registration information. If you are having trouble finding your email, please notify us at newintl@uic.edu. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;Please note that All incoming international students are charged a non-refundable Orientation &amp;amp; Check-in Fee of $149 to their university bill to cover the costs of new international student services and programs, regardless of ISO participation. However, there is no additional charge for participation in selected ISO events.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;Information for Graduate Student Employees&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(99, 99, 99); font-size: 1.8rem; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.8; font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box;&quot;&gt;OIS is pleased to share information from two campus partners that support graduate students employed by UIC. If you are a new international student in a graduate program and will be working at UIC as a Teaching Assistant or a Graduate Assistant, please see below for more information on these important resources.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(99, 99, 99); font-size: 1.8rem; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.8; font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;&quot;&gt;Graduate Employee Organization&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box;&quot; /&gt;
The Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) is a labor union that represents 1,400 Teaching Assistants and Graduate Assistants at UIC. Students interested in learning more about the GEO can visit their &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://uic-geo.net/mainsite/&quot; style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(51, 122, 183); text-decoration: none;&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt; and view an &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://drive.google.com/file/d/1l481cJ7FvfweE0Qu-Giwe5MXD13OR_4h/view&quot; style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(51, 122, 183); text-decoration: none;&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;informational &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;video that&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt; contains instructions on how to join.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(99, 99, 99); font-size: 1.8rem; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.8; font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;&quot;&gt;International Teaching Assistant Program&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box;&quot; /&gt;
The International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP) supports international teaching assistants and the departments that employ them. Students who will be working as teaching assistants can learn more about the ITAP on their &lt;/span&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://ita.grad.uic.edu/&quot; style=&quot;box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(51, 122, 183); text-decoration: none;&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;website&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;h2&gt;Questions?&lt;/h2&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color:#808080;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;caret-color: rgb(127, 127, 127); font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; display: inline !important; float: none;&quot;&gt;Questions regarding Spring 2022 International Student Orientation can be directed to the New International Student Team at newintl@uic.edu or by phone at +1 (312) 996-3121, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CST).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
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