NEWS

Since April, the Office of International Education (OIE) received $34,500 in funding to support fourteen F-1 international students thanks to the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Emergency Student Funding (ESF) relief! The ESF provides financial support to international students when emergencies in their home countries, or globally such as COVID-19, threaten to jeopardize the completion of their studies.   The OIE staff reviewed over 240 applications and nominated 27 applicants based on IIE’s criteria.  IIE ESF awarded nine international students $2,500 each for the Summer 2020 and an additional eight students received $1,500 each this Fall 2020. To further support students, the OIE provided $100 gift cards to all 27 nominated students for the online campus bookstores. The OIE and IIE received an overwhelming response to their call of nominations for the ESF: COVID-19 Response. We remain sympathetic to the challenges students are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, should additional funding become available, we will inform our students immediately.  To learn more about IIE’s Emergency Student Funding program please visit: https://www.iie.org/Programs/Emergency-Student-Fund 

Check out PowerPoint slides for information provided at the August 13 international student zoom meeting:  

International Student Updates: August 13, 2020

Topics included the following: ICE/DHS guidance update, enrollment, RCL,   travel, health insurance access, and fall student activities calendar.
Please email me with any questions you may have at mgoldberg@peralta.edu. 
Michael Goldberg
International Program Manager

International Students Meeting with OIE on July 9th
Please find the presentation and notes from the meeting here. The OIE appreciates your time and concerns and are doing what we can to support our students. 



Fall 2020 Courses

Click the icon above to view the fall 2020 classes that are listed as in-person/hybrid.
FAQ
PowerPoint Presentation
Meeting Recording
Advisors
Mental Health Counseling
FAQ
ICE/SEVP Guidance FAQ (pdf)
PowerPoint Presentation
US ICE Broadcast Message: COVID-19 and Fall 2020 (ppt)
Meeting Recording
OIE International Student Zoom Meeting 7/9/2020 (YouTube)
Advisors
Berkeley City CollegeMatthew Jones: mjones2@peralta.edu CoA | Laney | MerrittMichael Goldberg: mgoldberg@peralta.eduNew Students and Transfer ApplicantsKarla David: kdavid@peralta.eduNha Le: nle@peralta.edu 
Mental Health Counseling
The OIE learned – after the meeting that Dr. Pamela Jenkins is working with PCCD through the fall semester and not until the end of July as mentioned during the meeting.Dr. Pamela JenkinsEmail: askdrj08@gmail.comSubject Line: Peralta College Student

Earlier today the Office of International Education became aware of US ICE's Broadcast Message: COVID-19 and Fall 2020 which speaks to institutions who are delivering their coursework online this fall 2020 semester. This does not seem to impact students on Post-Completion OPT. I encourage you to read the full guidance: Broadcast Message: COVID-19 and Fall 2020 (pdf). The pdf version has additional language.

Our office will be thoroughly reviewing this guidance, monitoring any potential updates, and reaching out to our larger communities such NAFSA, SEVP Field Reps, and other leaders to address the issues that this guidance creates for our students. I have opened up a Survey where you can share your concerns and questions that you have. You can find the link in your Peralta Email. If you did not receive this message please email me from your student email and I will send you the link. 

Our office is aware that this presents many obstacles that range from the interruption in your living situation, to the financial and practical impact of obtaining flights, the delays this may cause to your academic program, as well as the various states of COVID-19 in your home country. I do not pretend to believe that this an exhaustive list and there may be other challenges as well.

We are planning on hosting a meeting later this week (via Zoom and to be announced) where we can hear directly from you and respond to your questions and concerns. We are truly sorry for what you may be going through but would like to reiterate that we are here for you in this process and would appreciate the opportunity to advise you.

Sincerely,

Thomas Torres-Gil
Director of International Education

Congrats to the Class of 2020!!! Here are the slides from today's meeting. The graduation video is now posted!May 28, 2020 International Presentation (ppt)Graduation Video from OIE (YouTube)