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This video is to address the unique needs of international students and English language
learners. By the end of this section, you will be able to (a) describe Transitions Orientation
and determine if it’s appropriate for you to attend; (b) describe the Madison International
Learning Community and determine if you want to apply; (c) understand that completing the
immunization form takes more time for students with primary doctors outside the U.S.; (d)
determine your appropriate writing placement; (e) identify General Education requirements
that you may want to take after your first semester; and escribe how full-time enrollment
can impact you, and potentially your immigration status. Let’s start by talking about Transitions
Orientation. International students, global nomads, and U.S. students living abroad are
invited (and encouraged) to attend Transitions orientation! This orientation enables you
to grasp new conceptsout U.S. American culture and student life. For more information, visit
www.jmu.edu/international/transitions. Contact Thomas Lavenir at lavenitp@jmu.edu or +1 540-568-7314
with questions or for additional information. You can also join the Madison International
Learning Community to create and maintain connections with fellow JMU students that
are globally minded. This is a unique opportunity to live and take classes with a small group
of students who share your interest in developing intercultural competence and connection to
JMU’s global community. To learn more about this and other learning communities at JMU,
visit www.jmu.edu/orl/involved/learningcommunities.html. If you are interested in joining a learning
community, you must apply; this is reviewed in the First Year Housing Contract OneBook
step. In addition to thinking about your social and cultural transition, it is important to
think about your health and other students’ health. In the OneBook, there is a step titled,
“My Immunization Form.” Start completing this step as soon as possible. When your family
doctor is located outside of the United States, this step takes more time to complete. When
you click “Complete Your Immunization Form,” you’ll notice that the form is translated
into Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai,
and Vietnamese for your convenience. Don’t wait to start working on this step, because
if you don’t complete this form by the deadline on the OneBook step, you will be charged a
non-refundable $50 fee, and a registration hold will be placed on your account that prevents
you from changing your schedule. You’ll notice the immunization form is also referred
to as the health record. Now let’s turn to your classes. Writing in English is an
important component of every student’s academic experience. Your 1st Semester Enrollment Worksheet
will help you determine your writing placement in WRTC 100 or GWRTC 103. In the Enrollment
Worksheet, you will be asked if you anticipate credit for a college-level English writing
course. If you select no, you will be asked if English is your first language. Whether
you answer yes, or no, you will have the choice of taking GWRTC 103 or WRTC 100 for your first
college-level writing course. Do not make a selection before you complete the Writing
Evaluation Form. Answering these questions honestly will give you the best advice on
whether you should take WRTC 100 or GWRTC 103. After you finish the questions, click
the button in the bottom left-hand corner. Based on your answers to the questions, you
may be advised to register for GWRTC 103, or WRTC 100. Remember, this placement advice
is to help you be successful at JMU. We want you to take the writing class that will provide
you the best balance of challenge and support to improve your writing abilities and knowledge.
If you have questions or concerns about your writing placement after you complete the Writing
Evaluation Form, contact Heather Patterson at patterhj@jmu.edu or +1 540-568-4710. Once
you feel confident about which writing course you should take, mark your Enrollment Worksheet
for GWRTC 103, or WRTC 100. In addition to writing, there are other considerations for
General Education classwork. First, you’ll want to consider when you take your Cluster
I: Human Communication class.These classes provide an overview of interpersonal, small
group, and public communication environments. Public speaking is required for all GCOM classes.
Therefore, if you are not confident with your English speaking abilities, you may strongly
want to consider taking this class during your second semester at JMU. Second, you’ll
want to consider when you take your Cluster IV: American Experience class. These classes
provide students with an understanding of the major themes and concepts that structure
American life today. These classes are traditionally challenging for students that have lived in
the US for less than one year, because the classes are rooted in US culture and knowledge.
Therefore, you may strongly want to consider taking this class after your first year at
JMU. With your classwork, you want to average 15 credits per semester to graduate in four
years, as was outlined in the Academic Curriculum Overview. If you are concerned about taking
14-16 credits during your first semester, please consult with your Advisor about your
options. It is important to remember, though, that 12 credit hours is “officially” full-time
status. Maintaining full-time status may be important for you because of your visa status,
financial aid (if you aren’t studying here on a visa), health or car insurance, scholarships,
or other commitments you have that require you be a full-time student. Students on an
F-1 or J-1 Visa are required to be a full-time student every fall and spring semester to
maintain immigration status. For limited reasons, exceptions can be made after the start of
the semester to take below 12 credit hours, but you must get authorization from International
Student Scholar Services prior to dropping below 12 credits. That’s it! Those are some
of the unique considerations that you may have. As stated in the objectives, by this
point you should be able to (a) describe Transitions Orientation and determine if it’s appropriate
for you to attend; (b) describe the Madison International Learning Community and determine
if you want to apply; (c) understand that completing the immunization form takes more
time for students with primary doctors outside the U.S.; (d) determine the appropriate writing
placement into WRTC 100 or GWRTC 103; (e) identify two General Education requirements
that you may want to take after your first semester; and (f) describe how full-time enrollment
can affect you. If you do not feel comfortable with these objectives, please take time to
re-watch this video or visit the following references with more information.