Welcome to the Office of International Education (OIE) “J-Buzz” monthly newsletter! OIE is thrilled to provide a dedicated space for participants in the BridgeUSA program.

J-1 exchange visitors at Georgia Tech—whether Research Scholars, Short-term Scholars, Student Interns, degree-seeking students, or Fulbright participants—can stay informed with valuable BridgeUSA program updates, connect with advisors, and discover programming events on campus and in the surrounding community.

Hi there! My name is Kimberly Young, and I’m one of the Associate Directors of International Student and Scholar Services within OIE. I have the pleasure of overseeing the BridgeUSA program. I joined Georgia Tech in 2023 and bring over 20 years of experience in international education. I’m passionate about this field and love supporting scholars in achieving their goals. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, antiquing, line dancing, and spending time with friends and family.

Hi friends! My name is Sarah Scott. I have worked as an international student and scholar advisor for 8 years with 5 of those years being at Georgia Tech. I have always been drawn to the field of international education and love working with J-1 Exchange Visitors to help them feel welcome and supported during their time in the U.S.. In my free time I enjoy cooking, crafting, seeing live music, and spending time with my dog (Bela) and 2 cats (Muffin & Nathan).

As a reminder, before traveling outside the United States, check any travel advisories on the U.S. Department of State website here.

When traveling outside the United States, be sure to request an updated travel signature on your DS-2019. Travel signatures are good for 6 months to 1 year, depending on your J-1 category. Requesting a travel signature is easy; simply log into istart.gatech.edu and submit the travel signature e-form under the appropriate menu for your status and category. 

If you are planning to be outside the U.S. for more than 30 days during your J-1 program, ensure you request the out-of-country authorization through the travel signature e-form.

No travel signature is needed when traveling within the United States.

Visit OIE’s Travel website for additional resources on traveling outside the United States.

Visit OIE's updated FAQ here.

The Department of State mandates that all J-1 visa holders and J-2 dependents maintain health insurance for the duration of their program. Be sure to renew your health insurance before it expires and submit an updated copy of your policy coverage to OIE.
For more information on health insurance requirements, please visit our website here. 

As a reminder, if you receive an email from OIE regarding the expiration date of your health insurance. You must update insurance documents via iStart through the J Scholar or J Student Intern Immigration Document Update E-form. 

Do you need additional time to complete your research project? Coordinate with your hosting department’s HR administrator to request an extension of your DS-2019. They will submit the request on your behalf for OIE's review.

Please visit our website for more information about the extension process and eligibility requirements. 

GTPD Phone: (404) 894-2500
GTPD Email: crimeprevention@police.gatech.edu
OIE Scam Information: https://isss.oie.gatech.edu/content/scams-101

Effective immediately, the Department of State has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants scheduling visa interview appointments:

Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.

Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere.  See the list below to determine the designated location for NIV applications.

For more information, please visit this webpage.

OIE has created a J-1 Pre-Arrival Guide with information regarding visa applications, housing, transportation, health insurance, and more! While you may already be here on campus, this guide can still be useful to you for various different resources. Looking for local international grocers? Looking to change your cell phone plan or banking institution? Want to learn more about campus resources? It's all in there! 

You can access the J-1 Pre-Arrival Guide here! 

On December 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced a major update to the Exchange Visitor Skills List (2024 Skills List), which removed 37 countries from the list.

US Department of State Resources

About the Exchange Visitor Skills List

Advisory Opinion Guidance

2009 Skills List

2024 Skills List

Social Security Administration representatives will be on campus on the following dates to accept SSN applications; no appointment is needed.

September 18 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p. m., 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Exhibition Hall – Old Fourth Ward

You will need to bring the following documents (originals and copies) to apply for your SSN:

1. You must complete J Scholar or Student Intern Check In and get confirmation that it has been approved by our office before you can apply for an SSN. Your SEVIS record must be active when applying and is not active until we process your check in e-form.

2. If you have been in the US before and were issued an SSN, that is still your SSN. It is a permanent lifetime use number.

3. If you are employed or paid by Georgia Tech, you are required to get an SSN. If you are not employed or paid by Georgia Tech, you are not required to apply for one but you are still eligible to do so.

REVIEW OUR SSN WEBPAGE HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

All new J-1 Scholars and Student Interns are required to attend a mandatory orientation session with OIE after their arrival. If you have not attended an orientation session yet, please see our website here for the schedule of orientations and to register for the next one.

Next Orientation Session: September 26th 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://gatech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bLgbLEzcSyWvBzsxmTwEOw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

International Education Week (IEW) is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. As a joint initiative by the U.S. Departments of State and Education, IEW promotes global learning, cultural exchange, and the value of studying abroad. It encourages students, educators, and communities to explore international opportunities and share diverse perspectives. This year, IEW will be held from September 29th through October 3rd. During this time, exchange students and international programs are highlighted through events and activities that foster cross-cultural understanding and global connections. We invite you to join us in recognizing how international education builds bridges between people and nations, prepares students to thrive in a global society, and helps create a more interconnected world. More details about individual events and activities will be shared as the date approaches, so stay tuned, and don’t miss this exciting week of learning, sharing, and celebrating global engagement!

GTLI offers English language courses to both J-1's and their J-2 spouses. They are a great opportunity to practice your English language skills, meet new people, and make connections. You can learn more about these classes here. 

Looking for activities around Atlanta? Explore Discover Atlanta for year-round family fun!

Visit OIE's webpage here for a list of attractions and restaurants in and around Atlanta.

Waiting out the Weather

Buzz was eager to hit the trails this past July, but Mother Nature had other plans. Every time he geared up for an adventure, he was met with either heavy rainstorms or scorching heat – conditions not ideal for a safe hike. Instead of braving the elements, Buzz took the opportunity to plan ahead. He explored new trails he’s excited to try once the weather cools down, using the Discover Georgia Outdoors website to fuel his enthusiasm. This handy resource lets you search for trails by region, difficulty, type, distance, and terrain – perfect for hikers of all levels.

And if you’re new to hiking and unsure where to begin, Buzz has a tip: Georgia State Parks offer guided hikes for beginners! It’s a great way to learn the ropes while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Would you like a spotlight in our newsletter? 

Submit yours here!

Talking points and photo ideas include:

Groundbreaking research you've been involved in (please do not include any classified information. Write in layman's terms for all to understand)

Your favorite food from either your home country or that you've had in the U.S.

Your experience in the U.S. as an exchange visitor

Your favorite place you've visited in the U.S.

A fun activity you've engaged in while in the U.S.

What you do in your free time

Tell us about yourself or your family

The Atlanta Metro & Georgia school system offers a wide variety of public, private, and specialty schools. Public schools are free to attend, and you can register your children online anytime. To attend a public school, you will have to be “zoned” for that school. This means that your place of residence will determine which public school your child can attend. Private schools are not free to attend (you must pay tuition every month) and sometimes require a supplemental application to determine whether your child qualifies to attend. You do not have to be “zoned” for a private school. There is oftentimes a bus system for public schools that will pick up and take home your children every day. Private schools often do not provide transportation to and from school.

Follow these links to research the school rankings in the Atlanta Metro area to choose the best option for your child: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-school-districts/m/atlanta-metro-area/

Follow these links to research our school systems and register your child for school: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/

Your J-2 spouse can apply for work authorization in the US by filing a Form I-765 with USCIS. When the Form I-765 is approved, USCIS will mail your spouse a plastic work card known as “EAD” or “Employment Authorization Document”. Without this work card, your spouse cannot work in the US and will not be eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN).

J-2 dependent spouses are eligible to enroll in classes at any college or university in the U.S. either part time or full time in a vocational or degree seeking capacity.

GTLI offers English language courses to both J-1's and their J-2 spouses. They are a great opportunity to practice your English language skills, meet new people, and make connections. You can learn more about these classes here. 

Have Questions Related to your Sponsorship and/or GT?

We understand that your Fulbright advisors will manage your J-1 immigration status, but as your local International Office, we would like to complement their support.

You can find information and/or get in contact with us in the following ways:

Visit our Sponsored Student website

Submit any questions or concerns to jscholars@oie.gatech.edu

Come to Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours or book an appointment with the GT J-1 Advisor

New Student Resources: https://isss.oie.gatech.edu/ISSS_New

Fulbright Online: Foreign.FulbrightOnline.org

IIE Student Portal: Portal.iie.org

Wellness Resources: Our Fill Your Cup landing page provides an overview of holistic wellness resources available at Georgia Tech. For more information, please visit: https://isss.oie.gatech.edu/isss/fillyourcup