International Student News - Issue 142, December 2010

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Issue 142 - December 2010

An InternationalStudent.com Publication

Welcome to the 142nd International Student Newsletter! Last month we announced the winners of the 2010 Travel Video Contest, and the judges had a hard decision on their hands with so many fantastic entries from around the world. Eventually Caitlin Collom and her video “Watch Out Scotland” won - so make sure you check it out and let us know what you think. We are also nearing a new semester in January, we cannot really believe a new year is nearly upon us, so we also have some items to help you plan ahead. Ross Mason Editor, InternationalStudent.com	In this issue: Winners Announced Study in the USA Jacksonville State Student News From the Mailbag Fun Site of the Month Student Insurance Final Word
> Travel Video Contest - Winner Announced!
She wrote it, she performed it, and boy did she sing it – congratulations to our Grand Prize Winner Caitlin Collom! Our judges were very clear this year, and we’re delighted to welcome such a talented winner. Caitlin’s video, “Watch Out Scotland”, tells the story of her desire to go to the University of Aberdeen for a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies. The narration consists entirely of the song lyrics, which tie perfectly to the video to tell the tale. Well done Caitlin! To see her video and all the other runners up, please head over to our contest page. We also have the winning videos on our YouTube Channel, so if you would like to embed any of the winning videos into your blogs or websites, please head over there.
> Study in the USA School Search
Are you looking to study in the USA? Do you want to be able to contact schools directly that you are interested in? One of the best places to start looking for schools is the InternationalStudent.com Study in the USA School Search tool. There is no cost to use the service, and it allows you to find, research and contact schools directly for free. With nearly 2,500 schools currently listed, we are the most comprehensive, up-to-date directory for those who are looking for school information for international students in the USA. Visit today to setup your free student account and start the process of contacting schools.
> English Language Institute, Jacksonville State University
If you are ready to improve your English, the English Language Institute (ELI) at Jacksonville State University is the right place for you! We offer small classes taught by experienced faculty. The ELI has 6 sessions a year with over 20 hours of classroom instruction per session. Students take classes in reading and writing, grammatical structure, listening and speaking, pronunciation, as well as classes in TOEFL preparation, American culture, and college preparatory skills. The classes are small which allows for much individualized instruction and individual attention. The ELI provides pleasant facilities, including an ELI computer lab. Reasonably priced tuition and a low cost of living make the ELI an excellent choice for any student.
> Student News From Around the World
(IIE Open Doors Report 2010) After several years in the number two position, behind India, China now sends the most international students to the USA, by a wide margin. The number of Chinese students in the USA rose almost 30% in one year, from 98,235 in last year's report to almost 128,000 this year. The Open Doors Report is compiled annually by the Institute of International Education, and this year's report was released last month during International Education Week. The report also showed strong growth in the number of Saudi students in the USA, as well as a modest 3% increase overall in the number of international students in the USA. Click here to read more about the report in the International Financial Aid Blog. http://www.internationalfinancialaidblog.com/
> From the Mailbag
This month we have a post from a student concerning the J1 visa in the USA: Hello, I am a Mtech graduate(equivalent to MS in USA) pursuing my master's degree in Biotechnology in India(2 yrs program and i'm in the first year). I had like to know if i can apply for a JI visa to go to US for a summer internship in 2011 and return back to continue by education in India?. I had like to reach out to companies to see if they will like to take me as a summer intern for me to be able to get practical experience. Can someone suggest whcih is the best way to approach companies so they help in sponsoring my J1?. I am not sure about the requirments of J1 visa and how it works. Could you please help. Thanks, Ranjana If you can help, please reply to the thread online at: http://www.internationalstudentforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10098
> Fun Site of the Month
If you are a frequent traveler, finding the best flight times and working out the best deals can often be hard. There are a number of good websites out there that will help you (such as Kayak) but one website we stumbled upon this month really caught out attention. HipMunk.com is a flight search tool with a difference - flights are given to you on a timeline grid, so you can clearly see when they takeoff, where they connect through and when they land. Its a fun tool, and a great way to visual all the flight time options that are available to you. So check it out and let us know what you think!
> International Student Insurance
With the new school semester only just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about your health and travel insurance - especially if your school requires you to find a plan for yourself or you are looking for a cheaper option. The Student Secure plan from International Student Insurance now starts at just $28/ month and will meet and exceed most school requirements. If you are looking to save some money in the new year, take a look and see what plans are available to you - the customer care team are on hand by live chat, email and phone to answer any questions and provide you with free, no obligation quotes.
> Final Word
We hope you enjoyed this month's newsletter, and best of luck to you as you pursue or help others pursue an international education! As always please contact us with any questions or comments you have about the newsletter - we love to hear from you!

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