Student Resources

Day Three

May 12, 2023

• Orientation

Set up your US Phone

You will have your first academic advising meeting during orientation.

Additionally, the UOPI Academic Team will meet with you regularly during your program to keep you informed about about program completion requirements, to connect you to Pacific services, and to support you with longterm planning for your studies.

Academic Advising Questions? Please contact studentservices@uopinternational.org.

For English language tutoring, please visit the Tutoring Module on the UOPI Canvas page.For support with writing and research assignments in

Pacific courses, please visit: http://pacificwritingcenter.weebly.com/

For peer tutoring in any Pacific course, such as Biology, Math, Economics and so on, please visit: https://pacific.mywconline.com/

Pacific offers many additional student support services such as assistance with career planning, and counseling and psychological services. For more detail, please visit: https://www.pacific.edu/student-life/student-services

Individuals with F-1 student visa status are required to show proof of COVID vaccination in order to enter the US. Vaccinations must align with the US’s approved list of COVID-19 vaccines. Only two exceptions apply:

1. Student is from a country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability (see list here ).
2. Student is under 18 at the time of travel.

Effective December 06, 2021 – all international travelers (regardless of vaccination status) must show results of a negative coronavirus test taken one day prior to their flight’s departure from a foreign country traveling to the United States.

If neither vaccine exceptions apply to you and you remain unvaccinated, you may not be able to enter the US on the date of your scheduled travel.

For those passengers traveling under one of the above exceptions they must complete and present the Combined Covered Attestation Form to the airline at the time of departure. Passengers must be prepared to answer questions regarding Section 4 of the form and should have a clear understanding of their school’s COVID policies.

For immigration advising and policy guidance, please contact IPS:
www.pacific.edu/academics/international-programs-and-services

International students are required to submit proof of sufficient funds to cover educational expenses in the U.S. in order to obtain a SEVS I-20. Having obtained an I-20, signing it and either entering the U.S. or filing a change of status to F-1 you agree to have funds available for the duration of your studies. It is important, therefore, that you responsibly plan and manage your finances.

All international students, scholars and their dependents (F-1, F-2, J-1 and J-2 who have been in the United States the previous calendar year) who are non-residents for tax purposes MUST file tax Form 8843 regardless of whether they worked or not.

For more information, review the info provided by the IPS Website: https://students.pulse.pacific.edu/documents/ips/ISSS/ISSS%20WYNTK%20Taxes.pdf

Disclaimer
Remember! UOPI and IPS advisors are NOT experts in income taxes and thus, cannot advise or assist you in filing your returns. The information on this webpage is provided as a service to enrolled international students. The information does not constitute tax advice and staff cannot assist with the preparation or completion of individual tax return forms.

Student Universe

Discounted Flights

Use Student Universe for discounted international flights as well as flights within the US on trips with your friends!! Get the best deals when you need them and benefit from 24-hour risk-free cancellation.

For up-to-date information, please visit: https://www.pacific.edu/academics/international-programs-and-services

On-campus employment refers to any employment that is paid by Pacific with the physical work site located on the campus the F-1 student is authorized to attend or for a company that holds a contract with Pacific to offer services directly to Pacific students on the Pacific campus the F-1 student is authorized to attend. F-1 students should meet with the International Student Advisor before beginning any work with a non-Pacific company to verify whether the position will be considered on-campus.

F-1 students can work up to 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer semester and other university breaks, F-1 students can work up to 40 hours per week provided they will enroll in the upcoming fall semester.

F-1 students who are employed need a Social Security Number (SSN). Once a student receives a job offer, the student should request an Social Security Letter (and attach a copy of the job offer letter) from IPS. Once the student has all necessary documents, the student must go to the Social Security Administration office.

The Career Accelerator program—an exclusive service for students enrolled in UOP International–helps you develop your professional skills, get an internship, and launch your career. With opportunities in one of the most vibrant U.S. cities at your fingertips, your career path starts here. For more information, please contact Brittany Chill at brittany.chill@shorelight.com.

Students and alumni can use Handshake to find full-time, part-time, internship, co-op, and on-campus job opportunities. On Handshake, you can schedule advising appointments, connect with employers, register for events, and more! Visit pacific.joinhandshake.com to explore job openings.

University of the Pacific Career Services

https://www.pacific.edu/student-life/academic-advising-and-career-services/career-services-center

University of the Pacific Career Services supports you in developing and achieving career goals that lead to a meaningful life. Career Services offer services like career advising, job and internship help, resume and cover letter writing help, and graduate school planning. Maybe you’re not sure what you want to major in or what you want to do in a future job — we can help you with that, too. Our career assessments can help you learn more about your interests, personality type, and which career options and majors might be best suited for you.

You can make an appointment on your first day at University of the Pacific. Our Tigers on Pace program is a four-year plan that allows you to pursue options and be prepared for graduation. However, you can jump in this plan at any point.

Most students think they have to wait a certain amount of time to be eligible for internships, jobs, or even job shadowing opportunities. We are here to dispel that myth and help you get connected to employers as soon as you are ready. Supporting you in achieving your version of success is our primary goal.

Even our alumni can receive free career services for life. As soon as you’re ready to start talking about your career, we are ready to support you in your journey.

Events we regularly host include:

• A career fair each semester
• A nonprofit career fair
• Mock interviews with employers
• Workshops on resumes, cover letters, social media, and more

Career Premium

Master the in-demand skills global employers seek that you won’t learn in the classroom. Boost your portfolio — and save money — with certifications and projects that demonstrate your new qualifications and make you a competitive candidate in today’s job market. It all starts with Career Premium! Enroll today for an incredible value: Many bootcamps and courses can range up to $14,000 per course* — but with Career Premium, you can upskill in as many available courses as you like during your studies, all included in your $2,000 Career Premium enrollment fee!

Career Premium Certificates

Designed for computer science, engineering, and business students, each certificate program was inspired by elite university preparatory programs tailored for growing careers. Career Premium student internship projects have included software development, website design, virtual reality, digital content creation, project management, AI, and more at leading employers.

Certification 1 : Design Thinking – develop effective approaches to problem-solving
Designed for business/MBA, computer science, data science, engineering, information systems, and marketing majors

Certification 2 : Social Entrepreneurship** – foster widespread positive change
Designed for business/MBA, engineering, entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing majors

Certification 3 : Global Citizenship** – thrive in diverse environments
Designed for business/MBA, computer science, engineering, finance, and international business majors

Completed internships include

Credentials + certification prep offered include

*Stanford Executive Education Design Thinking Bootcamp

**Endorsed by the University of Peace – UN Charter

Flexible Student Loan Plans for International Students

For most international students, obtaining financial aid to support their studies can be challenging, especially without a qualified co-signer. To help fund international students’ education journey in the US, Shorelight is collaborating with MPower Financing and Prodigy Finance, international student loan servicers. Both provide flexible student loan plans for international students pursuing degrees at eligible US colleges and universities, without the usual requirements of a cosigner, collateral, or US credit history. They offer fixed-rate loans up to $100,000 with 1.5% in interest rate discounts.

Find international student loans with MPower Financing and Prodigy Finance.

1. EAP Program
   EAP students must pass both UOPI English language courses in EAP Term 1 and EAP Term 2 with 73%. If a student receives less than 73% in a UOPI English language course, they may repeat it once. If students do not pass both English language courses, they may have to repeat both. A second failure of an English language course will result in dismissal from the accelerator program/UOP.Students must earn a cumulative GPA = 2.0 for Pacific courses and for UOPI courses (separately, not a combined GPA) to successfully complete the program and progress to full Pacific student status. Students in the Schoole of Engineering and Computer Science must earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 in their Pacific courses to enter their programs.
2. AAP Program
   AAP students must pass both UOPI English language courses in AAP Term 1 with minimum 73%. If a student receives less than 73% in a UOPI English language course, they may repeat it once. If you repeat a course, it means you finish the AAP program with fewer Pacific units. A second failure of an English language course will result in dismissal from the accelerator program/UOP. Students must earn a cumulative GPA = 2.0 for Pacific courses and for UOPI courses (separately, not a combined GPA) to successfully complete the program and progress to full Pacific student status. Students in the Schoole of Engineering and Computer Science must earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 in their Pacific courses to enter their programs.
3. ID Program
   ID students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 to stay in good standing with University of the Pacific and continue their program of study. An ID student with a GPA less than 2.0 may be subject to probation or disqualification by the university.
4. AMAP
   AMAP students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 to progress to direct graduate studies.
5. Graduate Pre-Sessional English to Accelerator Programs
   Graduate students in the Pre-Sessional English programs (full-time English study) must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 to progress into the MAP, AMAP or Graduate Direct programs.

Housing Options – San Francisco Campus
There is no on-campus housing in San Francisco. However, UOPI does refer students to Kapi, a provider of furnished housing in the Bay Area: kapihousing.com
For additional detail on off-campus housing, please also visit: dental.pacific.edu/student-life/housing-dining/residential-life-and-housing/san-francisco-housing

Academic Skills Tutors

Alicia Coe

I am Alicia Coe. I have been teaching English for academic purposes and critical writing at several universities in Europe and the United States for 17 years. Apart from teaching, I work as a curriculum developer, a writing consultant for undergraduate and graduate students, a copyeditor, and a Cambridge examiner. I am experienced in teaching international students; therefore, I can provide different learning approaches depending on the cultural background of each student.

Amanda Wilcox

I am Amanda Wilcox. Originally, I hail from Macon, Georgia, where I studied Biology and Spanish at Mercer University. After teaching foreign language for about 5 years, I began a master’s degree at Auburn University. Upon graduating, I continued to teach Spanish at the university and eventually began teaching in the ESL Department, where I found my calling. I have been involved in teaching, tutoring, and curriculum writing for international students learning English ever since. In total, I have nearly 20 years of experience teaching all ages from young children to adults in an academic setting.

Bianca Coria

I am Bianca Coria. I have eight years of experience teaching English at various levels in Asia and the United States. I currently work as an English instructor and course developer, and I hold certifications in TESOL, TEFL, and TEYL. I have experience working with students of all ages, from toddlers to adults from various backgrounds. In addition to enjoying my career, I also enjoy meeting new people, visiting new places, tasting new foods, and spending time with my family. I love working with students, and I strive to create a positive and enjoyable environment. I look forward to working with you.

Math/Computer Science Tutor

Dipen Bhuva

I am Dipen Bhuva. I am a PhD student in Computer Science at the Cleveland State University and have a Masters graduate from Northeastern University in Information Security. I am also a certified Network+ by Comptia, Certified Ethical Hacker, RH-11 Expert Hacker, RedHat Server Certified Engineering and am Amazon Web Service (Cloud) certified. For my “extraordinary dedication and teaching,” I was granted an “excellent achievement for Graduate Assistantship” from CSU. I will be happy to help with any problems and solutions related to computer science: Programming, Networking, Server engineering, Cloud, Statistic, Advanced Mathematics and Cyber Security.

• Academic writing – generating ideas, organizing, summarizing, paraphrasing, revising/editing
• Research skills: Finding credible sources and academic articles
• Understanding academic integrity; avoiding plagiarism
• MLA & APA citations and format
• Academic presentation preparation and practice
• Time management – weekly planning, semester-long planning
• Reading strategies
• Note-taking skills
• Test preparation strategies
• Class and groupwork participation strategies
• Discussion skills
• Grammar rules and practice
• Academic communication etiquette – emails, office hours, requesting letters of recommendation
• Business writing – emails, reports, meeting summaries
• Career development – resume and cover letter writing

• Building math confidence for students who struggle with math
• General and Foundational Math help at any level
• Calculus including Calc 1 and Calc 2
• Algebra and Linear Algebra
• Topology
• Category Theory
• Algorithms
• Differential Equations
• Programming, Networking, and Server Engineering
• Cloud, Statistics, and Cyber Security