Global Education Opportunities (GEO) Center Updates
Study Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation: Subcommittee members from Emmanuel College, MassArt, Simmons College and the GEO Center, dive into the next phase of pre-departure orientation revamp with updating and improving the handbook for travelers abroad as well as the online learning modules that all students are required to review prior to travel.
Nonresident Alien Taxes: This year marks the 10th year that the campuses have collaborated on supporting international students and scholars via the joint purchasing of tax software that specifically helps international students and scholars complete the 1040-NR (nonresident) and other federal tax forms. This will also be the third year that the COF offers tax software that also helps international students and scholars prepare their State of Massachusetts tax forms as well. With input from the International Student and Scholars Advisors Committee, we have moved to a fully self-service model of accessing the tax resources. Students will enjoy enhanced tutorials of which they can review and access 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The GEO Center will continue to be available via phone, email, and appointment to assist students with any technical issues that they might encounter along the way.
F-1 Data Management: On February 9, the International Student and Scholars Advisors Committee (ISSAC) reviewed a demo of the F-1 data management prototype in the TerraDotta software. International student advisors are now recruiting 3 students from each campus to participate in a usability test of the newly developed online process, to take place in late March/early April. Feedback from this testing will help the GEO Center to tweak the current prototype and roll out the final version for the Fall 2018 semester check-in. When the J-1 process was moved online, it reduced processing times from roughly 2 weeks to 2-3 business days. We expect that the F-1 online process will have a similar result.