Category: Getting to Campus

Molly Mirabelli: CGE’s Newest Addition to the 22-23 Year!

The Center for Global Engagement is very glad to welcome Molly Mirabeli as the CGE- Assistant. Molly oversees the student staff alongside very crucial responsibilities in our office. Therefore, on Wednesday October 12th, she invited all the student staff to a welcome dinner where she wanted to bond with us and to get to know more about us. Molly had a solid plan to go through multiple important aspects of our work requirements. She talked about work ethics, responsibilities, and other tasks.There was actually no ice to break between the student staff and Molly. Rafia, Sophie, Alyssa, Emma and I connected with Molly on different levels.

 

Molly recently graduated from Saint Mary’s College, where she gained an interest in the impact of political instability and conflict on women’s social and political rights. While she has worked in a variety of research and administrative positions, Molly is passionate about international higher education and fostering connections with like-minded global citizens. When she isn’t working, Molly enjoys scuba diving, travel, and cooking. She also discussed her love of reading books, and mentioned some of her role models, including Dr. Nemam Ghafouri and bell hooks. 

Molly had tasteful treats for us to munch on during our long conversations. She had home-made cookies, Italian pizza, garlic bread, and Fettuccine Al Fredo. We had to make sure we took pictures in the most unique way, so we took multiple polaroids and hung them in her office.

Our meeting was effortlessly friendly and easy-going as she also got to know more about our majors, music taste, where we come from and other interests. Communication was a very easy task as we shared the same opinions and started planning for future CGE projects.

By: Yassine Kefi

Traveling for the First Time?

Hello! If you are an international student that has never flown internationally or are unsure about the flight process, I am here to help! We will all be coming from different airports, but we will all end up in LAX. I will do my best to walk you through the process! First let me list all the documents you will need for your travels. Make sure you keep these documents in your CARRY ON.

  1. I-20
  2. Passport
  3. Visa
  4. I-94 (If you have travelled to the US before, if not you will print it once you arrive)
  5. Proof of Negative Covid Test
  6. Class schedule

Once you have prepared all of this, you are set. When you get to the airport you are departing from, they will most likely ask for your passport & covid test. This process is usually quick, you will check in your bags, go though airport security and will be ready to go to your gate. You will receive a CBP Traveler Entry Form once you are on the plane, fill this in anytime during your flight. 

Once you get to LAX, you will go through immigration, where you will show all the documents listed above. They will ask a couple questions and will ask to see your passport and I-20. You will also need the CBP Traveler Entry Form you received on the plane. You will then grab your bags and hand the CBP Form to the officers at the exit. You will then go to either the pick up spot, wait for a shuttle bus (if you have reserved it), or get onto a bus to go to the uber pick up area. 

IF you have a layover, you will go through immigration there, in which you will show all your documents then. You will show the documents listed above, along with the CBP Traveler Entry Form to the immigration agent. Note that sometimes you will need to get your bags and drop them off in a designated area. You will need to hand the CBP Form to leave. You will then be able to go to the gate for your next flight. 

When you get to LAX after a layover in the US, you will not need to go through immigration. You will go to pick up your bags and you will be able to leave LAX as soon as you have your belongings. That’s about it! Sometimes they can take you in for a second screening, but as long as you have all your documents you should be all good. Safe Travels!

By: Emma Kohara