International Student Support
We are here to support our international students with the tools and information they need to feel informed and prepared.
With recent changes affecting visa holders, we encourage you to consider some steps when traveling internationally.
To help avoid unexpected issues:
- Always carry original or hard copies of your immigration documents with you (not just digital versions) when you're in transit.
- Keep an eye on expiration dates for documents, stamps, and signatures. Make sure your I-20 is still valid before you go.
- Try to arrive in the U.S. during regular business hours, when Customs and Border Protection officers are more available and things tend to run more smoothly.
- If an immigration officer has questions about your status, it is important to stay calm.
- Leave extra time between connecting flights in case of delays or longer security checks.
- Be aware of what’s on your phone, laptop and social media accounts, since your devices can be subject to search.
- Choose a few emergency contacts, memorize their phone numbers, and let them know you might need to reach them quickly while you're traveling.
- Don’t overpack. Skip the extra snacks, herbs or medicines you don’t absolutely need. Just bring the essentials such as clothing, technology and anything you need for school.
We're here to help. Safe travels!
If you have questions or concerns, reach out to:
Ingrid Knowles, director of student affairs, iknowles@brooksschool.org
Sheila Konovalchik, SEVIS, DSO, skonovalchik@brooksschool.org
Weijia "Amy" Wang, advisor for international student support and global initiatives, Chinese teacher, wwang@brooksschool.org
