December is here and so brings the end of the year. This is one of the most fun months to update on, since so much has happened and there’s just as much to look forward to. Since our November newsletter, our Travel Video Contest winners have been announced, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and now we’re ready to dive in with some tips on how to take full advantage of your winter break from school. We’ll also have some advice on what you can do to save money along the way. By the time our January newsletter rolls out, you’ll be winding down your vacation and gearing up to head back to school, so we’ve compiled a Back to School Survival Kit to prepare you ahead of time.

Enjoy the newsletter and your winter break, see you in 2019!
The International Student Team

Travel Video Contest Winners

Delivering the news of the Travel Video Contest winners is one of our favorite parts of the year. We received nearly 100 eligible submissions for 2018, and we were overwhelmed by the passion behind each project. After selecting the 11 finalists, and combining them with the Viewers’ Choice winner, we relied on our esteemed judging panel to make the really difficult decisions of choosing the first, second, and third place winners. Without further ado, we’re delighted to present the winners to you:

$4000 First Place Winner: “Remembering to Live” by Mariana Barbosa of Brazil

$500 Second Place Winner: “Me and My Camera” by Prabhat Gurung of Nepal

$250 Third Place Winner: “Why Later?” by Hoang Thuy Ha of Vietnam

Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who entered. Stay up to date on Mariana’s travels to Canada this year through our blog!

Finding Loans for International Students

Lenders don’t always work with every US university, and they don’t always lend to international students, this means finding a loan as an international student can be difficult. At InternationalStudent.com we’ve created a loan-finder tool to help you quickly find a lender based upon your specific situation. If you need help funding the upcoming Spring semester, see if an international student loan is available to you.

Winter Break Necessities

It’s time for winter break! Will you go home? Visit a new city? Perhaps take that time to earn a little bit of spending money? The possibilities are endless! Whatever you decide to do, we’ve compiled some resources that will help with your necessities during your time off. From discounted flights and activities to finding a job, we’ve got your back!

Back to School Survival Kit

Before you know it, the winter break will have come and gone in a flash. By the beginning of January, you’ll be preparing to head back to school to hit the books. These back-to-school survival links should ease the transition and catapult you into the start of a great semester.

Featured Schools

Appalachian State University (ASU) offers world-class academics and a breathtaking location in the North Carolina mountains. International students find the Appalachian campus to be a safe, friendly, and convenient learning environment. If studying with serene surroundings sounds right up your alley, learn more about ASU. Read More >>

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) is located in the Black Hills of Rapid City, South Dakota. The curriculum offers a rigorous academic experience, supported by small class sizes, committed faculty members, and many student development programs and organizations. Enrollment for SDSMT opens in December, don’t miss out! Read More >>

Saint Louis University INTO Pathway is a high-quality academic destination, attracting 973 international students from more than 70 countries around the world. The university offers a pathway program for international students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry, making it a great option for ESL students. Read More >>

Going Home With a Friend During Winter Break

There’s good reason to consider visiting the home of a US friend during winter break. With what may be your limited time in this country, it’s advantageous to immerse yourself in as much American culture as possible while you’re here, and staying with a friend can be a great way of doing so.

Read more about why going home with a friend during winter break would be a great experience, and how to be a top-notch guest while you’re there.

Meet Tsvety!

Tsvetoslava Karaivanova, or Tsvety, as she is known, received two degrees from Northern Kentucky University - a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Pre-Law, and a MS in Executive Leadership and Organizational Change. Tsvety now serves as the International Student Advisor at Xavier University.

Fun facts about Tsvety: She met her husband in Ghana and is a true foodie. She always has a bowl of chocolates on her desk to share with any visitors, and traveling is a passion of hers.