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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

10/29/2018

Click here to October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is the time of year when the spotlight is on the importance of early detection, research and how others can support this major health concern. While donations are always accepted and appreciated to fund ways to find cures, there are other ways you can contribute to help make a difference to this community.
Here are some places you can check out to volunteer your time to help others.

American Breast Cancer Foundation: http://www.abcf.org/
American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/involved/volunteer.html
Breast Cancer Action: https://www.bcaction.org/

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Benefits of being involved with on campus activities

9/21/2018

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With every new school year, you can guarantee that there will be days dedicated to showcasing on campus clubs and organizations. One of the main reasons for these events is to boost student involvement and encourage a sense of school spirit. As an international student, it is the best opportunity for you. Why? Let’s take a look!

Meet new people and development lifelong friendship
Challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things
Networking opportunities
Develop your conversation and socializing skills
Helps you figure out what your passions and goals
Connect with your school community and adapt easier to your new surroundings
Build your leadership skills

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Healthy ways to deal with culture shock

9/21/2018

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Culture shock can happen to the best of us regardless if you are an international student or not. Starting a new life in a new country takes time and a whole lot of patience before you can adapt to the changes. For many first year international students, culture shock can have an impact and knowing how to deal with it is very important. Here are some things you can do that can help you adjust.
Learn as much as you can, while you can. Reading about a country and its culture is good as well as interacting with those who lived or visited there. Absorb the good and the bad, learn from it and apply it each day as you go along.

Let positivity be your guide. Be hopeful that things will get better and try to focus more on the positive then the negative. The key is finding the balance.
Make goals and achieve them. Go the old fashion way and sit down with a pen and paper and make a list of things you would like to achieve while you are in the U.S. This will help you stay focused and motivate you to keep pushing each day.
A healthy distraction keeps your mind and feelings off of homesickness and doubts. It boosts your motivation level and introduces you to new things. Volunteer, get involved on campus or just be more active. Whatever it is that makes you happy, go out and do it.

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ISO's role in the international student community

8/31/2018

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We offer health insurance for every stage of your international student life. From F1 student, to your Optional Practical Training, to even if you decide to be on H1B. We make these plans not only budget friendly but also comprehensive to provide the necessary coverage our members need.

Our company is with you every step of the way. However, our role as plan managers extends beyond just insurance.

At ISO, we make it our aim to offer support to the international student community as well. We are dedicated to supporting on campus events that are geared towards promoting culture, diversity and international student life.

Our company values the relationships that we build within the community. It is also important to us to have one with your school advisors to ensure that international students get the guidance and help that they need to navigate through their new culture.

Always remember that ISO is for international students by international students and it is the trusted experience that you can depend on.

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Are you required to get Obamacare?

4/19/2018

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Q. What is PPACA (ACA) otherwise known as “Obamacare” ?
A. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which many people refer to as the “Obamacare” is the healthcare reform that President Obama introduced in March 2010 and implemented in 2014.

Q. Do I need to have a ACA plan as an international student?
A. This plan is not required by all. The ACA plan only applies to those who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents and resident aliens. Once you are an F, M, Q or J visa holder, you may be exempt from being treated as a resident alien.
Exempt Individual - Who is a Student
A student is any individual who is temporarily in the United States on an "F, " "J, " "M, " or "Q " visa for the primary purpose of studying at an academic institution or vocational school, and who substantially complies with the requirements of that visa.
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Exempt-Individual-Who-is-a-Student

What are the statutory exemptions from the requirement to obtain minimum essential coverage?
Income below the income tax return filing requirement. Your income is below the minimum threshold for filing a tax return. The requirement to file a federal tax return depends on your filing status, age and types and amounts of income. To find out if you are required to file a federal tax return, use the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA).

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision (Refer to item 6.4)
You may also speak with a school advisor to find out if your school requires its international students to have an ACA plan.

Q. What if I am an international student who has been in the U.S. for more than five years?
A. If you are an international who has been in the U.S. for more than five years, you may no longer be exempt.

When a Student is Not Exempt
You will not be an exempt individual as a student if you have been exempt as a teacher, trainee, student, Exchange Visitor, or Cultural Exchange Visitor on an "F, " "J, " "M, " or "Q " visa for any part of more than 5 calendar years, unless you establish to the satisfaction of the IRS that you do not intend to reside permanently in the United States, and you have substantially complied with the requirements of your nonimmigrant status.
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Exempt-Individual-Who-is-a-Student

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision (Refer to item 6)

Q. If I do not need to have an ACA plan, what plans should I apply for?
A. As a full time international student, you are eligible to purchase our student insurance plans, which can be found from our website, www.isoa.org.

Q. If I am on OPT, what plans am I eligible for? Are we required to have the Obamacare plan?
A. As an OPT visa holder, you are still eligible to purchase our plans such as the OPTima Basic Plan and OPTima Enhanced Plan. You may be required to purchase an ACA plan if you are in the US for more than 5 years and/or your income is above the minimum threshold for filing a tax return. For more details regarding your status, please speak with a tax consultant for refer to the link below.

https://www.healthcare.gov/exemptions/

Q. If I am not exempt but decide not to purchase an ACA plan what will happen?
A. Most likely you will have to pay a penalty. The penalty is calculated one of 2 ways- percentage based or a flat dollar amount. If you don’t have insurance that qualifies as minimum essential coverage you'll pay whichever of these amounts is higher:

For more information, please refer to the IRS website:
https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-families/aca-individual-shared-responsibility-provision-calculating-the-payment

Q. If I want to purchase an ACA plan, where can I obtain it?
A. If none of the exemption fits your visa status, you may visit HealthCare.gov to select a plan that is most appropriate for you. Or, you may consult with a tax advisor, in order to avoid being penalized when filing for tax.

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Dress up Your English

10/26/2017

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For many international students, English is their second language. It can be a little hard to describe or explain things in a language that is not native to us especially when we go to the doctor. Think of Halloween and how you put on a costume to celebrate, here are some useful tips on how you can dress up your English when you describing your symptoms to your doctor.

Simplicity: The best way to get your message across is to use simple and direct words. Think of how you would speak to your friend or classmate or even a child. Use this same concept when describing what you’re feeling to your doctor.

Write it Out: Sometime when we write out our thoughts, it gives us clarity on what we want to say. Before going to your doctor, write out what you’re feeling and when it started. This will help you to explain to your doctor your symptoms.

Scale Your Pain: If you’re experiencing any pain, try to put on a scale on 1-10 with 10 being most painful. When describing your condition, you can use this to communicate with your doctor the intensity of your pain.

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Healthy Pumpkin Treats

10/26/2017

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Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake, pumpkin spice latte and list goes on. Pumpkin is one of those fruits that can be incorporated in any meal and still be tasty. Here are some ideas on how you can incorporate pumpkin into your diet while staying on budget.

Pumpkin Chia Almond Butter: This is a new twist on how you enjoy almond butter. Perfect combination of cream, crunch and spice that reflects all that makes up Fall.

Pumpkin Breakfast: When you think of breakfast, pumpkin is not the first thing that comes to mind but it’s possible. Think of pumpkin, cranberry pecan oatmeal (hello fiber!), pumpkin flavored pancakes (desert for breakfast) or pumpkin pie smoothie. Yum!

Pumpkin snack: Easiest pumpkin snack is roasted pumpkin seeds. Great substitute for chips and cookies.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte: Even though Starbucks is an easy option, it’s not necessarily the healthiest. Make your own pumpkin spice latte the way you like it and with your own ingredients. Your pocket will thank you!

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Halloween Candy Substitutes

10/26/2017

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October is the month of candy and all things sweet. With Halloween coming up, here are four ways you can replace the candy with healthier options but still satisfy your sweet tooth.

Crunchy, Chocolate, Apples: As part of the spirit of Halloween, many indulge in candy apples. These are apples that are covered in sweet caramel or red sugar. Swap the caramel and replace it with melted chocolate and sprinkle on some chopped nuts. Crunchy & Sweet!

Frozen Yogurt Fruit Bites: In one small bite, you have a sweet, healthy, cool treat. Take some yogurt, milk, honey, your favorite fruit and some ice cubes and you have yourself a delicious snack.

Pumpkin S’mores: Think of this as the Halloween version of the chocolate s’mores we love during summer. It has the spice sweetness of pumpkin and cinnamon and the crunch of the graham crackers. You can find out how to make this easy treat.

Fruity Granitas: No ice cream, no problem! A granita is made from sugar, water and flavoring. However, instead of the flavoring, you use fruits, a little sugar and a dash of herbs.

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Surviving roommates

8/25/2017

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oommates. Whether its dorms or a rental house, many international students end up sharing a living space with either friends or new persons. While it’s a new experience, it can have its limitations and struggles. The bright side to this is that you sometimes creating new friendships and a new chapter of your life as an international student in the U.S.

Here are some ways you can survive roommates!

Respect and communication

Often when we’re from different cultures, it can be difficult to effectively communicate with others. This can be an opportunity to practice patience and be open and understanding of the differences between you and your roommates.

Sharing is caring

Besides from sharing the cost of rent or personal space, it’s good practice to share the household duties amongst you and your roommates. Come up with an agreement on who does what and when so that no one feels like their taking on most of the work.

Mindful Space
Usually when you have roommates, space is limited. So be attentive to how much space your personal belongings take up. Make your home as livable as possible not only for you but for others who share the space.

Keep it clean

A busy school life can sometimes mean that our living area is not always clean. If you make a mess, take the time out to tidy up. It makes living in shared space more bearable.

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Doctors, urgent cares and more

8/25/2017

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Finding a suitable medical provider is an important aspect of utilizing your insurance plan. Follow this quick guide on the difference medical providers that you can choose from while in the U.S.

Student Health Center: Most schools usually have a medical center on campus designated to treat students for minor sickness and injuries. It is usually more affordable and convenient for students.

Physician's Office: They provide medical attention for health conditions that are not an emergency. If you’re feeling unwell, you can make an appointment to see the doctor at this office.

Urgent Care: You would usually go to this type of provider for situations that are not life threatening or an emergency but your need immediate medical attention. An urgent care can treat conditions such as fever, cuts and infections and you can go there if your regular doctor’s office is close or unavailable to see you.

Emergency Room: It’s always best to go to the Emergency Room only if you have a serious injury or sickness. ER visits can be costly and situations that can be considered as an emergency are broken bones, head trauma, deep wounds, and serious burns

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<<Previous

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Benefits of being involved with on campus activities

Healthy ways to deal with culture shock

ISO's role in the international student community

Are you required to get Obamacare?

Dress up Your English

Healthy Pumpkin Treats

Halloween Candy Substitutes

Surviving roommates

Doctors, urgent cares and more

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