U.S. Holidays

The US is a country filled with many different kinds of cultures and traditions so that means that there's also many kinds of holidays as well. Because there is just so many holidays that many people outside the US don't know about I wanted to make a little calendar list of all of the them for you guys.

September

Sept 1 Labor Day

Sept 6 Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day
Sept 7 National Grandparents Day
Sept 11 Patriot Day

Sept 17 Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Sept 19 National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Sept 23 September equinox

Sept 28 Gold Star Mother's Day

October
Oct 6 Child Health Day
Oct 9 Leif Erikson Day
Oct 13 Columbus Day
Oct 15 White Cane Safety Day
Oct 16 Boss's Day
Oct 18 Sweetest Day
Oct 23 Diwali/Deepavali
Oct 31 Halloween

November
Nov 2 Daylight Saving Time ends
Nov 11 Veterans Day
Nov 27 Thanksgiving Day

DecemberDec 1 Cyber Monday
Dec 6 St Nicholas' Day
Dec 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Dec 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dec 17 Pan American Aviation Day
Dec 17 Wright Brothers Day
Dec 21 December Solstice
Dec 24 Christmas Eve
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 26 Kwanzaa
Dec 31 New Year's Eve

JanuaryJan 1 New Year's Day
Jan 13 Stephen Foster Memorial Day
Jan 19 Martin Luther King Day

FebruaryFeb 1 National Freedom Day
Feb 2 Groundhog Day
Feb 6 National Wear Red Day
Feb 14 Valentine's Day
Feb 16 Presidents' Day
Feb 17 Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday
Feb 19 Chinese New Year

March

Mar 1 St. David's Day
Mar 2 Read Across America Day
Mar 8 Daylight Saving Time starts
Mar 17 St. Patrick's Day
Mar 20 March equinox

AprilApr 5 Easter Sunday
Apr 6 National Tartan Day
Apr 13 Thomas Jefferson's Birthday
Apr 15 Tax Day
Apr 21 National Library Workers' Day
Apr 22 Administrative Professionals Day

MayMay 1 Law Day/Loyalty Day
May 2 National Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Day
May 5 Cinco de Mayo
May 6 National Nurses Day
May 7 National Day of Prayer
May 10 Mothers' Day
May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day/National Defense Transportation Day
May 16 Armed Forces Day
May 20 Emergency Medical Services for Children Day
May 22 National Maritime Day
May 25 Memorial Day/National Missing Children's Day

JuneJun 6 D-Day
Jun 14 Flag Day
Jun 21 June Solstice
Jun 21 Fathers' Day

July
Jul 4 Independence Day
Jul 26 Parents' Day

AugustAug 14 My Birthday!!! :P
Aug 19 National Aviation Day
Aug 21 Senior Citizens Day

These are just a few in the many number of holidays celebrated in the US and most I have never heard of before. But I do hope this list helps you to recognize or learn some of the holiday's that we celebrate or observe here. I hope you all have had a wonderful summer and I can't wait to meet you guys in the next few weeks!

by Kemia
For a list of holidays and breaks at EMU, visit http://www.emich.edu/registrar/calendars/.

Protecting Your Identity

Image Source: http://blog.froehlichfinancial.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ID-Theft56-300x213.jpg

Every student that attends EMU is given an Eagle OneCard. This card is not only your ID, it is also connected to a bank account, meal plans, refund deposits, student payroll, and more. You need it to sign into certain accounts and for staff and faculty to identify you. Your card and other information should be cared for properly so your information is not stolen or misused. Below are a few tips to keep your important information safe and secure.

Never send an email with your credit card information.

Image Source: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02182/master_2182364b.jpg

Your credit card information should not be emailed to anyone. You never know who is on the other end reading that email. A bank would never ask you to submit that kind of personal information unless it is over the phone. You also should not email login information like user names and passwords. If the wrong person gets your information you could lose access and control over your accounts.

 

Do not take pictures of your Eagle OneCard and post it online.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Source: http://www.socialmediasmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/social_media.jpg

Your Eagle OneCard is physical proof that you are a student at EMU. Some students are so excited that they want to take pictures of their card to show their friends and family. You should never post a picture of your card online. The card not only has your student EID number on it, but it also has your debit card information on it. Not all sites are protected, anyone could see that information and misuse it.

 

Never leave your computer unattended while logged into any accounts.

Image Source: http://www.beinggeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Protect-your-password.jpg

You should never leave your computer unattended while logged into accounts in public. EMU offers students an opportunity to use school computers but you have to be careful. If you print in one of the computer labs, make sure important information isn’t visible when you leave the computer to get your prints. If you still need to access the account after you print and do not want to close it, minimize the window so others around you cannot see your personal information.

 

Do not leave belongings containing personal information unattended.

Image Source: http://purpologydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/img00137-20121022-1141.jpg

You should never leave your bag unattended, especially if it contains electronic devices, wallets, and other personal information. You also should not leave papers with personal information on them visible in public. If something is important to you then you should never leave it unattended in public, always take it with you or have someone you trust watch it for you.

I wanted to write about this because I see a lot of international students that are too trusting. I have seen a lot of students leave important things around like book bags, important documents, and electronic devices. I have also had a lot of students that have asked me for help and gave me their EID numbers or tried to send me their credit card information. You should not share that kind of information with other students. Faculty and staff can be trusted with your EID number, and will only request it for identification purposes. Some of the student workers that can request your EID number for identification purposes include Night Watch, SEEUS, and students working in offices that have agreed to keep your information confidential. Just remember that not everyone is as nice and trusting as you or the country you come from.

This is not a complete list of ways to protect you identity, so if anyone else has any tips or questions please leave them in the comment section below.

 

by Tyrie Adams

Great Ways to Meet People on Campus

Most likely, one of your biggest worries about studying in a foreign country will be how will you make friends? It is a totally understandable concern and I have a few suggestions for you to follow to make it just that little bit easier!

The first up on the list will be the very first thing you do as an EMU student – orientation! Participating in orientation is the perfect way to meet students just like you – new and international students! When you’re in your groups at orientation be sure to talk to all the other students, as I’m sure you’ll make friendships!

The Office of International Students also frequently organizes social events that you should take part in! Same goes for clubs and intramural sports teams! With clubs, you meet not only international students, but American students whom have the same interests as you. If you already have a group of friends, a great thing for you all to do is intramural sports; find your friends and pick a sport!

The final piece of advice that I have for you is probably the most important - participate in class! If you participate in your classes others will notice you and will probably want to hang out with you! It is an awesome way to keep your education at it’s peak, and make friends at the same time.

by Adele

To read Adele's bio, visit www.emich.edu/ois/teamhello.

To register for UNITED international student orientation, visit www.emich.edu/ois/orientation.

To see a calendar of Office of International Students events, visit www.emich.edu/ois/calendar.

 

Life at EMU: Undergraduate and Graduate Symposium

EMU has great opportunities for students to present their work at the Graduate Symposium and Undergraduate Symposium in the spring. See the video below about the Undergraduate Symposium!



To learn more about the graduate symposium click here.
To learn more about the undergraduate symposium click here.

shared by Office of International Students (OIS)