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Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mailing Address
International Student Office
Gannon University
109 University Square
Box 3748
Erie, PA 16541-0001

Physical Location
Zurn Science Center
First Floor, Rooms 105-107
(100 block of 7th Street)

peterson031@gannon.edu
Phone: (814) 871-7030
or (814) 871-5356
Fax: (814) 871-5323

Dialing from outside the U.S.?
Add country code: 001

WELCOME TO ALL INTERNATIONAL SPOUSES, PARENTS AND CHILDREN!

The International Student Office, together with the entire Gannon University community, warmly welcomes our international student and scholar family members. We are here to assist you with your immigration documentation and questions, as well as to support you in your own adjustment to life in Erie, PA.

IMMIGRATION AND LEGAL CONCERNS
Spouses are welcome to visit the ISO during office hours or may request an appointment to discuss immigration issues relative to the F-2 or J-2 status.

• The student in F-1 or J-1 status is primarily responsible for maintaining the status upon which the dependent status is based.
• Spouses and children carry their own immigration documents when travelling.
• F-2 dependents are not eligible for employment, and thus not eligible for a Social Security number.
• Each year dependents should file a form 8843 with the IRS.   
• F-2 students may participate only in recreational/craft or part-time ESL classes. Those admitted to a degree program must seek a change of status to F-1 and can not begin study until the change of status is granted, unless the F-2 dependent is a minor formerly studying at the primary or secondary level.
• F-2 dependents are eligible for a Pennsylvania state driver's license, but should seek assistance from the ISO in order to assemble the requried identity and immigration documents.

CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT AND ASSISTANCE
Keep in mind that even if spouses and children may not be adjusting to a new academic environment, certainly each person entering a new culture will go through many of the same phases of adjustment and will require community support. The ISO invites spouses, with or without accompanying children, to stop in for discussion or assistance at any time during our office hours or to enter into direct correspondence with ISO staff.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS
Presently, Gannon University does not offer ESL courses. However, in the fall 2009 semester spouses will have the opportunity to participate in ESL classes sponsored by Gannon. Regardless, international spouses are welcome to meet with ISO staff members every weekday from 12Noon to 1pm for informal English language lessons and conversation. Spouses may also apply for a partner through the Conversation Partners Program. For more information about area language programs, please see the following link.

WOMEN OF THE WORLD
Spouses are invited to gather every other Wednesday morning from 10am-12Noon in the Lower Lounge of the Student Services Building. We meet to practice conversational English, share refreshments, and explore different aspects of American culture and craft. Children are welcome. The full spring 2009 calender is linked here.

FAMILY VISITS FROM ABROAD
The ISO assists in organizing documents for a family visit from abroad. Students amy request a letter in support of any relative who will need to go to a U.S. Consulate to secure an entrance visa.