My name is Toni-Ann and I am an international student from Jamaica. I came to the U.S. in 2003 to attend Florida International University. I have since obtained my Bachelor's of Business Administration in Management with an Entrepreneurship Track. As an international student I get a work permit that allows me to work in the U.S. for 1 year after which I will either have to return home or further my education, which is what I plan on doing.

Professors have said to gain at least one year of work experience before going for a Master's which the work permit will allow for me to do but there is a problem. I have applied for a social security number which I have yet to receive. What should have taken four weeks is now coming on to four months and still no sign of it. I went to the immigration office and the woman I spoke with said that I do not need one which I believe is not correct since every application I fill out requires a social security number. How will my employers report back who they hired, and most importantly how will I pay taxes?

A temp agency I went to requires an ssn, they will not conduct an interview without one so getting a job just became a little more difficult for me as well as gaining some experience and an income which would help me in obtaining my degree. I have not given up and I am ocassionally visiting the Social Security office to check the progress. Until I receive the number I cannot sit idly by and waste precious time, I must use the skills I have acquired during my time at FIU and hence this website.

A subtle form of cyber-begging, or e-panhandling... call it what you will, I am asking for donations that will help me get through grad school. I am planning on attending the MBA program at St. Thomas University in August of 2008. STU's tuition for the Graduate program is as follows:

* Includes 19 meals

** Includes university fees.

All information regarding tuition can be found here.

Compare now to UM's tuition for 1 year (24 credit hrs)...

* Tuition for 2008-2009 has increased to $1,424 per credit hour

** Medical Insurance: All international students are required to purchase the medical insurance provided through the University of Miami Student Health Services.

The GMAT (Graduate management Admission Test) exam is a test of general skills and abilities that you have acquired over time and is required before I enter graduate school and costs $250 which I will cover. I purchased 'Cracking the Gmat' and I have hopes of obtaining a 720 the median score for the Harvard MBA Program out of a possible 800. I can do it.

As a side note I'd like you all to know that I currently volunteer as a big sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami which I encourage everyone to be a part of and help a child in need.