Ok here's the situation: Ive been very mentally and emotionally stressed this semester. Working and going to school has taken its toll on me. I have not seen my family for 3 years and now I have become homesick. I cannot take it anymore. I m thinking of taking a semester break from January to April. But, since there is a month holiday for Christmas during December can I work during the holidays and leave? Or, do I have to leave immediately. I am also intending to take summer classes when I return. Will I have any problem when coming back?

I think you can do it. I did same but it was way back in 2001. Just talk to your school and have your paper-work ready (letter from school etc) and tell them you have some family emergency. I left 2 days before school started (Jan 16, 2001) and stayed in Nepal for 3 months….. (Wow, I wish I could do that now). I also registered summer classes before I left so I could furnish paperwork to immigration incase they want to see it. Good luck and enjoy your visit.

Thank you for such a quick response..This is the first time i'm using Sajha... and mann im hooked... Thank you once again.. : )

If you are taking break coz of mental stresss, you even dont have to go to nepal coz you can relax even in united states. If you are taking break coz you have some kind of emergency back in Nepal, you have to leave, but doesnot need to leave immediatley. In the latter case, you have to go to Nepal at least once during your break otherwise it can be a issue. Remeber, you can work ( legal or illegal ;) before you go to Nepal, but  if you go to Nepal  I dont think you can come back before 60 or 90 days from the starting date of your class. A friend of mine worked here almost 4 months and went nepal for a month and didnot have any problem.

Good luck ,

and welcome to Sajha!!

So you mean I cannot come back during the summer? meaning during may? What if I take summer classes?

Confused_Soul, Don't get too confused, Like I said before, you can come back during summer; just register your classes before you leave; just to be on safe side.

Thanks :)

sorry for late reply confusedsoul. Sounds like I confused you evern more. What I meant was,

lets say your class starts from  August 15.  You will not be able to enter the states before may 15 (ie 90 days prior to the day your class starts). But it relies on the immigration officer at the port of entry too.

I actually plan to take summer classes.. I think u did not catch that part. :) i dont intend to stay there for summer... that would be wasting wayyy too much time..

I am  not sure whether I didnt udnerstand your post or I am unable to make you understand.

lets say your summer class starts at may 1. then you may encounter some problem if you try to enter states before feb 1.

Summary:

Work for a while and visit nepal so that you can return back just before (couple of weeks) your class starts.

I talked about this with international services in my university, they told me that person who is taking break must leave US before the class starts and cannot enter US 30 days before class starts next semester.

Thank you for the suggestions. Appreciate it. :)

Guys, I am in the same boat too. 

Yakuja,
I don't understand.. Why can't you take classes on summer. Applying for new I-20 also sounds bogus. You should be able to get a new I-20 From your international students director or whatever. I am not aware of such rules by the DHS either. Why cant you take summer classes?