Pre-Departure Orientation

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program Pre-Departure Orientation

2. Congratulations!! We look forward to welcoming you to the United States!

3. Introduction to the Fulbright Program The purpose of the Fulbright Program is to promote cultural exchange As a Fulbright grantee, you will join a group of more than 3,000 student Fulbrighters from around the world this year. AMIDEAST administers the Fulbright grant on behalf of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. We must try to expand the boundaries of human wisdom, empathy and perception, and there is no way of doing that except through education.” - Senator J. William Fulbright

4. Understanding Your Grant Terms of Appointment = your grant contract The information presented to you verbally is meant to be a general overview of the Fulbright grant. Your individual grant terms may vary; you must carefully read through your Terms of Appointment to understand your benefits and responsibilities. Refer to your Fulbright Handbook too! Online at: www.amideast.org/fulbright (Select “Grantee Resources” link) Password: Arkansas1945

5. Fulbright Terms of Appointment Cover page – outlines individual grant details including: university placement, funding, benefits start date, maximum funding date, financial provisions and any special provisions General Terms of Award – outlines and details: key definitions, financial provisions, travel benefits, healthcare coverage, grantee obligations, allowances, US tax obligations, academic enrollment & standards, reporting requirements, two-year home residency requirement, etc.

6. Financial Details Required Tuition & Mandatory Fees (covered by grant) Monthly Maintenance Allowance (MMA) is calculated to provide basic living costs for one person based on the local cost of living Book Allowance ($500/semester & $250/summer) Equipment Allowance ($500, one time) Conference Allowance (up to $500, one time) Thesis Allowance (up to $300, if applicable) International travel from/to home country at the beginning & end of program Fly America Act & Open Skies regulations apply Health Coverage - Accident & Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE)

7. Maintaining J-1 Status • Report to AMIDEAST within 5 daysof arriving in the U.S. • Maintain a full-time load of credits at your university • Remain in good academic standing • Report residential address changes, phone # changes, any plans to travel outside the U.S., and anytime you will be absent from your university for more than two days • Report academic plans for summer to AMIDEAST

8. When you arrive… • Call or email us your temporary residential address as soon as you arrive so we can validate you in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) • Let us know your mailing address so we can mail your first stipend check • Open a bank account at a bank convenient to your university • Complete & send all Arrival Forms to us by stated deadline

9. Reporting to AMIDEAST You must provide updated contact info to your AMIDEAST advisor. You must submit regular reports to AMIDEAST including: Academic Program Outline to be submitted at the beginning of your academic program Academic Progress Report to be submitted at the beginning of each subsequent academic term Summer Plans Report to be submitted prior to the beginning of your summer session University transcript to be submitted at the conclusion of each academic term Official copy of final university transcript to be submitted upon completion of your academic program AMIDEAST reserves the right to withhold your MMA if you do not submit these required forms on time.

10. Reporting to AMIDEAST Additionally, prior approval from AMIDEAST is necessary for: * On-campus employment * Academic Training, including required internships (paid or unpaid) * Travel outside of the U.S. * Your DS-2019 form will need to be signed for travel authorization *Travel for more than 29 days results in a deduction of your MMA * Taking a reduced course load * Registering for any online courses Consult the Fulbright Handbook & website for more details!

11. University Program * Meet with your academic advisor & international student advisor * Maintain full-time status and good academic standing * Check your email for instructions & opportunities from AMIDEAST * Be active in student clubs, university activities & community events!

12. University Housing Types of Housing * Apartment/studio * Group House * Townhouse * Room to rent in a house * Dormitory: graduate housing, international student housing, family student housing Where to Find Housing Information * University housing office – the website or actual office * Local town or school newspaper * Bulletin boards around your campus * Classmates or current Fulbrighters * Online resources like www.craigslist.com

13. Location * Near grocery store * Laundry facilities * Public transportation Neighborhood * Other students in the neighborhood * Safe, low crime, parking Utilities * Utilities included? * Wi-Fi or internet access? Costs * Price of rent * Amount of security deposit * Date (and frequency) rent is due Lease * Length of lease * Penalties for breaking lease * Option to sublet Housing Advice

14. Health Coverage Accident & Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE); administered by Seven Corners This health coverage is very basic and covers only the expenses incurred by an unexpected illness or injury that requires immediate, and relatively short-term treatment. You are responsible for paying all co-pays: * $25 co-pay for any office visit * $75 co-pay for emergency room, hospitalizations and urgent care * $15 co-pay for all brand name drugs with a generic equivalent * Pre-certification is required for certain treatments, otherwise a $300 penalty fee will apply • Print and keep your ASPE card with you at all times • Waive your university health insurance if possible • Visit: http://usdos.sevencorners.com for complete details of ASPE’s coverage

15. Health Coverage If you have any CHRONIC, PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS that will require on-going treatment, we strongly recommend you obtain additional health insurance that will pay for U.S.-based treatment of that condition. Examples of pre-existing conditions for which treatment (especially maintenance or preventative treatment) will not be covered: * dental and vision issues (including glasses and contacts) * diabetes * asthma or other allergies * migraine headaches, etc. Visit: http://usdos.sevencorners.com for complete details of ASPE’s coverage

16. Health & Well-being Take care of yourself! Physically Emotionally Mentally Make use of campus resources including: wellness centers, counseling centers, academic success center, etc. “Be social! Even if you think you are shy (I always thought I am one!), but Just try to break the ice and connect with people in your school, building, and other places, so that you create a good circle of people that you can enjoy your journey with.” -- Fulbright Alum

17. Personal Safety University orientation will review campus and community safety Police & security staff on campus and in town/city Dial 911in an emergency Sign up for campus text alert system In the event of an emergency, please follow any local response guidance. Once you are safe, please contact your Fulbright advisor as soon as possible to update us on your status.

18. Social Security card • The Social Security Number (SSN) is a personal identification number used in the United States. Needed for: • * Employment in the U.S., with approval from AMIDEAST • * Earning any income (other than your grant) • You may also need a SSN to: • * open a bank account • * file federal or state tax returns • * apply for a driver’s license

19. U.S. Taxes • All grantees are required to complete and submit a tax return to • the U.S. Government each year • • AMIDEAST pays your Federal taxes for your Fulbright Scholarship in advance. You are responsible for paying any taxes related to your employment. • AMIDEAST uses a web-based tax software called “Windstar” to collect student data and provide tax forms to students. You will be required to enter your information into the Windstar system at the start of your program. • • You must provide a Social Security Number (SSN) at the start of your program or apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) through AMIDEAST. • • AMIDEAST advisors are not tax professionals and cannot offer tax advice • • You are also responsible for filing & paying any necessary State taxes

20. On-campus Employment • ON campus: must be related to field (i.e. an assistantship, teaching assistant, or research assistant) • Must be approved by AMIDEAST • 20 hour limit per week during the academic term • Allowed to earn up to $500 above your MMA; any amount over is deducted from your MMA See Handbook for details!

21. Academic Training (AT) • OFF Campus: to gain practical experience in your field of study • May be eligible for up 18 months of AT (max. of 12 months after program) • Can be full-time in the summer or after graduation • Requests for post-program AT must be submitted to AMIDEAST 4-6 weeks before completion of program See Handbook for details!

22. The American Classroom Academic Integrity / Honesty • Universities have an honor code to which you must adhere Plagiarism • Plagiarism is using the ideas or exact phrases of someone without giving credit to the person. Plagiarism is cheating and a serious offense. It is grounds for dismissal from your university and the Fulbright program. • Always cite the author and source when quoting or using someone’s ideas.

23. The American Classroom Class Attendance • It is important that you attend class. Some professors will lower your grade if you miss too many classes. Also, arrive on time! Testing • Tests are conducted in a variety of formats - essay, multiple choice, true or false, etc. Office Hours • During office hours, you may ask the professor questions about the course or reading material, and even discuss ideas for a paper. “The educational system is drastically different… the most surprising thing is the non-hierarchical relationship between students and professors. The connection is informal and students can call the professors by their first names and they can go to restaurants, stadiums and coffee shops with them.” -– Fulbright alum

24. Culture Shock Symptoms of Culture Shock… Homesickness Boredom Fatigue Illness Unexplainable crying Over eating Stereotyping Americans Loss of ability to work effectively

25. Dealing with Culture Shock Listen to your body – Get plenty of sleep and eat your vegetables! Learn about the U.S. – Try to understand why things are done in a certain way. This will help put American life into perspective. Make American friends – Meet students who have lived overseas through the university’s study abroad office. Americans who have lived abroad will have gone through culture shock as well. Reach Out - Remember that your Fulbright colleagues and other international friends are likely experiencing similar culture shock. Reach out to them through email, Facebook, Skype, etc. “Engage and interact with the people from different cultures and environments. Do not isolate yourself, you would be surprised how easier it will make it to adapt when you are more active with the people around you. It is a life time experience, make the best out of it.” -- Fulbright alum

26. Fulbright Activities * Pre-Academic programs and Gateways (IIE) * Enrichment Seminars (IIE) * Re-Entry Workshop (AMIDEAST) “Try to do things that you never thought you can do, It is much easier to overcome some fear you have towards things when you move to a different place and live on your own, your way of thinking can adjust in a positive way if you let yourself open to a new experience. Like honestly I never thought I can do SkyDiving, but guess what - I did it!” – Fulbright alum

27. Campus Activities • International Student Office events • Student organizations • Graduate Student Association • Department/Field of Study organizations • Faith-Based organizations • Community volunteer groups “You will be here for 2 years, but time will pass so fast, so utilize your time to visit as many places you can, attend the various events, and meet new people everyday. Be ready for anything and everything, and more flexible to experience new things.” -- Fulbright alum

28. Advice from Fulbright Alumni "Fulbright doesn’t only provide you with great networking and cultural exchange opportunities, but it also provide you with opportunities to enrich your knowledge, skills and make great lifelong friendships, so grab every chance you have and get to know all the Fulbrighters on your campus…” -- Fulbright alum “Every new day brings you the opportunity to make a new friend. Make friends irrespective of your cultural, religious, social and economic differences. Get to know the bus driver, the head of your department, the cashier, and the neighbor.” -- Fulbright alum

29. Advice from Fulbright Alumni “The only way for some one to adapt is to let themselves change, so I encourage all Fulbrighters to be open to changes, which to a great measure makes the the experience of studying abroad so worthwhile.” “Make sure you use every day to learn a new thing, meet new people, give insight about your own culture and have fun!” “Be open, friendly, curious, don’t judge people, be open-minded, engage in cultural experiences, be proud and share your cultural values with others, really be a cultural ambassador and represent your country” -- Fulbright alumni

30. Resources * The Fulbright Handbook and AMIDEAST website: www.amideast.org/fulbright * Your Fulbright Program Officer & Program Assistant at AMIDEAST * International Student Advisors at your university

31. Questions?