Resources for International Students & Visiting Scholars

1. Resources for International Students & Visiting Scholars

2. Who Will You Find in OIS?

3. Today’s Session: • J-1 Scholar/Student Check-in • Housing • Health Insurance • Social Security • Taxes/Banking • Transportation & DMV • Travel • Legal Services • Translation Services • English Language Resources • Studying at NCSU • Cultural Programs • Resources for dependents • OIS Website • Upcoming Events

4. Staff & Faculty Web Resources Training Materials for Faculty & Staff Checklist for departmental responsibility

5. J-1 Scholar Check-In at OIS • Rights & Responsibilities for J-1 immigration status • How to maintain good J-1 status (travel, extension of program, etc.) • Health Insurance & Health Services • Social Security, Taxes, Bank account • How to apply for a driver’s license / State ID card / Campus ID card • English Language Resources • Transportation and parking • J-2 Dependent Resources • Culture shock experience • Cultural Programs http://www.ncsu.edu/ois/research/ Topics covered

6. Student Check-In • OIS Services & Immigration Overview • Immunizations/Health insurance & services • Registration & Tuition • Student ID card • Transportation/Driver’s license • Housing and Food • Social Security Number • Employment/Taxes/Banking • Cultural Programs After Check-In, students are provided with more campus resources during the International Student Orientation. http://www.ncsu.edu/ois/orientation/ Topics Covered

7. OIS Walk-in Hours Monday through Friday: 2:00-3:00 PM 320 Daniels Hall Thursday: 3:00 – 4:30 PM Centennial Campus, EBII (ECE side), Room 2114

8. Housing • E.S. King Village is a great on-campus housing option for students and scholars with families. • Guest Apartment Housing on-campus: http://www.ncsu.edu/housing/apartments/index.php • Velvet Cloak Inn Villas – studio/1 BR apartments with hotel service. Short term leases. • Temporary Housing Service (for students only) through OIS • OIS Office: Apartment binder for private, local postings (soon to be posted online). • NC State Housing Exchange: http://www.ncsu.edu/human_resources/housing/

9. Housing (Continued) • Websites to assist in finding apartment complexes, reviews, or roommates: • http://www.aptbook.com/ • http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ • http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/NC-Raleigh.html • www.apartmentguide.com • Sabbatical Homes – serves the Academic Community worldwide with exchanges. http://www.sabbaticalhomes.com/

10. Health Insurance • All F-1 students are required to purchase Student Blue health insurance • All J-1 scholars are required to have health insurance • Agencies Providing the Required Coverage: • Cultural Insurance Services International, 203-399-5121, www.culturalinsurance.com • Gateway Plans, 1-800-282-4495, www.gatewayplans.com • Harbour Group, 1-800-252-8160, www.hginsurance.com • OMA Limited – Boston Mutual, 1-800-683-1468, www.compassbenefits.com • Rust and Associates, 1-877-964-7900, http://rustassoc.com/ • TW Lord Associates, www.twlord.com

11. Health Insurance – where to refer scholars? Please do not refer scholars to Student Health Services as this is for students only. Scholars should go to their in-network preferred physicians – they may need guidance on how to make this selection (covered during J-1 Check-in).

12. Social Security Number (SSn) • Needed for U.S.-based employment. • J-1 Scholars are eligible for a SSn regardless of their employment status. • Apply for a SSn no sooner than 7 days after checking in with OIS. Processing can take several weeks. • Scholars/students can be paid if they have a SSn confirmation receipt.

13. Where to Obtain Social Security Number Fall Semester: Social Security Administration will come to campus for 1 afternoon Spring Semester: OIS organizes a trip to the Social Security Administration (sign up required). • What the student/scholar will need: • Social Security Application • Passport with visa • I-94 card • DS-2019/I-20 • J-1: Appointment Letter from your department (recommended) • F-1: Original employment offer letter (required) • http://www.ncsu.edu/ois/orientation/living/socsec.php

14. Taxes If the scholar/student is paid by NC State University, they should make an appointment with Michelle Anderson (before issuance of first pay check if possible) to ensure the appropriate amount of taxes is withheld. Michelle_Anderson@ncsu.edu / 919-515-4370 http://www7.acs.ncsu.edu/hr/payroll/pdf/WindstarTaxPrep.pdf OIS organizes an annual Tax Seminar for students and scholars (March 10th, 2010).

15. Money/Banking Set up a new bank account: Local Banks Wachovia Bank BB&T Bank Of America Banks close to NCSU campus do not require a SSn to open a bank account. Scholars/Students will need: • Passport • Visa • I-94 • DS-2019/I-20

16. Legal Services Please do not refer scholars to Student Legal Services as the free services of the attorneys here are for students only. Instead, please refer them to the American Immigration Lawyers Association: www.aila.org Local attorneys / referrals depending on issue.

17. Translation Services • DTS Language Services – contact@dtstrans.com (7780 Brier Creek, Raleigh NC 27617) • Berlitz – Raleigh Branch, contact Ian Luecht, 1-888-389-0446 – By appointment only. (5974-A Six Forks Road, Raleigh NC 27609) • Ali – Accessible Languages, Inc. – ali@accessiblelanguages.com / 919-567-3383 (5413 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh NC 27603)

18. Driving In NC Per the DOT: An out-of-state license (“state” meaning one of the states in the U.S. as well as a foreign state) is recognized for the first 60 days of residence in North Carolina, then a NC license must be obtained. Students/Scholars should apply no sooner than 7 days after checking in with OIS.

19. Driving in NC Continued(DMV) • Closest DMV offices to campus: www.ncsu.edu/ois/orientation/living/driving.php • What the scholar/student will need: • Passport with visa • I-94 card • DS-2019/I-20 • Proof of U.S. residential address

20. Leasing a Car Chapel Hill Leasing is a trustworthy leasing company , which offers short (min.4 months) or long term affordable car leases with insurance. They are geared toward international visitors: www.chleasing.com Note: Scholars do not need a SSn, credit history, US bank account or US driver’s license (do need to take a driving test, costs: $85).

21. Transportation in Raleigh With their campus ID card, scholars can obtain the GO-Pass at the NC State Office of Transportation (free of charge) which allows free riding on the CAT and TTA buses. The GO-Pass is not (yet) available for spouses and children of the scholar. • Wolfline (NC State bus line) • CAT (Raleigh bus line) • TTA (Triangle bus line)

22. Transportation in Raleigh Continued • BoltBus • A new discount express service operated by Greyhound. Ideal for travels between New York City, Washington DC, Boston and Philadelphia. For more information , see www.boltbus.com • Train (Amtrak) • There is an Amtrak train station in Raleigh: www.amtrak.com • Bicycles • In order to register your bike on campus go to http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/trans/transportation/wolftrails/Bicycling/bicycles.html

23. Travel Students: If traveling during the academic semester or arriving late, OIS recommends the Department provide a letter stating their awareness and support of travel dates, confirms good academic standing and enrollment. Scholars: Any absence over 30 days needs to be reported to OIS in writing (letter or email) from PI and scholar.

24. English Conversation Clubs (ECC) You meet in small groups with native/fluent speakers for conversation. Idioms are introduced each week and a short newsletter “ECC Connections” is available. • Level: All • Cost: Free • Contact: http://www.ncsu.edu/ois/programs/ecc.php • Time: Fridays, 3:30-4:30 PM – Daniels Hall, Room 216 Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:30-4:30 PM – College of Textiles, Port City Java Coffee House.

25. English Language Resources (Off Campus) • Wake Tech. Community College ESL Classes (Wake Tech) • Level: Beginner-Advanced • Cost: Free (There is a charge for TOELF classes) • Time: See Wake Tech class schedule for times. • Contact : http://basicskills.waketech.edu/ESL/classes.php or call (919) 715-3445 These ESL classes offer students opportunities to increase speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. There are a variety of sites, and students may enroll at each site until classes are full.

26. English Language Resources(On Campus) • McKimmon Center: http://continuingeducation.ncsu.edu/seminars.html • Level: Advanced • Cost: $89/4week course (TOEFL course is $129) • Time: 1 night/week 6:30 – 8:30pm • Contact: ContinuingEducation@ncsu.edu or call (919) 515-2261 NC State Continuing Education offers ESL evening courses for a nominal fee. These courses are especially designed for non-native English speakers who are too advanced for basic English classes. Each semester offers three four-week series of courses. Topics such as Advanced Speaking & Listening, Advanced Pronunciation & Practice, Advanced Grammar & Practice, Business Communication, and TOEFL Prep are available.

27. Studying at NC State Scholars can enroll in a course through the Non-Degree Study program. Enrollment must be incidental to status. http://www.ncsu.edu/nds/application/index.html

28. Cultural Programs • Breaking Bread • International Friendship Program • Culture Corps • I-SSERV • English Conversation Club • IMOM • Departmental Ambassadors/Country Contacts http://www.ncsu.edu/ois/programs/

29. Spouse Check-In Dependents of student and scholars are welcome to check-in with OIS: Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m. (320 Daniels Hall) • Meet with Programs Coordinator for practical resources, groups to join, etc. • Spouse can request a temporary ID number for a campus ID card.

30. Wake County Schools / Child Care • Child care: www.childcareservices.org • Wake County Public School System: http://www.wcpss.net/newcomer/getting-started/

31. J-2 Employment Spouses of J-1 students and scholars may apply for employment authorization. For more information, checklist and how to apply: http://www.ncsu.edu/ois/immigration/family.php

32. OIS Updates & Announcements • OIS Newsletter for Faculty & Staff • Updates & Announcements

33. Upcoming Information Session: Thursday, March 11th // 11 AM – Noon Talley Student Center, Blue Room Introduction to Chinese CultureThis one hour session will be an introduction to Chinese culture -- exploring China's rich heritage, which includes a discussion of Chinese societal and interpersonal values.

34. Upcoming Information Session – for DGP’s and Grad Secretaries Thursday, April 8th // 1 PM – 2PM D.H. Hill Library, Auditorium (2304) Moving on: International Graduate Students and Program Completion Please join OIS for this one-hour session co-presented with the Graduate School to discuss the expectations, requirements, and processes for international graduate students as they prepare for graduation. OIS and the Graduate School will discuss their shared and respective responsibilities, deadlines, and requirements

35. Questions?