F-1 Student Pre-Arrival Information

Welcome to PALS, Rutgers University

Bridging Cultures, Building Dreams.

Congratulations on your decision to study at English the Program in American Language Studies (PALS), Rutgers University! PALS is your first step to achieving academic and professional success. With a diverse faculty and student population, PALS is ideal for students that seek to develop themselves into individuals who seek education and a career on the international stage.

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Table of Contents

1. Applying for an F-1 Student Visa __________________________________ 2

2. Preparing to come to the United States______________________________ 3

3. Entering the United States _________________________________________5

4. Getting to campus_________________________________________________6

5. Information about F-1 Student Status _______________________________7

6. Campus Information______________________________________________8

7. Getting settled in the United States_________________________________12

Applying for an F-1 Student Visa

Now that you have received your I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Status, you may apply for your visa.

• Before you apply for your F-1 visa, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee, which is $200. Instructions for paying the fee are available at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply for your visa, or online at www.fmjfee.com.

• Your next step is to apply for an F-1 visa.

• You will first need to complete the online visa application, form DS-160. The online visa application can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/forms/forms_4230.html

• Once you have completed your online visa application, you should make an appointment at the nearest embassy or consulate in your country. To locate an embassy, please visit: http://www.usembassy.gov/

• You should bring the following documents with you to your interview:

• Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 status

• Original financial support documents

• Passport

• Evidence of your current level of education

• Any other documents required by the Embassy or Consulate where you will apply

• An F-1 student visa is a nonimmigrant visa. This means that an F-1 student will come to the United States with the intention of returning to their home country when they complete their studies.

• During your visa interview, it is important that you show “strong ties” to your home country. For example, if you plan to come to the United States to study and return home for a specific job, or if you have family or property in your home country, you should bring proof of this.

• For more information about applying for your F-1 student visa, please visit this website:

http://www.travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/study-exchange.html

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Preparing to come to the United States

Items to bring with you:

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• Money: If you do not have an ATM card that is able to obtain cash from a U.S. cash machine, you should estimate your first month’s expenses and purchase traveler’s checks in U.S. dollars for that amount at a bank or travel office in your country. You can cash traveler’s checks at U.S. airports, banks and most businesses in the U.S., including hotels and restaurants. It is also advisable to carry around $200 in paper currency in different denominations ($1, $5, $10, $50 bills) for baggage lockers, transportation costs, and tips. It is best to exchange some of your own currency to U. S. dollars before you leave home. Direct foreign currency exchange is not available in most U.S. cities. The University and local businesses accept only U.S. dollars.

• Please do not travel with large amounts of cash (over $500) to avoid the risk of possible loss or theft. It is not common for people to carry large amounts of cash in the US. You may open a US bank account when you arrive at PALS.

• Be sure that any credit cards you have may be used in the US. It is advised that you contact your credit card company to let them know you will be traveling to the US to avoid confusion once you are here.

• Clothing: New Jersey has a variable climate. You will experience cold winters with snowfall, hot summers and very pleasant periods between. The temperature frequently drops between -15C and -12C in the winter, so warm jackets, gloves, scarves, hats and boots are essential for the cold. The temperature rises to between 32C and 37C with high humidity in the summer. Please be prepared!

Preparing to come to the United States Making travel arrangements:

• Choosing an Arrival Airport: We suggest you fly into Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) rather than John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), if possible. It is faster, less expensive, and easier to get to New Brunswick from Newark airport than from JFK airport.

• You may enter the United States up to 30 days before the start date of your I-20. Do not plan to arrive in the United States earlier than 30 days. You may not be admitted.

• For students living in the dormitories: Dormitory students will be allowed to move into their rooms after the Placement Test. Students must arrive at the PALS office NO LATER than 2:00 pm on the day that they wish to move in. If you can not get to PALS before 2:00pm, it is suggested that you stay in a hotel until the following day or make arrangements to stay with family or friends. Please consider this while making your travel arrangements.

• Tipping in the United States: It is customary to “tip” in the United States when receiving certain

services. Waiters at sit-down restaurants, bartenders, barbers/hairdressers at beauty salons, taxi drivers, and

food delivery people are all given a tip for their service. Generally, a tip is about 15%-20% of the total bill.

You may tip in cash or add to your bill and pay with a credit card.

• If you will take a taxi to campus, please remember to tip your driver!

Immunizations:

• Proof of immunizations is required by New Jersey state law for all students at Rutgers University. Please be prepared

to show that you have received certain immunizations when you arrive on campus. Required immunizations can be

found one this website: http://rhsmedical.rutgers.edu/files/documents/pre_entrance_immunization_form.pdf

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Entering the United States

Immigration Inspection

• When you arrive in the United States, you will go through an “Immigration Inspection”.

• At the time of your Immigration Inspection, you must show your passport and I-20. Please do not pack your immigration documents in any baggage that will be checked.

• Your passport will be stamped on the page next to your F-1 student visa. The date of your arrival, the port of entry, your visa status, and the date to which you are authorized to remain are noted on the stamped page.

• F-1 students are authorized to remain in the US for “duration of status,” noted as “D/S” on the stamped page of your passport. This means that, as long as you maintain F-1 status, you may remain in the US until your education is completed.

• To maintain F-1 status, students must follow US Immigration regulations. While inside the US during the period of time noted on the I-20, you must study full time (18 class hours per week) in every session of Intensive English Language classes offered by the Program in American Language Studies.

• If there are concerns during your immigration inspection, you may be asked to go through a “Secondary Inspection”. Please be sure that you have contact information for PALS, in the event that the school must be contacted.

• Your I-20 becomes invalid (and can not be used to enter the US) soon after the date in Section 5 when you are expected to report to Rutgers. If you are delayed more than one week after the date in Section 5, request a new I-20 from PALS.

• When you arrive in the United States, a customs inspector may also examine your luggage to determine compliance with regulations covering items which can be brought into the country.

• U.S. Customs Restrictions – General information on items that may not be brought into the U.S. from abroad is available at: www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml

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Getting to campus Public Transportation

Rutgers University has several campuses located in both New Brunswick and Piscataway. PALS is located on the Livingston Campus in Piscataway. You can come directly to New Brunswick, which is 25 miles from Newark, New Jersey, and 40 miles from New York City, by bus and train. You may take public transportation from both Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Remember, it is faster and easier to get to campus from Newark Liberty International Airport.

• From Newark Liberty International Airport:

Take the "Airtrain" directly from your arrival terminal to the Airport Train Station, where you can connect with a New Jersey Transit train to New Brunswick. You will get on the “Northeast Corridor” line to New Brunswick. For more information, please visit: http://www.panynj.gov/airports/ewr-ground-transportation.html

• From John F. Kennedy International Airport:

Take either the Super Shuttle or the New York Airport Service Express Bus from JFK to New York Penn Station at 34th St. and 7th Ave. Then take a New Jersey Transit train, from Penn Station to New Brunswick. You will get on the “Northeast Corridor” line to New Brunswick. For more information, please visit: http://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-ground-transportation.html

• Once you arrive in the New Brunswick train station, you can take the Rutgers Campus Bus labeled “L” from the College Avenue/New Brunswick Campus to reach the Livingston Campus. The Rutgers bus is free.

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Information about F-1 Student Status

• Admission to the United States. An international student will be admitted to the United States in F-1 nonimmigrant status for “duration of status”. This means that you are authorized to stay in the United States for the entire length of time that you are enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 18 classroom hours per week).

• School. An F-1 student will be required to attend the school stated on the I-20 used to enter the United States. Entering the United States on an I-20 issued by PALS requires you to report to and attend PALS. Failure to report to and attend PALS will result in the loss of your F-1 student status.

• Enrollment. An F-1 student will be required to enroll in every session of PALS. You may not skip a session while present in the United States without prior approval from the International Student Advisor at PALS.

• Travel and reentry. An F-1 student may be readmitted to the United States after a temporary absence of five months or less. You must get a signature on your I-20 from the International Student Advisor before you travel.

• Transfer. An F-1 student is permitted to transfer to a different school provided the transfer procedure is followed. You must attend PALS for two sessions before you are eligible to transfer.

• Extension of Stay. An F-1 student who cannot complete their program within the time on I-20 may apply for an extension of stay. An extension must be requested with the International Student Advisor before the expiration date on the I-20.

• Financial Support. An F-1 student must demonstrate financial support for the duration of their stay in the United States while pursuing a full course of study. This evidence is required when applying for an I-20 at PALS and an F-1 student visa at the embassy or consulate abroad.

• Employment. AnF-1 student taking a noncredit Intensive English course is not permitted to work in the United States. You will not be allowed to work during your stay. Therefore, you will not be eligible for a social security number.

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The Rutgers University App

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The “Rutgers University App” gives you information about campus events and services right at your fingertips.

You can find the app at your phone’s “App Store”. Type in “Rutgers University” and download it for free.

This app will give you quick information about food, services, activities, and bus schedules at Rutgers.

Worried about the weather? The “Emergency Alert” will give you information of any weather-related issues and other emergencies on campus.

Hungry? There are many restaurants on campus, which you can find by clicking on “Food”.

Need a quiet place to study? You can find information about Rutgers libraries.

Taking the bus? You can check the status of the bus you want to take by clicking on “Bus”.

Need information about a class? You can log onto “Sakai” from your phone for information about your classes and announcements from your instructors and PALS staff.

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Campus Information

Rutgers ID card

PALS students may receive a Rutgers ID card. It is useful for students to use in the libraries, computer labs, gyms and for events on campus.

You will get your PALS ID at New Student Orientation. Please be sure to bring your passport to orientation. You will need it to get a Rutgers ID card.

To get a PALS ID Card, you must go to the RU Connection Office in Records Hall on the College Avenue Campus. They will take your photo there (smile!!), and create your PALS Student ID card.

You should bring your passport and your I-20 for identification.

Directions: From the PALS office, take the L or LX bus to College Ave. Get off at the Rutgers Student Center and cross the street to Records Hall.

Address: 620 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Net ID and Password

PALS students are required to set up a Net ID when they arrive in the United States.

This is used to access Rutgers University’ wireless internet and log into Sakai for classes.

You must set up your Net ID and password on this website: https://netid.rutgers.edu/activateNetId.htm#

Please remember your Net ID and password! You will use it every day!

Campus Services

Rutgers Campus Bus

Rutgers University provides free bus service between campuses.

You may view the bus routes using the Rutgers App on your phone or tablet.

You may also view the schedules on this website:

http://rudots.rutgers.edu/campusbuses.shtml

Rutgers University Health Centers

PALS students who have purchased Student Health Insurance from Rutgers may use the University Health Centers free of charge.

Centers are located on the College Ave, Livingston, and Douglass campuses.

The Rutgers University Health Center provides the following services:

General health exams, women’s health exams and immunizations Primary health care (when you are sick) Mental health and substance abuse counseling Prescriptions and medication management

Please visit: http://health.rutgers.edu/ for more information.

To make an appointment, call 848-932-7402

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Campus Activities Rutgers Gym and Recreation Memberships

• Do you like to exercise, play sports, and meet new people? You can sign up for the Rutgers Gym and Recreation center.

• The cost is $50 per semester, which is two PALS sessions. Membership dates are:

• September 1 — December 31

• January 1 — May 31

• June 1 — August 31

• There are six gyms on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus. Facilities include workout machines, weight rooms, exercise classes, indoor pool, and intramural sports.

• If you would like more information about Rutgers Gym and Recreation Memberships, please visit this website:

https://www1.recreation.rutgers.edu/

Rutgers Clubs and Activities

• Would you like to get involved on campus? Rutgers University has hundreds of clubs and activities for students to join. While you are studying at PALS, you are encouraged to get involved on campus.

• There are clubs and organizations for all interests:

– Cultural clubs

– Sports clubs

– Community Service clubs

• If you would like to get involved and meet new people, please visit this website:

http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/

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Getting Settled in the United States

Mobile Phone Companies:

• AT&T Wireless 1-888-333-6651

(www.wireless.att.com)

• T-Mobile 1-800-937-8997

(www.t-mobile.com)

• Verizon Wireless 1-800-922-0204 (www.verizonwireless.com)

• Sprint 1-800-SPRINT-1

(www.sprint.com)

• Virgin Mobile 1-888-322-1122

(www.virginmobileusa.com)

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Banking and ATM Services

Chase Bank:

390 George St. New Brunswick, NJ-08901

www.chase.com

Bank of America:

410 George St. New Brunswick, NJ-08901

www.bankofamerica.com

Wells Fargo:

120 Albany St. New Brunswick, NJ-08901

www.wellsfago.com

TD Bank:

70 Bayard St. New Brunswick, NJ-08901

www.tdbank.com

PNC Bank:

1 Penn Plaza

New Brunswick, NJ-08901

www.pnc.com

Emergency? Dial 911 from any phone

Local Services

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Grocery Stores: Bravo Supermarket 275 George St, New Brunswick, NJ Phone: 732-545-5582 Stop & Shop 424 Raritan Ave, Highland Park, NJ Phone: 732-572-4155 Website: www.stopandshop.com H-Mart (Asian Food market) 1761, Rt27, Edison, NJ Website: www.hmart.com

Shopping:

Sears Department Store 51 US Highway 1 New Brunswick, NJ 08901

www.sears.com *Near Douglass campus. Accessible by Rutgers bus

Menlo Park Mall 55 Parsonage Rd Edison, NJ 08837

http://www.simon.com/mall/menlo-park-mall **Accessible by NJ Transit Bus #810

Woodbridge Center Mall

250 Woodbridge Center Drive Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095

http://www.woodbridgecenter.com **Accessible by NJ Transit Bus #810 **NJ Transit website: www.njtransit.com

Transportation Information: Rutgers University Bus System:

http://rudots.rutgers.edu/campusbuses.shtml

New Jersey Transit: www.njtransit.com

Taxi Services:

Brunswick Yellow Taxi - 732-246-2222

Victory Cab - 732-545-6666

All Brunswick Taxi – 732-545-0900

A-A Checker Cab – 732-545-2300

We look forward to welcoming you to PALS!

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Ellen Maguire, International Student Advisor

emaguire@scarletmail.rutgers.edu

+1.848.445.4198

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