international student orientation | graduate students | fall 1, 2013
DESCRIPTION
Designed for new graduate international students at Webster University, this welcome guide includes details on early move-in, language placement testing, orientation schedule, planning checklists and more!TRANSCRIPT
International Student Welcome Guide
International Student Orientation Early Move In
Sponsored by Multicultural Center & International Student Affairs
August 15, 2013 Make your plans to settle in
and fight jet lag!
Please note: early move in must be approved by the Housing and Residen-tial Life office based on availability and advanced request. Please contact Kelly Malone at [email protected] with your arrival date and time to request early move in.
Welcome to Webster University!
Our international student orientation program is designed to
answer many questions you may have and to give you informa-
tion that will help you be successful in meeting your academic
and personal goals.
Attendance is expected at all scheduled sessions, and we hope
you will work out any conflicts with other activities. While social
events are optional, you are encouraged to come to them.
While most sessions are designed for students only, spouses and
families are welcome to attend.
Webster University welcomes international students from all over
the world to our home campus in Webster Groves, Missouri. We
are glad to help welcome you to your new home away from
home.
Sincerely,
Bethany Bethany Keller, Assistant Director
Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs
English as a Second Language Placement Testing
August 15, 2013 or August 22, 2013 Please refer to your admission letter to determine if language placement test-ing is required for you. Sign up and confirm the testing
location by emailing Carolyn Trachtova at:
[email protected]. Check in at 8:45 am to pay the $40
testing fee (cash or check made out to Webster University)
TOEFL: 9:00 am - 11:45 am WRITTEN EXAM: 11:50 am - 1:00
pm (70 minutes for reading and writing an essay)
ORAL EXAM: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm (15 - 20 minutes)
Please bring #2 pencils and a pic-ture ID. You can use a dictionary for the written portion.
Welcome Global Gorloks!
Graduate International Student Orientation
Location: Library Conference Room, Emerson Library 150 Edgar Road, St. Louis, MO 63119 Parking: Garden Park Plaza 536 Garden Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119
8:30 am Orientation Check-In and Welcome Our program begins with breakfast, introduction to your classmates and orientation leaders, and welcome activities to start your day! 9:00 am Adjusting to a New Culture Learn more about the ups and downs of adjusting to life in a new culture. Bethany Keller, Niki Parres and Carlos Sanchez, staff of the MCISA, will guide you through activities and discussion of making Webster your new home away from home. 9:45 am Personal Support Resources Gladys Smith, Assistant Director of Counseling and Life Development will discuss services avail-able for personal support and counseling, as well as provide information on personal wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle during your studies. 10:15 am Immigration Rules and Regulations
This important session is required for all F-1 and J-1 visa holders.
Other international students may opt for a break. Wence P’Oryem, Associate Director from International Recruitment and Services provides information on office procedures for advising requests and applying for benefits, and learn the essential requirements for maintaining your F-1 or J-1 visa status. Bethany Keller, Assistant Di-rector MCISA will discuss tax filing requirements for those students on F-1 and J-1 visas. 11:45 am Lunch Break Join us for an informal lunch or take a break. Lunch is provided for all new students and guests.
1:00 pm Health Insurance Requirements & Student Health Services Meet Jenny Andrews, Health Insurance Coordina-tor and Suzanne Kehder Nurse and learn about the University health insurance requirements for international students, Webster’s insurance plan, and how you enroll in insurance or receive a waiver for other approved coverage. 1:15 pm Academic Orientation Meet your key academic support resources at Webster University: Suzy Schmieder and Chrissy Boyce
International Academic Advisors, Academic Advising Center
Dr. Roshaunda Cade, Writing Center Coordinator, Academic Resource Center
Carolyn Trachtova ESL Faculty, International Languages and Cultures Department
Learn more about the US academic culture, classroom etiquette, student-teacher interaction, methods of assessment and grading, and discussion requirements. Learn to familiarize yourself with your Degree Audit, online registra-tion requirements, ESL courses available to sup-port your English language proficiency, and free tutoring and writing assistance from the Academic Resource Center and Writing Center. 2:45 pm Meet the MCISA! Programs and Services for Your Success MCISA staff introduce you to the programs, resources and activities available to international students at Webster. Meet the Director Colette Cummings, Department Associate Rene Murph as well as representatives of international clubs and organizations you are invited to join. 3:45 pm Walking Tour of Campus Our campus tour includes academic buildings, recreation facilities, bookstore, support service offices and more. 4:45 pm Webster Wrap Up MCISA Staff and Orientation Leaders answer any last questions you have about the University!
Friday, August 16, 2013 Schedule of Events
Review Visa & Immigration information to prepare for your visa interview.
Register for classes. Academic Advising ap-
pointments are available by email, phone, or in person. Email Suzy Schmieder at
[email protected] or call 314- 968-6972 to schedule an appointment. If required, sign up for On Campus ESL
Placement Testing. Email Carolyn Trachtova at [email protected].
Activate your Connections account. All
official communication from the University will be sent to your Webster e-mail account.
Apply EARLY for on campus housing.
On campus housing is required for interna-tional students. (Graduate students over 26 years old, married students or students with dependent children may live off campus.)
Submit your Health Packet (health insur-
ance enrollment form, physical exam, and im-munization records) to Health Services.
Submit your Airport Pickup Request (as
far in advance as possible) including your flight number, airline, date and time of arrival, and connecting cities. There is no fee for this service.
If you do not need airport pickup service, make
transportation arrangements. Lambert St. Louis International Airport is approximately 15 miles from campus.
Make payment arrangements. Tuition and
fees are due two weeks before classes begin. For payment options visit www.webster.edu/bursar
Before You Depart From Home After Your Arrival
Immigration Check-In (Required) August 19, 2013 from 12:00—2:00 pm Webster Groves Room, 135 Webster Hall 470 E. Lockwood Avenue, 63119 Bring your original documents with you:
Your passport Your I-20 or DS-2019 form and all forms
from prior institutions Your I-94 (print a copy at www.cbp.gov) Your new (local) address and phone number Emergency contact information
Purchase your textbooks from the University bookstore. Bring your student schedule with you to reference your course prefix, number and section.
Obtain your student ID card. Visit the University Center Information Desk with a copy of your Student Schedule and a photo ID (for example, your passport, etc.) to get your Webster University student ID card made.
Obtain your Metro Pass. Visit the Bursar’s office with your student ID card to request your free Metro Pass to use public transportation.
Purchase a parking tag at the Public Safety office 568 Garden Avenue (Garden Park Plaza).
Sign up for Shopping Trips. Use our online form at http://ow.ly/mDMny to request trans-portation assistance for shopping trips. Trips are scheduled to serve groups of students who are available at mutually convenient times.
Join Student Clubs and Organizations. Login to Involved.Webster.edu using your Connections user name and password.
Apply for a Missouri State ID or Driver’s License. Wait at least 10 days after you arrive in the US, request a letter of reference from the Welcome Center (3-5 days to process), prepare the required documents, and go to the Depart-ment of Motor Vehicles office off-campus.
Mission International Friendship Program at Webster University fosters relation-ships across cultures, pairing inter-national students with community members to experience life in the United States and advance aware-ness of global perspectives. Description Webster International Friendship provides an opportunity for interna-tional students to connect beyond the Webster University campus and helps them better understand our community. Participation gives both the students and community members an opportunity to learn about other cultures, have stimulat-ing conversations, and make new friends.
Get Connected
International Friendship Program
pate in holidays, off campus events, excursions, exchanging phone calls and letters. Many people like to share meals, go on outings and celebrate holidays together.
Apply online at http://tinyurl.com/
WIFPintlstudent Application Deadline:
August 30, 2013 For additional information, contact Bethany Keller at 314-246-7649 or [email protected].
Meet our Graduate Assistant
Carlos Sanchez Carlos is from Comitan, a city located in southern Mexico, in the state of Chiapas. He finished his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and also has a Masters in Business Administration from Lindenwood University in Belleville, IL. Carlos joined the MCISA in December 2012 and will be working towards a degree in Finance in the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Tech-nology. Outside of Webster, Carlos has interests in missionary work, photography, tennis, and music from all around the world. A major aspect of Carlos’ job is the planning and coordination of international student orientation for new students. He provides a supportive welcome for all new international students, with services such as airport pick-up and trips to local resources, agencies, and cultural institutions. As an international student in the United States for many years, Carlos has the experience to provide advice to many situations that interna-tional students might face. Come by to see him, he is friendly, welcoming, and always happy to help.
Through this informal program, international students will be matched with members from the local community and en-joy interactions to promote the open exchange of cultural experiences, customs and ideas. Community members enjoy the satisfaction of making a significant contribution to the success of the international students’ time in the U.S. General Information The program is designed to foster new friendships that promote learn-ing and appreciation for both com-munity members and students. This program may extend beyond sharing meals and could include invitations to international students to partici-
Stay Connected!
Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs
536 Garden Avenue St. Louis, MO 63119
314-246-7658
Check out our website, like us on Facebook, or come by and
hang out in our lounge!
Website: http://blogs.webster.edu/
mcisa/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
webstermcisa
Email: [email protected]