PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Transcription

1 PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION International Student Services (ISS) Office of Multicultural Development SPRING 2019

2 New International Polar Bears! My name is Lewis Jones and I m the International Services Coordinator! My office, International Student Services or ISS, is found on the 2nd floor of our Multicultural Center. Don t worry about where that is just yet! When you get to campus it s a big stop on the tour! ISS is here to help you with pre-arrival and we also provide orientation for all new international students! I will help you as you prepare to leave for your newest adventure here in Ada, Ohio. However, this isn t all I do on campus for international students! International Student Services (ISS) provides the following: Programs focusing on the needs of international students stateside Programs educating the ONU community about different cultures around the world Advocacy for international needs on campus Assistance with communication to other offices on campus Connects international students to resources that foster a successful college career Make sure you keep an eye out for s from International Services and me the whole time you are at ONU so you don t miss anything important. As we get to know each other, I m sure you will see how awesome ISS is! ~ Lewis Jones Facts about Lewis! ~ I play loads of different instruments and sing ~ I am a great cook ~ My hobbies are traveling and doing crafts ~ I prefer to work late hours Contact me! ~ a-jones.5@onu.edu ~ (419) SOCIAL MEDIA What you ll find in this document This document has a ton of information in it so take your time to read it carefully! In it you will find: A Packing List Information on where to arrive and how to get to campus Information on Housing Important campus policies Information on linens and sending mail Your pre-arrival checklist so you never miss a deadline! Website onu.edu/international_services Instagram Onuinternational Facebook Ohionortherninternationalservices Snapchat ISSatONU

3 WHAT TO BRING Important Documents Passport Visa I-20 or DS Credit/Debit Cards Flight Information Health Insurance Information Medical History Forms and Immunization Records Personal Identification International Driver s License or Home License Emergency Contact Information 2 Copies of all Important Documents Money (you can exchange US currency at most airports) Guidebook and maps Everyday Basics Clothing for all seasons (loose-fitting, light clothing to heavy winter coats and boots) Scarf, hats, gloves Umbrella Comfortable Footwear Sunglasses Electronic Converter or Adaptor Battery-powered Alarm Clock Camera and Accessories Travel Journal Laptop and Carrying Case Cultural items and clothing from your home country (we have a Multicultural Fair each year and you ll want to have items to represent your country) Toiletries and Medications Pain Relievers Personal Prescriptions (with doctor letter) Contact Lenses, Eyeglasses Vitamins Motion Sickness Medication Comb/Brush Toothbrush/paste Hair Dryer Deodorant Makeup SHIPPING BELONGINGS You have the option to ship items to ONU before you arrive, if you choose to. You can ONLY ship items 2 weeks before your arrival. If you ship before this date the items will be returned. How to ship: Wait until you receive your Unit Box # in an from the ONU Mail Center Then address your package to this address: YOUR FULL NAME 402 West College Avenue, Unit #### Ada, Ohio, USA We ll take a shopping trip during orientation so you can purchase anything you forgot or didn t want to pack!

4 ARRIVAL AIRPORT PICKUP If flying in, you will need to arrive at the Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) in Detroit, Michigan on Monday January 7, 2019 before 5:00pm. The airport is about 2 hours away from ONU. DTW Airport ONU To arrange pick up from DTW airport, you must complete the Airport Shuttle Request Form by clicking here. Complete the form by January 2, When you submit your flight information via the Airport Shuttle Request Form, a confirmation message will be sent to you. If you plan to arrive at a different airport, or before Monday January 7 th or after 5:00pm on January 7 th, you will need to arrange your own transportation to ONU or be willing to pay a much higher airport shuttle fee (around $250). INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION Spring 2019 International Student Orientation begins Tuesday, January 8 th, 2019 at 9:30am EST and continues until Sunday, January 13 th. It is required for all new international students to attend orientation. During the orientation time you will take placement tests, register for classes, open a bank account, get your student ID card, take a Shopping trip, and get your bearings here on campus! All international students are required to take the Writing placement test. This is different from the TOEFL test and it will NOT affect your admission status. This will simply help your advisors know what classes in which to place you. Students in programs with a heavy math emphasis will also take a short Math Test. Session Topic Examples: Understanding the Mailroom Navigating Self-Service Banner Immigration and Maintaining Visa Status How to Pay Your Bills How Health Insurance Works Succeeding in the US Classroom Getting Involved on Campus Making Healthy Choices

5 TOBACCO FREE CAMPUS Our campus is a no tobacco campus. This means that there is no smoking or use of tobacco products allowed anywhere on campus. This includes but is not limited to, Hookah, chew tobacco, e-cigarettes, snuff, pipe tobacco, dipping tobacco, bidis, blunts, cloves, cigars, and cigarillos. You may not use tobacco products or smoke in your room, on campus grounds, or in any of the campus buildings. If you are a tobacco user you may consume tobacco off campus. If you would like to quit we have programs available to assist you. Please be aware that smoking in your room can lead to extremely expensive cleaning charges. The use of tobacco products anywhere on campus can also lead to social probation and conduct issues. ON-CAMPUS HOUSING All ONU students are required to live on-campus their first three years, unless the student meets one or more of the off-campus requirements. Freshmen students are required to live in the freshmen residence halls. Older students can choose to live in on-campus apartments. The housing application is a legally binding housing contract that you must fill out in order to receive housing. Once you receive your ONU address and password, log-in to Self Service Banner, click on Student Services, then enter MyHousing in order to sign your on-campus housing contract. Do this by December 7, Detailed information about ONU s residence halls and on-campus apartments, housing requirements, meal plans, and housing options are available here. OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING In order to live off campus you MUST get approved through the Residence Life office. You cannot live off campus until they send you an stating you are approved. If you do not get this permission, you WILL be charged for on campus housing. Click here for the request form, due by December 7 as well. To be eligible for off campus housing you must meet one or more of the following requirements: Spent three years in the residence halls or apartments on ONU campus Be 23 years of age or older Live with your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) within a 30-mile driving distance of ONU Proof of marriage and proof that student is residing with spouse within a 30- mile driving distance of ONU Proof of undergraduate degree

6 HEALTH INSURANCE ONU requires every international student to have health insurance. All international students will be automatically added to the ONU Health Insurance Plan F-1 STUDENT VISA HOLDERS: If you have U.S.-based insurance that meets our requirements, you can request a waiver to opt out of ONU insurance. If you want the waiver, you MUST submit the waiver application to Dr. Lynda Nyce by January 7, J-1 VISA EXCHANGE STUDENTS: All exchange students holding J-1 visas are required to purchase ONU Student Health Insurance, which is billed automatically. Health insurance waiver submissions from exchange students will not be accepted. We will have a session explaining the system and how to best use it during orientation. Ohio Northern University has a free, walk-in clinic that is available for all students. Any ONU student, may utilize their services. The Health Center provides general health assessments, treatment as well as referrals to specialists in the area. Check out the Health Center by clicking here! International Student Services strongly recommends utilizing the Health Center for minor situations. If it is a medical emergency it is best to first dial 911. Before treatment at the Health Center, all students must complete a Medical History and Immunization Form. It is strongly recommended to complete the form prior to your arrival at Ohio Northern! LINENS We will have sheets and pillows available when you arrive for purchase. The cost is $95 USD. You have two payment options: you may pay online or bring cash upon arrival. The link to pay online will be in your . The subject line reads INTERNATIONAL LINENS. You will need to order or let us know you will order by January 4, You will receive a comforter/duvet, 1 pillowcase, sheet set, small blanket, 2 towels, 2 wash clothes, 1 pillow, and a laundry bag. You can bring your own linens if you would like. We will also be shopping on the 8 th if you feel you would like to wait to buy them.

7 PRE-ARRIVAL Ju CHECKLIST Once you ve applied, been accepted to ONU, received your visa, and deposited, follow this checklist before you arrive! o Review your I-20 or DS-2019 when you receive it to make sure all information is correct o Make copies of all of your immigration documents as soon as you get them o Schedule your flight to arrive at the Detroit Airport (DTW) on Monday, January 7, 2019 BEFORE 5:00pm o Access Self Service Banner and sign into your ONU account o Sign up for Housing by December 7, 2019 using MyHousing o Receive your Unit Box # and new mailing address in your by December 17, Don t mail or post anything before this time unless instructed to do so! o Submit an Airport Shuttle Request Form by January 2, 2019 o Fill out Medical History and Immunization Forms and bring them with you to orientation o Let us know if you need a linen packet and how you plan to pay for it by January 4, 2019 o Plan your finances and pay fees and tuition in full before you arrive, if possible o Be prepared with enough money to help with your arrival and settling-in o Research the Northwest Ohio area (weather, transportation, Midwest culture, etc.) o Research Student Life at ONU (student clubs, organizations, etc.)