International Student Orientation

College

Orientation Schedule: College of Liberal Arts

2012 Fall Semester International Student Orientation Dates: Friday, August 17-Tuesday, August 21.  Freshmen Orientation, which includes all new incoming students, begins on Wednesday, August 22.

Time & Location	Description
Friday August 17, 2012
Residence Life	Arrive on Drew campus and move into Residence Halls.
6:00 PM	Dinner in Madison with Laura Arthur, International Student Services (Meet in Brothers College, Room 119)
Saturday August 18, 2011
8-9AM	Breakfast available in The Commons
12:00 PM, University Commons	Lunch with Drew students
1:30-3:30 PM, Brothers College Lobby	Target Store Trip (leave from Brothers College)
3:30-5:00 PM	Free Time
5:00-6:00 PM Brothers College	Adjustment to Life at Drew & the U.S.
6:00PM	Pizza Dinner
Sunday August 19, 2012
8:00-9:00 AM, University Commons	Breakfast available at The Commons
12:30-6:30 PM	Visit New York City (Meet in BC Lobby – group will take the train from Madison to NYC.)
Monday August 20, 2012
8:00-9:00 AM, University Commons	Breakfast at The Commons
9:00-10:00 AM, Health Services	Students who did not receive the meningitis vaccine before arriving in the U.S will be given the vaccine at this time.  (This is required of all students living on campus and the cost is approximately $150.)
10:00-11:30 AM, Brothers College	Opening Bank Accounts (We will meet in BC and walk to a local bank to open accounts.  Bring your I-20 and passport (with I-94 card).Student ID Cards Business Office, Tilghman House
11:30am-1:00pm	Lunch at The Commons
1:00-2:00 PM, Campus Tour	The tour will leave from the Admissions Office, Wesley House.
2:30-3:30 PM Brothers College, Rm 118	Staying Legal in the United States:  Immigration Issues Bring your I-20 and passport (with I-94 card)Working in the United States:  On & Off Campus  We will review U.S. Immigration regulations relating to the various types of employment.
5:00-6:30 PM, University Commons	Dinner
Tuesday August 21, 2012
9:00AM BC 118	Light Breakfast in Brothers College, Room 118
9:30-11:30 AM, Brothers College, Rm 118	English Language Proficiency Test (Part I) Kathie Brown, ESOL Coordinator
11:30AM-12:45PM	Lunch
1:00PM, BC 118	Welcome by the Dean of the College, Jonathan Levine
1:15-2:30 PM, Brothers College, Rm 118	English Language Writing Sample (Part II) Kathie Brown, ESOL Coordinator
3:00-4:00 PM Seminary Hall	Critical Thinking & The American Classroom Kathie Brown & Laura Arthur
5:00-6:30 PM, University Commons	Dinner
August 22, 2012	NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION BEGINS

Theological

Welcome Schedule: Theological School

Time & Location	Description
Friday, July 27, 2012
9:00-11:00AM, Health Services	Students who have not fulfilled the vaccine requirements must visit Student Health Services to receive the immunization(s).  Laura Arthur, Coordinator, International Student Services, and Joyce Maglione, Director of Health Services, will be available to assist students with questions.
9:00 AM- 1:00 PM Business Office	Students who have been cleared by Health Services and are prepared to pay their tuition bill may visit the Business Office.  Student ID cards will be issued to students once tuition payment is made.
11:30 AM Lunch	Lunch will be provided by the University
1:00 PM Banking	Students who have not opened an account can visit one of the local Madison banks with Laura Arthur and other University staff to open an account.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
1:30-3:30 PM Seminary Hall	Staying Legal in the United States: Immigration Issues. Bring your I-20 and passport (with I-94 card) Working in the United States: On & Off Campus  We will review U.S. Immigration regulations relating to the various types of employment for students on the F-1 visa.

 

What to Bring

Climate and Clothing

Northern New Jersey has a varying climate with four distinct seasons:

Season	Months	Temperature Centigrade
Summer	June–September	24–34°
Fall	October–November	10–24°
Winter	December–March	-1–16°
Spring	April–May	16–24°

Temperatures vary considerably from year to year. During spring, summer and fall, moderate periods of rainfall occur; snow falls periodically during the winter months.

Three basic types of clothing are essential:

• In winter, heavy jackets or overcoats, hats, scarves, gloves and boots are needed.
• During chilly autumn and spring days, raincoats or medium-weight coats or jackets are worn outdoors; sweaters indoors.
• A light-weight jacket is sometimes necessary for cool nights during spring and fall.

Personal Items

Most students like to bring examples of arts, crafts, traditional dress, photographs, tapes or CDs, maps or other items descriptive of their country and culture to show interested Americans and to provide a touch of home to their new homes. You may want to bring items you use regularly that may not be readily available or may be more expensive in the United States, such as eyeglasses, cameras, watches, traditional pre-packaged foods or portable music players. You may also have the opportunity to visit a duty-free port where such items may be purchased at a reduced cost.

Basic furniture is provided in the campus residence halls, but the below items are not; you will need these during your stay. If you do not bring these items with you, we organize a trip to a store during orientation so that you can purchase them within the first few days of your arrival. However, please bring a pillow, towel and sheets for at least the first few nights. We do not provide linens in the dorm room for students.

Essential Items & Approximate Cost (USD)

• High-speed Internet cable for your computer $10
• Desk lamp $15
• Pillow(s) $10
• Bed sheets (twin size) $20
• Blanket(s) $30 – 50
• Bath towel $7 – 15
• International power converter $20

Also consult the list of items recommended for dormitory living, provided by the Office of Residence Life. These are items you may wish to purchase after arriving on campus.

On-campus apartments for Graduate and Theological students are very sparsely furnished. The Residence Director for Grad/Theo can provide access to a limited supply of used household goods (pots, pans, utensils, furniture, appliances, decorations, etc.) that have been donated by past residents and community members. To browse the available items, contact the Grad/Theo Residence Director at x3055.

Things to Leave at Home

You can obtain a booklet on customs regulations at the consulate or embassy where you acquire your visa. Prohibited items include some foodstuffs, narcotics and items for resale. For more information, visit these Web sites of the US Customs Service: TSA Prohibited Items, and TSA quantity limitations for liquids, aerosols, and gels (toiletries).

Arrival Info

Getting from the Airport to Drew

Due to new immigration policies you will not be allowed into the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. You should have your financial certification documents to show the Port of Entry officer when you enter the U.S. If you have problems entering the country and the officer wants to speak with a representative from  Drew University, you can call during office hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) at (973) 408-3111.

From Newark Airport

Taking a taxi is the easiest way to get from the airport to Drew University. On the baggage claim level there is a station for taxis. “Terry’s Taxi” offers a taxi service to Drew University from Newark (about $45 plus $8.25 for tip and $1.00 for each piece of luggage). Please make prior arrangements with the company “Terry’s Taxi” (toll free number in the US 1-973-334-5100). If you can’t make prior arrangements there are usually plenty of other taxis at the airport, but the fare may be higher. Make sure you agree with the taxi driver on the fare, plus tolls, before you leave the airport.

If you don’t have much baggage, you can also take the AirTrain Newark Train from the Newark Liberty Airport to Secaucus Station and then change trains to New Jersey Transit Dover line which goes to Madison, NJ (where Drew University is). For walking directions from the Madison train station, please see the maps and directions portion of the Drew website.

From J.F.K. Airport

It is also possible to get to Drew from JFK airport by taxi. “Airport Express Taxi offers services to Drew for $105 plus $15.75 tip and $1.00 per bag. Please make prior arrangements. From US – 1-888-566-6665. Outside US – 1-973-701-7884. There is also an area for taxis in case you could not make prior arrangements. These fares could be as high as $130.00 plus a 15% tip and tolls ($16). Make sure to arrange the price before you leave in the taxi. Most taxi drivers only take US dollars, not credit cards or traveler checks.  You can also get to Drew by public transit. Take the AirTrain to the Howard Beach/JFK Subway stop for the A Train. Take the A train ($2) to Penn Station. For directions from Penn Station to the Madison train station, please see the maps and directions portion of Drew’s website.

Taking a taxi is the easiest way to get to Drew University. The taxis can be found on the baggage claim level. “Airport Express Taxi” offers a taxi service to Drew University from La Guardia for about $95 plus a $14.25 tip and about $16 in tolls. Please make prior arrangements with the company (from US 1-888-566-6665 or outside US – 1-973-701-7884). If you didn’t make arrangements beforehand you can usually still get a taxi, but the fare could be as high as $150.00 plus a 15% tip. Make sure to arrange the price before you get in the taxi.

Accommodations in the Area

If you are planning to stay in a hotel before you move into the residence hall, or if you would like a friend or family member to visit you, Drew University provides a list of nearby hotels on our website.

Port of Entry Procedures

Once you have obtained your U.S. student visa, you are ready to finalize your travel plans. Be sure to have your Form I-20 (for F-1 visas) Or DS-2019 (J-1 visas) and your proof of the SEVIS fee payment with your passport when you go through your immigration inspection at the U.S. port of entry.  Do not pack your immigration documents in your suitcase!

DO NOT enter on anther school’s Certificate of Eligibility, as that is considered to be a fraudulent entry by the U.S. Immigration authorities.

DO NOT attempt to enter the United States with large sums of money unless you declare it with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It is a US federal law that anyone carrying more than $10,000 in a monetary instrument of any form must declare that money or risk having it seized by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials.

DO NOT attempt to enter the United States on a visitor/tourist visa (B-2) unless it is designated “Prospective Student” by a consular officer or unless you will be doing short “incidental study” only. The U.S. Immigration Service rarely authorizes a change of status from B-2 to F-1.You will be prevented from enrolling in school until your change of status application is approved, which could take several months.

DO NOT attempt to enter the United States under the visa waiver program (unless you intend to do incidental study in ESL), available to citizens from nearly 30 countries throughout the world. The waiver program is designed for tourists only, and attending school (apart from “incidental study”) under the waiver program is a clear violation of U.S. immigration law.

Expect to go through both immigration and customs inspection at the U.S. port of entry. You may also be required to go through a pre-inspection procedure at certain airports abroad.

At the immigration booth, present your passport, your I-20, your proof of the SEVIS I-901 fee payment and your completed I-94 arrival/departure card (if the card was distributed on the airplane). Expect to have your fingers scanned for fingerprint purposes and a digital photograph taken, as required by U.S. federal regulations.

In the vast majority of cases, there will be no difficulty. In certain cases, if there is some problem with your documents, you may be issued a 30-day entry on your I-94 card and issued a form I-515, usually with instructions to see your international student advisor.

Examine your I-94 card and I-20 carefully as you leave the immigration booth. F-1 students should have their I-94s marked “D/S” which means Duration of Status, along with a stamp indicating the date you entered the United States. The same stamp and “D/S” notation should also be on the I-20. If an expiration date is written on the I-94 instead of “D/S,” and you are in F or J status, come to the Office of International Student Services as soon as possible.

Anyone who is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry should be very cautious about arguing with the immigration official. You may risk being issued “expedited removal,” which now entails a five-year bar on admission to the United States. If you are denied admission, first try to contact the Office of International Student Services for assistance, but also make it known to the immigration official that you are willing to withdraw your application for admission to the country rather than be subject to expedited removal.

Housing

Housing Application, Assignment, and Move-in Procedures

Undergraduate students entering the College of Liberal Arts are assigned housing in on-campus residence halls by the Undergraduate Housing Office. Graduate and Theological School students must apply for on-campus housing in graduate apartments through the Department of Housing, Conferences, and Hospitality. All students are advised as to housing options during the admissions process. The following staff members can provide detailed information about on-campus housing.

College of Liberal Arts
Bob Meade
Undergraduate Housing Coordinator
(973) 408-3681
rmeade@drew.edu

Graduate and Theological Schools
Mette K. Gomez
Graduate/Theological Student Housing Coordinator
(973) 408-3037
mgomez@drew.edu

Living on Campus During Breaks and Holidays

Undergraduate residence halls close during several breaks and holidays throughout the academic year and during summer months (Thanksgiving Break in the third week of November; Winter Break beginning mid-December; January Term beginning the first week of January; Spring Break beginning the second week of March). Residents are required to vacate the residence halls during these times.

Undergraduate international students wishing to stay in residence halls during such periods pay an additional fee per night (approximately $48 nightly), and temporarily relocate so that all students living on campus during break periods reside in one residence hall. Contact Undergraduate Housing at x3681 if you would like to remain in campus housing during any of these periods.

Graduate and Theological housing does not close at any time during the year, and Grad and Theo students are not required to relocate or pay additional fees during breaks and holidays.

Living in NJ and the US

Information about Madison & the Surrounding Area

• RoseNet.org, the official borough website (municipal information, directory of businesses and restaurants, etc.)
• Dave Caldwell, “Living in Madison, N.J.: A Town Right Out of Central Casting,” New York Times, June 15, 2008.
• State of New Jersey Public School Report Cards, by County/District (Madison is located in Morris County)
  

Driver’s Licenses & Vehicle Registration

• State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
• Information on relocating to New Jersey as a driver
• Information about driver’s licenses for non-citizens

How to Apply for a Social Security Number

In order to apply to the Social Security Administration for a number, you must have the following documents:

1. Employment Letter (This letter should include the employer’s name, address, phone, email, supervisor’s name, Employer Identification Number and employment start date.)
2. Form SS-5 (available online). You can fill the form out online and then print it out to take with you to the Social Security Administration. The SS-5 form is also available at the Social Security Office.
3. Passport, I-94 card, and I-20 (You must have all of these documents with you when you apply).
4. Letter from International Student Services to provide further support for your application.

International Student Services will need a copy of the Employment Letter in order to write the letter of support. You can make an appointment to request a letter or send an email with your request.

The Social Security Administration is located at 2200 State Route 10, 2nd Floor, Parsippany, NJ. The hours are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. Please let me know when you have the letter of employment.