FULBRIGHT Foreign Fellows PreDeparture Orientation Updated: May 2006

1
FULBRIGHTForeign FellowsPre-Departure
Orientation
Updated May 2006
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Fulbright Programs

• Senator J. William Fulbright
• Over 140 participating countries
• Fulbright programs include
• Student Programs U.S. and Foreign
• Scholar Programs U.S. and Foreign
• Teacher and Administrator Exchange Program
• Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program
• 1,700 new Foreign Fulbright grants awarded
  annually

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Purpose

• increase mutual understanding between the people
  of the United States and the people of other
  countries

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Fulbright Goals

• Cultural exchange
• Promote mutual understanding
• Academic development
• Personal development
• Professional development

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Foreign Fulbright Program Administration

• U.S. Sponsor U.S Department of State, Bureau of
  Educational and Cultural Affairs
• Funding by U.S. Congress
• Presidentially-appointed Fulbright Scholarship
  Board (FSB) sets overall program policies and
  approves all grants
• Binational Commissions and Posts in home
  countries select finalists for Fulbright award
• Binational Commissions fund selected participants
• U.S. cooperating agencies (such as IIE, CIES,
  Amideast) provide administrative support for all
  aspects of the Fulbright Program

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Institute of International Education

• Founded in 1919
• Dedicated to international exchange
• One of the administrating agencies for the
  Fulbright program since 1946.
• IIE manages over 250 different programs worldwide
  supported by various sponsors

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Institute of International Education

• Headquarters located in New York City
• IIE Foreign Fulbright Program
• Foreign Fulbright Programs Division
• Placement Services
• Pre-Academic Programs Division
• Student Services (5 IIE regional offices)

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IIEs Responsibilities and Services to Grantees
while in the US

• monitors your academic progress and assists you
  to complete your approved study program.
• provides a support network for you and your
  sponsor.
• maintains contact with your university and
  conducts campus visits (when possible or
  necessary).
• disperses grant and university payments for some
  programs.
• is available to support you in any personal or
  academic situation while on your Fulbright grant.

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Fulbright Terms of Appointment

• This document describes the benefits and
  conditions of your placement.
• Below are the most important details concerning
  your academic program.
• Terms and conditions of grant Provides detailed
  information about program policies and general
  requirements. (See attached word document)
• Estimated length of your degree program
• Conditions of Admission
• Reporting date
• University contacts (for example, Foreign Student
  Adviser)
• IIE contact information
• Renewal status of grant

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Financial Information-Terms of Appointment

• Financial information specifies the funding level
  for the following
• Tuition and fees
• Maintenance Based on the cost of living by city,
  it may range from 1,040
• to 1,880 monthly. Should be used to pay for
  your housing, meals, transportation and living
  expenses such as clothing, telephone, laundry,
  etc.
• Books/ Supplies 1,000 for the academic year,
  200 for the summer
• Settling-in allowance (350)
• Computer allowance (500, if applicable)
• Billing information
• If IIE pays your balance of tuition and fees, the
  bills will be sent to IIE.
• If you are responsible to pay tuition and fees
  directly to the university, tuition bills will be
  sent directly to you. Information about specific
• payment dates is included in your document.
  Upon your arrival, please provide the bursars
  office with your correct U.S. mailing address.

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Renewal of Grant

• Your terms of appointment will specify if you are
  eligible for a
• renewal of your Fulbright grant.
• The U.S. Department of State and IIE reserve the
  right to revise
• or adjust these grant provisions if conditions
  require.
• Information about renewal grant applications will
  be sent to you by your IIE Student Services
  contact during your original grant period.
• Criteria
• Satisfactory progress in your authorized study
  program
• Maintaining full time study in your approved
  program
• Availability of funds

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Application Receipt

• Commissions and Posts nominate grantees in home
  country
• ?
• Applications are sent to Fulbright Scholarship
  Board in the US for approval
• ?
• IIE Foreign Fulbright Programs Division (FFPD)
  receives approved Fulbright applications
• ?
• FFPD reads applications and works with Placement
  and Pre-Academic divisions to ensure best
  programs for student

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Placement Services

• Staff professionals work on university
  placements, according to field of study
• Placement unit reads application and researches
  the best academic fit for needs
• IIE sends applications to universities on behalf
  of the student. IIE submits to large and small,
  public and private institutions across the US.
  If indicated in your dossier, we will submit to
  your preferred institutions

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Pre-Academic Programs

• After your placement is finalized, Pre-Academic
  Programs division reviews your application
• Primary purpose of PreAc is intensive English
  study and cultural orientation
• PreAc also offers Pre-MBA, Pre-law and Gateway
  programs
• Office of English and Special Services (OESS) is
  IIE contact for grantees during PreAc

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Fulbright Enrichment Opportunities

• Pre-Academic Programs
• Enrichment Seminars
• UN Fellowship
• Other Cultural Events

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Fulbright Enrichment Opportunities

• Pre-Academic Programs Objectives
• Reinforce Fulbright identity
• Provide English language and field-of-study
  training
• Practice skills essential for academic success
• Gives an introduction to U.S. academic culture
• Provide a period of acclimation to life and study
  in the U.S.
• Begin Fulbright networking activities

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Fulbright Enrichment Opportunities

• Types of Pre-Academic Programs
• Gateway Orientation - five days
• Language refinement - three to seven weeks
• Intensive English - eight weeks and longer
• Field-of-study training - various
• Orientation programs for the physically challenged

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Student Services

• IIE has 5 Regional Offices
• New York, Chicago, Denver,
• San Francisco, Washington DC
• Information and contact details of your IIE
  Student Services officer will be provided prior
  to your arrival in the U.S.

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Health Insurance

• Carefully assess your personal and family medical
  care needs before your departure to the US.
• While in Pre-Academic Program, you will be
  enrolled in Accident and Sickness Program for
  Exchanges (ASPE) health insurance. You will be
  covered by ASPE for the duration of your
  Fulbright program.
• ASPE does not cover pre-existing conditions.
• If you find that you require additional health
  insurance to meet your needs, you will be
  responsible for securing the health insurance and
  incurring the cost.

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Health Insurance

• It is recommended to see an Eye Doctor Dentist
• before traveling to the U.S.
• Complete Your Immunizations
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella is required
• Diphtheria Tetanus is recommended
• (These tests are not covered by Fulbright program
  funs or ASPE insurance)
• Bring enough prescription medications until you
  consult with a doctor in the U.S.
• If your study costs are covered by Fulbright
  funds administered by IIE, required university
  health insurance will be paid (if academic
  institution does not accept Fulbright insurance).
• Review university health insurance on your
  universitys web page.

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Fulbright Enrichment Opportunities

• Fulbright Enrichment Seminar
• US Department of State sponsors seminars during
  each spring semester for first-year foreign
  Fulbright students.
• Each seminar brings together approximately
  125-150 foreign Fulbright students in an open and
  interactive forum to discuss and learn more about
  a given topic.
• The seminar takes place over a 4 day period.
• US Department of State covers travel and other
  associated costs.
• The invitation and information will be sent to
  you by IIE.

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Fulbright Enrichment Opportunities

• Other Cultural events
• Local events hosted by IIEs Regional Offices
  Check with your IIE Regional Office for special
  events
• Cultural Events Desk located in IIE New York
  Offers free tickets to theater, orchestra,
  musicals, art exhibits and more
• Check with your university for
• other enrichment opportunities.

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Employment

• J-1 regulations limits work authorization to a
  maximum of 20 hours a week on campus during the
  academic year and 40 hours a week during summer
  and holidays.
• You may be eligible to engage in employment
  during the academic year.
• You must check with their IIE Student Services
  contact for approval to pursue employment. You
  must contact IIE for all rules and regulations
  concerning employment.
• The primary of your Fulbright is to undertake
  your approved academic program not to seek
  employment.

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Academic Training (AT)

• AT is an opportunity to gain professional
  experience in the U.S.
• that supplements the academic experience.
• Fulbright has specific policies concerning
  Academic Training.
• To apply for Academic Training, please contact
  your IIE Student Services Representative prior to
  the completion of your academic program.
• You must receive approval by IIE in order to
  undertake
• Academic Training.

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The Nature of Your J-1 Visa

• J1 Exchange Visitor Visa Program was created to
  support cultural exchange.
• J1 legalizes your entry into the U.S.
• Subject to 2-year home residency requirement at
  program completion.
• IIE will advise you on exit/reentry and related
  immigration issues.

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J-1 Visa

• IIE issues the Certificate of Eligibility for J1
  status (DS-2019 form).
• Your name on the DS-2019 must appear exactly the
  same as in your passport.
• DS-2019 contains information on program dates,
  study objective, financial support, and US
  university.
• An original DS-2019 form must be presented at the
  US Embassy to obtain a J-1 visa.

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To obtain a J-1 Visa you must present

• IIE Terms of Appointment and or university
  acceptance letter
• Original DS-2019 form
• Valid passport (valid at least 6 months beyond
  the end of your program)
• J-1 Visa application form
• The visa processing fee (at your own expense)

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Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
(SEVIS)

• SEVIS is a U.S. government mandated
  Internet-based system to
• enable U.S. institutions and the U.S. Department
  of Homeland
• Security to exchange information of the
  immigration and
• academic status of international students,
  scholars and their
• dependents nationwide.
• IIE has permission from the U.S. Department of
  State to issue
• exchange visitor documents. Therefore, IIE is
  responsible to
• ensure that all Fulbright students, scholars and
  their dependents
• are in compliance with J visa and SEVIS
  regulations.

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SEVIS

• Congress requires the Bureau of Immigration and
  Customs Enforcement (ICE), a branch of the
  Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to
  maintain updated information on approximately one
  million non-immigrant foreign students and
  exchange visitors during the course of their stay
  in the United States each year.
• SEVIS allows ICE to maintain up-to-date
  information on foreign students and exchange
  visitors in order to ensure that they arrive in
  the United States, register at the school or
  exchange program, and properly maintain their
  status during their stay.

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SEVIS

• The SEVIS system tracks entries to and exits from
  the U.S.
• IIE is required to report to SEVIS
• Address and name changes
• Extensions of study
• Early completion of program
• Transfer of schools
• Academic training

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J-2 Dependent Policies

• A separate DS-2019 document is required for each
• dependent accompanying a grantee. IIE will issue
  the
• DS-2019 document for J-2 dependents.
• Your spouse and children under the age of 21 are
  eligible to apply for J-2 dependents visas.
• J-2 visa issuance is at the discretion of the US
  Embassy in your home country.
• Grant funds are intended for the recipient only.
• You can not bring members of your family unless
  you have additional resources to provide for
  them.
• If you have been assigned to a pre-academic
  program, you cannot have dependents accompany
  you.

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J-2 Visa Particulars

• Commissions/ posts fill out the J-2 form,
  Certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant
  status , based on proof on financial resources,
  including funds for health coverage presented by
  you.
• J-2s can apply for work authorization after
  arrival in the US IIE cannot provide assistance
  in this process. There is no guarantee the Bureau
  of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS)
  will issue work authorization.

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J-2 Visa Particulars

• Upon J-2 arrival, you must submit proof to your
  Student Services officer that you have purchased
  adequate health insurance for your dependents for
  the duration of their stay in the U.S.
• J-2s are also subject to the two year Home
  Residency Requirement.
• J-2 status is subject to the J-1 status. J-2s
  may not remain in the U.S. beyond the time
  specified on the J-1 visa

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Pre-Departure Suggested items to budget for

• Budget Your Stay
• Living Costs
• Baggage Insurance
• Books Supplies, Computer Expenses
• Transportation/Return Travel (commuting expenses)
• Communications (internet, mobile phone, land
  line)
• Meals
• Incidentals (laundry, dining out, entertainment)
• Recreational Travel (semester breaks
  holidays)

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Pre-Departure Information

• IIE will send you a Pre-Departure Packet
  containing important information
• This packet will contain your DS-2019 original
  documents
• You will also receive your Fulbright Fellows
  Handbook and IIE Student Services contact details
• Please read thoroughly!

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Pre-Departure Information

• Important documents to bring
• Legal (passport, DS-2019, copy of birth
  certificate, drivers license)
• Medical (immunization medical records,
  prescriptions, eyeglasses)
• Academic (Fulbright Terms of Appointment,
  admission letter, diplomas/transcripts from all
  secondary institutions)
• Contacts (carry names, telephone numbers, and
  addresses of contacts in your home country AND at
  your U.S. university with you)

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Pre-Departure Essentials before you leave

• Bring transcripts with course descriptions
• Bring medical records with English translations
• Make certain your passport is up-to-date
• DS-2019 documents, J-1 visa, passport
• Know your university contact information
• Make travel arrangements
• Bring home country materials/gifts to share with
  others

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What to pack? What to leave at home?

• Appropriate clothing for
• Arrival period (Summer/Fall)
• Climate at university location
• Casual and formal attire
• Passengers are generally
• allowed two pieces of baggage,
• check with your airline for
• weight limits!

• Household items
• Linens
• Towels
• Cooking utensils
• Study supplies
• Pens, paper
• Notebooks
• These items can be purchased
• in the U.S. at a reasonable cost.

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U.S. Port of Entry

• GRANTEES MAY NOT ENTER THE U.S. EARLIER THAN 30
  DAYS
• BEFORE THE START OF THEIR DS-2019 FORM!
• Upon arrival at the port of entry, you must check
  in at one of the
• Department of Homeland Security stations. You
  must carry your
• Passport
• SEVIS Form DS-2019
• Form 1-94 Arrival-Departure Record
• Evidence of financial resources
• J-1 Visa
• IT IS IMPORTANT YOU TELL THE CUSTOMS AND BORDER
• PROTECTION OFFICER THAT YOU WILL BE AN EXCHANGE
• VISITOR!

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U.S. Port of Entry

• At the port of entry, a Bureau of Customs and
  Border
• protection inspection official will
• validate your Form I-94 (Record of
  Arrival/Departure) which notes the length of stay
  permitted.
• Stamp your SEVIS Form for duration of status for
  your
• J visa
• Have your photograph and fingerprints taken
• If you have a connecting flight at the port of
  entry, plan
• your travel to allow sufficient time for your
• connection.

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Plan your travel to your university

• Organize your travel to university from airport
  in advance (bus, train, car rental, etc.)
• Make appropriate plans for weekend arrival or if
  you are arriving during a holiday
• It is recommended that you arrive at your
• university on a weekday!

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Arrival Packet Information

• IIE will send an Arrival Packet
• containing information for you.
• It is important that you pick up your
• Arrival Packet at your International
• Student Office upon arrival on campus!

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Arrival Packet Information

• The packet contains
• Student report forms
• Visa information
• Dependent forms
• Information on travel and reentry
• Grant benefit information

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IIE Student ServicesYou will be assigned an
individual Student Services Officer who will

• Act as an IIE point person for all of your
  personal and academic concerns
• Monitor your academic progress
• Confirm transmission of monthly allowance checks
  and university payments
• Review requests for employment
• Validate your immigration documents prior to
  travel outside the US
• Provide visa documentation DS-2019 for J-2s
• Confirm your legal status in the U.S. with BCIS

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Why must you contact your IIE Student Services
Officer upon your arrival in the U.S.?

• For verification of your legal status in SEVIS
• So IIE may contact you for
• - Special events, receptions,
  seminars,
• - For IIE campus visits
• - Participation in the Fulbright
  network
• To share this information with your sponsors in
  Washington, D.C. and in your home country
• To inform you of updates and reporting
  requirements

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J-1 Reporting Requirements

• Within 10 days of arrival or moving, you must
  verify the
• following information with IIE in order to
  maintain your
• legal status in the US
• Your local address and contact information
• That you are in the US with the appropriate visa
  status
• That you are registered in a full time academic
  program
• Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual
  Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• To submit your address information, complete the
• form found at www.iie.org/fulbright/nonus/current
  /arrival

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Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

• SSN or ITIN numbers are unique personal
  identification numbers used in the U.S.
• If you receive funds from IIE or another U.S.
  source, you MUST obtain a SSN or ITIN number
• If your grant payments are issued in your
  country, IIE recommends you obtain an ITIN number
  for identification purposes
• You must inform your Student Services Officer as
  soon as possible of your U.S. SSN

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Tax Information

• You are required by law to file a U.S. federal
• and state income tax return each year, while you
  are
• in U.S.
• Your grant sponsor, the U.S. Department of State,
  has arranged through IIE to pay the taxes due on
  your grant.
• IIE has a U.S. income tax service, GRANTAX, which
  provides tax preparation and filing at no cost to
  you.
• Before the tax season, relative paperwork and
  instructions will be sent to you for GRANTAX
  services.

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Finding accommodations in the U.S.

• University housing office
• International student office
• Local and campus newspapers/websites
• Campus and local bulletin boards
• Ask fellow students for housing advice
• Always inspect accommodation before paying.
• Know your rights! Learn about local tenancy laws
• before signing a lease!

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Short-term Housing Options

• Hotels (expensive, full facilities)
• Motels (less expensive, basic facilities)
• Hostels (even less expensive, shared housing)
• Room rental (pay monthly, no contract)

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Long-term Housing Options

• When deciding on housing cost, safety,
• distance, privacy and noise level should be
  considered.
• University Dormitories
• Apartments
• Room rental (with an American family)
• International Houses

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Money and Expenses

• Checking vs. Savings Account
• Online banking (save time and stamps)
• Automated Teller Machines (ATM)
• Credit Cards (very popular)
• Personal Checks (useful to pay monthly bills)
• Money orders (obtained at the post office)
• Western Union (to wire-transfer funds)

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Graduate Degrees

• Masters may be academic or professional
• -Academic Masters MA/MS (30 to 60 credits)
• -Professional Masters leads to particular
  profession (MBA, MSW, MFS, M.Ed)
• Doctoral PhD most commonly awarded at a doctoral
  level after
• Completion of original significant research
• Write dissertation describing research
• Successfully defend thesis

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Academic Calendar

• Generally lasts nine months from August/September
  to May
• May be divided into two, three or four terms
  depending on school
• Optional summer term often available to
  accelerate program
• It is advisable to start program in the Fall as
  courses are taken in sequence

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Grading System/Course Load

• CREDIT, COURSE LOAD, AND GRADING SYSTEM
  VARY
• BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS. MAKE SURE YOU ARE
• AWARE OF THE POLICIES OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL
• PROGRAM.
• Passing grade is typically on a scale of A to
  D
• F is failing
• May also be a grade-point scale from 0 to 4.0 or
  Pass/Fail
• A normal full course load is 3 or 4 courses (or 9
  to 12 credits per term)

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Types of U.S. Institutions

• College smaller than university do not usually
  offer doctoral degrees
• University offers wide range of programs
  including doctoral. May also be called research
  university.
• Institute specializes in programs closely
  related to subject areas Institute of
  Technology, Institute of Fashion, etc.

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Types of institutions based on sources of
funding

• PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
• Private university support comes from student
  tuition, investment, income research contracts
  and private donations
• Tuition is higher than public institutions
• PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
• Public universities are also called state
  universities
• Tuition is lower than private institutions
• Offers lower tuition to state residents
• International students are considered
  out-of-state residents

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University Offices you will encounter

• Head/Chair of Department assumes the
  programmatic, managerial and fiscal
  responsibilities within the department.
• Academic Advisor - sets up course schedule to
  complete your major on time
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants will
  provide answers to your general questions
• Registrar to register, add, or drop courses
• Bursar - to pay tuition, fees, other expenses

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Academic Advisor

• May be a member of the faculty
• Will help you select courses, plan program and
  monitor your academic progress
• You may discuss short-term and long-term
  professional plan (during and after program
  completion)
• May discuss opportunities for field experience
• Speak freely it is acceptable in American
  culture to voice your opinion freely

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Course Registration

• Procedures are different at each institution
• May be managed online, by phone or by visiting a
  general registration area
• Plan at least two possible class schedules to
  give room for closed courses
• You may complete payment arrangements,
• secure ID card and submit medical forms during
• registration.

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Professor and Student Interaction

• The code of social behavior between the student
  and
• Professor is not as precisely defined in the U.S.
  as in
• other countries.
• Always address teachers as either Professor or
  Doctor unless otherwise instructed
• Do not be shocked if some students call their
  teachers by first name. This is common especially
  among graduate students.
• Professors usually hold office hours for
  consultation
• take advantage of it!

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In the Classroom

• It is important to participate actively in the
• following classroom activities and come
• prepared everyday. Professors impression of
• you will be based on your class participation
• Vocal participation
• Oral presentations
• Group projects
• Research papers
• Midterms/Final exams
• Interactive setting/Seminar format

63
HONOR CODE refers to academic honesty

• No plagiarism or cheating
• May be different from code of ethics followed at
  home
• Talk to your International Student Adviser if in
  doubt about university code of ethics
• Better to be safe than sorry!

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University Library Services

• Worldwide newspapers and periodicals
• CD-ROM references
• Copy machines
• Computers for internet browsing
• Computers for library database searching
• Printers
• Check for orientation and your particular
  librarys features and offerings

65
Computer Access Availability

• Locate the Computer Lab at school. It is
  generally free but has limited hours.
• Visit internet cafés. There is a wide range of
  places that offer access at varying costs.
• Access the internet from public libraries. Local
  libraries have free facilities but may require
  advanced reservations and have time limitations.
• To access the internet at home you must have a
  land-line phone or a wire-less connection.

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Geography of the U.S. and more

• Natural environments
• Are you near the beach, mountains, deserts or
  plains?
• Times zones
• Did you know there is a three hour time
  difference between the east and west coast?
• Climate
• What is the weather like where you will be
  living?
• Localities
• Will you be living in a rural, urban or
  suburban location?
• Map of the United States
• Familiarize yourself with the U.S. before you
  arrive!

67
Local Transportation

• Subways/commuter trains- weekly or monthly passes
  are less expensive.
• Bicycles- in many states, helmets are required by
  law.
• Buses- may have limited hours and stops but are
  an inexpensive way to get around locally.
• Taxis- may cost more but generally provide fast,
  safe transportation.
• Do not hitchhike in the United States!

68
Long Distance Travel

• Airplanes (the quickest, easiest way to travel
  long distances. Prices are competitive).
• Trains (slower but a more scenic way to travel.
  Prices could be equal to flying).
• Buses (slow but inexpensive way to travel long
  distances around the U.S.).
• Cars (allow for maximum flexibility but cost more
  than any form of public transportation).
• For discounted fares
• Search online for special deals, ask for a
  student
• discount, check local travel agencies/websites.

69
Shopping in the United States

• Shopping Malls (many stores under one roof)
• Strip malls (stores side-by-side, outdoors)
• Chain stores (discounts, variety, lower cost)
• Department stores (reliable, higher cost)
• Boutiques (personal attention, higher cost)
• Local stores
• Thrift shops (used/second-hand goods)

70
Buying clothes in the U.S.

• Sizing (may vary from back home)
• Type of store (depends on cost/quality)
• New vs. Used (depends on store/price)
• Garage/moving sale (inexpensive, used goods)
• Sales/Promotions (discounted goods)

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Eating in the United States

• You will save money and stay healthier by
• cooking/eating at home and buying seasonal
• goods.
• Supermarkets (huge store, wide variety)
• Open-air/green markets (organic farm goods)
• Food Co-ops (popular in university towns)
• Food courts (dining area within shopping or
  student centers)
• Health food/Whole food stores
• Fast food restaurants (inexpensive, reliable)
• Restaurants (chain vs. independent)

72
The Media in the U.S.

• The United States has a prolific media industry.
• There is a large number of sources available for
• you to receive international/local news.
• National TV (basic service or unlimited channels)
  
• Cable TV (paid TV service, at various costs)
• Newspapers (International, national and local
  newsprints)
• Radio
• Internet (easy access to international news
  medias)
• Public TV and Radio (accessible nation-wide)

73
Communicating in the U.S.

• Cell/Mobile phones (cost varies by plan)
• Pay phones (public outdoor phones)
• Landline/home phones (for internet access)
• Phone cards (sold in a variety of stores)
• Bulletin boards (in local shops, university)
• Email
• Letters

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Socializing in the U.S.

• Making friends/Fulbright connections
• Participatory sports (surfing, skiing, etc.)
• Volunteering/School presentations
• Dating
• Explore a wealth of religions, cultures
• Develop a hobby
• Take a class in the arts, fitness, cooking
• Take the initiative and start your own club!

75
Dos and Donts in the U.S.

• Dont assume Americans know something about your
  home country.
• Dont smoke in public places unless otherwise
  stated.
• Always place your trash in a garbage basket or
  dumpster. Dont litter.
• When in Rome, do as the Romans do!

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Adjusting to a New Environment

• Symptoms of culture shock
• Challenges of adjusting to a new environment
• Stages of culture shock
• Adjusting to culture shock

77
Challenges of adjusting to a new environment

• Speaking English on a daily basis can be
  challenging
• U.S. regional accents vary, give yourself time to
  adjust to the local accent
• Speak slowly at first for others to understand
  your accent do not be shy ask others to speak
  slowly
• Take American humor, wit and sarcasm as a mark of
  friendliness rather than disrespect
• Simply ask the meaning of a word or abbreviation
  that you do not understand, like Poli Sci for
  political science or TA for teaching assistant

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Challenges of adjusting to a new environment and
how to cope

• Jet lag is the bodys physical shock of adjusting
  to a
• new time zone.
• Follow normal eating and sleeping patterns of the
  new time zone
• Resist taking naps in mid-day
• Take a walk and exercise, or plan activities
  during the day
• Plan to travel to the US at least a few days
  before classes start

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Symptoms of Culture Shock

• Homesickness you miss your family and friends
  maybe even cry a lot
• Dependence you become dependent on fellow
  nationals and your International Student Adviser
• Loss of Self Confidence you feel nobody
  understands you
• Hostility minor irritations make you feel angry

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Culture Shock is the anxiety produced when a
person moves to a completely new environment

• The Four Stages of Culture Shock
• Honeymoon stage - everything is new and exciting
  you are likely to be busy during this time
• Irritability and hostility you will start to
  realize you are not on vacation you might feel
  hostile towards Americans
• Understanding, accepting and adjusting you will
  begin to understand your new environment you
  might experience less hostility
• Integration and acceptance you will start to
  consider the university your new town, your home.

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Challenges of adjusting to a new environment

• Cultural Values Shock - you may face situations
• that are not acceptable in your culture
• Look for things that surprise you
• Try to remain flexible, respectful and
  open-minded
• Try to enjoy the new cultural diversity
• Talk to someone from your cultural background or
  religion who has been living in the U.S. to
  discuss how to deal with values shock

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Coping with the Stress of Culture Shock

• Make sure you know what to expect before you
  arrive. Read books and magazines about the U.S.
• Eat well, sleep well, and take good care of
  yourself.
• Exercise to relieve stress and tension. Do
  outdoor activities.
• Keep in touch with family and friends and share
  your new experiences
• Take some time to relax listen to music, read a
  book
• Do not lose your sense of humor laugh at your
  mistakes

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Entertainment in the U.S.

• Check local newspapers/websites for weekly
  events
• Theatre/Movies
• Live music/concerts
• Bars and night clubs
• Museums (certain days/hours are free)
• Spectator sports (buy your tickets in advance)
• When attending a party, always bring the
  host/hostess a
• small gift, as a token of your appreciation.

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Gender Issues, Sexual Harassment

• Sexual harassment is a form of gender
  discrimination that involves unacceptable sexual
  advances, requests for sexual favors, and other
  verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature,
  that is not welcomed by the recipient
• Sexual harassment violates acceptable standards
  and can occur anywhere

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Forms of Sexual Harassment

• Verbal
• Profanity- obscene or degrading terms for men or
  woman and inappropriate use of terms of
  endearment
• Obscene jokes, cat calls, or sexual overtones
• Spreading rumors about a persons sex life
• Sexually oriented remarks about a persons
  clothing or body
• Persistent requests for dates

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Forms of Sexual Harassment

• Non-Verbal
• Gestures made with intentional sexual overtones
• Staring, leering, blowing kisses
• Leaving sexually suggestive notes, magazines, or
  pictures
• Physical
• Unsolicited or unwanted touching of any part of
  clothing or body
• Cornering or blocking
• Stalking or following
• Attacking

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Race/Color Discrimination

• Is a discrimination associated with any
  distinction, exclusion restriction or preference
  based on race, color, national or ethnic origin
  with the purpose of impairing the enjoyment of
  the equality of human race.
• Forms of Harassment
• Ethnic slurs or racial jokes, offensive comments
• Physical contact
• Physical isolation from certain positions
• The Civil rights act of 1964 outlaws racial
  discriminatory practices of any kind.
• Racial discrimination harms not only those who
  are its objects but also
• those who practice it.

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Safety Precautions in America

• Carry only minimal cash with you.
• Take measures to secure your home.
• Keep passport and valuables hidden.
• Always lock your doors and windows!
• Whenever possible, travel in groups.
• Stay in well-lit, populated areas.
• If lost or confused, remain confident, calm and
  seek help immediately.
• Emergency telephone number 911

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For further information, refer to the following
websites and/or publications

• Living and Working in America written by David
  Hampshire
• www.uscitylink.com
• www.nps.gov
• http//educationusa.state.gov/
• http//usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/educ/
• http//www.istudentcity.com/
• www.nafsa.org