BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

• INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

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AGENDA

• Welcome, Introductions Ice Breaker
• International Education Center
• Maintaining Your Status
• Overview of Brookdale Activities/Services
• Academic Issues
• QA Lunch

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Ice Breaker

• Name
• Home country
• Program of Study
• Interests and/or hobbies

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BROOKDALE

• Founded in 1967 (40th year anniversary)
• County College of Monmouth
• 15,000 students in Fall 2008
• 140 international students

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COMMUNITY COLLEGE

• College sponsored by the citizens of a particular
  geographic area supported by residents of
  Monmouth County
• Equivalent to first two years of a four year
  institution
• Brookdale students receive A.A. or A.A.S degrees
  and then transfer to another school or enter the
  workforce

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INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CENTER

• Staff
• Program
• Our Website
• http//international.brookdalecc.edu

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INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CENTER

• MAC 114, Monday-Friday 830 AM until 500 PM
• Janice Thomas- Director and PDSO,
  jthomas_at_brookdalecc.edu or 732-224-2799
• Elizabeth Vocasek - Coordinator and DSO
  evocasek_at_brookdalecc.edu or 732-224-2577
• Anna Flood - Associate aflood_at_brookdalecc.edu
  or 732-224-2173
• Terry Konn- Faculty Liaison, tkonn_at_brookdalecc.edu
  
• Jacques Tremblay, student assistant

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INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CENTER

• Arranges globally themed events for campus and
  the local community
• Arranges short-term faculty-led programs,
  sponsors study abroad programs in Scotland and
  Canada
• Handles all matters related to International
  Students and students in F1 status

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INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CENTER

• As a student in F1 status, you are required to
  inform the International Education Center of all
  changes related to your status, program of study,
  address and contact information, and travel
  outside the United States
• As a rule of thumb, contact the IEC staff
  regarding any big decisions (change of major,
  change of address, transfer)

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STUDENT ID CARDS

• Can obtain card in lower level of student life
  building (bring copy of registration form and
  photo identification)
• Used to borrow books from the library, purchase
  discounted movie tickets, and gain access to
  certain events
• Must get a new validation sticker at the start of
  each semester

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HEALTH INSURANCE

• Brookdale requires all students to have health
  insurance. A 48 health insurance fee is
  automatically charged when enrolling in classes
• Questions regarding coverage can be answered in
  the Health Center - MAC 112
• Basic, limited coverage, so be sure to check
  before obtaining care

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COMPUTER LABS

• Many computers available for student use
• LAH 103 or the Bankier Library
• Research for classes takes precedent over sending
  email and browsing the internet
• Be respectful of staff working in the computer
  labs
• WIFI around campus

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CAREER SERVICES

• Located in MAC 148. Students who would like to
  work on campus need to speak to someone in the
  office of Career Services and Experiential
  Learning in MAC 105. You may also reach at or
  732-224-2385
• F1 students are generally not permitted to work
  off campus
• 20 hours/week during school year on campus

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TESTING CENTER

• Located in lower level of the CAR Building
• Administers Michigan Test, the Basic Skills Test,
  English Placement Exam and other tests
• Need to bring your Brookdale I.D. card to use
  their services

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BOOKSTORE

• Located in the Student Life Center
• Bring your registration form with you to choose
  correct books and materials
• Will cost roughly 350-500 per semester for
  books
• Check websites Half.com or Amazon.com for
  cheaper texts

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CAMPUS POLICE

• On duty 24 hours per day, seven days a week on
  campus
• Can be reached by dialing 2352 or 2222 or by
  dialing 732-842-1950 when off campus
• Do not be afraid to report if something happens
  to you while at Brookdale. They are here to
  help!!!

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REGISTRATION

• Meet with a counselor to plan your program of
  study and the courses you need to take each
  semester
• In your area of study
• Need to be registered for a minimum of 12 credits
  in Fall and Spring Terms
• Summer and Winter Terms are optional
• Must see International Education Center if
  plan/need to drop below 12 credits for special
  circumstances. Speak to a member of the IEC
  BEFORE dropping any courses.

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STUDENT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS

• Meet with counselors often during your stay at
  Brookdale
• Help you with all matters related to academics
• Located on 2nd floor of CAR Building
• Need to make an appointment
• Need to meet counselor to have them fill out all
  add/drop forms

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LABS

• Brookdale offers labs for students that need
  special help in Reading, Writing and Math
• Math- MAS Building upper level
• Reading and Writing- Larrison Hall lower level
• Do not be afraid to seek out extra help in areas
  of weakness

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BANKIER LIBRARY

• Located at the end of the MAN building
• Opened in 1999
• Large computer lab
• Can check out books, videos, DVDs, magazines
• Need validated Student I.D. card to do so

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CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

• Expected to attend class regularly and on time
• Teachers vary on attendance policy so check with
  each one to find out their rules
• Missing class could lower your overall grade
• Relationships between teacher and student differ
  from country to country - be open to change

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ACADEMICS

• Each academic year consists of two major
  semesters- Fall and Spring (15 weeks)
• BCC also has 3 summer sessions which vary in
  length
• Grades and credit are awarded at the end of each
  semester (2-3 weeks after classes end)
• BCC publishes a course catalog for each semester
  and the summer sessions

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ACADEMICS

• Design a schedule that works best for you
  (Nights? Mornings? Lincroft or other BCC
  campuses?)
• Have a balance between school and other
  responsibilities
• Try to be here as many days as possible so you
  arent overwhelmed any one day and can get
  involved in activities

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ACADEMICS

• Learn the campus and know where your classes are
  located
• Read the syllabus for each course
• Make up a class/study schedule
• Find out your instructors office hours and
  office location
• Set up your email and check it regularly

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STUDENT ACTIVITIES

• Located in the Warner Student Life Center
  Building and encompasses
• Student Life Board
• College Wide Activities
• Recreation and Intramurals
• Intercollegiate Athletics
• Health Services
• Clubs and Organizations
• Provides services and activities for all
  Brookdale students
• Movies, Comedy Shows, Guest Speakers, Trips to
  Museums, Baseball games, etc

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CLUBS

• Over 45 clubs at Brookdale
• Anthropology Club, Art Club, BCC Democrats, BCC
  Water Watch, Black Student Union, Chess Club,
  Computer Club, Computer Club, BCC Republicans,
  Dance Club, Latin American Association, Asian
  Club, Theater Club, and English Club to name a
  few

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MEDIA AND INFO

• Happenings Information flier for the BCC
  community published weekly
• The Stall Brookdales student newspaper. All
  students can submit articles to be published
• http//www.brookdalecc.edu/pages/152.asp
• 90.5 The Night Brookdales radio station and a
  good place to find out events on campus and in
  the community

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GET INVOLVED!!!

• Make the most of your time here by
• Getting involved in campus activities like
  intramural sports, students clubs, the
  International Students Association (ISA), and
  local trips
• Visiting the labs to improve your coursework
• Taking part in the Global Events on campus
• Participating in the ISA International Festival
• Talking to people in your classes and making
  friends

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TRANSPORTATION

• Airports Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia
• New Jersey Transit Buses have routes all over NJ
  (Atlantic City, airports, New York City, etc).
  Schedule and fare info available in Student Life
  Center for some routes or call 1-800-772-2222
• New Jersey Transit Trains have routes all over NJ
  as well. 1.25 hours to get to NYC and around 22
  roundtrip to NYC. Call 1-800-772-2222 or visit
  www.njtransit.com on the internet
• Brookdale Shuttle- runs between campus and the
  Red bank Train station, certain evening hours
  (when 833 bus doesnt run)
• Local Taxi Services
• Yellow Cab (732-747-0747)
• Able Taxi (732-528-2253)
• Shore Cab (732-222-6688)

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DRIVING

• Can be very expensive in the United States - Car,
  Gas, Insurance, Tickets, parking, etc
• Cant get SSN to get license only
• International license is good for one year then
  need to get NJ license
• Traffic laws are strictly enforced- expensive to
  break

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DRIVERS LICENSE

• Valid I-20
• Valid I-94
• Valid Passport
• Social Security Card or letter of denial
• Verification of enrollment from IEC
• Additional Documents requested
• www.nj.gov/mcv/

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MONEY

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash
• Wallets
• Debit cards
• Credit cards

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MONEY

• Tipping is a common practice in U.S.
• Usually 10-20 percent of total bill for service
  type jobs
• Waiters
• Bartenders
• Barbers
• Valet Parking Attendants
• Taxi Drivers

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CULTURE

• U.S. is melting pot of nationalities,
  ethnicities, races, and religious groups with a
  population of around 280 million.
• Individuality
• Informality
• Friendships
• Time/Punctuality

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COMMUNICATION

• Mail postal stamp costs 44 cents and is used to
  send mail within the U.S. Airmail stamp costs 90
  cents and is used to send mail outside the U.S.
• Email
• Bankier Library
• Computer labs
• Outside locations such as internet cafes and
  coffee houses
• Wireless available locations (restaurants, bars,
  cafes)

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COMMUNICATION

• Telephone Discuss use of phone if living with
  sponsor
• Cell phone courtesy
• Can buy phone cards at local Kiosks or online
• Must dial 011 outside country code

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CELL PHONES

• Unless you have a social security number, your
  first phone will be a pre-pay plan phone (buy
  airtime minutes in advance)
• Can purchase from any major provider
• T-Mobile
• Verizon
• Sprint
• Nextel
• ATT

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IMMIGRATION INFORMATION

• YOU are responsible for maintaining your
  immigration status in the USA
• You should read and re-read the information
  provided to you in the International Student
  Handbook
• If you have any questions, contact the
  International Education Center, 732-224-2799

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IMMIGRATION

• Passport Valid 6 months beyond intended stay
• Visa Stamp in passport Permission to request
  entry to U.S. in a particular status
• Form I-94 Small white card issued upon entry
  into the U.S. Indicates immigration
  classification, admission number and date in
  which you are able to remain in the U.S.
• Form I-20 Issued by college to enable you to
  apply for visa and enter U.S. or change status if
  already inside the country
• Item 5 on I-20 indicates length of time youve
  been given to complete your studies

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FULL TIME STATUS

• F1 Students are required to study full-time
  during the the academic year (12 credits)
• During the summer and winter sessions, F1
  students are eligible to enroll in courses but
  not required
• May take 15 or 10 week courses
• Online courses are permitted but the student must
  be enrolled in 9 credit hours ON CAMPUS!

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PROGRAMS

• Please see the International Education Center if
  you intend to change your program of study
• Due to a waiting list, F1 students are not
  eligible to enroll in any of our Allied Health
  Programs right away (Nursing, Radiology,
  Respiratory Therapy) additional admission
  requirements for entry into these programs

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WORKING

• May be able to find on campus employment part
  time (20 hours/week)
• Eligible to apply for OPT (Optional Practical
  Training) or CPT (Curricular Practical Training)

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OPT

• Temporary employment in your field of study
  (Directly related to your studies)
• Authorized by USCIS
• Objective not financial- practical application
  for your academic studies
• Eligible for up to 12 months
• Part time- after 1 year of study (20 hours/week)
• End of studies- apply 60 days before program
  completion
• Pick up OPT information and application in
  International Education Center

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CPT

• Must be related to major
• Can be used to take advantage of internship or
  practicum
• Can only be used prior to graduation
• Must be in status for 1 academic year in order to
  be eligible
• Part-time, 20 hours/week, while school is in
  session
• Must be approved by IEC and a contract completed
  with the office of Career Services and
  Experiential Learning

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TRAVEL

• If you plan to travel outside the U.S. while in
  F1 status, IEC must endorse your current I-20
  (risk of travel)
• Will need valid visa to re-enter the country
• Not out of U.S. for more than five months

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TRAVEL

• If you leave the U.S. while IN STATUS, but do not
  have a current and valid visa, you must apply for
  a new one in your home country
• Form I-20 (endorsed)
• Proof of Funds to cover expenses
• Transcript
• Evidence you plan to return to home country after
  studies

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CULTURE SHOCK

• Culture shock is a real condition
• Precipitated by the anxiety that results from
  losing all familiar signs and symbols of social
  interaction

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HOW TO COPE

• Develop a hobby and get involved!
• Don't forget the good things you already have!
• Remember, there are always resources that you can
  use
• Be patient, studying abroad involves a process of
  adaptation to new situations.  It is going to
  take time .
• Learn to include a regular form of physical
  activity in your routine. This will help combat
  the sadness and loneliness in a constructive
  manner. Exercise, swim, take an aerobics class,
  etc.
• Relaxation and meditation are proven to be very
  positive for people who are passing through
  periods of stress

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HOW TO COPE

• Maintain contact with your ethnic group. This
  will give you a feeling of belonging and you will
  reduce your feelings of loneliness and alienation
  
• Maintain contact with the new culture. Learn the
  language. Volunteer in community activities that
  allow you to practice the language that you are
  learning.
• Recognize the sorrow of leaving your old
  country.  Accept the new country.  Focus your
  energy on getting through the transition.
• IEC staff are available to assist you

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Questions???

• International Education Center
• MAC 114
• international_at_brookdalecc.edu
• Remember New Student Orientation from 1-4 pm in
  the Warner Student Life Center!!!