Congratulations!!!!!

 

 

You have been accepted for study at the INTERLINK Language Center at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  This will be an exciting time in your life!  You probably feel happy and a little anxious about this new experience you are about to have.  The information below is intended to help you in your planning to try to make you feel that you are ready.  If you have any questions at all, please contact us.  We are waiting eagerly to meet you and help you achieve your goals.

 

1. Getting Here:  How and when should you come to Greensboro?  Most new students arrive in Greensboro the weekend before their first term begins on Monday.  Rooms are usually available then in all types of housing.  If a student needs to look for an apartment, it is usually better to come the preceding week to have time to find a place.

 

Most students come by plane directly to Greensboro (“GSO”).  Do not fly to another city if you want INTERLINK to pick you up.  We cannot go to other cities such as Charlotte or Raleigh, and the cost of taxis would be great.

 

Make your travel reservations as early as possible. Send your arrival time, airline name, flight number, and departure city to us as soon as you make reservations.  Airlines that fly into Greensboro include: American, Delta, Continental, Northwest, U.S. Airways, and United.

 

The best time to arrive in Greensboro  is between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.  .  If you let us know in advance, for a charge ($40), INTERLINK can arrange to meet you at the airport, take you shopping if necessary, and deliver you to your housing. However, INTERLINK cannot pick you up if you arrive after 9 pm.  If you arrive after 9:00 pm, you should plan to stay in a hotel that night.  Even if you arrive a little earlier, a hotel may be a good idea.  It is better to move into your housing during the day, when you can see things, talk to people, and not be so tired.   (If you need to stay in a hotel, it can sometimes be difficult to find space in March and October, because of the international furniture market here, so make reservations early at those times.) 

           

 

2.  First day registration:  You should come to the INTERLINK center in Foust Building, Administration Drive on the first day of the term (the program starting date on your I-20)  at 9:00 am.  You should bring with you these documents:

 

            your passport,

your I-20

your “I-94”—a white card U.S. INS will put in your passport

your immunization form (this website (page 5):   http://www.uncg.edu/shs/forms/)

 

(For the immunization form, a medical doctor must fill this out and sign it.  Under North Carolina law, all students MUST have certain immunizations and tests before they may study.  If you do not have the written proof, you will be required to have all the shots at the student health center, and you will be required to pay for this.  If you fail to get the immunizations as rapidly as possible, you will have to stop your classes, and this will waste time and money.  Also, please bring medical records with you if possible.  If you have an illness or an accident, these records will help doctors give you the best possible treatment.  You MUST have your TUBERCULOSIS SKIN TEST IN THE UNITED STATES, NOT IN YOUR COUNTRY.   (if you need translation, you may be able to use http://www.google.com/language_tools

 

                                          

 

 

3.  Medical Insurance:  ESL programs in the U.S. now require students to have health insurance.  Most students buy this insurance at INTERLINK.  Here is the policy INTERLINK offers.  http://www.collegiaterisk.com/Students/Interlink/INTERLINK.PDF   

 

If you buy health insurance in your country, it must be as good or better in its coverage than the INTERLINK plan.  You must bring a full description of the plan in English that describes what it covers and what it pays.  You should also have the policy number and a U.S. telephone number for the company.  (You may also want to consider buying travel insurance to protect you before arriving at INTERLINK.)  Please note:The INTERLINK health insurance plan does not cover 100%.  There is a $100 deductible.  This means that, for each illness, test, or injury, YOU must pay the first $100.  Health care is very expensive in the U.S. and a plan to cover 100% would cost hundreds of dollars.

 

 

4. Financial Resources / money:  You must pay all school fees during the first week of each term.  After the first week of each term,  a late charge ($100) is added.  This means you should bring or send required funds in a timely way.  School fees are around $3130 per term, with housing and meals around $1400 to $1800, and other expenses around $200 – 400.  You can use a bank check, traveler’s checks, regular personal check, or cash to pay for any INTERLINK costs, and credit cards (visa or mastercard) to pay for school fees but not housing. (There is a $50 processing fee for using a credit card.)

 

 

·         Bringing money

 

Bring most of your money in a safe form—a bank check, travelers’ checks, or a credit card.  When you arrive, we can help you open a bank account, either before or after you pay your school fees.  Your bank account will have a debit card, and there is a 24 hour cash machine on campus where you can take out money, using your card.

 

·         Sending money

 

You may pay school fees by transferring money from a bank in your country to INTERLINK’s bank.  (Contact us for details).  There is a fee that you will be charged here and in your country for this transfer.  Off-campus housing and other expenses are paid directly to the provider.

 

 

 

 

5. Housing options:  You should reserve housing before you come, if possible.  If you plan to live in an apartment, however, it may be better to stay in a hotel for a few days while you look at apartments and choose what you want.

 

·         Homestay—Homestays are a good opportunity to practice language and learn about American culture.  Homestays have a private bedroom and private or shared bathroom.  Homestays are usually not near the campus.  You would need to take a bus, have a car, or pay the homestay host for transportation.  There is a base price, and the additional charges for food and/or transportation, if you choose those options.

·         Shared apartments---If you are single, a furnished shared apartment may be a good option.  Four students share a living room and kitchen, but each student has a private bedroom.  Some apartments have two students sharing a bathroom, and some have a private bathroom for each student.  You should see the apartment and meet the roommates before you move in, since you both must be satisfied. You may be able to walk or take a bus from an apartment to the campus.

·         On-campus: If you requested on-campus housing, and it was available, we have reserved your place with UNCG Housing and Residence Life.  Depending on your travel schedule, you will move into your campus housing when you arrive in Greensboro, on the following day, or on a later day—if you come several days early.   You will pay your housing fees to INTERLINK at the beginning of the term.  The fees include all meals and a shared room on campus.  (If campus housing was NOT available, and you have not reserved another place, you may need to stay in a hotel for several days while you look for a place.)

·         Apartments---  If you are married and are coming with your spouse (and children), you may need to find an apartment or house to rent.  This needs to be done after you arrive and see what is best for you.  You may need to stay in a motel, perhaps one with a kitchen, for several days while you look for housing.  If you are single but want to share an apartment, a company can help you if you plan to stay for six months or more.  Again, it is wise to stay in a motel or with a friend while you look for a place you like.   You will have to pay the first month’s rent and a security deposit before you can move in.  Normal contracts are for one year.  If you do not have a cosigner in the United States, you may have to pay a large part or all of your contract when you move in.  You may be able to walk or take a bus from an apartment to the campus.

 

 

 

 

 

6. Clothes and personal items

 

·         Clothing

 

Greensboro has four seasons: Spring, (April, May, June); Summer (July, August, September), Fall (October, November) Winter (December, January, February, March)  It is usually relatively warm from April until October.  The weather is cooler from November to March.  In late spring, summer, and early fall, many students wear shorts.  In fall, winter, and early spring, students may need warm coats, gloves, etc.  You can buy clothes here if necessary.  Since the weather changes often, it is good to dress in “layers” so you can put on or take off a layer during the day if you get too hot or too cold.  It can rain in any season, so an umbrella is good to have.  Because the weather is often mild, many people here play sports and enjoy outdoor activities. 

 

·         Electrical appliances and technology

 

The electricity here is 110 alternating current.  You may need a converter to run any electrical gadgets you bring.  It is hard to find converters here, so you should bring what you need.  Students say that computers, cell phones, stereos, etc. are cheaper in the U.S., so it may be easier to buy some items here.

 

·         Food products, personal items

 

Many international food products, toiletries, and health items are available in stores in Greensboro.  You can probably find most Asian products here, as well as African and South American.   If you want to know about a particular item, ask INTERLINK before you come and we will try to see if it is available here.

 

 

You must provide your own sheets, mattress cover, blanket, pillow, etc.  in all types of housing except homestay.  You can bring some/all of these things with you, or you can buy them cheaply here when you arrive.

 

 

7. Transportation:  Greensboro has two kinds of buses, and both are free for INTERLINK students during the academic year (NOT in summer).  The “HEAT” buses go between five university/college campuses in Greensboro, with a stop in a shopping center.  The regular public buses go all over the city, but many lines have only 1-2 buses each hour.  Students use buses, but planning is needed to arrive on time.  Many students select housing near UNCG so no car is required.  It is possible to use taxicabs—usually you must telephone to the taxicab company, and they are relatively expensive.  There is a transport service from the airport to any destination.  Trains and buses take people to other cities. The bus station and the train station are at the same location.

 

Driving and driver’s license – Some students buy cars, and this expensive option gives more flexibility for housing and movement.  If you buy a car, you will need a North Carolina driver’s license and proof of car insurance.  For the license, you will take your passport and stamped I-20 to the NCDMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) and then have to study for and pass a written test and a driving test.  You must have insurance to get a license, even if you do not yet have a car.  Insurance is usually VERY expensive for young, unmarried drivers. 

 

If you are not buying a car, current North Carolina policy indicates that international students can drive in North Carolina using their driving license from their home country.  It is important to have a translation of your home country license to show if you are stopped.  North Carolina does not recognize the International Driving License.

 

8. Communication

 

·         Telephone: Cell Phones:  Most students get cell/mobile phones.  Companies often require a large deposit, since students cannot have social security numbers.  If you buy a plan, you must usually sign a one or two year contract.  It is possible to buy phones that are “pay-as-you-go”, with no contract.  To call to your country, it is cheapest to buy phone cards that you use by calling a free or local number to access.

·         Mail: Most students receive their mail where they live.  If you live on-campus, you will receive it at the campus post office, after you set up a mail box.  In an apartment, mail will be delivered to you.  You will have a mailbox with a key at the place you live. You can also ask persons to send things to the INTERLINK office where you can pick them up. 

When you want to send mail, the UNCG campus post office is convenient.  You can buy stamps and send mail there.  They are open during the week during the day.

 

·         E-mail:  You will have computer access at UNCG whenever computers are available, and all the time if you have a computer yourself.  Computers are located in every classroom building and in the library, with a few in the cafeteria!  You will need  a UNCG account to access the network,  UNCG has wireless access in most places on the campus.

 

·         Fax:  You can send faxes (and make copies of documents for your classes) at Kinko’s (on Tate Street, open 24/7).  You can also fax at the INTERLINK office (at $2 per page).  If someone sends a fax to you at the INTERLINK office, we will try to notify you as soon as possible through one of your teachers.

 

9. Social security number and working.

 

International students cannot get a Social Security number unless they have a job on campus.  If you have a student visa, you can work, but only on the UNCG campus (maximum of 20 hrs/week).  You must apply to the offices that hire students—the cafeteria, recreation center, library, or computer center.  Only if they offer you a job can you get a social security number.  A letter from INTERLINK will NOT help you get a social security number.  The jobs do not pay much, so you could not earn enough to pay school fees by working.  It is also very hard to find a job on campus.

 

 

10. School holidays and breaks from study:

 

Between each nine-week INTERLINK term, there is a short break, and there are also longer breaks during the year.  January and March terms end on a Thursday, and classes for the next term begin on the following Wednesday.  In summer and at the end of the calendar year, there are longer breaks. 

 

Most students travel during breaks.  They go with other students by car, bus, train, or plane to other parts of  the U.S.  For shorter breaks, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Atlanta are popular destinations.  During longer breaks, some students go West, even as far as Texas or California.  Travel gives opportunities to use English and to see something different. Over Thanksgiving, there is often a UNCG trip to New York City for international students.

 

Students with a student visa cannot stop full-time study for the first nine months, if they plan to stay in the U.S.  It is possible for students to stop study for a term before nine months IF they leave the U.S.  Students who stop study before nine months and do not leave the U.S. automatically lose their student status.  Regaining student status can take a lot of time and money, and the student cannot study while out of status.

 

Students who leave the U.S. but plan to return to resume study should get  the person who signed their I-20 to sign Page Three of their I-20, authorizing them to return to school.  You should discuss your travel plans in advance with the INTERLINK director, to avoid problems with immigration.