CORRECTED Spring2014 PreArrivalHandbook
CORRECTED Spring2014 PreArrivalHandbook
CORRECTED Spring2014 PreArrivalHandbook
620_ISSS_PreArrivalHandbook
U.S. IMMIGRATION INFORMATION Visa Forms Payment of Visa Fees Preparation for Arrival to the U.S. Port of Entry Immigration ID- I-94 Card Passing through Customs Maintaining your Immigration Status
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14. 14. 16. 18. 20. 21. 22. 22. 22. 23. 23. 23. 24. 24. 25. 25. 26. 26. 27. 27. 27. 28. 29. 33. 35.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION International Student Orientation Arrival Plan/Airport Shuttle Service Best Western Hotel and Airport Shuttle Information Luggage Labeling Suggestions Transportation to and from Boone ACADEMICS Transcripts/ Pre-registration FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY Minimum Course Credit Exams at Appalachian Relationships with Professors Help for Academic Problems Normal Academic Progress Understanding your Class Schedule Campus Map ACCOMMODATIONS, FOOD, AND CLOTHING On Campus Accommodations and Food For Degree Seeking Students For Exchange Students For All Students Living on Campus Off-Campus Living Weather and Clothing
STAYING CONNECTED Mail Facebook Phone Internet Computers Your Appalnet Account and Banner ID Number Newspapers and Online Information about Boone
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HEALTH AND SAFETY Health Insurance REQUIRED ENROLLMENT FOR F-1 VISA HOLDERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS ON F- 2 VISAS REQUIRED ENROLLMENT FOR J-1 VISA HOLDERS. What Does Your Health Insurance Policy Cover? Cost for Health Insurance Where to Seek Medical Attention Prescription Drugs Immunizations Medical Record Mental Health Safety
FINANCIAL MATTERS AND EMPLOYMENT Paying your Appalachian State University bills Using your Appalachian State University ID Card to Make Purchases Money and Banking Banking in the U.S. Social Security Cards Working in the U.S. Scholarships for International Students Taxes
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TRANSPORTATION Shared Transportation Drivers License Renting a Car Navigating Traveling while in the U.S.
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U.S. LAWS, UNIVERSITY RULES and LOCAL CULTURE Alcohol/ Drinking Age Drugs Harassment Discrimination Religion
STUDENT LIFE Student Organizations Appalachian Student Services Outdoor Activities Going Out in Boone International Friendship Program
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ANY QUESTIONS?
We in the Office of International Education and Development are happy to help you. We hope that you find this booklet helpful. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office at [email protected]. International Student and Scholar Services Appalachian State University Plemmons Student Union 263 Locust Street, Suite #321 Boone, NC 28608-2083 The website, http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/, may also be helpful as you prepare to study in the U.S.
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If you will study at Appalachian as an exchange student, you will need to apply for a J-1 visa. Appalachian will send you a DS-2019 form which you will need to present to the U.S. consulate in your country to apply for a J-1 visa. Please sign the bottom of this form. The DS-2019 form is issued to international exchange students studying for a semester or year at Appalachian. All students coming to Appalachian under ISEP (www.isep.org) receive their DS-2019 forms from their ISEP coordinator.
As a student on a J-1 visa, you may be subject to the two year residency requirement which require you to return to your home country for two years prior to seeking certain U.S. immigration benefits. If you receive government funding from the U.S. government or your own government to attend Appalachian State University, you will be subject to the two year residency requirement. If you are studying in a field that gives you skills deemed necessary for the development of your country, you will be subject. For additional information about the two year home residency requirements, please see the following U.S. Department of State website: http:// travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html#twoyear.
If you enter the U.S. with another type of visa and wish to change your status to a F-1 student or a J-1 student, the process is complex and lengthy and requires filing an application with the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). Please contact International Student and Scholar Services to learn more about the process.
Students will need to pay a nonimmigrant visa fee and depending on their country of citizenship a visa issuance fee. See http:// travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_1341.html for additional information about the fees.
Port of Entry
When you board the plane to come to the U.S. please keep a file with the following to present to the government official at the port of entry (airport):
Passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected completion date of your studies in the U.S. (Your passport must be valid during your entire stay in the U.S.) Valid F or J visa stamp in passport (except for Canadian citizens) Original signed I-20 or DS-2019 form Evidence you can support yourself financially. (You can use the same documents which you presented at your visa interview at the U.S. consulate.) Receipt for payment of SEVIS I-901 fee.
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Attend International Student Orientation. Report to the Office of International Education and Development with your immigration documents if due to circumstances beyond your control, you miss International Student Orientation. Submit your passport and I-20 or DS-2019 form for copying to the Office of International Education and Development during International Student Orientation. The original documents will be returned to you. Enroll in a full course of study and make normal academic progress towards completion of your program. A full course of study is 12 hours for undergraduate degree-seeking and exchange students, and 9 hours for graduate degree-seeking and exchange students. To make normal academic progress you must attend your classes. You are required to attend all of your classes unless you have an excused illness to maintain your J-1 or F-1 status. Failure to attend class regularly can result in the termination of your immigration status in SEVIS. If you are unable to continue your studies for any reason, please contact International Student and Scholar Services immediately. Refrain from unauthorized work. You can work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session and 40 hours per week during official school breaks. You are only allowed to work off-campus when International Student and Scholar Services authorizes you to do so in SEVIS. Please contact International Student and Scholar Services to set up a meeting with a international student advisor to discuss how to obtain authorization to work off-campus.
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When traveling abroad, obtain a travel signature from International Student and Scholar Services on your DS-2019 or I-20 form before you leave the U.S. You must have a valid travel signature in order to return to the U.S. The travel signature is valid for one year from the date of signing or until your program end date, whichever is sooner. Keep your passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected end date of your stay in the U.S. Report any changes of name or address to your international student advisor within 10 days of the change. Report a change of academic major to your international student advisor within 10 days of the change. Report a change in your financial support to your international student advisor within 10 days of the change. This would be a change from the information you initially reported when applying to Appalachian State University. It is particularly important you report any loss of scholarships. Obey all state and federal laws. Obey all university rules and regulations.
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Arrival Information
International Student Orientation
Tuesday, January 7, 2014Friday, January 10, 2014
BE SURE TO BRING THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS WITH YOU TO THE WELCOME LUNCH ON THE FIRST DAY OF ORIENTATION: PASSPORT & I-20 OR DS-2019 FORM
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Arrive at the Charlotte Douglas Airport by Tuesday, January 7, 2014 between 9:00 am and 11:00 pm. Meet an Appalachian State University representative at your baggage claim area. Stay at the Best Western Plus Sterling Hotel & Suites near the Charlotte Airport on 242 E. Woodlawn Road on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. You must make your own reservation and pay for your own room. Please inform that person booking your room that you are with Appalachian State Universitys international students. Your rate will be approximately $63+tax. You may want to share a room with other new international students. Then, you can share the cost of this room with other students. There is a Facebook page for you to connect to other new students. To join this group search Spring 2014 Appalachian State International Students. Travel to Boone in an Appalachian State University bus on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 8:30 am. We will leave from the Best Western Plus Sterling Hotel & Suites. Have all of your luggage ready outside the hotel at 8:00 am.
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Best Western Plus Sterling Hotel & Suites Airport Hotel Information
Best Western Plus Sterling Hotel & Suites provides free transportation from the airport to the hotel. You may call the hotel from a courtesy phone in the baggage claim area if by chance you miss the Appalachian representative at your baggage claim, or if you arrive earlier than 9:00am on January 7, 2014 or after 11:00pm on January, 2014. Best Western Plus Sterling Hotel & Suites 242 E Woodlawn Road Charlotte, NC 28217 1-800-780-7234 or 704-525-5454 Online reservations: http://book.bestwestern.com Earliest Check In: 3pm Breakfast: The hotel serves a free breakfast from 7am-10am every morning. Please inform that person booking your room that you are with Appalachian State Universitys international students. Your rate will be $62.99+tax.
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You must submit an arrival plan using the My Arrival Plan form found on our website at: http:// international.appstate.edu/international-student-and-scholar-services-isss/international-student-orientation. (Below is an example of the Arrival Plan.) In order to ensure you are registered with all of the necessary departments on campus, International Student and Scholar Services needs all students arrival plans regardless of whether or not they will take the Appalachian chartered bus. Your arrival plan must be received by December 15, 2013 to ensure you a space on the Appalachian bus and that you are registered with all necessary Appalachian departments. Please send your arrival plan to ISSS by fax at 828-262-4037 or by email to [email protected] by December 15, 2013 regardless of whether or not Appalachian will pick you up from the airport.
SAM
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Take a taxi to Boone for about $200. Arrange for the van service, the Hickory Hop, to bring you to Boone. See www.hickoryhop.com for more information about this van service. Take the bus run by Coach America to Boone once per day. See http://www.coachamericanc.com/ individualTravelSched.shtml for more information about the bus that runs once a day from the Greyhound bus station to Boone. This bus does not go to the airport. To get to the Greyhound bus station, you need to take a bus called the Sprinter. The Sprinter runs every 20-30 minutes from the airport to the Charlotte City Center. See http:// charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/bus/ridingcats/pages/ sprinter.aspx for more information. If you take this bus, tell the bus driver when you get on the bus that you want to stop at the Greyhound station.
If you choose to fly into Greensboro, NC instead of Charlotte, NC you can also take the Coach America bus (http:// www.coachamericanc.com/individualTravelSched.shtml) to Boone. The bus goes to Boone once a day.
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Academics
Transcripts/ Pre-registration
FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY To complete pre-registration, the Office of International Education and Development MUST HAVE a copy of your academic transcript translated into English. The translation must be endorsed by your home institution Study Abroad Coordinator. You should have submitted an official transcript and a translated copy with your application. If you did not, please submit the translation to [email protected] immediately. The Office of International Education and Development will register you for courses. Courses with pre-requisites require faculty approval for registration. If you do not meet the pre-requisites, you will not be able to take the course. During International Student Orientation you will meet with an advisor to discuss how to add and delete courses. You will also be able to change your registration through your Appalnet account once you are on campus. Directions for Appalnet are in the Staying Connected section of this handbook. Please note that some courses will have fees in addition to tuition. These fees are common for courses such as snowboarding, skiing, sustainable development, and technology courses. You will complete an academic transcript request form during International Student Orientation week. This form will allow the Office of International Education and Development to acquire your official transcript to send to your home university. You can expect your home university to receive an official copy of your transcript within 45 days of your return home. Please note that you will not receive your official academic transcript if you have any unpaid charges on your student account. Examples of these charges include library fines, health services charges and fees for damage to your room in the residence hall. If you would like an additional copy of your official transcript to be sent to you or anyone else, you can request this transcript at http://registrar.appstate.edu. From this page click Electronic Forms and then click Official Transcript Request Form and follow the directions on the form.
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FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY Please follow all directions given to you by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions on the website: myapp.appstate.edu. You will need to register for courses before you arrive. FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY Please follow all directions given to you by the Graduate School. You should contact your Academic Advisor in the academic department for further information.
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Exams at Appalachian
At Appalachian, all of your classes will have assessments throughout the semester which will count toward your final grade. Your final exam or final project will only count for a portion of your final grade. Therefore, it is required that you attend your classes regularly and complete all assessments. This system of continuous assessment is different from many universities around the world where the final exam counts as the majority of the students grade. Many professors will use attendance and participation as part of your grade. You are required to attend all of your classes regularly unless you have an excused illness to maintain your J-1 or F-1 visa status. Failure to attend class can result in the termination of your immigration status in SEVIS, the federal governments database for international students.
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If an exchange student chooses to change residence halls after arriving on campus, the student must pay the difference in cost for that room. This is true even for students on full exchange who do NOT pay for their residence hall room at Appalachian. If these students, who do not pay for residence hall rooms at Appalachian move after their arrival, they must pay the difference in cost. If, on the other hand, a student moves to a less expensive residence hall after arriving to Appalachian that student will only be reimbursed for the difference if that student is responsible for full payment of his room. Students on full exchange, who are not responsible for residence hall payment at Appalachian, will not receive money for moving to a less expensive residence hall. University Housing will try to place exchange students with American students as roommates. The exception will be for students older than 23. Most students living in Appalachian residence halls are between 18-20 years old. Exchange students older than 23 years old often enjoy living with people closer to their age, and it may be that there are only other international exchange students in this age bracket.
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Housing Application Here are detailed directions for EXCHANGE STUDENTS for filling out the housing application: Go to www.housing.appstate.edu. Click on the Housing Application icon and then log in with you Appalnet username and password. (For your username and password, read the section of this handbook entitled Staying Connected.) Read the housing contract carefully. Please know what you are signing before you submit your application which is a CONTRACT. By submitting the application, you are agreeing to everything in the housing contract. The contract will also state University Housings rules. Please know these so you avoid any problems. Once you have read and understand the housing application, complete your housing application. International Student and Scholar Services will send you an email message with specific instruction how to complete the online housing application. You will see an option to choose a roommate. Please enforce this option. You will be placed with an American roommate if possible. In a few instances, University Housing may room you with another international student. This is especially true if you are older than 23 years old. Most students living on campus are 18-20 years old. Students over 23 are usually happier being placed in a room with someone closer to their age. Sometimes, the only person closer to their age is another international student.
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Payment for housing and food is due when you arrive at Appalachian State University. Payment can be made in cash, by credit card, or travelers checks. Current prices are subject to change. For the prices of each residence hall, see www.housing.appstate.edu and then click Housing on the side column. From the drop down menu click Residence Halls and then Resident Hall Rates.
Residence halls do not have any bedding ready for you. Therefore, you will need to obtain pillows, sheets and a comforter. You can buy these items when you arrive, or you can order them and have them sent to yourself before you arrive. For directions on receiving packages if you live in the dorms, visit http:// housing.appstate.edu, click Housing on the left and then click Package Delivery. You will need to wait until you receive a residence hall assignment to order for anything to be sent to you. Your residence hall assignment will be emailed to your Appalnet account.
If you order bedding online, first check to see what kind of twin bed you have in your residence hall. Most beds are twin long. You may find you have more of a selection shopping online for bedding than you will when you arrive in Boone. Students must plan to be out of the residence halls during the Winter Break, from the end of classes in December until classes resume in mid-January. Appalachian does not provide accommodations for any student during the Winter Break.
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There are several places to eat on campus, and at least one cafeteria is open 7 days a week with the exception of a few holidays when the University is closed. To know more about eating on campus visit www.foodservices.appstate.edu. Students who come from cultures where the food is spicy may find the food sometimes bland. We recommend that students bring some spices from their country as the selection of spices in stores in Boone is smaller than one would find in a larger city.
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Off-Campus Living
If you are a graduate student or undergraduate studnets who wishes to live off-campus, you should plan to secure housing well in advance of the start of classes. (All exchange students and freshmen must live on campus.) If you visit www.offcampus.appstate.edu, you will find a variety of resources to help you. Efficiencies, one- or two-bedrooms are commonly listed. You should expect to pay between $500 - $600 per month plus utilities (electricity, water, telephone, cable TV) for an apartment shared between roommates. If you arrive in Boone without having made arrangements for housing, please arrange to stay in a local hotel before you arrive. Boone is a tourist center. If you arrive to Boone on a weekend and have not made reservations in advance, you may find there are no rooms available in town. Those available may be quite expensive. Therefore, reserve a hotel room before you arrive. Some apartments will ask for a guarantee from someone living in the U.S. stating that this person will pay your rent if you fail to pay your rent. This is a difficult requirement for some international students to meet. The staff in the Office of International Education and Development cannot make this guarantee for you. If an apartment complex requires a guarantee, but you have no-one in the U.S. to do this for you, you can ask the owner of the apartment if you can pay four months rent prior to your moving in. This will give the owner assurance that you will meet your entire 12 month rental contract. Most contracts will be for 12 months. You are legally required to fulfill the terms of the contract.
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Earthfare: (sells all natural and organic products): 178 West King Street Stickboy: (sells fresh baked bread and sweets daily): 345 Hardin St. Lowes Food: 267 New Market Ctr. Ingles Market: 2575 Highway 105 Harris Teeter: 240 Shadowline Dr. Food Lion: 350 Watauga Dr.
There is also an outdoor Farmers Market, open every Wednesday and Saturday from May through October. This is a great place to buy fresh, local foods and to experience some local culture. For directions to the Farmers Market and more information, see http://www.wataugacountyfarmersmarket.org. Students living off campus are also welcome to eat in Appalachians cafeterias, but they cannot purchase a meal plan. However, they can pay for cafeteria food with a credit card or cash, or they can put money on their Appalachian ID card and use that ID card to pay for cafeteria food. Currently, there is no Halal food sold in Boone, NC. However, some stores, including Harris Teeter, carry Kosher food which may meet Muslim students dietary requirements. Muslim students can also consult with other students at Appalachian in the Muslim Student Association for advice on where to find appropriate food. See http://multicultural.appstate.edu for more information about this club.
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Staying Connected
Mail
You will receive an ASU BOX to receive physical mail. To know your ASU BOX number: Go to www.appstate.edu. Click People in the search box. Type in your own name. You will see your ASU BOX. If the number is blank, you may not have yet been assigned a box. If you still have not been assigned a box and it is within 30 days of your expected arrival, please contact International Student and Scholar Services at [email protected] for assistance. Your ASU Box will be located inside of the unversitys post office. See www.maps.appstate.edu to find the post office on campus. For directions on receiving packages if you live in the residence halls, visit www.housing.appstate.edu, click Housing on the left and then click Package Delivery. You will need to wait until you receive a room assignment to order for any package to be sent to you. Your room assignment will be emailed to your Appalnet account.
Facebook
There is a Facebook page for you to connect to other new students. To join this group search the semester that you are coming (for example Spring 2014) and Appalachian State International Students and ask to join. Feel free to use this as a place to connect to new international students and domestic students from INTAPP, International Appalachian, a student group dedicated to helping new international students.
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Phone
You may want to use a cell phone while you are in Boone. Many students SIM cards will not work in American phones. An easy cell phone option is to purchase a prepaid cell phone which you can obtain for under $50 and then buy minutes. You can purchase minutes at a reasonable cost for a full day of local calls. If you are staying in the U.S. for several years, you may want to purchase a cell phone plan. Most people in Boone purchase Verizon as it seems to have the most reliable service in this area. Other cell phone providers are available. A good option for calling internationally in the U.S. is Skype and Vonage. International calling cards are also available to purchase. There are no free landlines in the residence halls. Students must use cell phones or pay for a landline through the University Housing.
Internet
Internet access is free to students at Appalachian. Almost all of the buildings at Appalachian have wireless internet available. A few of the residence halls only have Ethernet or DSL connections.
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Computers
If you do not have a computer, you can use any of the available computers at any of Appalachians computer labs. All of the residence halls have computer labs and there are labs throughout campus. See http://support.appstate.edu/labs for locations and hours of computer labs. Students can also check out for free but for a limited period of time a laptop or iPad from the library on campus.
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7. Go to www.password.appstate.edu 8. Enter your username 9. Skip the box that asks for your old password and instead enter your Banner ID and your date of birth. Remember the in the U.S. we record the birthday as month/day/year. 10. Accept the agreement 11. Create a new password 12. Record your password and do not lose it! 13. Now you are ready to access your Appalnet account. 14. To access your Appalnet account go to www.appstate.edu and click Appalnet in the right upper corner. 15. Enter your Appalachian username and password. 16. You will see many tabs in Appalnet- including email. You can start using your Appalachian email right away. You will also see ways to check your schedule, add a class, etc. For degree-seeking students, you can change your classes via Appalnet. For Exchange Students Only: The Office of
International Education and Development registers you for courses prior to your arrival. You will be able to change your courses on Appalnet when you arrive on campus. .
17. You will see that one of the Appalnet tabs is Tutorial. Click on this tab to understand all of the functions in Appalnet. All students are responsible for checking their Appalachian email account regularly. Important information is sent to you through this email account!
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The Appalachian: the student newspaper: The Mountain Times: a local town paper: The High Country Press: a local town paper: Todds Calendar: a calendar of local events:
www.theappalachianonline.com
www.mountaintimes.com
www.hcpress.com
www.toddscalendar.com
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Repatriation coverage of $7,500 Medical evacuation coverage of $10,000 Major medical coverage of at least $50,000 per accident or illness Deductible must not exceed $500.00
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INSURANCE CONTINUED
Below is a description of how to apply to waive out of the University sponsored health insurance plan. A determination will be made by the health insurance administrator if your insurance meets the requirements. If it does not, you and for any F-2 dependents must be enrolled in the University sponsored health insurance plan. If the health insurance administrator denies your alternative insurance coverage, all questions about the denial should be directed to the health insurance administrator through the appeals process. Instructions regarding the appeals process will be emailed to the email address that you provided the health insurance administrator.
Note: ALL F-1 DEPENDENTS WHO HOLD F-2 VISA STATUS MUST HAVE EITHER 1) THE UNIVERSITY SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE OR 2) HEALTH INSURANCE WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED AS MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS STATED ABOVE. DEPENDENT INSURANCE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH STUDENT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE INSURANCE WILL RESULT IN THE TERMINATION OF THE DEPENDENTS RECORD IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DATABASE SEVIS.
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HOW TO APPLY TO WAIVE OUT OF THE UNIVERSITY SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
You can waive out of the University sponsored student health insurance plan only if you have another health insurance which meets the following requirements: Repatriation coverage of $7,500 Medical evacuation coverage of $10,000 Major medical coverage of at least $50,000 per accident or illness Deductible must not exceed $500.00 To apply to waive out of the University sponsored health insurance plan, go to www.healthservices.appstate.edu and click on BCBS Student Health Insurance Benefits and then click on the Waiver tab on the left side of the page. YOU MUST APPLY TO WAIVE OUT BY THE DEADLINE INDICATED ON THE WEBSITE! Once you have applied to waive out of the University sponsored plan, the health insurance administrator will decide if your insurance meets the requirements to waive out. If it does not, you and any dependents must be enrolled in the University sponsored health insurance plan. If the health insurance plan administrator denies your alternative insurance coverage, all questions about the denial should be directed to that company through the appeals process. Instructions regarding the appeals process would be emailed to the email address which you provided the health insurance administrator.
**Student on ISEP programs (www.isep.org) are automatically enrolled in ISEPs insurance plan. ISEP students must apply to waive out of the University sponsored health insurance.**
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You should see a doctor that participates in your health insurance plan. You can find the doctors in Boone who participate in the University sponsored student health insurance plan by going to www.bcbsnc.com/content/ studentblue/asu/index.htm?page=benefits, clicking on Resources, and Find A Doctor. Going to doctor who is not a member of the health insurance plan will cost you much more money. Also, note the university sponsored health insurance does not provide coverage for dental services unless the care is directly related to an injury. If you wear contact lenses, you must have an eye exam in the United State before you can obtain new lenses. It may be more convenient for you to bring extra contact lenses with you. If you have a major medical issue, and you need to be hospitalized in Boone, you will go to the Watauga Medical Center (www.apprhs.org).
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If you arrive to the U.S. with a medical condition that requires care such as diabetes or epilepsy, the University sponsored health insurance may not cover that care until you have had the insurance policy for one year. If you do have such a condition, you probably need to take out an additional policy from your country that will cover you in the U.S. If you are sick when Appalachians Health Services is closed, and your sickness is not life threatening, you may choose to go to an off-campus doctor or an urgent care center in Boone rather than the hospital emergency room. Urgent care will be less expensive than a hospital emergency room.
FastMed Urgent Care, 178 Highway 105 Extension # 101, 828-265-7146 AppUrgent Care Center, 2146 Blowing Rock Road, 828-265-5505
Medical Transports: The University Police Department (828-262-2150) will provide on-campus transportation to injured or sick students to Health Services on campus for non-emergencies. They will provide transportation for illnesses to and from the urgent care facilities in Boone. If the urgent care facilities are closed, they will transport ill students to the Watauga County Medical Center Emergency Room and back to campus. They do not provide transportation for scheduled doctor appointments.
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Prescription Drugs
If you travel to the U.S. with prescription drugs, please keep the medication in its original packaging. If you move your prescription medication out if its original packaging, the U.S. customs official may confiscate it. Please read your health insurance benefits brochure to understand what prescription costs will be covered for you. The University sponsored health insurance will not cover 100% of your prescription costs.
Immunizations
North Carolina law requires all new international exchange, undergraduate, and graduate students entering college to provide immunization records and completed medical history forms to Health Services prior to your arrival on campus. All students must present these medical forms with proof of immunization, certified by original physician signatures. You may not attend classes until you submit the completed medical history form and immunization record form to Health Services! If your immunization record is not complete, certified, and translated into English, you will have to receive all of the required immunizations at Appalachian before you will be allowed to attend classes. Your physician must complete the translation of your records into English and certify for authenticity. Complete your medical form according to the instructions. The immunization form is at: www.healthservices.appstate.edu. Click on Medical History and Immunization Requirement in the Resources box.
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Medical Records
Send the completed medical history form and immunization records/form via fax to Health Services at 828-262-6958. Exchange students can submit their medical form to the Office of International Education and Development with their initial exchange applications. However, if they do not include the medical forms with their applications, they must fax them directly to Health Services. Keep a copy of the medical history forms and immunization records which you submit to Health Services and bring them with you to Appalachian.
Mental Health
Appalachian has a counseling center on campus (www.counseling.appstate.edu). All international students are welcome to go to the counseling center for free services. Seeking counseling is very common and accepted in the United States. International students should not hesitate to use their services if they are experiencing any sort of depression, anxiety, homesickness or any other mental health matters. .
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Safety
In general, Appalachian State University is a very safe campus and Boone is an extremely safe town. There is an Appalachian State University police force on campus to ensure your safety. Visit www.police.appstate.edu for extensive information about safety on campus. You can dial 911 if you have an emergency and the Boone police will respond. On campus, call 828-262-8000 and the University Police will respond. Appalachian also has emergency phones all over campus that you can pick up to call University Police. The police officer will be sent to the location from which you are calling. Appalachian has a free shuttle service during the evening and night hours, Moutaineer Safe Ride. The service is offered seven days a week except holidays and in the summer and is available from 6:30 p.m. until 2:15 a.m. Mountaineer Safe Ride will only pick you up and drop you off on campus. Call 828-262-RIDE (7433) and the van will pick you up.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL WIRE TRANSFERS Be sure to include your Student ID (Banner) Number on the wire transfer: Beneficiary number 2020050834932 Beneficiary: Appalachian State University Routing Number: 121000248 Student ID Number 900XXXXX Students First and Last Name: xxxxxxxxx Bank Name: Wells Fargo Bank Address: 420 Montgomery San Francisco, CA 94104 SWIFT or BIC Code: WFBIUS6S Debra Aldridge, Boone-Southside Office (828) 262-4677 phone (828) 262-4640 fax CHIPS (Clearing House Interbank Payment System) UID: 0407
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Social Security Cards All international students and scholars who work on campus at Appalachian are required to obtain a U.S. Social Security Number. The Office of International Education and Development will assist you with this process once you arrive. See www.international.appstate.edu/isss/students/resources and click Obtaining a Social Security Card for more information.
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THERE ARE ONLY LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CAN WORK OFF-CAMPUS. YOUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR AND/OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST AUTHORIZE YOU TO WORK OFF-CAMPUS FOR PRACTICAL TRAINING OR DUE TO SEVERE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP. YOU SHOULD SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR AT [email protected] TO DISCUSS OBTAINING AUTHORIZATION TO WORK OFF-CAMPUS.
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Note graduate students with assistantships can have their hours changed each year. One year a graduate student may be given a 20 hour a week assistantship, and the next year it may be reduced to 10 hours a week. If those hours are reduced, the students are still responsible for paying for their tuition, fees and living costs. We suggest you bring at least $200 in U.S. traveler's checks or cash in $50 denominations with you to cover initial expenses.
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Undergraduate Admissions: www.admissions.appstate.edu/costs-andscholarships Graduate Admissions: www.graduate.appstate.edu (Click on New Students.) Diversity Scholars Program: www.diversityscholars.appstate.edu eduPASS: www.edupass.org/finaid
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Taxes
All students will need to file a U.S. tax form for each year they are in the United States, even if they earn no income. THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT does not offer tax advice, because we are not approved by the federal government to provide assistance. Please visit www.international.appstate.edu/isss/ students/resources and click Income Tax for detailed information and resources.
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Transportation
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Shared Transportation
Within Boone: Boone has a public bus that is free to everyone, the Appalcart. See www.appalcart.com for more information about this bus. Leaving Boone: There is a Coach America bus that travels from Boone to many cities in North Carolina every day. See www.coachamericanc.com/ individualTravelSched.shtml for more information. The Hickory Hop: The Hickory Hop is a private van service that comes to Boone several times a day to connect passengers to Hickory, NC and Charlotte, NC. See www.hickoryhop.com for more information. Appalachian State University has an online social network for ridesharing called Zimride. See www.zimride.appstate.edu to begin ride sharing.
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Drivers License
In order to get a North Carolina driver's license, you must show proof of insurance and pass both a written and street driving test. You must have a North Caroline drivers license and insurance to purchase a car. See www.ncdot.org for more information. Also, international students must present all their U.S. immigration documents when applying for a drivers license. The local DMV office where students can obtain a drivers license is at 4469 Bamboo Road and the phone number is 828-265-5384.
Renting a Car
In North Carolina, international students can rent a car using the drivers license from their home country. You will need to bring your drivers license, your passport and a major credit card to the car rental agency. Here is the information for a rental car company in Boone: Enterprise: 828-268-9761
Navigating
When students are looking for directions they may find the MapQuest website useful. See www.mapquest.com for more information. MapQuest will explain routes, estimated miles and estimated cost of gas for all trips.
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ALCOHOL continued...
Students living in the residence halls are allowed to drink alcohol if they are 21 or over. However, residence hall rooms are the only places on campus where students of legal drinking age are permitted to possess or consume alcohol. Open containers in public areas (hallways, sidewalks, lobbies, etc) are not permitted. Common containers and/or paraphernalia including but not limited to kegs, beer balls, and beer bongs are not permitted on university property. Students living in the residence halls who are 21 years or older are allowed to have no more than twelve 12-ounce containers of beer or two 750 ml bottles of wine or 750 ml of liquor. If quantities larger than this are found in any room, they may be confiscated and a consequence may be issued. Students 21 years or over who are living in the residence halls are also not permitted to become intoxicated on university property. Being intoxicated on campus is a university offense. The consequences for being intoxicated on campus can include parental notification, fees, alcohol education courses, community service and/ or suspension. It is also not permitted for students to enter the University while intoxicated even if the students drank the alcohol off campus. Binge drinking sometimes occurs on American university campuses. American college students die every year from binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as drinking with the goal of becoming heavily intoxicated or drinking many drinks in a short period of time. International students should also avoid binge drinking.
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Drugs
U.S. drug laws are strict and are taken very seriously. If a person is found to have a large enough amount of drugs to be considered a drug dealer, and that person is found guilty in a U.S. court for drug dealing, that person will likely be imprisoned for various years. The U.S. also has conspiracy laws in regards to drug dealing. Anyone found conspiring with convicted drug dealers also receives a minimum jail sentence of many years. Conspiring can mean someone living with or helping a drug dealer can potentially be convicted of conspiring. Conspiring could include an action such as answering the door for a drug dealers customer. Also, if police arrive at a gathering where illegal drugs are present, police can arrest everyone at that gathering, even those people who were not using the drugs. To avoid jail and/or deportation, international students should not use or possess any illegal drugs, and they should not be places where illegal drugs are present. Know that marijuana use may be considered a felony in North Carolina, punishable by jail time.
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Harassment
Harassment is not accepted on Appalachians campus and in many cases it is illegal. Harassment at Appalachian is defined as unwelcome and unsolicited speech or conduct based upon race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, political affiliation, veteran status, disability or genetic information. International students should know they do not need to ever tolerate any harassment on Appalachians campus. If students ever feel harassed, they are welcome to go to the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Compliance at Appalachian (www.equity.appstate.edu) for assistance. Students can also go to their international student advisor, their Resident Assistants in the residence halls, or University Police for help. International students should not engage in harassment. Additional information about harassment will be provided at International Student Orientation. Students can also read more about what constitutes harassment at www.equity.appstate.edu. Know that in the United States, it is illegal to call, text message, email or try to speak to someone who has told you he/ she does not want to speak to you. If a person has proof that you are repeatedly contacting him/her without his/her consent, that person can file a criminal harassment charge against you. This is true in romantic relationships as well. Once a person has expressed a desire not to be contacted, do not contact that person. Know that on Appalachian State Universitys campus, harassing posts on social networking sites such as Facebook about other students are not tolerated. If a student posts a remark about another student on a social networking site that could be construed as harassment or a threat, that student will be contacted immediately by University Police and may result in disciplinary action.
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Discrimination
Discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, political affiliation, veteran status, disability or genetic information is not tolerated on Appalachians campus. If you feel you are being discriminated against, make an appointment with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Compliance. Appalachian students generally are respectful of others races, cultures, religions, genders and sexual orientations. It is important that you show respect to all people at Appalachian as well. You will find that most Appalachian students will disapprove of any jokes or comments that in any way degrade another person based on that persons race, culture, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
Religion
There are a wide variety of Christian churches in Boone. There is no Muslim mosque in Boone. There is one Jewish synagogue. Students who wish to participate in any religious services may find the directory of religious clubs and organizations on campus helpful. To find this list, visit www.csil.appstate.edu, click Clubs and Organizations on the left side and then click Directory.
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Student Life
Student Organizations
There are hundreds of organizations on campus, and involvement in them is an excellent way to experience American culture and meet a variety of people. For a complete list of student organizations at Appalachian go to www.csil.appstate.edu. One group that works directly with the international student population is INTAPP. International Appalachian (INTAPP) is an organization that works with the Office of International Education and Development to provide support for international students, to promote study abroad and to internationalize the university. The Office of Multicultural Student Development manages many cultural groups on campus. Visit www.multicultural.appstate.edu for more information.
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Emergencies: 911 University Police non-emergency: 828-262-2150 University Police emergency: 828-262-8000 Safe Ride: 828-262-SAFE Office of International Education and Development: 828-262-2046 Immunizations & Health Care: 828-262-3100 Counseling: 828-262-3180 Recreation: 828-262-2100 Career Planning: 828-262-2180 Community Involvement: 828-262-2193 Student Union: 828-262-3032 Post Office: 828-262-2242 Food Services: 828-262-3061 University Library: 828-262-2186 Learning Assistance Program : 828-262-2291 Graduate School: 828-262-2130 Undergraduate Academic Advising (Not for Exchange Students): 828-262-2167
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Outdoor Activities
International Students are strongly encouraged to get outside and enjoy the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Outdoor Programs, www.op.appstate.edu, is a great way to access the local natural environment. Boones tourism website, www.visitboonenc.com, will also give you ideas of places to go hiking, skiing, canoeing, etc.
You can read more about the program at www.international.appstate.edu/isss/icp. If you wish to participate, please fill out the form on the website.
This is a great opportunity to connect to the local community and learn more about American culture. It is recommended to join the International Friendship Program.
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Outreach
Cultural Agents Promoting Exchange C.A.P.E.
Students involved with C.A.P.E. show interest in developing their intercultural communication skillset and sharing their cultural experiences with others in structured settings. Through a series of regular workshops on interactive skill building, communication activities, and presentation preparation, participants build skills and learn about the campus and the community. All international students are welcome to participant! For more information about the program and participant requirements, visit http://www.international.appstate.edu/ outreach/opportunities.
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iPALS
iPALS matches new international students with current Appalachian State students for friendship and cultural exchange. iPALS is a great opportunity to create new friendships, learn about different cultures, and create memories that will last a lifetime. This program also serves as an important resource for cross-cultural exchange and language. The goal of iPALS is to promote cross-cultural understanding between new international and U.S. students at Appalachian. iPALS is led by Appalachian students interested in providing a welcoming environment for new international students and cultivating friendships with students from other cultures. To apply for iPALS and learn more information about the program visit http:// www.international.appstate.edu/outreach/ipals.
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Any questions? Contact us: International Student and Scholar Services Appalachian State University Plemmons Student Union 263 Locust Street, Suite #321 Boone, NC 28608-2083 [email protected] 828-262-2046
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