Arrival

Planning Your Arrival

General Information

Certificate of Eligibility

Enclosed is your 'Certificate of Eligibility' either form I-20 (F-1 student visa) or DS-2019 (J-1 exchange visitor visa). You will need this form to apply for the appropriate visa for entry to the United States. Please remember to bring this form with you for your appointment at the American Consulate or Embassy, and also when you enter the U.S.

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)

Prior to your American Consulate or Embassy interview, you will need to pay a $100 SEVIS fee. This is a one-time fee assessed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to those applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa based on an I-20 issued for 'initial attendance' or a DS-2019 issued to 'begin a new program.' For information regarding the SEVIS fee, please go online to http://www.fmjfee.com/, complete form I-901 and pay the amount due. After completing the form and making the payment, you will be able to print a receipt. The American Consulate or Embassy will need to see this receipt during your interview. When you arrive in the United States, Customs and Border Protection officers will also ask to see the receipt.

Passport

You must have a valid passport (Canadian citizens are an exception) for travel to the U.S. with a validity date at least six months after your proposed date of entry to the U.S.

Please note:

If you change your plans and decide not to attend Union College, please return your I-20 or DS-2019 to the Dean of Students Office.

Mail

All student mail comes in through the Central Mailroom in the Reamer Campus Center - first floor. The International Programs Office will notify all international students of their mailbox number and access combination. Your mailbox can be used for first-class mail and packages.

Medical Health Forms

As soon as your medical health form has been completed, please send it to the Health Services Office, Silliman Hall, Union College, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308.

Applying for your U.S. Visa

When to Apply

If you are currently abroad, and do not yet have a valid U.S. student visa, you generally apply for one at the U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it is generally more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.

Apply for your visa well in advance of the date you plan to leave for the United States, but, please note that visas cannot be issued more than 90 days before the 'start date' indicated on your DS-2019 or I-20. Holiday periods are very busy times at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. Appointments are now mandatory for all student visas, and some U.S. embassies and consulates require that appointments be made at least four to eight weeks in advance. All U.S. embassies and consulates have a website where you can read the latest information on visa procedures. Visit http://travel.state.gov/links.html to locate the embassy or consulate near you. For information on waiting times for student visa appointments, go to the following link http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php.

Items to Bring to Your Visa Appointment

Passport
Required photo(s)
Visa fee or proof of visa fee payment
Payment receipt for SEVIS fee
U.S. non-immigrant visa application forms
Union College admissions letter (exchange students will not have an admissions letter)
I-20 or DS-2019 form
Test scores and academic records
Proof of English proficiency
Proof of financial support that corresponds to the information on your I-20 or DS-2019
Evidence of ties to your home country
Any other documents required by the embassy or consulate

Canadian Citizens

Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain a U.S. visa to enter the U.S. However, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will inspect your paperwork, either at a pre-inspection site in Canada or upon entry to the United States. You must have the following with you, as it is essential that you enter the U.S. in the appropriate status.

Proof of Canadian citizenship
Your Union College admissions letter
Payment receipt for SEVIS fee
I-20 or DS-2019 form
Financial support information that corresponds to the information on your I-20 or DS-2019

What to Bring

Climate and Clothing

The climate in Schenectady varies with four distinct seasons. Fall can start out warm in September and by the end of the term in November, it can be quite cold and rainy. During the winter, Schenectady can receive a considerable amount of snow and in January, February and March the weather can be very cold and windy. Some years, April and May are cool and rainy but by the end of May the weather is usually warming up, and it can be very warm in June.

Fall - medium-weight wool coats or jackets are necessary as is a raincoat and umbrella 20 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to 26 degrees centigrade)
Winter - heavy jackets or overcoats, hats, scarves, gloves and boots are a necessity. 0 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to 7 degrees centigrade)
Spring - medium-weight wool coats or jackets, a raincoat and umbrella 40 to 72 degrees (4 to 22 degrees centigrade)
Late spring (June) - you may need a lightweight jacket for a cool evening

Personal Items

Many students like to bring examples of their country's traditional art, crafts, dress, photographs, tapes or CDs, maps, or other items descriptive of their home country and culture. Each year the College hosts an International Festival that allows our international students to present to the campus community, the various cultural traditions of their home country.

You may also want to bring items you use regularly that may not be readily available, or may be more expensive, in the United States such as a camera, your eyeglasses, a laptop, a watch or a portable radio.

Linens

The International Programs Office provides linens for exchange students and teaching assistants only. This includes sheets, blankets, pillows, coverlets and towels. All international students, other than exchange students, must provide their own linens.

Money

You should plan to bring approximately $100 in cash with you for emergencies, meals and necessities while traveling. Classroom supplies and personal items can be purchased at the College Bookstore, and you will have the opportunity to purchase items at a local store soon after your arrival.

Things to Leave at Home

A booklet on customs regulations can be obtained at the consulate or embassy where you acquire your visa. Prohibited items include some types of narcotics, food, and items for resale. More information is available at the U.S. Customs Service website http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/.

You do not need to bring any textbooks used in previous study. International students are expected to purchase required textbooks for all classes. Your class textbooks will cost approximately $500 per term. Supplemental class reading materials for review and research are available on campus at the Schaffer Library.

You may wish to purchase electrical appliances after you arrive in the United States as appliances manufactured outside the U.S. may not be compatible with the power supply and may be prohibited in residence halls.

Entry into the United States

Port of Entry Procedures

After obtaining your visa, you can finalize your plans for travel to the U.S. Make sure you carry your I-20 or DS-2019 form and your SEVIS fee payment receipt with your passport. You will be asked to show these documents to the Customs and Border Protection officers at the U.S. port of entry.

Please note that you cannot enter the U.S. on another school's 'certificate of eligibility', as that would be considered a fraudulent entry by the Department of Homeland Security.

In addition, do not attempt to enter the U.S. on a visitor/tourist visa (B-2) unless it is designated 'prospective student' by a consular officer. The Department of Homeland Security will rarely authorize a change of status from B-2 to 'F-1' or 'J-1.'

Traveling to Schenectady

J-1 Exchange Students

As soon as your travel arrangements are complete, please contact Professor William Thomas thomasw@union.edu and let him know what they are. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact him.

F-1 Students

As soon as your travel arrangements are complete, please contact Shelly Shinebarger shinebas@union.edu and let her know what they are. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact her.

Websites

www.amtrak.com (train)
www.amtrak.com (bus)
www.trailway.com (bus)

Travel Directions

(provided by the International Programs Office)
If you are arriving at JFK or Newark airports, the bus is the easiest way to get into Manhattan. Go to http://www.google.com/ and enter JFK Airport or Newark Airport to see what your options are. Please note that there are no planes from JFK to Albany Airport. You can, however, take a shuttle van, Premiere Transportation. Their website is www.premierelimo.com, phone: 518/459-6123, fax: 518/489-2352 or email: info@premierelimo.com. Please make your shuttle van reservation at least 48 hours in advance of your arrival. Shuttle passengers arriving into JFK or LaGuardia must call 800-772-2172 (Mon-Fri) or 518/573-1608 (Sat-Sun) immediately upon arrival. The Express Shuttle will not under any circumstances depart JFK later than 6:30 pm and LaGuardia later than 7:15 pm. The cost of the shuttle van, one-way, is approximately $62.

At Newark, a monorail is used for terminal-to-terminal transfers, but actually, walking between terminals is very easy.

Trains for Schenectady depart from Pennsylvania (PENN) Station which is on 8th Avenue between 31st and 33rd streets. Purchase your ticket at any ticket window marked AMTRAK. At the moment, a one-way ticket to Schenectady costs about $50. You must have a reservation for trains to Schenectady, although usually this is not a problem. As you get closer to your date of arrival, the AMTRAK website will tell you if space is available. Please note that the gate/track for your train will not be posted until about ten minutes prior to departure. Thus, keep looking at the departure board around that time, since you will have to board your train rather quickly.

Busses for Schenectady (Greyhound or Adirondack Trailways) depart from the Port Authority terminal on 8th Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets. The area around the Port Authority is squalid and potentially dangerous. We would advise you to arrive there by taxi, not by subway or on foot.

If you will be arriving at Albany airport, please be aware that taxis from the airport to the campus cost about $25.

Campus Map

A copy of the campus map is available online here.

Arrival in Schenectady

In Schenectady, the bus and train stations are within one mile of the campus. You should take a taxi to campus and ask to be dropped off at the Union College Campus Safety Office located at College Park Hall, on Nott Street, between Erie Boulevard and Park Place, which will cost about $5. (College Park Hall is not shown on the campus map) A Campus Safety Officer will assist you in getting to your residence hall. Should no taxi be available at the station and should you have to call one, please remember that local calls are 25 cents. It is possible that we will have students to meet you at the stations or airport, but it is far too early for us to know whether or not this will be the case.

Office of International Programs : J-1 Exchange Students (only)

After you are accessed to your residence hall room, please notify Professor William Thomas of your arrival. Professor Thomas' office is in the Humanities Building , #26, on the campus map. On weekends, the Humanities Building is locked, so please call x6002 on the campus phone system and he will make arrangements to meet you. White courtesy phones, which allow you to make on-campus calls, are available in almost all of the campus buildings. It is important that you contact Professor Thomas soon after your arrival, so that he can explain how you will be able to eat meals prior to orientation. He would prefer that you not starve to death. Weekdays, Professor Thomas is available all day. On Saturday and Sunday, he is in the office in the afternoon only. Should you need to contact him on Saturday or Sunday morning, you can call him at home at 377-1962.

Dean of Students Office (DOSO) : J-1 Exchange Students and F-1 Students

Within a week of your arrival on campus, please bring your stamped DS-2019 or I-20 to the Dean of Student Office, Reamer Campus Center, Room 306. Copies of those documents will be made for our files.

Please note that International Students are required to report to the DOSO at the beginning of each academic term and complete a status report.

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Please remember to bring this form with you for your appointment at the American Consulate or Embassy, and also when you enter the U.S. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) Prior to your American Consulate or Embassy interview, you will need to pay a $100 SEVIS fee. This is a one-time fee assessed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to those applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa based on an I-20 issued for 'initial attendance' or a DS-2019 issued to 'begin a new program.' For information regarding the SEVIS fee, please go online to http://www.fmjfee.com/, complete form I-901 and pay the amount due. After completing the form and making the payment, you will be able to print a receipt. The American Consulate or Embassy will need to see this receipt during your interview. When you arrive in the United States, Customs and Border Protection officers will also ask to see the receipt. Passport You must have a valid passport (Canadian citizens are an exception) for travel to the U.S. with a validity date at least six months after your proposed date of entry to the U.S. Please note: If you change your plans and decide not to attend Union College, please return your I-20 or DS-2019 to the Dean of Students Office. Mail All student mail comes in through the Central Mailroom in the Reamer Campus Center - first floor. The International Programs Office will notify all international students of their mailbox number and access combination. Your mailbox can be used for first-class mail and packages. Medical Health Forms As soon as your medical health form has been completed, please send it to the Health Services Office, Silliman Hall, Union College, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308. Applying for your U.S. Visa When to Apply If you are currently abroad, and do not yet have a valid U.S. student visa, you generally apply for one at the U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it is generally more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence. Apply for your visa well in advance of the date you plan to leave for the United States, but, please note that visas cannot be issued more than 90 days before the 'start date' indicated on your DS-2019 or I-20. Holiday periods are very busy times at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. Appointments are now mandatory for all student visas, and some U.S. embassies and consulates require that appointments be made at least four to eight weeks in advance. All U.S. embassies and consulates have a website where you can read the latest information on visa procedures. Visit http://travel.state.gov/links.html to locate the embassy or consulate near you. For information on waiting times for student visa appointments, go to the following link http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php. Items to Bring to Your Visa Appointment Passport Required photo(s) Visa fee or proof of visa fee payment Payment receipt for SEVIS fee U.S. non-immigrant visa application forms Union College admissions letter (exchange students will not have an admissions letter) I-20 or DS-2019 form Test scores and academic records Proof of English proficiency Proof of financial support that corresponds to the information on your I-20 or DS-2019 Evidence of ties to your home country Any other documents required by the embassy or consulate Canadian Citizens Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain a U.S. visa to enter the U.S. However, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will inspect your paperwork, either at a pre-inspection site in Canada or upon entry to the United States. You must have the following with you, as it is essential that you enter the U.S. in the appropriate status. Proof of Canadian citizenship Your Union College admissions letter Payment receipt for SEVIS fee I-20 or DS-2019 form Financial support information that corresponds to the information on your I-20 or DS-2019 What to Bring Climate and Clothing The climate in Schenectady varies with four distinct seasons. Fall can start out warm in September and by the end of the term in November, it can be quite cold and rainy. During the winter, Schenectady can receive a considerable amount of snow and in January, February and March the weather can be very cold and windy. Some years, April and May are cool and rainy but by the end of May the weather is usually warming up, and it can be very warm in June. Fall - medium-weight wool coats or jackets are necessary as is a raincoat and umbrella 20 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to 26 degrees centigrade) Winter - heavy jackets or overcoats, hats, scarves, gloves and boots are a necessity. 0 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to 7 degrees centigrade) Spring - medium-weight wool coats or jackets, a raincoat and umbrella 40 to 72 degrees (4 to 22 degrees centigrade) Late spring (June) - you may need a lightweight jacket for a cool evening Personal Items Many students like to bring examples of their country's traditional art, crafts, dress, photographs, tapes or CDs, maps, or other items descriptive of their home country and culture. Each year the College hosts an International Festival that allows our international students to present to the campus community, the various cultural traditions of their home country. You may also want to bring items you use regularly that may not be readily available, or may be more expensive, in the United States such as a camera, your eyeglasses, a laptop, a watch or a portable radio. Linens The International Programs Office provides linens for exchange students and teaching assistants only. This includes sheets, blankets, pillows, coverlets and towels. All international students, other than exchange students, must provide their own linens. Money You should plan to bring approximately $100 in cash with you for emergencies, meals and necessities while traveling. Classroom supplies and personal items can be purchased at the College Bookstore, and you will have the opportunity to purchase items at a local store soon after your arrival. Things to Leave at Home A booklet on customs regulations can be obtained at the consulate or embassy where you acquire your visa. Prohibited items include some types of narcotics, food, and items for resale. More information is available at the U.S. Customs Service website http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/. You do not need to bring any textbooks used in previous study. International students are expected to purchase required textbooks for all classes. Your class textbooks will cost approximately $500 per term. Supplemental class reading materials for review and research are available on campus at the Schaffer Library. You may wish to purchase electrical appliances after you arrive in the United States as appliances manufactured outside the U.S. may not be compatible with the power supply and may be prohibited in residence halls. Entry into the United States Port of Entry Procedures After obtaining your visa, you can finalize your plans for travel to the U.S. Make sure you carry your I-20 or DS-2019 form and your SEVIS fee payment receipt with your passport. You will be asked to show these documents to the Customs and Border Protection officers at the U.S. port of entry. Please note that you cannot enter the U.S. on another school's 'certificate of eligibility', as that would be considered a fraudulent entry by the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, do not attempt to enter the U.S. on a visitor/tourist visa (B-2) unless it is designated 'prospective student' by a consular officer. The Department of Homeland Security will rarely authorize a change of status from B-2 to 'F-1' or 'J-1.' Traveling to Schenectady J-1 Exchange Students As soon as your travel arrangements are complete, please contact Professor William Thomas thomasw@union.edu and let him know what they are. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact him. F-1 Students As soon as your travel arrangements are complete, please contact Shelly Shinebarger shinebas@union.edu and let her know what they are. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact her. Websites www.amtrak.com (train) www.amtrak.com (bus) www.trailway.com (bus) Travel Directions (provided by the International Programs Office) If you are arriving at JFK or Newark airports, the bus is the easiest way to get into Manhattan. Go to http://www.google.com/ and enter JFK Airport or Newark Airport to see what your options are. Please note that there are no planes from JFK to Albany Airport. You can, however, take a shuttle van, Premiere Transportation. Their website is www.premierelimo.com, phone: 518/459-6123, fax: 518/489-2352 or email: info@premierelimo.com. Please make your shuttle van reservation at least 48 hours in advance of your arrival. Shuttle passengers arriving into JFK or LaGuardia must call 800-772-2172 (Mon-Fri) or 518/573-1608 (Sat-Sun) immediately upon arrival. The Express Shuttle will not under any circumstances depart JFK later than 6:30 pm and LaGuardia later than 7:15 pm. The cost of the shuttle van, one-way, is approximately $62. At Newark, a monorail is used for terminal-to-terminal transfers, but actually, walking between terminals is very easy. Trains for Schenectady depart from Pennsylvania (PENN) Station which is on 8th Avenue between 31st and 33rd streets. Purchase your ticket at any ticket window marked AMTRAK. At the moment, a one-way ticket to Schenectady costs about $50. You must have a reservation for trains to Schenectady, although usually this is not a problem. As you get closer to your date of arrival, the AMTRAK website will tell you if space is available. Please note that the gate/track for your train will not be posted until about ten minutes prior to departure. Thus, keep looking at the departure board around that time, since you will have to board your train rather quickly. Busses for Schenectady (Greyhound or Adirondack Trailways) depart from the Port Authority terminal on 8th Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets. The area around the Port Authority is squalid and potentially dangerous. We would advise you to arrive there by taxi, not by subway or on foot. If you will be arriving at Albany airport, please be aware that taxis from the airport to the campus cost about $25. Campus Map A copy of the campus map is available online here. Arrival in Schenectady In Schenectady, the bus and train stations are within one mile of the campus. You should take a taxi to campus and ask to be dropped off at the Union College Campus Safety Office located at College Park Hall, on Nott Street, between Erie Boulevard and Park Place, which will cost about $5. (College Park Hall is not shown on the campus map) A Campus Safety Officer will assist you in getting to your residence hall. Should no taxi be available at the station and should you have to call one, please remember that local calls are 25 cents. It is possible that we will have students to meet you at the stations or airport, but it is far too early for us to know whether or not this will be the case. Office of International Programs : J-1 Exchange Students (only) After you are accessed to your residence hall room, please notify Professor William Thomas of your arrival. Professor Thomas' office is in the Humanities Building , #26, on the campus map. On weekends, the Humanities Building is locked, so please call x6002 on the campus phone system and he will make arrangements to meet you. White courtesy phones, which allow you to make on-campus calls, are available in almost all of the campus buildings. It is important that you contact Professor Thomas soon after your arrival, so that he can explain how you will be able to eat meals prior to orientation. He would prefer that you not starve to death. Weekdays, Professor Thomas is available all day. On Saturday and Sunday, he is in the office in the afternoon only. Should you need to contact him on Saturday or Sunday morning, you can call him at home at 377-1962. Dean of Students Office (DOSO) : J-1 Exchange Students and F-1 Students Within a week of your arrival on campus, please bring your stamped DS-2019 or I-20 to the Dean of Student Office, Reamer Campus Center, Room 306. Copies of those documents will be made for our files. Please note that International Students are required to report to the DOSO at the beginning of each academic term and complete a status report.
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