International Student Orientation | Fall 2, 2013

Fall 2, 2013

International Student

Welcome Guide

International Student Orientation Early Move In

Sponsored by Multicultural Center & International Student Affairs

October 22, 2013

Make your plans to settle in

and fight jet lag!

Please note: early move in must be

approved by the Housing and

Residential Life office based on

availability and advanced request.

Please contact Kelly Malone at

[email protected] with your

arrival date and time to request early

move in.

Welcome to Webster University!

Our international student orientation program is designed to

answer many questions you may have and to give you infor-

mation that will help you be successful in meeting your academic

and personal goals.

Attendance is expected at all scheduled sessions, and we hope

you will work out any conflicts with other activities. While social

events are optional, you are encouraged to come to them.

While most sessions are designed for students only, spouses and

families are welcome to attend.

Webster University welcomes international students from all over

the world to our home campus in Webster Groves, Missouri. We

are glad to help welcome you to your new home away from

home.

Sincerely,

Bethany

Bethany Keller, Assistant Director

Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs

English as a Second Language Placement Testing

October 24, 2013 or December 13, 2013

Please refer to your admission letter to

determine if language placement

testing is required for you.

Sign up and confirm the testing

location by emailing Carolyn

Trachtova at:

[email protected].

Check in at 8:45 am to pay the $40

testing fee (cash or check made out

to Webster University)

TOEFL: 9:00 am - 11:45 am

WRITTEN EXAM: 11:50 am - 1:00

pm (70 minutes for reading and

writing an essay)

ORAL EXAM: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

(15 - 20 minutes)

Please bring #2 pencils and a pic-

ture ID. You can use a dictionary

for the written portion.

Welcome Global Gorloks!

International Student Orientation

Location:

Sunnen Lounge, University Center 175 Edgar Road, St. Louis, MO 63119

Parking: Garden Park Plaza

536 Garden Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119

8:30 am Orientation Check-In and Welcome Our program begins with breakfast, introduction

to your classmates and orientation leaders, and welcome activities to start your day!

9:00 am Adjusting to a New Culture Learn more about the ups and downs of adjusting

to life in a new culture. Bethany Keller, Niki Parres and Carlos Sanchez, staff of the MCISA, will guide

you through activities and discussion of making Webster your new home away from home.

9:45 am Personal Support Resources Gladys Smith, Assistant Director of Counseling

and Life Development will discuss services available for personal support and counseling, as

well as provide information on personal wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle during your studies.

10:15 am Immigration Rules and Regulations

This important session is required for all F-1 and J-1 visa holders.

Other international students may opt for a break.

Wence P’Oryem, Associate Director from International Recruitment and Services provides

information on office procedures for advising requests and applying for benefits, and learn the essential requirements for maintaining your F-1 or

J-1 visa status. Bethany Keller, Assistant Director MCISA will discuss tax filing requirements for

those students on F-1 and J-1 visas. 11:45 am Lunch Break

Join us for an informal lunch or take a break. Lunch is provided for all new students and guests.

1:00 pm Health Insurance Requirements &

Student Health Services Meet the staff of Student Health Services to learn

about the University health insurance requirements for international students, Webster’s insurance plan, and how you enroll in insurance or

receive a waiver for other approved coverage.

1:15 pm Academic Orientation Meet your key academic support resources at Webster University:

Suzy Schmieder & Chrissy Boyce International Academic Advisor

Academic Advising Center Dr. Roshaunda Cade, Writing Center

Coordinator, Academic Resource Center

Carolyn Trachtova ESL Faculty, International Languages and

Cultures Department Learn more about the US academic culture,

classroom etiquette, student-teacher interaction, methods of assessment and grading, and discussion requirements. Learn to familiarize

yourself with your Degree Audit, online registration requirements, ESL courses available

to support your English language proficiency, and free tutoring and writing assistance from the Academic Resource Center and Writing Center.

2:45 pm Meet the MCISA! Programs and

Services for Your Success MCISA staff introduce you to the programs, resources and activities available to international

students at Webster. Meet the Director Colette Cummings, Department Associate Rene Murph as

well as representatives of international clubs and organizations you are invited to join.

3:45 pm Walking Tour of Campus Our campus tour includes academic buildings,

recreation facilities, bookstore, support service offices and more.

4:45 pm Webster Wrap Up MCISA Staff and Orientation Leaders answer any

last questions you have about the University!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 Schedule of Events

Review Visa & Immigration information to

prepare for your visa interview.

Register for classes. Academic Advising ap-pointments are available by email, phone, or in person. Email Suzy Schmieder at

[email protected] or call 314- 968-6972 to schedule an appointment.

If required, sign up for On Campus ESL

Placement Testing. Email Carolyn Trachtova

at [email protected].

Activate your Connections account. All official communication from the University will be sent to your Webster e-mail account.

Apply EARLY for on campus housing.

On campus housing is required for internation-al students. (Graduate students over 26 years

old, married students or students with dependent children may live off campus.)

Submit your Health Packet (health insur-ance enrollment form, physical exam, and im-

munization records) to Health Services. Submit your Airport Pickup Request (as

far in advance as possible) including your flight number, airline, date and time of arrival,

and connecting cities. There is no fee for this service.

If you do not need airport pickup service, make transportation arrangements. Lambert St.

Louis International Airport is approximately 15 miles from campus.

Make payment arrangements. Tuition and fees are due two weeks before classes begin.

For payment options visit www.webster.edu/bursar

Before You Depart From Home After Your Arrival

Immigration Check-In (Required)

October 24, 2013 from 12:00—2:00 pm Webster Groves Room, 135 Webster Hall

470 E. Lockwood Avenue, 63119 Bring your original documents with you:

Your passport

Your I-20 or DS-2019 form and all forms from prior institutions

Your I-94 (print a copy at www.cbp.gov) Your new (local) address and phone number Emergency contact information

Purchase your textbooks from the University bookstore. Bring your student schedule with

you to reference your course prefix, number and section.

Obtain your student ID card. Visit the Public Safety with a copy of your Student Schedule and a photo ID (for example, your

passport, etc.) to get your Webster University student ID card made.

Obtain your Metro Pass. Visit the Bursar’s office with your student ID card to request your free Metro Pass to use public transportation.

Purchase a parking tag at the Public Safety office 568 Garden Avenue (Garden Park Plaza).

Sign up for Shopping Trips. Use our online form at http://ow.ly/mDMny to request trans-portation assistance for shopping trips. Trips

are scheduled to serve groups of students who are available at mutually convenient times.

Join Student Clubs and Organizations. Log-in to Involved.Webster.edu using your Con-

nections user name and password.

Apply for a Missouri State ID or Driver’s License. Wait at least 10 days after you arrive

in the US, request a letter of reference from the Welcome Center (3-5 days to process), prepare

the required documents, and go to the Depart-ment of Motor Vehicles office off-campus.

Monday, November 11th 11:00 am

Courageous Leadership University Center Sunnen Lounge

Come hear Dr. Arthur Romano as he offers exam-ples of courageous leadership from around the world and highlights the role that young people

are playing in building a more positive future. This program offers participants an opportunity to

clarify their unique life purpose and consider how compassion, self-reflection, connection to community and excellent communication can lead

to greater success.

Tuesday, November 12th 12:00 pm Diversity Matters Now University Center Sunnen Lounge More than a lecture, Diversity Matters Now! Is a transformative workshop that uses interactive

activities to address diversity issues, enhance

Get Connected

International Education Week

Meet our Graduate Assistant

Carlos Sanchez Carlos is from Comitan, a city located in southern Mexico, in the state of Chiapas. He finished his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and also has a Masters in Business Administration from Lindenwood University in Belleville, IL. Carlos joined the MCISA in December 2012 and will be working towards a degree in Finance in the George Herbert Walker School of Business & Tech-nology. Outside of Webster, Carlos has interests in missionary work, photography, tennis, and music from all around the world. A major aspect of Carlos’ job is the planning and coordination of

international student orientation for new students. He provides a

supportive welcome for all new international students, with services such

as airport pick-up and trips to local resources, agencies, and cultural

institutions.

As an international student in the United States for many years, Carlos

has the experience to provide advice to many situations that internation-

al students might face. Come by to see him, he is friendly, wel-

coming, and always happy to help.

leadership qualities and increase capacity to build connections and community across lines of difference.

Friday, November 15th 7:00—10:00 pm

Dance to a Different Beat University Center Commons This ongoing series provides an opportunity for

students to learn different types of dance and then put it to practice. Join us for dance lessons

at 7:30pm then stick around for the dance party!

Stay Connected!

Multicultural Center and

International Student Affairs 536 Garden Avenue St. Louis, MO 63119

314-246-7658

Check out our website, like us on Facebook, or come by and

hang out in our lounge!

Website: http://blogs.webster.edu/

mcisa/

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/

webstermcisa

Email: [email protected]