International Student Orientation | Spring 2, 2014

Spring 2, 2014

International Student

Welcome Guide

International Student Orientation Early Move In

Sponsored by Multicultural Center & International Student Affairs

March 13, 2014

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

information 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

Please refer to your admission letter

and email to determine if language

placement testing is required for you.

Sign up and confirm the testing

date and 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:

Emerson Library Conference Room 101 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 and the 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 Services and Janka Ribando,

International Coordinator will provide 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 stu-dents 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, Assistant Director Niki Parres, and

Department Associate Rene Murph as well as other 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!

Friday, March 14, 2014 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)

March 17th, 2014 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://tinyurl.com/shoppingtrip14 to request transportation assistance for shopping

trips. Trips are scheduled to serve groups of students who are available at mutually conven-

ient times.

Join Student Clubs and Organizations. Log-

in to https://involved.webster.edu using your Connections 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.

When: Friday, April 11th

Time: 4:30pm - 7:30pm Where: Grant Gymnasium

International Festival (I Fest) is our biggest

international event of the year!

This year we feature Colors of the World: Celebrating Holidays through Color!

Take a holiday tour around the world by experiencing food, music, dance and displays representing the ways that major holidays are

celebrated in many countries and cultures.

We need you to help make this event a truly fun, educational, and interactive event for all. We are

looking for students who want to share their

culture and/or help with the event. Sign up if you would like to share your culture.

http://tinyurl.com/ifest2014

Get Connected

International Festival (I Fest)

Workshops for International Students

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]

Internship and Job Search Strategies Join Kari Eckelkamp from Career Services for an interactive workshop

designed to help you jump start your job search. Using Career Services

resources, design your resume, practice your interview skills, and

learn how to research career opportunities in your field!

Tuesday, March 25 at 2pm-3:30pm East Academic Building, Room 162

Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshops Join Wence P'Oryem to learn about Optional Practical Training (OPT).

OPT provides international students on F-1 visas an opportunity

to work in your field of studies for up to 12 months after graduation.

Thursday March 27 at 2pm—3pm University Center—Sunnen Lounge

Immigration Q&A Join Wence P'Oryem from International Services to discuss any questions

you may have about your visa requirements including enrollment

requirements, travel, working on or off campus, taxes, and much more.

Stop by for coffee, cookies, and answers to your immigration questions!

Thursday, April 17 at 3:30pm—5pm Emerson Library Conference Room