Information for New Students - (Printer-friendly version)

Document Source: http://www.siu.edu/~nss/newstuinfo.html

Please note: Although we have tried best to provide accurate information, NSS can make no guarantee for the accuracy of any of the things mentioned here, especially, expenses, books etc. Anything you buy, bring along with you, or do is at your own risk. This site has been put up to help students coming to Southern Illinois University. For students coming to SIU, we are doing best to help you, but this is an entirely voluntary effort and sometimes, NSS may not be able to provide all the help that is mentioned on this website.

Where is Carbondale?
SIU Carbondale campus, has been cited in a recent study as one of America's 50 most desirable places. Only a few hours from Chicago, St. Louis and Memphis, the University sits amid rolling hills, farmlands and orchards just 60 miles above the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Carbondale is easily accessible. Carbondale is just and 2 hour's drive (132 miles) from St. Louis, A major city in the Midwest. Carbondale is approachable very easily by Road. Carbondale-Marion is serviced by International Airports located at St. Louis (STL) and Chicago (ORD). The most common ports of entry into the United States are New York City (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Dallas (DFW) or Atlanta (ATL). From any of these you can get to St. Louis or Marion by a domestic flight. However, we strongly recommend that new student arrive at the Williamson County airport in Marion (+1-618-993-3353) which offers regional commuter flights and is located 16 miles east of campus (Marion, IL). We invite you to take a virtual tour of SIUC campus and to use our locator map to identify buildings and other facilities on campus. If you have not traveled to the United States or to our region, you can view a map of Illinois that will give you information on our geographical location. We hope that you also will take the time to learn more about the City of Carbondale and the southern Illinois region.

Immigration and Customs
You will have to go through customs and immigration at your port of entry, i.e. the first US City where your aircraft lands. Before the plane lands, the flight attendant will distribute customs declaration forms and immigration forms (you should keep your passport and I-20/IAP-66 with you at all times - do not put any of your immigration papers in your check-in luggage). Fill these out on the plane. You will submit them to the appropriate US Customs authorities after you land. If you do not understand a form, ask the flight attendant for assistance. Even if your luggage is booked through to your final destination, it will be off-loaded at your port of entry. After passing through the immigration area, you will collect your baggage and then, with your baggage, pass through customs. A customs inspector will ask you to declare what you have brought into the country. She/he will inspect your bags and review the customs form you have filled out on the airplane. Penalties for concealing declarable items can be severe, so be honest and make a full declaration. As far as edibles go, just remember that there should be no fruits, vegetables or anything raw. Pickles, Spices, etc will be allowed in as long as they are packed properly and sealed. Spices are usually classified as non-perishable and dehydrated and you may declare them as such.

Connecting Flights
If you will be continuing your journey by air, check in at the appropriate airline counter as soon as you are through customs. In most airports, you might have to change terminals to board your connecting flight. Please ask the airline representative at the counter about changing terminals. You might have to use the Airport Transport System to do so. These counters are, usually, right outside the customs area. Remember, it is your responsibility to collect your baggage after passing through immigration, clear it through customs, and get it checked in again for the onward connection. In case your baggage does not arrive on the same flight as you do, do not waste too much time hunting for it. Mention it to the airline representative and give them a forwarding address with phone number where you can be reached. In any event, do not miss your connecting flight. In case your flight came in late, or the onward flight is cancelled, it is the responsibility of the airline on which you flew into the country, to make arrangements for another flight and if the delay involves an overnight stay, then the airline has to put you up for the night and also pay for your meals. Do not let the airline representative convince you otherwise. Important Note: Please don't panic if it so happens that your flight arrives late and the time for the connecting flight is too near (say, within the next 10-15 minutes) for you to make it due to Immigration and Customs delays. Simply follow the same actions outlined above and get your airline to arrange things for you. Don't be rude, but be firm while dealing with the airline representatives. All the best!

Luggage Information
By now, you must have received tons of advice on what to take with you from all and sundry. This "tons of advice" will normally translate into "tons of luggage" and while you may not be averse to the idea of performing the Herculean task of carrying it around airports of the world, we doubt if your backbone or the airlines would look kindly on this venture. Remember that if you are coming from outside the US, you are allowed only 2 pieces of luggage of specified weight and dimensions. Please  check  with  your  particular  airline  for  specific  details. We hope that the forthcoming information will help you pack light. Also  be  sure  to  stick  address  tags  on  either  side  of  baggage. You  can  use  your  contact  address  in  the  US  if  you  have  one, or  you  may  use  any  of  our  addresses  listed  in this website.

Clothing
The dress code on campus is pretty informal and a T-shirt worn with jeans is almost a universal dress code for both sexes here. Formal dressing is mandatory  occasionally. You may, of course, want to bring along some Nepali clothes (Daura, Surwal, Saris, Kurtas, etc) with you. We would also recommend that you get a pair of good leather shoes, as they are fairly expensive here. In general the following list should suffice:

 
• 4/5 pairs of jeans
• 10/12  T-shirts
• 1/2 pairs of formal trousers/shirts/saris/salwar kameez, etc
• A suit (recommended, you might need it for your job interviews)
• At least 15 pairs of undergarments
• 1 pair  of thermals ( available  cheap  here )
• At least 15 pairs of socks
• 1 pair leather shoes / 1 pair  of  leather  chappals/ sandals  for  girls
• 3/4 pairs of informal shirts (Half Sleeve for Spring/Summer).
• 2 large towels, 2 small towels, 2/3 napkins
• 1 pair woolen gloves and a monkey cap (if u feel like it)
• An  umbrella !!
• Fall  Jacket / Windcheater

Edibles
There is an INTERNATIONAL GROCERY STORE in Carbondale. So don't go overboard stuffing your bags with all possible spices. Exercise jurisdiction in what would be a reasonable quantity of the items listed below for your style of cooking and pack accordingly

(1) Gundruk, (2)Maseura, (3)Mula Ko chana, (4) Sano Kerau, (5)Pickles You Like, (6)Rye (Mustard Seeds), (7)Chilli Powder, (8)Good Meat Masalas

Remember that the easiest way to make friends with seniors is to feed the existing Nepalese food-starved populace with Nepali delicacies and sweets. So if there are any specialties of your place, do get them along.

Remember to seal and label all edible items properly.

Cooking Accessories
A major temptation is to bring along all kinds of pots and pans. DON'T!! All you should be getting with you is

•  
• 1 Pressure cooker (bring a large one if you plan to share accommodation - at least 3 liters).
• Spare accessories for the cooker (safety valves, gasket, whistle, etc - very  imp)
• 1 non-stick ware frying pan and wooden stirrer spoons, forks,
• A sharp knife (Make sure you keep the knife in your check-in baggage and not in your hand baggage),
• Butter knife,
• Potato peeler
• Serving spoons (chamcha/karandi – at least  two )
• A pair of kitchen tongs (pakkad/idiki)
• Deep frying pan (kadahi, preferably  non - stick)
• 2 plates, Glass, Tea Cup
Almost everything else you can get here and it would be a sheer waste of space packing in too many utensils.

What to keep in your hand baggage?
Keep  your  hand  baggage  in  your  possession  all  the  time. Do  not  leave  it  unattended  at  any  time, especially  at  the  changeover. Your  hand  baggage  should  contain  the  following :

1. Passport, I-20  and  Admission  letter.
2. At  least  two  sets  of  clothing.
3. Telephone / Address  book.
4. Cash / Traveler’s  checks.
5. Medication  for  air  sickness  if  you  need  it.
6. Our  address  and  phone  numbers, in  case  you  need  to  contact  us.

Managing Expenses
Given  below  is  a  detailed  outline  of  your  monthly  income  and  expenditure. An  on  campus  job  should  pay  you  anything  from  $6.5 - $8 per  hour. As  an  international  student, you  are  allowed  to  work  for  20  hours  per  week. On  that  basis , your  income  per  month  should  be  at  least $ 375 - $ 400 and this amount depends if you work for full 20 hours a week.

An  important  point  to  note  is  that  immediately  on  arrival  you  will  need  around  $ 200 - $ 500  as  deposit  for  your  apartment. You  will  also  have  to  pay  the  first  month’s  rent. So  be  prepared  for  an  initial  expense  of  around $ 700 and  get  money  accordingly. Most Nepalese  students  get  around  $ 5000 -  $ 8450  along  with  them.  Also  a  dollar  draft  in  your  name  is  the  best  form  to  get  the  money. As  far  as  banking  is  concerned, most  students  have  an  account  in  the  Old national Bank and SIU Credit Union Bank, which  is   located within few blocks from campus and ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) are  in the Student Center. You should open Checking Account, Checking account allows you to write a check and to use Debit Card (Similar to Credit Card but unlike the credit card, the money is immediately withdrawn after use). Also you can withdraw money using ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) card. If your balance goes below Minimum Balance, there is a sever penalty. So you should be careful. You should record your expenses on Check Book or keep receipts of ATM machine. If you use other bank's ATM machine, you might have to pay fee.

Where Will I Live?
Finding a place to live in Carbondale is not all that difficult. You can choose to stay on Campus housing or live off campus housing. There are a dozens of Nepalese who live off-campus. You can either move-in with them or take up a new apartment along with other new coming students. Get in touch with current students for their suggestions on how to go about it. NSS will also provide assistance to new Nepalese students to obtain temporary accommodation till they find permanent housing. We have an enthusiastic set of volunteers who are willing to put up new folks for their first few days.

Also note that the people who put you up do so voluntarily and are not obligated to do so, either by SIUC or the NSS. And it would be your responsibility to find permanent housing for yourself. So please ensure that you make diligent efforts to secure accommodation at the earliest and if you are staying for more than a few days, make sure that you speak with your hosts and get their consent/advice. Again, we stress that everyone gets accommodation easily in a few days. And do reciprocate by helping out new students next time !!!] We suggest that you find roommates before you land in Carbondale. If we know any other new students, we can provide you with their information so you can get to know each other before you come to Carbondale.

On-Campus Jobs
Getting On-Campus jobs may not be that difficult but you do have to work hard to find the right one because of the large International Student population. Generally every one gets some kind of a job within one month after arrival. Minimum wage is $6.50 (minimum for The state of Illinois). Assistantships depend largely on the departments.

Social Security Number and Medicals

Social Security Number (SSN), is required by IRS. You can apply for this in the beginning of the semester by the arrangement of the Foreign Student Office. If you missed, then you can apply to the nearest Federal Social Security agent.
How to Apply: You can bring Passport, I-20 form to the office and write the application form there or you can request the application form by phone and mail it with other documents.
Apply SSN for spouse: Normally application for spouse's SSN will be rejected. But if you apply for getting driver's license or if you report Tax at the beginning of a year without your spouse's SSN, then you'll receive IRS's request letter for your spouse's SSN. If you bring this request letter to the agent, then your spouse will receive SSN.

Student ID: Usually you'll make this at the beginning of the semester at specified location (Student Center). The main usages are to borrow books from the library, and to use as a DEBIT Card (when you apply for it). To get a student ID, please visit ID office at the Student Center.

Driver's License: First, if you don't have any driver's license, you should apply for Learner's Permit at the Driving Service Facility. At this time you get the appointment for the written test. Sometimes it's possible to take the test at the same day. After passing the written test and eye exam, you get the Learner's Permit. It is valid for 1 year. You should take the Road Test within that year. You can apply for it over the phone. After this test you get the Driver's License. When you have the Learner's Permit you can practice driving with the company of a person who has the Driver's License. Even if you have the international driver's license, you should take the Written and the road

Medicals : School's Insurance: Mandatory for students who take more than 5 credits. Bill will come every semester with Tuition Bill. It doesn't cover the expenses of hospitalization and family members are not covered. Also, you can buy your (and your family members) health insurance from private companies.

Medicaid: This insurance is for low-income American Citizens. For foreign students, it is eligible for only his or her baby who was born in America. You should be able to prove low-income such as below $3000 bank account balance, document of birth of baby. It is known for its toughness of examination.

Get Help
If you have specific queries about your department that you would like to ask a senior, then you can contact to any NSS member.

Go to NSS main page!