Welcome International Students From Around the World International

Welcome International Students From Around the World!

International Office Staff Vacant Jon Ahlberg Assistant Vice President for International Affairs Associate Director, PDSO, International Student Advisor Jonathan Tyner Victoria Gonzales Coordinator, DSO, International Student Advisor Engagement Specialist, DSO, International Student Advisor Amy Gillis Adriana Gonzalez Administrative Assistant III Administrative Assistant II Immanuel Tan Graduate Assistant Cynthia Cervantes Delaney Morton Student Worker Sabrina Saenz Vacant Student Worker

International Office Services FRONT DESK ADVISORS § Provide general information on immigration rules and procedures § § Help students with navigating campus and community resources § § Answer general questions in office, via email, phone calls Process requests for letters for SSN and for confirming status and enrollment Coordinate requests for advisors § § Advise on immigration issues concerning F-1 and J-1 status Assist with acculturation and adjustment issues Process I-20 s, RCL, travel signatures, CPT and OPT Conduct immigration workshops Maintain international student records for SEVIS compliance Assist the university in maintaining compliance with federal regulations

Helpful Tips For Your Success

International Office Contact Information International Office: 512 -245 -7966 (save to your phone) this will help you recognize when we are trying to reach you General inquiries and holiday mailbox international@txstate. edu Health insurance questions: intlhealth@txstate. edu Events and programs: intlevents@txstate. edu Requesting a new I-20: i 20 request@txstate. edu Facebook - Tx. State. International. Office

Culture Shock Honeymoon / Euphoria Prearrival Anxiet y Feeling Graduate at Home Adjustme nt

Strategies to Cope with Cultural Adjustment 1. Be patient 2. Be open-minded and curious 3. Ask questions and don’t assume 4. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn 5. Take care of your physical and mental health 6. Make friends and allies that can support your growth 7. Get involved on campus 8. Keep in contact with family and friends back home

Update your address! You must update it in 2 places: 1. Catsweb 2. The International Office

Health Insurance Plan International students are required to have health insurance while enrolled in classes. Either submit a waiver for approval or purchase the university’s health insurance. www. international. txstate. edu/insurance Health Insurance Important Enrollment Dates Semester Deadline to Submit Waiver Request Insurance Coverage Dates Cost Fall 2018 August 27, 2018 08/23/2018 – 01/12/2019 $688 Fall 2018/Spring 2019 August 27, 2018 08/23/2018 – 05/26/2019 $1, 332 Students that do not meet the requirement by August 27, 2018 by 5 pm will have a “hold” placed on their student account by the end of day on August 27, 2018.

Paying Your Tuition Bill Paying Tuition: You cannot pay your tuition bill until after you have registered for courses at Texas State (after meeting with an Academic Advisor or faculty advisor). Login to the Student Business Services website (SBS) or visit the SBS office in the J. C. Kellam Building (JCK). Student Business Services website: http: //www. sbs. txstate. edu/ Tuition payment due, Thursday, August 23 rd by 5 pm. Note: The International Office cannot assist with paying tuition or viewing your bill.

LBJ Student Center Resources 1 st Floor: Dining options, Bokos Lounge, & Georges Bar 2 nd Floor: More dining options, Information Desk, Wells Fargo Bank, Bookstore, PAWS Market, & ID Services 3 rd Floor: LBJ Ballroom, Meeting/Conference Rooms, Welcome Center 4 th Floor: PALM office (Planning, Assessment, Leadership, & Marketing), CASO desk (Campus Activities and Student Organizations), Non-Traditional Student Organization, Student Government, SACA (Student Association for Campus Activities), Bobcat Build, Greek Affairs, computer lab with printers, & rocking chairs! 5 th Floor: Attorney for Students, Career Services, Dean of Students, Disability Services, Student Diversity & Inclusion Office, Drug and Alcohol Compliance Center, & the Counseling Center

Student Involvement (on or off campus) Join a number of Student Organization ISA (International Student Association) Indian Student Association (ISA) Annually host Diwali, Holi & more Chinese Student & Scholar Association (CSSA) International Student Leadership Association (ISLA) Bangladeshi Student Association There are hundreds of Student Organizations to join http: //getinvolved. lbjsc. txstate. edu Request a Mentor in the Bobcat. Bond Program: http: //www. studentsuccess. txstate. edu/programs/Bobcat-Bond. html Join free on-campus events sponsored by SACA: http: //www. lbjsc. txstate. edu/involvement/saca. html

Scholarships at Texas State has many competitive scholarships, refer to your Department or College for major specific scholarships. Find more information regarding scholarships on our International Office website: http: //www. international. txstate. edu/Financial. html Check the Financial Aid and Scholarships website: http: //www. finaid. txstate. edu/scholarships. html Tuition Assistance for Mexican Students (TAMS) The Good Neighbor Scholarship is available to students from the following countries Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Bahamas Barbados Belize Bolivia Brazil Canada Chile Colombia Costa Rica Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Grenada Guatemala Guyana Haiti Honduras Jamaica Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Saint Kitts & Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent & the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad and Tobago Uruguay Venezuela

On-Campus Employment The first step in finding an on campus job is to create an account on Jobs 4 Cats (Handshake), which lists all the available jobs on campus. Register on Jobs 4 Cats (Handshake) by visiting: http: //www. careerservices. txstate. edu/students. html Most openings allow you to submit your application, resume and class schedule online. Apply for regular wage-jobs not work-study jobs. Once you have been offered a job, and applied for a Social Security Number, MAKE SURE YOU VISIT the Payroll and Tax Compliance Office to complete your W-4 & get on the university payroll. (JCK 582, payroll@txstate. edu) Please remember that Graduate students are not eligible to apply for Graduate Assistantships unless they are “full” or “regular” admits. http: //www. international. txstate. edu/current/oncampus. html

Safety in the U. S. 911 is for emergencies only. Save local Police # for non-emergency situations University Police: 512 -245 -8336 Nonemergency TXST UPD: 512. 245. 2805 Safety Escort: 512. 245. SAFE (512. 245. 7233) Sign up for TXState Alerts- www. getrave. com/login/txstate Bobcat Guardian App will appear as Rave Guardian until you register Student’s story in apartment parking lot No one has the right to touch/grab you.

Alcohol The drinking age in the U. S. is: 21 Being a part of underage drinking is a crime Driving with an opened bottle of alcohol is illegal Don’t leave your drink unattended Don’t drink something you didn’t see being made.

University Terms You Should Know: Net ID: (abc 123) Used to log into Bobcat. Mail, on campus computers and more. Student ID: Starts with (A 0…) TRACS: Class announcements, grades, assignments and tests are often posted by your professors. Use your Net. ID to log in: www. tracs. txstate. edu Catsweb: Use for class registration, paying tuition bill, viewing scholarships, updating address: https: //ssb. txstate. edu/prod/twbkwbis. P_WWWLogin

University Terms You Should Know: Academic Honesty Pledge Academic Suspension: If your GPA drops below the minimum (3. 0 for Grads, 2. 0 for UGs) http: //mycatalog. txstate. edu/undergraduate/ Academic Probation: If your GPA drops below the minimum (3. 0 for Grads, 2. 0 for UGs) http: //mycatalog. txstate. edu/undergraduate/

Parking Services Purchase a parking permit or pay a parking ticket http: //www. parking. txstate. edu/

Bus Systems Texas State Tram For commuting from off-campus apartments Saturday shopping bus (ask LBJ Information Desk) Look for yourself: tram. txstate. edu Closed when school is not in session CARTS/CAT City Bus Free for TXST Students (must show school ID) in San Marcos Available Route to SSN Office Austin Route (Interurban Coach) Appointment Bus(call a day in advance) http: //www. ridecarts. com/

Alternative Transportation Greyhound Buses – travel across the U. S. to 3, 800 stops Kerrville Bus Company – weekend bus trips to major cities Amtrak Trains – uncommon and expensive Taxi – expensive, but accommodating Rideshare Uber – first ride free up to $20. 00 -Use Code: TXSTINTL Lyft Cars Rental cars (Enterprise or Hertz) Zip Cars: https: //www. zipcar. com/universities/texas-state-university-sanmarcos Buying a car: Must have a Driver’s License, car insurance, and a parking permit to park on-campus

Bicycles The Bike Cave is a Texas State bike co-op where you can get used bikes, bike parts & even build your own bike from parts. They have all the tools you would need to fix your bike if it needs repair. When you buy a bike: Buy a helmet, a bike lock, and front and rear lights Bicycle Laws: Bicycles are subject to the same laws as cars. Bicycle riders must obey street signs and maintain safe riding practices. In downtown San Marcos, bicycles

Communication tips (for interacting with Staff & Faculty) Remember that in the U. S. , both respect and personal opinions are highly valued. If you want good service and treatment, communicate with Staff members respectfully. Note: It can be considered rude to follow up with someone until you have given them at least 1 -2 business days of response time – especially when inquiring about a job you have just applied for or request.

The Great Outdoors of San Marcos The San Marcos River Year-round temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) Cleaner than bottled water (at the Spring’s source) Home for endangered species Greenspaces (Natural Areas for Walking/Hiking/ Biking)http: //www. smgreenbelt. org/forms/San Marcos. Natural. Areas_Mar 11. pdf http: //www. sanmarcosriver. org/River. Info. htm Glass Bottom Boat Tours http: //www. aquarena. txstate. edu/Home-page. html The Outdoor Center at Sewell Park Rents Kayak, Canoe, Tubes Hosts Outdoor Trips around Texas & the U. S. (Camping & Hiking) City Activities http: //www. ci. san-marcos. tx. us Check out the Calendar

Fall 2018 Event Calendar Fall 2018 International Student Resource Fair August 23 rd | JCK 11 th Floor (Reed Parr Room) | 12 -2 PM Fall 2018 International Student Welcome Social Thursday, September 6, 2018 2 -5 pm View more International Minds events here: www. txstate. edu/internationalminds/events. html Keep up to date with events: intlevents@txstate. edu www. facebook. com/Tx. State. International. Office www. twitter. com/txst_intloffice