Spring 2015
Preparing for Your Semester Abroad at UC Berkeley
Sasha ChangAmy Griggs
Berkeley International Office
Paulette GreisnerUC Education Abroad Program
Welcome!
Sasha Chang
•International Student Advisor
•Berkeley International Office
Paulette Greisner
• Director
• UC Education Abroad Program
Amy Griggs
• International Student and Scholar Advisor
• Berkeley International Office
Webinar Agenda
• University of California, Berkeley
• Berkeley International Office (BIO)
• Finding housing
• Campus resources for international students
• Travel information
• Student panelists
• Questions
GoToWebinar Control Panel
• Feel free to ask questions
using the question chat box
University of California, Berkeley
• Founded in 1868
• Top 10 university nationwide
• 350 degree programs
• 22 Nobel Laureates
• Home of Oski the Bear
International Student StatisticsFall 2014 Enrollment Data
• 5,913 international students
– 56% undergraduate students
– 39% graduate students
– 5% EAP students
• 2,039 new international students
Spring 2014
• 109 new EAP students
Berkeley International Office (BIO)• International student orientation
• Personal and cultural adjustment
• Navigating the campus
• Non-academic assistance
• Visa-related advising
• Workshops
• Social programs
Appointments (510) 642-2818Drop-In advising (M-F, 10-12, 1:30-4
BIO Website
• Information and tutorials
• International student stories
• Student request forms
• Contact information
• Events calendar
• Campus and community resources
Bookmark BIO website on your computer!
BIO Facebook pageFacebook.com/BerkeleyInternationalOffice
• Stay informed about upcoming events and workshops!
• Keep in touch with your fellow Cal students from around the world!
Like Berkeley International Office page on Facebook!
Berkeley Programs for Study Abroad (BPSA)• EAP advisor - Scott McElhinney
– (510) 642-5820
– 160 Stevens Hall, near clock tower
– Drop-in advising hours
• Monday 3-4pm
• Tuesday 2-3pm
• Thursday 11am-12pm
Ask Scott about EAP policies or procedures (if you aren’t sure whom to ask for help, whether it’s academic, administrative, or personal in nature, you can contact Scott).
BIO, International House
BPSA, Stephens Hall
Finding Housing
On or Off Campus? Points to Consider
• Decisions to make:
– Would you like to live on or off campus?
– Would you like a meal plan?
– Will you live alone?
– Where will you live?
– How long do you want your commute to be?
– What is your budget?
– Do you know which area around campus fits you best?
– Where are the majority of campus buildings you will use?
Highs and Lows of Living On-Campus
Benefits
• Academic Service Center
• Lockout Services
• Faculty in Residence Program
• Dining Halls
• Leadership Opportunities
– Hall Association [Government]
– Security Monitors (Paid Positions)
– Hall Staff
• Increased safety/security
• Fun Events and social interaction
• Hall Staff Support
Things to Be Aware Of
• Alcohol and smoking policies are strictly
enforced.
– No drinking under the age of 21
– No smoking allowed on campus
– No drugs allowed on campus,
including marijuana (even if you have
a medical marijuana card)
• Potentially more costly
• Most residence halls will close during
Winter and Summer Breaks, so you would
not be able to access your room during
those times.
– Channing Bowditch and Graduate
Student Housing stay open all year
On-Campus Housing• 4 units, Clark Kerr Campus, and Maximino Martinez Commons
• Residence Halls*
– Singles, doubles, triples, quads
– Shared apartments/suites
– Single or family apartments
• Usually reserved for graduate students, and students with spouses or children
• Visit http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/housing/ for more information
* Limited space available. Continue to apply as spaces are still being offered. The more
open you are with your preferences (ex: room type, location) the better your odds. Email
[email protected] with any questions.
Off-Campus HousingResources
• Cal Rentals
• padmapper - http://www.padmapper.com/
• Apartments.com - http://www.apartments.com/
• Berkeley Student Cooperative
• Craigslist – craigslist.org
• Facebook group: http://tinyurl.com/FBhousing
• Find a fellow EAP roommate:
http://tinyurl.com/EAProommate
Things to Consider• Lease length
• Security deposit
• Communicating with the leasing office
• Housing scams
– These primarily appear as online advertisements on sites such
as craigslist.org. The contact person will insist that you send
them money for housing accommodations even though you have
not yet visited the property in person. When students show up to
the address, the place is unavailable.
Precautions• Do not ever send money or give out personal
information or immigration details to anyone over the phone or online
• If the caller seems to have a lot of your personal information, do NOT give out any more information
• Ask for a name and telephone number. If the caller refuses, take this as a warning that something is not right
• Contact a BIO advisor immediately if you suspect you have been a victim
Campus Neighborhoods
Campus
Northside
Southside
Westside
Housing Type Average Cost (Berkeley)
Room in shared apartment or house $812
Studio apartment $1,250
One bedroom apartment $1,600
Two bedroom apartment or house $2,435
Three bedroom or larger house
(Three bedroom apartments are rare)
3 bedroom apt: $2,985
3 bedroom house: $3,530
Approx. off-Campus Housing Costs for 2013
Co-Ops
• Cooperative: large residence, membership based where
members share resources and everyone collaborates
• Personally maintain residence
• Can be themed
• Very social
• Many rooms available
• Can be cheaper
• www.berkeleystudentcooperative.org
International House• Popular option for graduates and EAP students
• Open to both international and domestic students
• Resident Support Services: Resident Assistants,
Program Office, Events etc.
• Rates vary from $13,988 - $18,081 per academic year
• Berkeley International Office is here!
• Meal plan
• Northside of Campus
• http://ihouse.berkeley.edu/
Campus Resources
Academic Resources for undergraduates students
College Advisor
• Planning your semester
• Course selection and recommendations
• University & college policies
• Academic difficulty
Professors
• Developing research interests
• Discussing course content & questions
• Understanding faculty expectations
Department Advisor
• Major or minor requirements
• Earning credit for internships
• Getting advice about working with faculty
UC Berkeley Student Systems
CalNet ID
• Go to https://calnet.berkeley.edu/
• Create CalNet ID
– Follow instructions using Student ID
and PIN that you will receive in a
separate email
Campus E-mail (bMail)
• bmail.berkeley.edu
• Need student ID and passphrase
• Required for all students
• Used by staff and professors to contact students
Bearfacts
• http://bearfacts.berkeley.edu
• Used to update local address, phone number, email
• Contains personal information and academic records
• Also used for paying campus fees
• “Warn Me” service
Fee Payment• CARS (Campus Accounts Receivable System)• Online statements:
– E-mailed– Records at bearfacts.berkeley.edu
• Pay:– Fees due January 15 or enroll in deferred payment– Online at: bearfacts.berkeley.edu
Packing Instructions
Packing for your trip
• Check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website www.cbp.gov
• Check in advance with your airline the weight and maximum dimensions allowed for baggage
• Consider Berkeley’s weather
– Winter temperatures 6°C to 14°C
– Summer temperatures 12°C to 24°C
Packing for your trip
• Food items
– Check help.cbp.gov
– Failure to declare will result in fines
• Prescription medications / glasses
– In original containers
– Up to 30 days
• Plug adaptor / converter
• Do not bring things that you can easily find in the US
Travel Documents• Valid passport
• Valid visa
• I-20 or DS-2019 from UC Berkeley
• SEVIS fee receipt
• Financial documentation
Passport
• Renew if it will expire in the
next 6 months
• Photocopy important pages
(biographic, visa) to carry
with you after arrival
• Keep original in a safe place
Visa
Check your visa for accuracy!
Visa type: J-1
Expiration date
Number of entries allowed (M-multiple)
* The visa is used only for entering the U.S. If it expires while you are here, there is no need to renew it. However, if you leave the U.S., you visa must be valid for reentry.
DS-2019Check your DS-2019 for accuracy!
Your program start and end dates• You may arrive in the US no more
than 30 days before your program start date.
• You must depart the U.S. within 30 days after your program end date.
SEVIS Fee Receipt
• Pay online at www.fmjfee.com/
– $180 (J-1)
• Print Receipt
• 3 days prior to Consulate/Embassy appointment
Arrival in the U.S.
Spring 2015 International Student OrientationThursday, January 15
9:00AM – 5:00PM
Genetics & Plant Biology building
Room 100
For more information, visit:
http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/new/orientation_spring
Spring 2015 International Student OrientationMeet current Cal students through student-led social activities!
• Campus tours
• The Big “C” Hike
• Dinners in Berkeley
• Berkeley’s Best Coffee
• Ultimate Frisbee game
• San Francisco tour
Document Check
Thursday, January 15
• 8am-9am at Genetics & Plant
Biology building, Room 100
Thursday, January 23
• 4-5pm at International House
Document Check is required for
all new international students and
take approximately 15 minutes.
Please bring the following: Passport Admission stamp or paper I-94
(you will receive it upon entry to U.S.)
Form DS-2019 or I-20 Arrival confirmation form
Document Check
Arrival Confirmation Form
• http://internationaloffice.berkeley.ed
u/students/new/orientation_spring
• Document checks take about 15 min
• Be sure to download and fill our this
form before you arrive
Arrival in the U.S.
• All passengers arriving on the international flights
must complete U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) entry procedures at the International Terminal
Arrivals Hall. For details please visit cbp.gov for
information.
Arrival in the U.S.
• US Customs and Immigration
• Present your travel documents
to a CBP officer
Getting to Berkeley
• From San Francisco Airport (SFO)– 45 minutes
• From Oakland Airport (OAK)– 30 minutes
• Public Transportation– BART (Bay Area Public Transit)
– www.bart.gov
– Destination: Downtown Berkeley
Getting to Berkeley
• Shuttle Service
– www.supershuttle.com
– www.bayporter.com
• Taxis and Rental cars
– www.hertz.com/rentacar/reservation
– www.avis.com/car-rental/avisHome
Making Connections
Social Events
• Coffee Break
– Weekly at Julie’s Café
• iMix
– Monthly at I-House
• Hike to “the Big C”
– Bimonthly
Getting Involved on Campus• Student organizations
– Over 1,200 student groups categorized into 15 unique
communities
– LEAD Center lead.berkeley.edu
– Tabling on Sproul
• Leadership opportunities
– Volunteer with Berkeley International Office
• Community engagement
– Public Service Center
• Part-time jobs on campus
– Check BIO website regarding employment eligibility
Meet Current Cal Students
Xiao Liu
• EAP student from China
Stella Claire Gerdemann
• EAP student from Germany
Contact Us!Berkeley International Office
Address: 2299 Piedmont Ave, Berkeley, CA 94720-2321
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (510) 642-2818
Website: internationaloffice.berkeley.edu
Holiday Season Office Closure
Berkeley International Office will be closed
from December 24, 2014 – January 1, 2015
See you at Orientation on Thursday, January 15, 2015!
Go Bears!
Thank you!We look forward to meeting you in Spring 2015!