Spring 2016
INTERNATIONAL
STUDENT ORIENTATION January 18, 2016 Hosted by the Center for Global Services
WELCOME to the 2016 International Student Orientation
Dear Students, Welcome to Rutgers! We are delighted to bring you into the university family during this exciting time. You are entering Rutgers in a particularly important year–the year of our 250th anniversary. 2016 will be a year of celebration, but it will also be a year to reflect on our past achievements, to continue to progress our academic excellence and our global reach, and to creatively envision Rutgers’ future in an interconnected world.
@ CONNECT global.rutgers.edu global@rutgers.edu fb.com/RutgersGAIA @RutgersGlobal
Rutgers’ Centers for Global Advancement and International Affairs (GAIA Centers) are here to provide you with the assistance you need, when you need it. We invite you to make the most of your time while at Rutgers and participate in global conversations and activities through our exciting programs and opportunities offered by our three centers: Global Services, Global Education, and Global Programs and Relations. Through these centers, we help you streamline your arrival and cultural adjustment—as we’ve done for thousands of international students who came before you—with advising services, immigration processing, and cross-cultural events and programs. These cross-cultural events and programs are far-reaching and benefit all members of the Rutgers community through the cultivation of a collective global awareness. Currently, the centers offer globally focused workshops, access to NGO and United Nations events, and scholarships for over 150 study abroad and service-learning abroad programs—you’ll learn about some of these opportunities during today’s orientation.
We hope that you will join us in these programs and more, like the International Friendship Program (IFP) where you’ll create lifelong friendships with both domestic and international students. You can follow the IFP event schedule at facebook.com/RutgersIFP. The GAIA Centers also support joint research and education partnerships between Rutgers faculty and experts on six continents that bring many new international initiatives to campus and beyond. In September, we’ll debut our six-episode television special, Rutgers Around the World, to showcase Rutgers’ international roots for our 250th birthday. For more information or to get involved with the show production, write us at GAIA_RU250video@ gaiacenters.rutgers.edu. We want Rutgers to be your home away from home, a welcoming environment for you to learn and live comfortably. The GAIA Centers are here to make your stay at Rutgers a memorable one. We are always open to suggestions on how we can make the experience better for our international community, so feel free to contact us at info@gaiacenters.rutgers.edu. Best wishes for the new semester!
Professor Eric Garfunkel Interim Vice President for International and Global Affairs
About the GAIA Centers The Centers for Global Advancement and International Affairs (GAIA Centers) ensures that Rutgers attains its full potential as a globally engaged institution of higher education. Every Rutgers graduate must be equipped with the knowledge, awareness, and skills necessary to meet the increasingly complex challenges of the 21st century. Rutgers faculty must have opportunities to engage with their peers around the world to address pressing issues that transcend national borders. Visit us at global.rutgers.edu to learn more about how the GAIA Centers engage and advance the university’s global mission through: Global Services Providing members of the Rutgers community and visitors with quality services that support both the growth and strength of our university’s global network and integrate international visitors into the Rutgers campus community. Global Education Fostering the development of global citizenship in Rutgers students by providing opportunities for international study, research, internships, service learning, and multicultural experiences. Global Programs and Relations Developing and facilitating programs that foster teaching, learning, and research while encouraging and supporting international and global engagement for faculty, staff, and students; cultivating strong and consequential partnerships with universities, governments, and communities abroad to encourage the exchange of knowledge, ideas, expertise, technology, and crosscultural dialogue.
NOTE: Graduate students required to take the English as a Second Language (ESL) exam must contact the Graduate ESLITA Program at gradesl@rci.rutgers.edu to schedule a test date. For graduate students pending or awarded a teaching assistantship (TA), the Office of the Dean of Graduate School–New Brunswick requires all non-native English speakers to take the SPEAK Test to confirm oral proficiency. To sign-up for the SPEAK Test, visit esl.rutgers.edu and select “Register for an Assessment” under the “Quick Links” section. For more information, contact: Graduate ESL-ITA at Tillett Hall, Room 129, gradesl@rci.rutgers.edu or 848 -445-6675
Center for Global Services Staff Urmi Otiv, Director
Julie Hafeez
Mohini Mukherjee, Associate Director for Student Services
Ruimin Zhang
International Student Advisers Patrick Haggerty
Caroline Foga, Front Office Coordinator
James Jones
Eirinn Jones, Insurance and Accounting Coordinator
Katsumi Kishida Carissa McCarthy, Short-term Student Adviser Justin Schlossberg Lauren Tong Greg Costalas, Sponsored Student Adviser International Faculty/ Scholar Advisers Asenath Dande, Associate Director for Faculty/Scholar Services
Carlo Santoro
Carol Long, Front Office Coordinator Susan Maldonado, SEVIS Compliance Administrator Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) Office of International Services Staff Yocasta Brens-Watson, Director Lorraine Luciano-McKeon, Senior Coordinator Stephanie Otte, Administrative Coordinator
AGENDA WELCOME AND MANDATORY SESSIONS Welcome to Rutgers! Please review the orientation schedule carefully.
Check In and Travel Document Verification 9:00–10:00 a.m. • 180 College Ave All new F-1/J-1 students must check-in, fill out their student data forms, and have their travel documents checked and verified. Passport and I-20 or DS-2019 required. Note: Students who have already checked in at the Center for Global Services should go directly to Livingston Hall in the Livingston Student Center at 10:15 a.m. Welcome and Introduction 10:30–11:00 a.m. • Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall Eugene Murphy, assistant vice president for international and global affairs, welcomes students. Orientation materials are reviewed.
Get your official RUconnection ID Card. You must activate your NetID and register for classes to obtain a card. Visit ruconnection.rutgers.edu to find out where to get yours.
Staying in Legal Status 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. • Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall This session covers your rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for travel, work, and study as an international student in the U.S. Special services provided for international students at the university, legal obligations, and benefits of nonimmigrant visa-holders in the U.S. are also covered. Students must have travel documents verified before attending, and have their passport and I-20 or DS-2019 with them. If students wish to work on campus, they should not leave this session without getting their International Payroll Form signed. LUNCH 12:00–1:00 p.m. • Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall Join the Center for Global Services staff for an informal luncheon. While enjoying lunch, you can meet representatives of the International Friendship Program (IFP) and other international student organizations at Rutgers.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
BREAKOUT SESSION I (1:00 p.m.) A Humorous Twist on Culture Shock 1:00–2:00 p.m. • Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall Student volunteers entertain and educate you with their humorous impressions of the cultural adjustment experience. Campus Bus Tour I 1:00–2:00 p.m. • (Departs from the Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall) Tour the Rutgers campuses with experienced guides. The tour is repeated at 2:15 p.m. Study Abroad/Exchange Students Welcome 1:00–3:00 p.m. • Livingston Student Center, Room 201 AB This session offers an introduction of Center for Global Education staff and an overview of academics, housing, finances, and other considerations as they pertain to exchange students.
BREAKOUT SESSION II (2:15 p.m.) Introduction to Rutgers 2:15–3:15 p.m. • Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall Experienced volunteers cover basic resources and services available at Rutgers to help you make the most out of your time here! Campus Bus Tour II 2:15–2:45 p.m. • (Departs from the Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall) Beginning at the Livingston Student Center, tour the Rutgers campuses with experienced guides. Health and Insurance Q&A 2:15–2:45 p.m. • Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall (back of room) Refer to the handout in your folder for an introduc-
tion to the Rutgers student health insurance plans and health services. For immunization requirement related information, contact the Hurtado Health Center at 732-932-7402.
REFRESHMENTS (3:00–4:00 p.m.) Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall Treat yourself to coffee and dessert—and be sure to explore information at our resource booth in the back of the room (open until 5:00 p.m.)
MANDATORY SESSIONS (3:30 p.m.) Presenting Your Work: Classroom Culture and University Policies Regarding Academic Integrity 3:30–4:30 p.m. • Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall There is a fine line between being a resourceful student and possibly violating academic policies regarding plagiarism and cheating. This session outlines the components of academic integrity and present useful strategies to help you gain greater confidence in the skills you will need to adjust to and succeed at Rutgers. Be Alert—Safety Matters! 4:30–4:50 p.m. • Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall Learn about the role of the university police, the community policing program, and tips on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a crime.
UPCOMING FUN AND GAMES EVENTS
Social Hour 5:00–6:00 p.m. • Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall At the end of the busy day, mix and mingle with new friends, volunteers, and staff from the Center for Global Services at the GAIA Centers. Join in for fun activities and food, along with giveaways provided by Rutgers Athletics. Don’t miss the exciting events planned especially for international students after the social! Shopping Shuttle to the Bridgewater Promenade 5:00–8:00 p.m. • (Departs from Livingston Student Center, Livingston Hall) Our arranged bus will take you to an outdoor shopping area with stores including Bed, Bath,
Unwind after a busy day at the Social Hour at 5:00 p.m. Play some games, enjoy some food, and snag some free gifts (courtesy of Rutgers Athletics)
& Beyond, Target, Old Navy, Marshall’s, and more for your living essentials. See the flyer in your folders for details. FREE: Rutgers vs. Purdue University (Men’s Basketball Game) 7:00 p.m. • Rutgers Athletics Center Root for the Scarlet Knights! Attend your first Rutgers basketball game, as we go head to head against Purdue University in one of the most anticipated games of the season! Rutgers Athletics is providing free tickets and other Rutgers giveaways—like tee shirts—for the event. Our volunteers will walk you over to the stadium on Livingston campus after the social hour.
UPCOMING EVENTS January and February 2016
International Friendship Program (IFP): Game Night! THURSDAY, JANUARY 21 • 5:00–7:00 p.m. • Red Lion Café, College Ave Student Center Come join IFP and the Graduate Game Club in a night of games and fun! Learn about new games from various cultures and meet new people. Email jjones@gaiacenters.rutgers.edu for more information. On-Campus Employment Workshop FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 • 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Livingston Student Center, Room 202AB This workshop is for students who wish to work on campus but missed the “Staying in Legal Status” workshop at the spring orientation. This session covers regulatory information, forms, and authorizations necessary for F-1 and J-1 students to work on campus. Student Health Insurance Workshop* FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 • 3:00–4:00 p.m. • College Avenue Student Center, Room 411AB Come to this mandatory session to learn the ABCs of Student Health Insurance presented by the Office of Student Health Insurance. A. Advantages of the Student Health Insurance Plan B. Benefits explanation about coverage with UnitedHealthcare C. Comprehension of the steps from selecting a provider and how a claim is filed and processed to your out-of-pocket expenses IFP and Rutgers Athletics Super Bowl Fun FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 • 4:00–6:00 p.m. • Entrance to Rutgers High Point Solutions Stadium, Busch Campus Learn the history and rules of American football, get your game notes for the upcoming sports event of the year—Super Bowl—and get a VIP backstage access to the state of the art Rutgers High Point Solution Stadium, the home of the scarlet knights! scarletknights.com/facilities/football.html
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP PROGRAM (IFP) Join international and domestic students for cross-cultural learning and friendship at the weekly International Friendship Program. Bringing Dependents to the United States TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 • 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. • Center for Global Services (180 College Avenue) This workshop covers procedures, costs, campus and community services, housing, and immigration issues related to bringing spouses and children to the United States on dependent visas. All students who will request immigration documents for dependents within the next few months must attend this workshop. IFP Friendship Fair FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 • 5:00–7:00 p.m. • Coffee House, Livingston Student Center Join us for a special, fast-paced, and fun way to make friends from all over the world! All students are welcome: domestic or international, undergraduate or graduate, first semester or last semester. Contact James Jones at jjones@gaiacenters.rutgers.edu for more information.
*Mandatory
AGENDA MONDAY August 25, 2014
Center for Global Services Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 180 College Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901 globalservices.rutgers.edu global.rutgers.edu fb.com/RutgersGlobalServices fb.com/RutgersGAIA @RutgersGlobal