NETMAT UG Fall 2014

Nobody Ever Told Me About That!

Berkeley International Office (BIO)

2299 Piedmont Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94720

http://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu

Register Full-Time

&

Stay Registered Full-time

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Please, please,

please…Update Your

Address in

BearFacts

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

bearfacts.berkeley.edu

Employment Rules

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

On Campus

• 20 hours per week during the semester

• Unlimited during vacation periods

• J-1 : On Campus Payment Authorization from BIO

Off Campus

• You ALWAYS need work authorization from

BIO

• Check our website and come see us!

Maintain your health insurance

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Things can get very expensive

here

Money Matters

• Don’t carry too much cash,

• Use debit or credit cards,

• You can write checks.

Taxes

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

• YES, you have to file a tax report even if you did not

work

• We have tax software FREE for you to use

(available in March)

• UC Employees :

You should

register for a

Glacier account

or you will be

taxed 30%

When signing a contract or lease, remember …

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

• They are usually

enforceable by

law

• Read the whole

contract including

the fine print

• Don’t sign if you

are not clear

• Be brave, ask

questions!

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Download software for FREE! @ Software Central

ist.berkeley.edu/software-central/

Transportation

• Remember you get a Bus Pass!

• Taxis are expensive

• Use BART

Other tips …

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Recycling:

Pay

attention to

the different

bins

Please take fire drills seriously

Not everybody has homes

Food Matters

• Skip McDonalds try In and Out

• Portions are big! Take the rest to go.

• Don’t forget to tip!

Weather

• Microclimates

• Layer up!

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

1. Individualism : rely on yourself & focus

on self-improvement

2. Equality : less emphasis on social status

3. Informality : casual dress, casual hellos,

casual friendships

Top 5 American Values/Trends

4. Punctuality : rush,

rush lateness =

rudeness

5. Directness : honesty &

openness

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Let’s talk a little American…

• How are you?Hello. (Not always a question)

• What’s up?Hey!

• Let’s have lunch sometime!Just being polite.

• Let’s have a drink!They mean alcohol not Coca Cola.

• I will have to think about it.I have already thought about it and it’s NO!

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Let’s talk a little American…• I will let you know…

Probably not.

• You might want to consider doing…I expect you to…

• You would want to do…DO IT NOW!

• My bad!Sorry!

• That’s interesting!I have nothing good to say about it!

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Let’s talk a little American…

• Sounds exciting!!!It’s good.

• It’s not bad.It’s bad!

• That’s a great idea but…Not a great idea.

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Get into the

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Don’t wear

RED

on Game

Day!!!

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Remember… Study hard

Have fun

Take advantage

of this

experience

Expect some culture

shock & adjustment

And…

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

BIO is here to help!

BerkeleyInternationalOffice

(BIO)

Now, you know!!!