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

– scottmc@berkeley.edu

– (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

reshall@berkeley.edu 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: internationaloffice@berkeley.edu

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!