INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION AND
REGISTRATION PROGRAM
When is the Orientation?
Spring 2006 -
International Orientation (Graduate and Undergraduate)
Tues-Fri, January 3-6
What do I have to bring to
the Orientation?
On the 1st day of orientation at "Check-In", you
should submit copies of the following documents:
I-20 (F-1) or IAP-66 (J-1)
I-94 (Arrival/ Departure Record)
Passport
Visa
When do I register?
You will register your classes during
the orientation day.
I'm transferring from other
U.S. institutions; do I still need to attend the
Orientation?
Yes, it is MANDATORY for all new
international students: undergraduate, graduate and
transfers to attend the ISPS-International Student
Orientation and Registration
Program.
STUDENT VISA & SOCIAL SECURITY
NUMBER
How do I get a Student
Visa?
When you have admitted to the U of A, and completed
all the necessary requirements, the U of A will issue
you either:
Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for
nonimmigrant Student (F-1) Status
Or for J-1 student status, an IAP-66, Certificate
of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status.
Once you receive your Certificate of Eligibility,
report to the nearest US embassy or consulate and apply
for a student visa on the nonimmigrant visa application
Form OF-156.
What do I need to apply for
the Student Visa?
The U.S. embassy or consulate will require certain
information to verify your eligibility to obtain
admission to the US.
Form I-20 or Form IAP-66 signed and dated by the
designated school official.
Valid passport for travel to U.S. with a validity
date at least 6 months beyond the applicant's intended
period of stay in the U.S.
Admission or acceptance to a U.S. institution for
a full course of study.
Proficiency in the English language.
Sufficient financial resource to defray all living
and school expenses during the entire period of
anticipated study in the U.S.
1 photography (37x37mm) for each applicant age 16
and older.
How do I apply for a Social
Security Number?
Representatives from the SS Administration office
will be present on the 1st day of each International
Orientation to accept applications for SSN. You must
apply for your SSN at this time. You must present the
following documents:
Valid passport with appropriate visa stamp
Valid and original Form I-20 or Form IAP-66
Form I-94 (Arrival/ Departure Record)
Letter from ISPS verifying that you hold a student
job on campus or receive a fellowship, scholarship or
tuition waiver.
What is the estimated expense
for one academic year at U of A?
Breakdown of Expenses
Tuition & Fees
9,804 (Outdated)
Room & Board 5,550 (add an extra $2,000 for
off-campus)
Books & Supplies 720
Health
Insurance 783
Miscellaneous 2,908
Orientation Fee
varies
TOTAL: $19,765
Do I need Health
Insurance?
All F-1 and J-1 students are required to enroll in
the University's campus health insurance plan.
The
current annual premium for campus health insurance is
$783.
For more information please go to http://www.health.arizona.edu/.
Do I need immunization?
All international students attending U
of A are required to participate in a tuberculosis (TB)
screening program. Student will be prevented from
registering for classes if they have not been screened
for TB by the Campus Health
Care.
QUESTIONS ABOUT TUCSON
What is the weather like in
Tucson?
Unlike Hong Kong, Tucson has 360 sunny
days per year. The city is cradled in a DESERT valley.
Daytime summer temperature can get up to 120sF and in
get to around 70sF in the evening. During the winter
session, the weather is (very) cool in the morning and
late evening, but warm up during the midday. The
temperature ranging between 80degrees F to lows of 40sF.
What should I wear?
Lightweight clothing is a must! Make sure you have
clothing that will allow you to remain cool and
comfortable during the HOT HOT HOT summer days. For the
winter session, consider bringing a warm
jacket.
Tucson get monsoon too?
Yes, Tucson does get some rainfall in the late
summer. During the monsoon session, Tucson gets intense
rainfall, high winds, and very heavy thunder and
lightning activity in a 2-4 hour period in the afternoon
or evening. Within that time, most likely all the roads
in Tucson will be flooded by then. Watch out!
How do I get around in
Tucson?
Most students in Tucson rely heavily on
automobile; however, there are also many students
preferred bicycle. The City of Tucson also provide
public SunTran bus system.
Banking and Money
We recommended you to carry sufficient
funds in the form of travelers checks. You can carry
just enough to pay off tuition fee and to cover your
immediate needs in Tucson. Once you are in Tucson, open
an account in one of the Banks here and have electronic
money transfers to you.
Requirement to open a bank account:
Valid passport
Form I-20 or Form IAP-66
Social Security number or W-8 "Foreign Status"
Banks in Tucson:
Wells Fargo
Bank One
Bank of America
ACCOMMODATION
Where do I stay in Tucson?
The U of A provides residential halls
and apartment housings for students, or you can rent an
apartment and live off campus. If you need assistance in
looking for housing, or want to find a roommate, please
contact the HKSA.
It depdents, hopefully the following
list can help you.
About
Things
Importance
Note
Immigration
Passport
Must
---
Visa
Must
---
I-20 or I-60
Must
---
Documents
Certificate of Eligibility
Must
--
Medical Record
Should
---
Money
Cash (don't bring too much)
Must
A traveller check/cheque is ok
Clothes
Light Clothing
Must
Short dress, shorts, short, sleeves, tank tops
for the HOT summer.
Heavy Jackets
Should
A few heavy jackets and several sweaters for
winter session
Raingear
Should
A waterproof jacket is good enough.
Cosmetics
Not have to
---
Food
Rice Cooker
Not have to
You can always get a rice cooker in
Tucson.
Cook Set
Should not
It's too heavy to bring them with you.
---
Should not
---
Food
Should not
---
Housing
Blankets or pillows
Should not
---
Toiletries
Should not
---
---
---
---
---
---
Pen
Not have to
It's not a joke. : P
---
Not have to
Textbook
Should not
The Textbooks in US are very expensive.
However, it's kind of heavy and most new students
don't know which book they need. So I won't
recommand to bring them from Hong Kong.
Dictionary
Should
Try to get a chinese-english dictionary.
Electric dictionary is ok too.
Computer
Not have to
If you already have a laptop computer, bring
it with you!
Other
Books
Not have to
I suggest: Conquer Loneliness, Frank J. Bruno.
>_<
