PRE-DEPARTURE Q&A FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
WELCOME TO KNOX! Your Panelists Office of International Student Services: Joshua Ferchau, Director ⎟ jferchau@knox.edu Rebecca Eckart, Associate Director ⎟ rreckart@knox.edu Student: Swarup Behera ‘20, International Ambassador Moderator: Joel Willison ‘20, Orientation Leader
ARRIVALS
ARRIVAL DAYS & SHUTTLES Arrival Day is September 5 th (August 20 for IELP students) Shuttle service is available from: • Peoria International Airport (PIA) • Quad City International Airport (MLI) • Galesburg Amtrak and bus stations Reserve a shuttle through the Arrival form on your student portal. Watch for an email in August with your shuttle information. We’re excited to greet you, whether you come by yourself or with your parents!!
CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION FOR F-1 STUDENTS Immigration documents (in your carry-on bag): • Passport with F-1 visa • I-20 • Admission letter and copies of financial documents You’ll go through Customs and Immigration at the first airport you enter in the U.S., even if you have another flight after that. You need to take your luggage through Customs, and recheck it afterwards. Check your immigration stamp. Be sure the immigration officer gives you an F-1, D/S (Duration of Status stamp). *If you also have a visitor visa to the U.S., present your F-1 visa (NOT your B-2 visa) to the immigration officer. If you have any trouble, contact Rebecca: • Cell: +1 (513)594-1468 (find on WhatsApp or Viber) • Skype: knox.Rebecca • WeChat: rreckart • Line: rebeccarose
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU Suggested Packing List: • Clothing for four seasons • Personal items • Electronics (bring if you have them; if you don’t, you can get here) • Power adapter/converter • Medication (carry prescription while traveling) • Something that reminds you of home • Something from your home to share at International Fair (if you have space) We’ll go shopping during IPOP. If you plan to buy items for your dorm room, consider buying them here — save your luggage space for things from home or things you can’t get here. Room furnishings: Your room will have a bed, desk, closet, and drawers.
WEATHER IN GALESBURG Galesburg has four seasons: • Summer: 70° to over 90° Fahrenheit (21° to over 32° Celsius). Summer tends to be humid. June – mid Sep. • Fall: Ranges from 30° to 65°F (-1° to 18°C). Late Sep. – Nov. • Winter: Typical temperatures range from 20° to 40°F (-7° to 4 °C, but can be as low as 0°F (-18°C). Dec. – Feb. • Spring: Ranges from 30° to 65°F (-1° to 18°C). March – May. Dressing for the weather: • It’ll be hot when you arrive — bring warm weather clothing plus jackets to layer and clothes for fall. Cooler weather will begin in late September. • Winter outerwear: Waterproof, warm coat; insulated, non-slip boots; hat; gloves or mittens; scarf • Winter clothing for indoors: Long sleeves (including sweaters, fleece jackets, sweatshirts, etc.); pants, thick tights, etc.
WINTER CLOTHING If you already have winter clothes, bring them! If you don’t— you can get winter clothes in Galesburg, Chicago, or online. *Packing advice: Don’t worry if you can’t fit everything you need. You can get other things here.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
HEALTH & COUNSELING SERVICES Health & Counseling Center on campus (open weekdays) Your fees include a health services & accident insurance fee. Health & counseling records are private. You might experience culture shock as you transition to living and learning in the U.S. We’ll talk more about this during IPOP. Please talk with OISS and Health Services —we’re here to help! Learn more about health and counseling at Knox.
INSURANCE AND HEALTHCARE IN THE U.S. U.S. healthcare is high quality, but can be expensive. We strongly encourage you to have comprehensive health insurance. Learn more about healthcare and insurance in the U.S. For F-1 students, we recommend a plan through iNext. U.S. citizens can search for an appropriate plan at http://www.knoxstudentinsurance.com. Dental & Vision Care: Most insurance plans cover injuries to teeth and eyes, but do not cover routine dental or vision care. Visit your dentist and eye doctor before you come to the U.S.
iNext INSURANCE – FOR F-1 STUDENTS • iNext uses Aetna network within U.S.; both Galesburg hospitals in-network. • iNext uses CVS/Caremark pharmacy network within U.S.
iNext INSURANCE – FOR F-1 STUDENTS Select “Travel to the U.S.” for the F visa to see plan options. View a comparison of plans; each plan has full details available here.
IMMUNIZATIONS • The State of Illinois requires that all students who enroll in public or private colleges or universities provide proof of immunity against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Meningococcal Disease. • Have your doctor complete this immunization form in English or with an English translation and submit through your admission portal • Questions? Email immunizations@knox.edu or call +1-309-341- 7222 • Immunizations may be more expensive in the U.S. and are often not covered by insurance. Try to get your immunizations before coming to Knox.
BANKING & MONEY
SETTING UP A BANK ACCOUNT PNC Bank will be on-campus during IPOP. You can open a bank account with your passport and I-20. PNC offers receipt of one free wire transfer per month for Knox students (there might still be originating fees for parents). There’s a PNC ATM on campus, as well as numerous banks in downtown Galesburg (Wells Fargo, F&M Bank, and others).
MONEY SAFETY & IMMEDIATE EXPENSES Don’t carry a lot of cash with you while traveling. Plan to access money through a credit/debit card or a wire transfer to your new bank account. In the U.S., most people carry less than $100 in cash. You don’t need a lot of cash when you arrive. You might need money for: • Meals prior to arrival day - $7 ~ $15 per meal • Transportation while traveling (like a taxi) • Things for your dorm room (fan, other essentials) - $50 ~ $100 • Phone - $30 - $45/month (if you bring your own phone and get a SIM card here. More if you buy a phone.) • Books - $200 ~ $300/term
GETTING A CAMPUS JOB During orientation, you can sign up for payroll and learn about how to apply for campus jobs. There are lots of campus jobs — but sometimes it can take a few weeks to find one. Apply for any job that you’re interested in and talk with OISS for advice. You might have a campus employment award as part of your financial aid. The money you earn will be direct deposited into your U.S. bank account. Use for personal needs, books, travel expenses, or tuition payment —it’s up to you. After you get a job, you’ll need to apply for your Social Security Number (SSN). OISS will help you with that.
PAYING YOUR BILL Two options for paying your bill: • One payment/term (3 terms/year) – Due Aug. 15, Dec. 12, March 13 • Use a payment plan through CashNET: • 3 payments/term (9 annually): Due Sep. 15 – May 15 • 4 payments/term (12 annually): Due July 31, then Sep. 15 – June 15 Learn more about student billing and payment methods. View your bill online at my.knox.edu, through the Business Office app. You can add your parents as an authorized user here. Payment methods: • Check or money order payable to Knox College • Credit or debit card (2.99% convenience fee) • International wire transfer through Flywire Scholarships and financial aid are applied to your account before you are billed
KNOX STUDENT ACCOUNT CENTER Or submit payment directly through Flywire: Specify funds in USD. Create a Flywire account. You’ll need to know your student ID number. https://www.flywire.com/pay/knox
CELL PHONES
SETTING UP A U.S. CELL PHONE During IPOP, you’ll have time to set up a cell phone. Bringing an unlocked phone: You can get a SIM card through AT&T and purchase a monthly plan. Check your phone in advance for compatibility. Note: AT&T will be on campus during IPOP to put SIM cards in unlocked phones. Buying a phone in the U.S.: You will likely need a no-contract plan, which requires purchase of a phone. Some options include: • Walmart Straight Talk • Verizon Wireless • AT&T U.S. citizens and students who have an SSN can get a contract cell phone. Note: You can buy a SIM card or phone during IPOP. Learn more about cell phones in the U.S. Wifi is available throughout campus (so you might not need a lot of data). You can also get an inexpensive basic phone if you don’t want or need a smartphone.
ACADEMICS
CLASSES AT KNOX Knox operates on a trimester schedule. We have three terms each year — fall, winter, and spring. View our 2018 – 19 academic calendar. Classes at Knox are rigorous. Classes at Knox are worth 1.0 or 0.5 credits, and 2.5 – 3.5 credits/term is a full courseload. Three classes/term is typical. We have lots of academic support! Make sure you use it frequently. Learn more: • Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) • Writer’s Block • Red Room • Disability Support Services • English as a Second Language (ESL) courses • OISS
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