Texas A&M International University

J-1 Pre-Arrival

Handbook

www.tamiu.edu/dip/oie

Welcome to Texas A&M International University! Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is located in a bi-lingual and bi-cultural setting on the U.S.-Mexico border. As an international university, the students are exposed to many exciting opportunities within the University and the surrounding Laredo community. With beautiful weather all year long, TAMIU offers an ideal location to further your education while experiencing a melting pot of diverse cultures. A variety of degree programs are offered for undergraduate and graduate students. There is also a doctoral program in International Business Administration, and a joint–doctoral program in Education and in Hispanic Studies. College of Arts and Sciences - www.tamiu.edu/coas A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business - http://www.tamiu.edu/ssb/ College of Education - www.tamiu.edu/coedu College of Nursing and Health Sciences - http://www.tamiu.edu/cson/  

About Us The Division of International Programs consists of three units that each have a specific role in advising and assisting international students. Listed below are brief descriptions about each unit. We strive to ensure that your study abroad experience at TAMIU will be successful and enjoyable. International Student Services (ISS): International student advisement in regards to immigra-tion status and non-academic issues; promote international student life and activities; houses the Association of International Students. International Education (OIE): International student advisement for all exchange and ISEP students; academic advisement and course registration; promote international student life and activities. International Language Institute (ILI): Provide English as a Second Language (ESL) course work to international students; provide foreign language courses for personal enrichment; pre-pare international students for academic integration upon successful completion of ESL courses.  The Exchange Visitor Program  The purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program is to promote and facilitate international compe-tency between domestic and foreign students. By letting you as a student be fully immersed in academic and social activities in a foreign university setting and local community, you will ex-perience an international perspective that fosters communication, cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect and tolerance. We hope you will enjoy your time on the TAMIU campus, and make every effort to learn as much as possible about life and study in the United States. Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement  Many Exchange Visitors are subject to what is known as the two-year home country physical presence requirement of Section 212 (e) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act. A J-1 Ex-change Visitor (and his or her J-2 dependent) may be subject to the home residence require-ment on one or more of three bases: (1) Skills List: 212 (e) applies if the field of study, research or teaching is listed on the Ex- change Visitor Skills List for his or her country of citizen ship or country of last per- manent residence. (2) Funding: 212 (e) applies if the Exchange Visitor receives U.S. or home government funding (directly or indirectly) specifically to support the exchange; (3) Receipt of graduate medical education or training. 212 (e) applies if the Exchange

Visitor participates in the ECFMG’s Exchange Visitor Program to receive graduate medical education or training. For detailed information regarding the home resi- dence require ment, visit USCIS at

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html#12.

FRIENDSHIP

CULTURE

RESP

ECT

TRADITION

An  Indian  student demonstrates  henna body painting on  another student.   

Students wear and display the clothing that is traditionally worn in their  countries. 

International Day at TAMIU 

International Potluck Dinner 

TAMIU EVENTS

Study Abroad Photo Contest  at Casa Ortiz 

Students perform traditional dances for International Day 

Pre-Arrival Planning Upon arriving at TAMIU, all students living in University housing must have proof of Menin-gitis vaccination. The vaccination must take place no less than 10 days before the student moves into University facilities. If you have been vaccinated in your home country, you will need to bring in your vaccination record in English and present it to the Student Health Ser-vices located at the Student Center, room 125 upon arrival to TAMIU. For more information contact Elizabeth Dodier at 956.326.2235 (Student Health Services) or check online at http://www.tamiu.edu/wellness/stuhealth.shtml. Please let the us know about your travel plans, indicating your itinerary, date, and time of arri-val by submitting the New Arrival Form (www.tamiu.edu/dip/oie/iss) 7 days before your arri-val. Pick-up dates are August 13-22. We will contact you to confirm your pick-up from the airport or bus station. We suggest that you call us before you depart Houston or Dallas on your last flight taking you to Laredo. For changes or delays call 956-326-2282, in case of an emer-gency call 956-285-7829. Remember to take time to make your housing arrangements before your departure. If you have no housing arrangements made, you will be expected to stay in any of the local hotels at your own expense. See also the section on Housing on page 6. You are expected to arrive at Texas A&M International University no later than the “report date” as indicated on your DS 2019. TAMIU offers orientation sessions for new international students at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. The orientation for international stu-dents usually takes place the week prior to start of classes (see academic calendar in the back of the brochure), and is a mandatory event. You will receive an email from Office of International Education after your admission to the University regarding early course registration. You are able to view scheduled courses for the upcoming semester at http://schedule.tamiu.edu (click on the semester schedule). Most incom-ing undergraduate students select courses starting with a 3 or 4, since that is when U.S. univer-sity courses start to specialize by discipline. Graduate students must select courses that start with the digit 5. Course descriptions can be found in the University catalog at http://www.tamiu.edu/catalog/.  

Entry into the United States  Once you enter the U.S., United States Citizen and Immigration Services places you into a status. The status has the same name (usually) as the visa of J-1 non-immigrants. For the dura-tion of stay in the U.S., you must maintain your status. If you leave the U.S., you will need a valid visa to re-enter the country and current DS 2019. As a J-1 student or visitor, you should have your passport, and I-94 form marked D/S stapled in your passport, and your DS 2019 form marked D/S. D/S stands for “Duration of Status” and means that you may remain in the U.S. as long as you stay in status through the date for the completion of your studies as indicated on your DS 2019 form. Your DS 2019 form will show an admission number that is also on the I-94 form. Normally you will return your I-94 form when you leave the U.S. and receive a new form when you re-enter. Your admission number will remain the same. When you leave and re-enter the U.S., the preprinted number on your new I-94 form will be crossed out and your admission number will be written on the form.    

Travel Arrival to Laredo can be arranged via air or road. If you are flying into either Houston or Dal-las, you can reserve a connecting flight from Dallas with American Eagle or from Houston with Continental Express Jet. Alternatively you can reserve a seat on the Greyhound bus (duration from Houston: approx. 7 hrs). This bus arrives at the Laredo Central Bus Station, and from there you take bus route 16, which will take you directly to the University. You may-visit www.greyhound.com for bus information to Laredo. You may visit http://main.elmetrotransit.com to find bus schedules to TAMIU. International students must report upon arrival to the Division of International Programs, lo-cated in Pellegrino Hall 301. Our email address is international@tamiu.edu. Orientation Week As part of Orientation Week we offer varying activities that will make you familiar with the TAMIU campus as well as assist you with errand runs to local stores and banks. Our office staff, along with TAMIU students, will assist you making your transition to TAMIU and Laredo as easy as possible. You will be contacted after your admission to sign up for this pro-gram. During the 2nd week of the semester we offer a Café de Monde, organized by the Division of International Programs, for international students and returned Study Abroad students. An out-side function, we welcome the TAMIU community to join you for a cup of coffee and some pastries and an opportunity to get to know each other. Local Bus System For public transportation you can use the local bus system called El Metro. There are two bus stops on the TAMIU campus. You can visit their website for more information about transit times and pickup locations. http://main.elmetrotransit.com/                                

Students spend Spring Break at the beach in Corpus Christi, Texas 

Housing Texas A&M International offers on-campus housing: University Village and the Residential Learning Community (RLC). At the RLC you can have the privacy and lifestyle you deserve in communities built specifically for students. The RLC offers a great campus location, laundry room, private bedrooms, furnished units, individual leases, swimming pool, volleyball court, and a community center where students can use computers, watch TV, or just visit with friends. The RLC has a required meal plan for all of their residents so you don’t have to worry about finding food off-campus.                     Another housing option on campus is University Village. These apartments are fully furnished two- and four- bedroom apartments, and a few one- bedroom units. University Village also has a community center, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sundeck, volleyball court, and a barbeque area. University Village offers an optional meal plan for their residents.                 Please make sure you bring such items as bed linens, pillow, and cookware, or plan to purchase these upon your arrival in Laredo. A $150 advance deposit is required to reserve your room, which you can either pay by money order or credit card. For more information about Univer-sity Village or the Residential Learning Community, check out the following website: www://housing.tamiu.edu.

Meal Plans Since you will be living in campus housing, it will be very efficient to eat your meals on cam-pus as well. Aramark (TAMIU University Dining Services) offers a selection of meal plans. They are offered to students at reasonable rates. For more information about restaurants and prices, please visit: http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSSW/TexasAMInternational/MealPlans/. Fees and Other Costs As a foreign exchange student, you will be waived from paying TAMIU tuition and fees. Your approximate expenses to enroll at the University are as follows for one semester of study: SEVIS fee ($100), Visa fee ($100), Room and Board ($3,495), Transportation ($513), Medical Insurance ($291), Living Expenses ($ 1,130), Books ($875), Airfare ($1,000). Health Care and Insurance All International Students enrolled at TAMIU must have insurance, and you are strongly en-couraged to enroll for TAMIU’s Basic 50K Plan. The cost of this plan is $291, which will be automatically charged to your student account each semester Alternatively, you may provide your own health insurance, which must be approved in ad-vance by the Office of International Student Services. Your coverage plan must be submitted in English before August 8. Any late submissions will not be accepted and you will automati-cally be charged the Basic 50K Plan. Check the www.tamiu.edu/dip/iss website for details on minimum requirements your insurance plan must meet.

Students participate in the Study Abroad Fair 

International Student Exchange Program Students (ISEP) ISEP students follow in most cases the same arrival/orientation process as direct exchange stu-dents. However, we want you to take extra notice of the following: ISEP students can only be housed at the Residential Learning Community (RLC) in the stan-dard room. Please be certain to indicate on your housing application that you are an ISEP stu-dent, and select the RLC Standard Room. ISEP students will receive a meal plan as part of their benefits. You can choose from three dif-ferent meal plan options: Traditional Plan: 300 all-you-care-to-eat meals per semester in Dusty's Diner, Flex Plan: 250 all-you-care-to-eat meals per semester in Dusty's Diner and $75 Dining Dol-lars, My Plan: 200 all-you-care-to-eat meals per semester in Dusty's Diner and $125 Dining Dol-lars. On the days that Dusty’s Diner is closed (i.e. Thanksgiving) you will receive a stipend of $10 per day to cover the cost of purchasing groceries. The RLC has open kitchen facilities on each floor for student use. ISEP students do not need to obtain the TAMIU health insurance plan, as they are covered through the ISEP insurance plan.

Students enjoy the Riverwalk in San Antonio 

International Potluck Dinner 

Academic Calendar 2010 / 2011

Fall 2010 Aug 8 International Insurance Coverage (last day to submit alternative insurance) Aug 16-18 In-processing / Course Registration Aug 19 International Student Orientation Aug 20 Faculty and Staff Assembly Aug 23 First Class Day Aug 27 Final Late Registration Day Sep 2 Café Du Monde Sep 6 Labor Day Holiday Sept 7 Last day to drop courses without record Oct 6 AutMus Fest Nov 16 International Day Nov 24-26 Thanksgiving Holiday Dec 2 Last Class Day Dec 6-10 Final Exam Period Dec 11 Commencement—end of Fall 2010 semester Spring 2011 Jan 2 International Insurance Coverage (last day to submit alternative insurance) Jan 10-12 In-processing / Course Registration Jan 13 International Student Orientation Jan 18 First Class Day Jan 17 Martin Luther King Holiday Feb 2 Last day to drop classes without record Mar 14-18 Spring Break May 5 Last Class Day May 9-13 Final Exam Period May 14 Commencement—end of Spring 2011 semester

Contact Information

International Education Marina Hinojosa—Staff Assistant

Tel. 956.326.2565 Email: mmhinojosa@tamiu.edu

International Student Services Itiel Valdez—Student Records Specialist

Tel. 956.326.2282 Email: itiel@tamiu.edu

International Language Institute San Juana Guzman—Admissions Specialist

Tel. 956.326.2136 Email: sguzman@tamiu.edu

University Village Tel. 956.326.0160

Email: housing@tamiu.edu

Residential Learning Community Tel. 956.326.1300

Email: housing@tamiu.edu

Texas A&M International University Division of International Programs

Tel: (956) 326-2565 Email international@tamiu.edu

http://www.tamiu.edu/dip

We look forward to seeing you soon!