Summer 2014 International Student

Welcome Guide

International Student Orientation May 20, 2014

Make your plans to settle in and fight jet lag!

Please note: early move in must be approved by the Housing and Residential Life office based on availability and advanced request. Please contact Kelly Malone at maloneke@webster.edu with your arrival date and time to request early move in.

Welcome to Webster University!

Our international student orientation program is designed to

answer many questions you may have and to give you infor-

mation that will help you be successful in meeting your academic

and personal goals.

Attendance is expected at all scheduled sessions, and we hope

you will work out any conflicts with other activities. While social

events are optional, you are encouraged to come to them.

While most sessions are designed for students only, spouses and

families are welcome to attend.

Webster University welcomes international students from all over

the world to our home campus in Webster Groves, Missouri. We

are glad to help welcome you to your new home away from

home.

Sincerely,

Bethany

Bethany Keller, Assistant Director

Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs

Please refer to your admission letter and email to determine if language placement testing is required for you.

Sign up and confirm the testing

date and location by emailing

Carolyn Trachtova at:

ctrachtova77@webster.edu

Dates: May 2 and 29, 2014

Check in at 8:45 am to pay the $40

testing fee (cash or check made out

to Webster University)

TOEFL: 9:00 am - 11:45 am

WRITTEN EXAM: 11:50 am - 1:00

pm (70 minutes for reading and

writing an essay)

ORAL EXAM: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

(15 - 20 minutes)

Please bring #2 pencils and a pic-

ture ID. You can use a dictionary

for the written portion.

Welcome Global Gorloks!

Location: Sunnen Lounge, University Center 175 Edgar Road, St. Louis, MO 63119 Parking: Garden Park Plaza 536 Garden Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119

8:30 am Orientation Check-In and Welcome Our program begins with breakfast, introduction to your classmates and orientation leaders, and welcome activities to start your day! 9:00 am Adjusting to a New Culture Learn more about the ups and downs of adjusting to life in a new culture. Bethany Keller, Assistant Director Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs will guide you through activities and discussion of making Webster your new home away from home. 9:45 am Personal Support Resources Gladys Smith, Assistant Director of Counseling and Life Development will discuss services available for personal support and counseling, as well as provide information on personal wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle during your studies. 10:15 am Immigration Rules and Regulations

This important session is required for all F-1 and J-1 visa holders.

Other international students may opt for a break. Wence P’Oryem, Associate Director from International Recruitment and Services and Janka Ribando, International Coordinator, provide information on office procedures for advising requests and applying for benefits, and learn the essential requirements for maintaining your F-1 or J-1 visa status. Bethany Keller, Assistant Director MCISA will discuss tax filing requirements for those students on F-1 and J-1 visas. 11:45 am Lunch Break Join us for an informal lunch or take a break. Lunch is provided for all new students and guests.

1:00 pm Health Insurance Requirements & Student Health Services Meet the staff of Student Health Services to learn about the University health insurance requirements for international students, Webster’s insurance plan, and how you enroll in insurance or receive a waiver for other approved coverage. 1:15 pm Academic Orientation Meet your key academic support resources at Webster University: Suzy Schmieder & Chrissy Boyce

International Academic Advisor Academic Advising Center

Dr. Roshaunda Cade, Writing Center Coordinator, Academic Resource Center

Carolyn Trachtova ESL Faculty, International Languages and Cultures Department

Learn more about the US academic culture, classroom etiquette, student-teacher interaction, methods of assessment and grading, and discussion requirements. Learn to familiarize yourself with your Degree Audit, online registration requirements, ESL courses available to support your English language proficiency, and free tutoring and writing assistance from the Academic Resource Center and Writing Center. 2:45 pm Meet the MCISA! Programs and

Services for Your Success MCISA staff introduce you to the programs, resources and activities available to international students at Webster. Get to know your way around St. Louis by using public transportation and learn more about local banks and grocery stores to help you settle in. Learn more about what is happening on campus and ways to get involved and make new friends. Representatives of international clubs and organizations you are invited to join will be there to meet you! 3:45 pm Walking Tour of Campus Our campus tour includes academic buildings, recreation facilities, bookstore, support service offices and more. 4:45 pm Webster Wrap Up MCISA Staff and Orientation Leaders answer any last questions you have about the University!

Thursday, May 22, 2014 Schedule of Events

Review Visa & Immigration information to prepare for your visa interview.

Register for classes. Academic Advising

appointments are available by email, phone, or in person. Email Suzy Schmieder at

susanschmieder37@webster.edu or call 314- 968-6972 to schedule an appointment. If required, sign up for On Campus ESL Place-

ment Testing. Email Carolyn Trachtova at ctrachtova77@webster.edu.

Activate your Connections account. All

official communication from the University will be sent to your Webster e-mail account.

Apply EARLY for on campus housing.

On campus housing is required for internation-al students. (Graduate students over 26 years old, married students or students with dependent children may live off campus.)

Submit your Health Packet (health insur-

ance enrollment form, physical exam, and im-munization records) to Health Services.

Submit your Airport Pickup Request (as

far in advance as possible) including your flight number, airline, date and time of arrival, and connecting cities. There is no fee for this service.

If you do not need airport pickup service, make

transportation arrangements. Lambert St. Louis International Airport is approximately 15 miles from campus.

Make payment arrangements. Tuition and

fees are due two weeks before classes begin. For payment options visit www.webster.edu/bursar

Before You Depart From Home After Your Arrival

Immigration Check-In (Required) June 2, 2014 from 12:00—2:00 pm Webster Groves Room, 135 Webster Hall 470 E. Lockwood Avenue, 63119 Bring your original documents with you:

Your passport Your I-20 or DS-2019 form and all forms

from prior institutions Your I-94 (print a copy at www.cbp.gov) Your new (local) address and phone number Emergency contact information

Purchase your textbooks from the Univer-sity bookstore. Bring your student schedule with you to reference your course prefix, num-ber and section.

Obtain your student ID card. Visit the Public Safety with a copy of your Student Schedule and a photo ID (for example, your passport, etc.) to get your Webster University student ID card made.

Obtain your Metro Pass. Visit the Bursar’s office with your student ID card to request your free Metro Pass to use public transportation.

Purchase a parking tag at the Public Safety office 568 Garden Avenue (Garden Park Plaza).

Sign up for Shopping Trips. Use our online form at http://tinyurl.com/shoppingtrip14 to request transportation assistance for shopping trips. Trips are scheduled to serve groups of students who are available at mutually conven-ient times.

Join Student Clubs and Organizations. Login to https://involved.webster.edu using your Connections user name and password.

Apply for a Missouri State ID or Driver’s License. Wait at least 10 days after you arrive in the US, request a letter of reference from the Welcome Center (3-5 days to process), prepare the required documents, and go to the Department of Motor Vehicles office off-campus.

Where to get it? Business Office What do I need?

Your Webster Student ID

Does it cost? It’s FREE!

Your pass is a gift

from Webster to you and we hope you will take advantage of it. Use it to

explore Saint Louis and discover all the amazing attractions of the city. You can use the pass to

take the bus or the Metro Link. If you own a bike, buses have a space at the front where you can place your bike while getting to your next stop.

The Webster University—branded UPass card is

good 24 hrs a day, anywhere on the Metro Transit System! For information on routes visit:

www.metrostlouis.org

Come and hang out at the MCISA’s Student Lounge! The lounge is a space on campus for YOU and we are here to make your experience at Webster the best one possible. All students are welcome to come and study before class, connect to Wi-fi, enjoy some candy and even coffee or tea. If you all you want to do is to chill, feel free to turn the TV on and watch the latest news or simply your favorite show. Either way we would love to welcome you and to make you feel right at home.

Stay Connected!

Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs

536 Garden Avenue St. Louis, MO 63119

314-246-7658

Check out our website, follow us on social media, or come

hang out in our lounge!

Website: http://blogs.webster.edu/

mcisa/

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/

webstermcisa

Email: multi@webster.edu