Welcome to the first edition of the New to FSU newsletter, a series of e-newsletters that you will receive from the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). We are looking forward to your arrival and have lots of important information to share. You probably have many questions about what you need to know before you get here, and New to FSU will answer those questions!

All new international students are required to attend the Center for Global Engagement’s orientation and check-in at the CGE. You must do these before you can register for classes. Plan your arrival so you can be here in time to check-in and attend orientation.

Upon arrival to Tallahassee, come to the Center for Global Engagement (also called ―The Globe‖) to complete your ―check-in‖.

At check-in, we will scan your important documents and give you a Welcome Bag and ―New to FSU‖ student handbook that will help you get familiar with your new university and community.

Check-in hours: Monday—Friday from 8:30 am—4:30 pm.

Bring the following documents with you:

I—20, passport, visa, and I-94 card (card given upon entry to U.S.).

You will not be able to check-in unless you bring all required documents.

You also will report your local address and emergency contact information for a relative or friend. If you’re bringing a spouse and/or children, bring their documents as well.

Important! Check-in at least one day before your International Student orientation (Aug. 19 for Graduates; Aug. 23 for Undergraduate Students).

Check-In Requirements

Check-In Requirements

Orientation

Housing– On & Off Campus

Join New to FSU Facebook page

Chat online with CGE Staff

International Student Feature: Why I Like FSU

New Student Welcome Map

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Inside this issue:

Edition 1

Center for Global Engagement

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All international students are required to attend international student orientation before registering for classes.

Graduate Students: Friday, August 19, 10 am—4 pm Undergraduate Students: Tuesday, August 23, 10 am—4 pm

Graduate students can register for classes starting August 22 if all registration holds are cleared. Undergraduates register at their university orientation on August 24. Therefore, you need to attend the Center for Global Engagement’s orientation and check-in before you can register for classes!

So that we can plan for your attendance at orientation, please register by August 5th at:

www.cge.fsu.edu/newstudents/orientation.cfm.

Frequently Asked Questions about Orientation:

What other orientations are required?

Graduate students need to ask their academic department for the date and location of their department orientation. The department orientation is important for learning about academic and registration matters. The Graduate School also offers orientation for all new graduate students on Tuesday, August 23. Additional information and registration at: www.gradschool.fsu.edu.

Undergraduate students must attend the university orientation, offered by the Office of New Student and Family Programs. This orientation is different from the CGE’s New International Student orientation. The university orientation is when you will get registration advice and register for classes. You must sign-up in advance and pay the orientation fee online at www.orientation.fsu.edu.

What information is discussed at the New International Student orientation?

We have an exciting day planned for international student orientation. It is designed to give you the information you need to have a successful start at FSU. It’s also a great way to meet other new students.

Orientation will introduce you to the services and programs that the Center for Global Engagement provides. We will also talk about what it means to have an F-1 student visa, and tell you about the rules you need to know about employment, enrollment, travel, and more.

We will also offer three special sessions: Getting Started at FSU (with current students to answer your questions), Healthcare and Insurance, and Employment. Lunch will be provided, as well as an ―information fair‖ with representatives from campus and community organizations. We will celebrate the end of the day with a Welcome Reception. We look forward to meeting you!

What if I have a problem and can’t attend the international student orientation?

Students must make all attempts to attend the orientation offered for their degree level to avoid delays in their registration for classes. You will have a registration hold until you attend orientation and check-in at the Center for Global Engagement.

If you have a problem, such as a visa or travel delay, contact the International Student Services Coordinator, Leigh Ann Osborne, as soon as possible at Losborne@admin.fsu.edu, or 850-645-1424.

Orientation Information

Make an Early Move-In Request

Did you know that you can request to move in to your on-campus housing before the scheduled move-in date? Because you are required to be here for the international student orientation, you can ask for an early move-in date if you will live in an on-campus residence hall. Making the request does not guarantee an early move-in. Be sure to read your Housing Assignment notice for your assigned move-in date. Housing contact: Mr. Vincent Roberts, vtroberts@admin.fsu.edu; For general housing information, see: www.housing.fsu.edu/.

Off-Campus Housing

If you have decided to live off-campus, it’s recommended that you do plenty of research on housing options before your arrival. To start, see the ―Pre-Arrival‖ brochure you received with your I-20 or view it online at: www.cge.fsu.edu/newstudents/prearrivalinfo.cfm.

Housing— On and Off-Campus

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Other Resources for Off-Campus Housing:

FSU Student Resource Center:

http://offcampushousing.fsu.edu/

Off-Campus Housing Guide (for undergrads):

http://family.fsu.edu/docs/offcampus1112.pdf

Apartment Ratings: www.apartmentratings.com

Join the New to FSU Facebook Page!

If you are on Facebook, keep updated with the latest announcements on our New to FSU International Students page! You can also post questions and connect with other students on this page. Just click the LIKE button at: www.facebook.com/pages/New-to-FSU-International-Students/198314453520724?sk=wall. You can also become a fan of the Center for Global Engagement’s main Facebook page ―FSU Center for Global Engagement CGE‖ to keep up with the latest events and announcements from the CGE!

Online Chat with CGE staff

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Ana Ng, from the Republic of Panama and a Finance major, says: "FSU is an amazing life experi-ence you can't afford to miss. There are so many opportunities. Opportunities to develop your leadership skills, to make friends with wonderful people from all around the world, to have access to research re-sources, to learn and interact with highly prepared fac-ulty and staff, and of course, improve your English faster and more efficiently than taking an English course back home. If you are tired of the pollution of bigger cities, and absolutely love squirrels, Tallahas-see is the place to be. I have never seen a city with so many trees. Furthermore rivers, mountains, and beaches are within 3 hours of driving distance. FSU has its own park. It's called the Rez (Reservation) and only FSU students can get in for free. The Rez offers a vari-ety of activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, sailing, volleyball, and ping pong.‖

International Student Feature: Why I Like FSU

Ana Ng, Republic of Panama, Finance

Clarinsa Vannesa Grives, from the Neth-erlands and an LLM student, says: "FSU is a big university and there is a diversity of asso-ciations you can become a part of. There are several events that take place on a weekly basis. FSU doesn't only focus on teaching but also on future career opportunities. I like the fact that the professors are very approachable. As an in-ternational student you are in a new environ-ment but you will find that there is always someone around willing and able to help. The Friday coffee hour at the Center for Global En-gagement is a great opportunity to meet new people. The staff members of the Center are very helpful and have pamphlets with all the information you need during your first weeks at FSU. If you don't have a car in Tallahassee it's not a problem because there are busses you can ride for free with your FSU card."

Clarinsa Vanessa Grives (Netherlands, International Law)

mingling at the weekly International Coffee Hour hosted at The

Globe on Fridays from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.

Check out more “Why I like FSU” features online at:

www.cge.fsu.edu/whyfsu/index.cfm

Got a question before arrival? Chat with us!

Fridays from 9 AM to 11 AM EST

To chat, go to the CGE Pre-Arrival Chat Page at:

http://cge.fsu.edu/newstudents/chat.cfm

If a CGE representative is available, all you need to do is type your name to start chatting!

New Student Welcome Map

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New Student Welcome Map

The Center for Global Engagement 110 South Woodward Ave. Phone: 850.644.1702 Fax: 850.644.9951

Before you get here, check out these online resources to familiarize yourself with the FSU campus:

Virtual Tour online: www.fsutour.org/

Online campus map: www.fsu.edu/Campus/newmap

Self-Guided Walking Tour: http://visit.fsu.edu/lib/pdf/WalkingTour.pdf

Campus Webcams: www.fsu.edu/webcam/

Campus Portrait: www.fsu.edu/campusportrait

Get to Know FSU’s Campus