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The purpose of this International Student Handbook is to provide you with pre-arrival information which we feel is necessary as you prepare for your journey to the United States and the University of Hartford. During your orientation program you will be provided with more detailed information regarding such aspects of University life as academic programming, course registration, on and off-campus housing options, student support services, Hartford area resources, banking, immigration law, and more.

The University of Hartford

With over 7,000 students, the campus is large enough to achieve the goals of a university without becoming a massive, impersonal institution. Many opportunities for career preparation can be realized within the approximately 70 undergraduate majors and over 35 graduate programs offered by the University. All degree programs of the University of Hartford carry regional and state accreditation or licensure.

The University combines the vitality of youth with a rich heritage of the past. It was founded in 1877, when the first of its three original schools was established. The Hartford Art School (1877), Hillyer College (1879), and the Hartt School (1920), all well-recognized institutions of higher education, joined in 1957 to form the University of Hartford. The University is an independent, coeducational, nonsectarian institution. The variety of its programs attracts a diverse student body from the urban and general metropolitan area, from about three-fourths of the states of the Union, and, currently from over 60 foreign countries.

The International Center has been established by the University as the focal point for international student and exchange visitor programming, service, and support. It is staffed by experienced University personnel who are familiar with the needs, expectations, and goals of our international community. The International Center has among its many responsibilities, the International Student Orientation Program, immigration advisement, the Family Visit Program, study abroad programming, and student counseling and referral. The International Center has gathered a great deal of material to help you in a variety of ways, including but not limited to, information on housing, transportation and travel, insurance needs, where to eat, where to shop, and much more.

The International Center is also involved in student programming and sponsors numerous events and trips including:

The Center also maintains close ties with the many international student associations on campus. In addition, the Center works with our Faculty Senate, Council of Deans, and other administrative units on behalf of our international students and scholars with regard to issues affecting them.

International Student Orientation Program

You should plan to arrive on campus several days before the beginning of class to participate in the International Student Orientation Program (ISOP) and allow yourself time for adjustment. Included as part of the orientation will be informal tours of the campus, discussions with faculty members about academic expectations, seminars on U.S. immigration law, banking and campus safety, information on the English Proficiency Exam, and a variety of other important topics. We will also reserve time for you to meet U.S. and other international students. All new international students, both graduate and undergraduate, are expected to participate in the International Student Orientation Program. The exact dates, times, and places for the ISOP are included with your information packet.

Passport And Visa

All International Students attending programs of study at the University of Hartford are required to be in possession of a valid passport and U.S. visa. Your passport should be obtained through your government. You must apply for a U.S. visa which is applicable to study in the U.S. from an American embassy or consulate. Students attending an approved exchange visitor program must apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa. All other students must apply for an F-1 visa. You will find the correct Immigration document with your acceptance materials. If you have received an I-20 AB form, you will apply for an F-1 visa. If you have received an DS 2019 form, you will apply for a J-1 visa. When you apply for your visa, you may be required to submit evidence of adequate financial resources, evidence of your competence in English, evidence of educational achievements, evidence that you will return to your country upon completion of studies in the U.S., and photographs. If you have questions regarding these documents or procedures, please contact the International Center.

On your arrival to the United States, you will be required to present to an immigration officer your I-20 AB or DS 2019 form, passport with visa, and financial documents of support. Upon approval, the officer will issue to you an "Arrival/Departure Record" (I-94 form) and return your I-20 or DS 2019 form to you. You have now been admitted to the U.S. and may continue to Hartford.

What To Bring

Travel Hints

While you are traveling, keep your passport and immigration forms, money, traveler's checks, or bank drafts with you. Do not place these items in your baggage!

It is not convenient to exchange currency in Hartford. If possible, convert most of your funds to U.S. dollars before you arrive.

Do not travel with a great amount of cash. About U.S. $500-$1,000 should be enough to pay for most expenses (taxi fare, hotels, meals, etc.) until you are established in Hartford. Additional money you expect to use within the first two or three weeks should be in Traveler's Checks or U.S. dollars. Understand the instructions concerning the use of your Traveler's Checks. Money you do not expect to use immediately can be carried as bank drafts, cashier's checks or Traveler's Checks. A bank draft or cashier's check may require ten working days (two weeks) for a local bank to process. Only after it is processed can the bank allow you to use the funds.

Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, is the nearest major airport (15 miles from the University of Hartford). The cost of a taxi from Bradley Airport to the University of Hartford should be about $40.

New York and Boston Airports are more than a two hours' drive from Hartford. Taxi fare is very expensive. From New York's Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports you can use the Connecticut Limousine Service's van/bus to Union Station in downtown Hartford. Cost is about $50. From Boston's Logan Airport you can use the Peter Pan Company bus to Springfield, Massachusetts and then to Hartford's Union Station. The cost will be about $40. If you need assistance finding overland transportation, ask for the Traveler's Aide desk or the transportation information officer found at most major bus and train stations and airports.

If you plan to rent an automobile, be aware that many rental companies require the driver to be a minimum of 25 years old. All will request a "deposit" or a valid bank card (MasterCard and Visa are the most commonly accepted).

Student Travel Checklist

Obtain your passport and apply for your F-1 student visa or J-1 exchange visitor visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Make travel arrangements to arrive in Hartford, Connecticut at least several days prior to the beginning of classes (earlier if you have been specifically requested to do so or if permanent off-campus housing arrangements need to be made.

Complete the medical re cord report and immunization record (consult with a physician to learn if any immunizations are needed before you leave home) and return them to the University Health Services as soon as possible.

Complete all necessary dental work (it is very expensive in the U.S.A. and not included in general medical insurance programs).

Advise the International Center of your arrival date and the housing arrangements you have made by returning your Arrival Form. If you need assistance, please come to the International Center for recommendation once you arrive in Hartford.

Secure Traveler's Checks and bank drafts, and make all your financial arrangements for the transfer of funds for your tuition and living expenses. Please refer to your I-20 AB form or your DS 23019 form for the estimated cost of tuition, fees and living expenses. Further information may be found on the enclosed information sheet regarding your immigration document. Remember, we have estimated your living expenses - they may be more or less depending on your life style preferences

When You Arrive In Hartford

Your first stop to the University should be to the International Center. We are located in the Gengras Student Union, room 327, and are open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Bring your passport and immigration documents. You will not be allowed to register for classes until you have presented yourself and your immigration documents to a Center's representative for clearance.

Should you arrive to the University after our regular business hours and have made on-campus, temporary or permanent housing arrangements, please go to our Residential Life Office or Public Safety Office to check in. If you have not made housing arrangements, you will have to stay at a local motel/hotel until other temporary or permanent housing arrangements are made.

Temporary Living Accommodations

International Students will wish to arrive to the University prior to the beginning of class to participate in the orientation program and begin the process of "settling in" to the University community.

Permanent University on-campus housing is generally not available until several days prior to the beginning of class. In the interim, it is your responsibility to make a reservation at a local hotel/motel for this period of time. Whatever your choice for temporary housing, you must make your arrangements directly and in advance.

Undergraduate Student On-Campus Housing

The University of Hartford provides on-campus residential facilities for full-time undergraduate students. Space in these facilities is always in demand and new students are urged to apply as early as possible. If you have not applied for on-campus housing you may request an application from the office of Residential Life (tele: 203-768-7900 or send a FAX to 203-768-7902). Living in a University residence will give you easier access to campus activities, reduce your transportation needs, provide you with necessary furniture, and offer you the opportunity to have U.S. students as your neighbors.

If you wish to live in on-campus housing, you must complete and send to us the University of Hartford Housing Contract and the required deposit. You should forward the housing application together with your admissions application to the University undergraduate Admissions Office as soon as possible.

Graduate Student On-Campus Housing

Graduate on-campus housing is currently NOT available to students.

Off-Campus Housing

Most off-campus residential apartments are not within walking distance to the University and public transportation may not always be readily available. Renting a room in a private home, renting an apartment by yourself, or finding another person to share an apartment and the costs are possible options. If you plan to live off-campus, or the University Office of Residential Life cannot confirm a space for you on-campus, arrive early enough to learn about the city and what off-campus housing options are available which best fit your needs. For local Apartment locations click here

If you have not made housing arrangements prior to your arrival to the University of Hartford, you may find one or more of the following strategies helpful in locating permanent housing:

Food

Meal Plans

If you plan to eat at the University regularly, regardless of whether you live on-campus or off-campus, it may be more economical to purchase a University "meal plan." There are a variety of plans available to you. When you participate, you identification card will be magnetically encoded with your account number. This card must be presented to purchase food.

The meal plan is designed to be used in the University Commons building cafeteria and may also be used in the Gengras Student Union cafeteria at certain times. The cost of the food items you buy will be subtracted from your meal card account. If your meal card account becomes depleted, you can pay for your meals by either increasing the funds available in your account or by paying with cash.

Meal Card

Students who wish to participate in one of the University's meal plans may do so by contacting ARA Food Services located in the University Commons (tele: 203-768-4817). Information regarding the meal plans available, costs, hours of use, etc., may also be obtained there. Meal plans may be paid for in cash or billed to your account through the Bursar's Office. Please be aware that all students living in the Regents Park and dormitory facilities are required to participate in a meal plan. The minimum account balance is set by the University each year.

Menu Choices

If you plan to take meals on campus, you will find that our food service offers students a healthy variety of foods, including meat, poultry and fish dishes, as well as cereals, vegetables, fresh fruits and sweets.

Where You May Eat On Campus

There are a number of places on campus, besides the University Commons and the Gengras Student Union cafeteria, where you may purchase food. These include the 1877 Club restaurant, the Hawk's Nest, Freshens, Taco Bell, and the Hog River Trading Post. The 1877 Club restaurant is located in the Harry Jack Gray Center. The Hawk's Nest and Taco Bell are much like fast-food restaurants and are located in the lower level of the University Commons and Gengras Student Union respectively. The Hog River Trading Post and Freshens are small grocery stores where you can purchase food and other supplies.

Health Choices

University Health Services

We advise all new students to visit the University Health Services department, located in the Sports Center, to learn of the services available to students. All full-time undergraduate students and all graduate students living in undergraduate University housing units automatically pay a health fee which entitles them to access to Health Services. Part-time and other graduate students may request the Bursar's Office to add this fee to their tuition bill if they wish to use this service regularly. Health Services is also available for students to use on a "fee for service" basis for a special need.

Health Services can treat only University of Hartford students. It cannot treat the wife or husband of a student unless that person is also a University of Hartford student. Health Services is not prepared to treat children. The University of Hartford does not require you to submit general health records to us. However, we have enclosed a "Notification of Special Medical Considerations" form as part of your pre-arrival packet. In order to be responsive to student's needs, we would like to be alerted to any special medical conditions or concerns that may require special attention by our health care staff.

The University does require you to complete the enclosed "Immunization Record" form. The University of Hartford must comply with State of Connecticut laws that require all matriculated students born after 12/31/56 to be protected against measles, mumps, and rubella. If you have not had the required immunizations or are unable to get them, you may visit Health Services on your arrival to the University. They will administer the immunization shots for a fee.

We advise that you make an extra copy of these reports and have the copies with you upon your arrival in the event the information you have sent to us does not arrive on time. If you or your medical physician has any questions about these health related issues, contact the University Health Services (786-4601).

Accident and Sickness Insurance

Accident and sickness insurance coverage is one of the many necessities of an international students' stay in the United States. Unlike the practice in many countries, in the U.S.A. government, but are the responsibility of the person receiving treatment. The high cost of medical service in the United States necessitates the purchase of accident and sickness insurance by students as a means of preventing a serious financial crisis in the event of medical problems.

All international students and scholars in possession an F-1, J-1, or J-2 visa are required to have accident and sickness insurance.

The University requires all full-time F-1 under- graduate and graduate international students to participate in the University sponsored accident and sickness insurance plan. You will be automatically enrolled in the University insurance plan at the time of your course registration. The cost of this coverage will be charged to your University billing account. The University estimates the cost of accident and sickness coverage to be approximately $425 per year.

J-1 exchange visitors and their dependents (J-2) are also required to have accident and sickness insurance coverage. J-1/J-2 insurance coverage is mandated by the U.S. government and must meet specific requirements. Because the University of Hartford insurance plan is not sufficient to meet all coverage requirements, exchange visitors and their dependents must purchase medical coverage outside the University system. The International Center has a list of private insurance companies which offer accident and sickness medical policies which meet or exceed U.S. government requirements. The typical cost of an insurance policy for a J-1 exchange visitor is approximately $500 to $800 per year. Insurance for J-2 dependents may add an additional 2,000 to $3,000 or more to the cost of family coverage per year.

The University has in place a "waiver" process for those international students or scholars who may have accident and sickness insurance from a source other than the University. F-1 students may request a waiver from the University of Hartford insurance plan by documenting that they are insured through another source and that their accident and sickness coverage is equal to or greater than that provided by the University. J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors may also request a waiver from the University insurance plan by providing the International Center with documentation showing that they have insurance coverage which is equal to or greater than the requirements of the U.S. government.

To request a waiver, students and scholars must complete and submit an "insurance waiver request form" to the International Center. The form must be submitted within the first two weeks of class and must be accompanied with documentation, in English, which clearly states that you are insured, the duration of the insurance coverage, and the type and amount of your coverage.

In general, your insurance should cover visits to a doctor, prescriptions, diagnostic care, hospitalization if required, and coverage for accidents. If you are covered by an insurance policy in your home country, check to see whether or not you are covered by that policy in the U.S.A.

If you do have a policy which covers you while a student or exchange visitor in the U.S., be sure to carry proof of that coverage with you. You will need an insurance card or other proof of coverage if you wish to obtain medical care in the Hartford area.

English Language Proficiency Exam

International students accepted for an academic program of study are required to take the English Proficiency Exam unless exempted by the director of the English Language Institute (ELI) or an undergraduate or graduate admissions representative. The exam evaluates a student's proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension and written expression. The exam is part of the International Student Orientation Program. Your English ability must be documented before you meet with your faculty advisor for course selection and final registration.

Typically, as an undergraduate student, you will be required to take this exam if it is so stated on your University letter of acceptance. Graduate students must also sit for this exam if their TOEFL score is less than 80. The final determination as to who will or will not be required to take this proficiency exam is left to the discretion of the University of Hartford.

Course Selection and Registration

To reserve your place in a particular course, you will have to meet with your academic advisor to discuss your academic goals and prepare your class schedule. After talking with your advisor, he or she will help you prepare the University course "Registration form."

New undergraduate students, as part of our Final Registration process, will have their Registration form processed directly through their college of matriculation. Graduate students, after meeting with their academic advisor, must register for courses directly with the Registrar's Office.

Tuition & Fee Payment

You will be required to pay your tuition, housing and food service charges (if you will live and eat on-campus) at the beginning of the semester. You should be prepared to have the necessary funds to cover these expenses available to you on your arrival to the University. If you are unaware of these charges, please contact the Bursar's Office immediately. Students who must first send their registration forms home in order to obtain permission from their government authorities to receive their funds should consult with the Bursar's Office when registering for class. Students who require a letter verifying their full-time attendance in order to have funds released from home should contact the International Center.

If you have been provided with a scholarship or award from your home country or government, please consult with the Special Billing Coordinator in the Bursar's Office. You should bring a copy of your scholarship or award letter which authorizes the University to bill your sponsor. Remember, the responsibility to pay for University charges is yours. Late charges may be assessed and cancellation of class registration is possible if your charges are not paid on time. You can avoid extra costs and troubles by making certain that payment is received on time or that the Bursar is aware of any extenuating circumstances. Be certain that you remember the final date by which all payments are required to be made to avoid being canceled from your classes, having a default charge added to your total bill and/or being restricted from registering for the next semester's classes.

Student Identification Card

As part of your acceptance package, you received a temporary University of Hartford student identification card (ID card). Upon the completion of your course registration process you will bring this temporary card to the Bursars Office service area to request a "validation" sticker. This sticker will be attached to your card. The sticker indicates which session (semester) the card is valid. Each semester you must return to the Bursar's Office to request a new validation sticker which will identify you as a current student for that semester. To obtain a validation sticker, your tuition and other University charges (if applicable) must be paid. You can pay your University charge by cash, travelers checks, personal checks, an internationally recognized Bank Card (such as MasterCard or Visa), or, you may have money directly wired to the University's account. Other offices will ask to see your current ID. The library, for example, will add its own "Optical Scanning Code" label which is used when you wish to check out a book from the library. The Sports Center staff will require you to present your current ID to admit you to a basketball game, the swimming pool, or other areas of that building.

If you have not received a temporary ID card, you will be issued one at the time of final registration. In addition, during the registration period, University staff will take your photo and produce a permanent ID card for you.

Managing Your Money

An important consideration for all international students is what to do about the money they need for tuition and living expenses once they arrive in the U.S.A. Remember, it is virtually impossible to pay for any goods or services in the United States with foreign currency. It will be necessary for you to become familiar with the financial system in this country and learn the subtleties of managing your financial resources.

We have estimated your overall expenses on your I-20 AB immigration form. This estimate will vary from student to student. We ask that you carefully consider the possible expenses you may incur while in the U.S., including:

Tuition & Fees
Rent
Meals
Books
Health Insurance

Clothes
Transportation
Personal Expenses
Travel

U.S. Currency

The basic unit of currency in the U.S.A. is the Dollar ($). All paper money is colored green and is similar in size. The most widely used denominations include the $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bill. Coins come in a variety of sizes and denominations, including the one cent coin ( a "penny"), five cent coin (a "nickel"), ten cent coin (a "dime"), and a twenty-five cent coin (a "quarter"). There are 100 cents in each dollar.

Banking in the U.S.A.

Throughout the United States you will find banks which provide a variety of services to meet your specific needs. These services include checking and savings accounts, traveler's checks, credits cards, money orders, safe deposit boxes for valuables, and more. A major consideration in choosing your bank should be location. You should look for a bank which is near your residence or the University, offers convenient business hours, pays favorable interest rates on your accounts, and has conveniently located Automatic Teller Machines. It is also very easy to open a bank account in the U.S. Typically, you must provide a local address, your student identification card or Social Security card, your passport, and the money you wish to deposit.

The University of Hartford offers on-campus banking services to its students, faculty, and staff through the Fleet Bank. You may find it easier to open a new bank account there. Often, they are more willing to open a new account using your school-issued student identification number. Banks located off-campus will require a U.S. social security number to open an account, which may delay your ability to deposit money you have brought for your tuition and living expenses.

Most commercial and savings & loan banks insure customer deposits up to $100,000. This insurance is provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), an agency of the U.S. federal government. When selecting a bank, be sure that it is FDIC insured (Fleet Bank is FDIC insured).

Checking Account

The easiest way to manage your finances is through the use of a checking account. A checking account allows you to deposit money, then write a check against your account to pay for services and purchases you have made. When you open a checking account, you will receive a checkbook with your name, address, and account number printed on it. Your checkbook will also contain a financial ledger which is used to maintain a record of your transactions.

Depending on the bank and the type of account you have selected, you may be charged a service fee for having a checking account. In many instances, this fee may be avoided by maintaining a specified minimum amount of money in your account (s). To help you "balance" your checking account, your bank will mail to you a printed statement of your account activity for the previous month.. Be sure to compare this monthly statement with your checkbook ledger for discrepancies. If there is a question regarding your account, notify your bank immediately. While a checking account offers you a convenient and easy method to make payment for goods and services, its use does require a degree of responsibility on your part. In particular, you must be careful to avoid "bouncing" a check. A "bounced" check is one that you have written for more money than you have available in your account. Most banks and many businesses will assess a high service fee for a bounced check, which may result in a negative credit rating for you. Remember, it is illegal to "bounce" a check deliberately in the U.S.

Savings Accounts

Opening a savings account with your bank is another way to keep your money safe yet accessible. Most banks offer a variety of savings accounts, including "passbook," " statement," " money market," and "holiday" accounts. Savings accounts are typically used when you have money that is not needed for short-term expenses.

Savings accounts usually earn more interest than money deposited in a checking account. Interest rates offered by banks on savings account deposits vary widely. It is smart to "shop around" and compare interest rates at several banks before opening a savings account.

Traveler's Checks

The most widely accepted, convenient, and safe form of currency exchange is the Traveler's check. They are issued by most banks and are accepted almost everywhere in the U.S. Traveler's checks come in a variety of denominations, ranging in value from $10 to $100. They are not expensive to purchase and can be readily replaced if they are lost or stolen. To redeem or "cash-in" a Traveler's check, you will have to present valid identification, which may include your passport, a driver's license, student ID, or credit card.

Credit Cards

Credit card use in the U.S. is so widespread that it may be difficult to carry out certain transactions such as renting a car, securing telephone service, or buying airlines tickets without one. Credit cards offer a convenient method to pay for goods and services without using cash. Be certain, however, to use it with great care and treat it as you would cash. If the card is lost or stolen, report that loss to the company immediately, or you could be responsible for paying for purchases made by someone else.

Read your credit card contract carefully before signing an agreement and become familiar with the regulations and procedures of your credit card company or bank.

Remember, if you purchase goods or services on "credit," you are in fact "borrowing" the money from your lender and will be charged a significant rate of interest on your purchases.

ATM Machines

Most banks operate "Automatic Teller Machines" (ATM). These machines make it possible for customers to deposit, withdraw, or transfer funds conveniently, even when the bank is closed. You will find ATM machines in banks, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Be certain you understand your bank's ATM system and policies and are familiar with the fees your bank may charge for using this service. When you open an account with a bank that operates an ATM system, you will be issued a plastic ATM service card. You will be assigned a personal code (PIN number) which identifies you as a bank customer. Never give anyone your personal code number.

Transferring Funds From Home

There are a number of ways to transfer funds from your country to the United States. Many students will "hand carry" a bank draft for their tuition and living expenses. Others, once established here, will have a draft forwarded through the mail . Still others will have their funds transferred electronically to either their personal bank account or a university student account. Wiring funds directly to your student account is the most convenient method of transferring funds to pay for your tuition and on-campus living expenses. You will need to provide your sponsor with the exact transfer requirements, which should be available through your school's International Student Office or finance office.

Wiring Funds To Your University "Student Account"

To wire funds to a student's account at the University of Hartford (Bursar's Office), include all the following information:

Wire To:	Bank # 011900571 Bank of America, N.A. 1 Constitution Plaza Hartford, CT 06115, U.S.A.
For Deposit:	Account# 1208357 University of Hartford 200 Bloomfield Ave. West Hartford, CT 06117, USA Attn: Susan Spies, Bursar

Reference: Student's name and student's University of Hartford Identification Number (if known).

To wire transfer money to a student's personal bank account, include all the following information (which is available at your local bank):

Automobile Driver's License

International students may drive an automobile in Connecticut using a valid international driver's license with the license issued to them by their own government (for one year) if they do not claim to be a resident of Connecticut.

Students with a valid driver's license issued by another state of the U.S.A. may use that license in Connecticut if they maintain their residency in that other state.

Some students have found that possessing a Connecticut driver's license is convenient for identification purposes. In particular, it is used as proof of age or identification by many merchants. Others have found that automobile insurance may be less expensive if they have a Connecticut driver's license.

To obtain a State of Connecticut Driver's License, you will have to make an appointment with the Motor Vehicle Department (DMV) office. This may take up to a month or more. Expect to take a simple eye exam and be prepared to sit for a test of knowledge concerning Connecticut driving laws.

The Connecticut Driver's Manual and sample driving tests are available through the DMV website. A test of driving skill (behind-the-wheel driving exam) may also be required. For the driving exam, the applicant must supply the automobile and proof of automobile insurance. Visit the Connecticut Motor Vehicle Department's website for more information.

Auto Insurance

Please be advised that the State of Connecticut requires all motorists to be insured. The cost of auto insurance is expensive and you may have to pay between $1000 to $2,000 or more per year.

There are a number of active international student associations on the University of Hartford campus. These associations offer our international students the opportunity to socialize with others who may share the same culture, history, language , or religion. The associations are a valuable resource to our community. They often help new students in their adjustment to university life by sharing their experience and knowledge, They can be helpful in locating off-campus housing, provide you with insights to U.S. customs, food, area resources, and expense estimates for living in the U.S. Some of these associations include the:

If you wish to reach a member of any of these associations, please feel free to contact the International Center. We will forward to you the name and phone number of an association representative, or if possible, have that representative contact you.

Culture Shock

Culture shock is not quite as shocking or as sudden as most people expect. It is part of the process of learning a new culture that is called "cultural adaptation." You may experience some discomfort before you are able to function well in a new setting. This discomfort is the "culture shock" stage of the adaptation process. The main thing to remember is that this is a very normal process that nearly everyone goes through.

Just as you will bring with you to the United States clothes and other personal items, you will also carry invisible "cultural baggage" when you travel. That baggage is not as obvious as the items in your suitcase, but it will play a major role in your adaptation abroad. Cultural baggage contains the values that are important to you and the patterns of behavior that are customary in your culture. The more you know about your personal values and how they are derived from our culture, the better prepared you will be to see and understand the cultural differences you will encounter abroad.

Know What To Expect

Anticipating future events and possibilities makes it easier to deal with them when they happen. For example, it helps to anticipate your initial departure and plan ways to maintain relationships with people at home while you are away. Be sure to allow ample time to say goodbye to all the people who are important to you, and plan how to keep in touch. This assures people that you will continue to care about them.

Planning to stay in touch does not require a promise to write or telephone on a strict schedule, but it does help to establish a realistic interval between communications. You will be extremely busy getting settled and learning about your new environment, so it is essential that long periods between communications not alarm your family and friends at home.

Some surprises always await you when you arrive in a new place. People may walk and talk more quickly, traffic patterns may be confusing, and buildings may look different than expected. Such differences are easy to see and quickly learned. The housing arrangements at the university, the manner in which classes are taught, registration for courses, and other procedures may seem strange or very confusing. The International Center is often the best place to go for help with such matters.

Studying abroad, however, means making big changes in your daily life. Generations of students have found that they go through a predictable series of stages as they adjust to living abroad.

At first, although the new situation is a bit confusing, most students also find it to be exhilarating, a time of new experiences, sights, sounds, and activities. With so much to learn and absorb in the new culture, the initial period of settling in often seems like an adventure. During this time, you will tend to look for and identify similarities between your home culture and your host culture You will find that people really are friendly and helpful. The procedures are different, but they are patterns, things that you can learn and depend on. You may classify other aspects of the culture that seem unusual or even unattractive as curious, interesting, or "quaint." There will be many opportunities to meet people off campus; such opportunities can be rewarding, but they also present an expanded array of cultural puzzles.

Emerging Differences

Gradually, as you become more involved in activities and get to know the people around you, differences - rather than similarities - will become increasingly apparent to you. Those differences may begin to seem more irritating than interesting or quaint. Small incidents and difficulties may make you anxious and concerned about how best to carry on with academic and social life. As these differences emerge, they can be troubling and sometimes shocking. But culture shock does not happen all at once. It is a feeling that grows little by little as you interact with other students, faculty, and people in the community.

For many this gradual process culminates in an emotional state known as "culture shock," although it is seldom as dramatic as the term implies. the common symptoms of culture shock are:

Students are sometimes unaware of the fact that they are experiencing culture shock when these symptoms occur. There are ways to deal with this period of culture shock, so it helps to recognize that culture shock may lie behind physical symptoms and irritability.

Coping with Culture Shock

The most effective way to combat culture shock is to step back from a given event that has bothered you, assess it, and search for an appropriate explanation and response. Try the following:

Throughout the period of cultural adaptation, take good care of yourself. Read a book or rent a video in your home language, take a short trip if possible, exercise and get plenty of rest, write a letter or telephone home, eat good food, and do things that you enjoy with friends. Take special notice of things you enjoy about living in the host culture.

Although it can be disconcerting and a little scary, the "shock" gradually eases as you begin to understand the new culture. It is useful to realize that often the reactions and perceptions of others toward you - and you toward them - are not personal evaluations but are based on a clash of cultural values. The more skilled you become in recognizing how and when cultural values and behaviors are likely to come in conflict, the easier it becomes to make adjustments that can help you avoid serious difficulties.

Excerpt from NAFSA'S International Student Handbook: Text NAFSA 1996, Design AT&T 1996

Connecticut History

Some call this the land of steady habits. To others, it's the Nutmeg State, and its residents Nutmeggers. George Washington (our first President) named us the provision state, because Connecticut fed his army during the darkest days of our War for Independence. Officially, however, Connecticut is known as the Constitution State. Native American Indians called this place Quinnehtukut, meaning "beside the long tidal river." Even today, the rolling majesty of the Connecticut River dominates our geography, neatly bisecting the state from north to south. Vying for importance with the river from which we take our name is a 253-mile coastline. But Connecticut is more than river and the shoreline. From the fertile meadows of our central river valley and the sandy beaches of our coastal plains, the ground rapidly rises to form two heavily forested uplands, whose rustic hills and hollows are quintessential New England. In the northwest, these hills give way to craggy granite cliffs, where the southernmost fingers of the Berkshires and the Taconic Mountains reach into the state.

Naturally, this diverse geography has affected where we live and work. Throughout history, people have tended to settle near natural harbors and along navigable rivers. Nutmeggers are no exception. Connecticut's metropolitan areas are centers of commerce and industry and culture. The cities in Connecticut offer live theater, concert halls, art galleries and museums of every sort. Outside of our more populated areas, there is a different Connecticut. Six-tenths of the state is forest -- mostly 60- to 100-year old northern hardwoods that are glorious in fall.

The history of Connecticut has mirrored that of the U.S.A. For 350 years, the state has played a vital role in such American experiences as the settlement of our frontier, the winning of our War for Independence from England, the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, the Union (North's) victory in the "War Between the States," and that vast upheaval known as the Industrial Revolution.

Our language and culture have been molded by waves of immigrants from around the globe. Our geography has been altered by the spread of industrialization. Our economy has been shaped by such industries as whaling, railroading, shipbuilding and textile manufacturing. Connecticut has been, in many ways, a microcosm of the U.S.A. It is people that make history. Many of the people famous in the history of this country were from Connecticut. The American hero, Nathan Hale ("I regret that I have but one life to give to my country"), was born here; unfortunately, so was the equally famous traitor (in our eyes), Benedict Arnold. Israel Putnam, who told our boys fighting at Bunker Hill for independence from England, not to fire "until you see the whites of their eyes," was also a prominent Nutmegger. Abolitionist John Brown grew up in the town of Torrington and used Connecticut as a base for his anti-slavery activity, as did Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Stowe's friend, humorist Mark Twain, preferred a different kind of writing. He produced some of his best work, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, from his residence in Hartford.

It was in Connecticut that David Bushnell invented the submarine; Eli Whitney experimented with interchangeable parts; and Lambert Hitchcock developed a method of mass- producing furniture. West Hartford's Noah Webster gave us a different kind of invention. He created the first dictionary of the American language. Renowned impresario P.T. Barnum didn't invent the circus, but he was its best-known promoter -- when he was not fulfilling his duties as the mayor of Bridgeport. Hartford is what residents refer to as a "manageable city." The downtown district is fairly small.

Because Hartford was one of America's earliest cities, some of its most notable attractions are public places or institutions that are the first of their kind on this continent. Bushnell Park, the green oasis in the center of downtown, marks the first time that the legal concept, "eminent domain" was used to create a public park. Today, it is known as the home of the famous 1914 vintage carousel. Another of Hartford's firsts is the Old State House, the oldest in the nation. Located in a prime position, the Old State House is a museum and tourist center. If you follow Main Street south a few minutes' walk from there, you will find the internationally known Wadsworth Atheneum, America's oldest continuously operating art museum open to the public. More than 45,000 works are in the museum's permanent collection.

Among Hartford's other attractions is the State Capitol. The gold-domed Gothic revival structure was designed in 1879 by Richard Upjohn. Lovers of the performing arts should not miss the award-winning Hartford Stage Company, the renowned Bushnell Memorial Hall, performance site for the Hartford Ballet, Hartford Symphony, the Connecticut Opera, and touring shows and concerts. The Hartford Civic Center also offers a wide variety of entertainment -- from ice hockey games featuring our "home team," the Hartford Whalers, to rock concerts and exhibitions. The Mark Twain Memorial, a 19th century brick-and-stick Victorian mansion where Twain wrote some of his greatest works, is as delightfully eccentric as the author who once lived there. A restful stop is Hartford's Elizabeth Park Rose Garden, the first municipal rose garden in America.

The region known as metropolitan Hartford also has its share of unusual attractions. At Rocky Hill's Dinosaur State Park, you can see fossilized dinosaur tracks and make your own plaster casts as souvenirs. If aviation interests you, go to the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks. You could also explore America's first state prison, a former copper mine, in East Granby, called Old Newgate Prison Museum. If you'd rather see the state from up high, hike to Talcott Mountain's Heublein Tower in Simsbury for a spectacular view of the Farmington River Valley.

We invite you to explore our state and discover the treasures that await you here in Connecticut.

Excerpt from The Connecticut Vacation Guide, State of Connecticut Department of Economic Development.

Travel Distances

Atlanta, Georgia
Boston, Massachusetts
Chicago, Illinois
Dallas, Texas
Denver, Colorado
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Los Angeles, California
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
New Orleans, Louisiana
New York, New York
San Francisco, California
St. Louis, Missouri
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Washington, D.C.

1000
100
900
1700
900
1450
3250
330
1440
135
3035
1100
500
360

Connecticut Weather

The location of Hartford, relative to continent and ocean, produces a constant battle between cold, dry air trying to push down from Canada and warm, moist air attempting to penetrate into the area from the Atlantic Ocean or the Southern part of the United States. The conflict can result in large winter storms and severe summer thunderstorms, but when the dry air wins out, few places can claim to have nicer weather conditions than we experience.

The information below is based on averages provided by the U.S. National Weather Service. Please note that temperatures can vary from a high of 100 degrees in July and August to a low of -5 degrees in January and February. Though these are extreme temperature variations and not common, they do occur.

August
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July

High Temp.
(°F)

81
74
64
51
38
35
36
46
58
70
78
83

Low Temp.
(°F)

61
53
43
34
23
19
19
28
38
48
57
663

Precipitation
(inches)

3.88
3.67
3.08
3.82
3.83
3.44
3.26
3.72
3.68
3.53
3.51
3.58

Snowfall
(inches)

0.0
0.0
0-Trace
1.7
13.0
11.3
13.2
12.2
1.7
0-Trace
0.0
0.0

Source: The Weather Almanac: A Reference Guide. Ruffner, James A. and Bair, Frank E.

University of Hartford Telephone Numbers

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