Transcript Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Pre-Departure Orientation
Congratulations!!
We look forward to welcoming you
to the United States!
Introduction to the Fulbright Program
The purpose of the Fulbright Program is
to promote cultural exchange
As a Fulbright grantee, you will join a
group of more than 3,000 student
Fulbrighters from around the world this
year.
AMIDEAST administers the Fulbright
grant on behalf of the Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs of the
United States Department of State.
We must try to expand the
boundaries of human wisdom,
empathy and perception, and
there is no way of doing that
except through education.”
- Senator J. William Fulbright
Understanding Your Grant
Terms of Appointment = your grant contract
The information presented to you verbally is meant to be
a general overview of the Fulbright grant. Your
individual grant terms may vary; you must carefully read
through your Terms of Appointment to understand your
benefits and responsibilities.
Refer to your Fulbright Handbook too!
Online at:
www.amideast.org/fulbright (Select “Grantee Resources” link)
Password: Arkansas1945
Fulbright Terms of Appointment
Cover page – outlines individual grant details including:
university placement, funding, benefits start date,
maximum funding date, financial provisions and any
special provisions
General Terms of Award – outlines and details:
key definitions, financial provisions, travel benefits,
healthcare coverage, grantee obligations, allowances,
US tax obligations, academic enrollment & standards,
reporting requirements, two-year home residency
requirement, etc.
Financial Details
Required Tuition & Mandatory Fees (covered by grant)
Monthly Maintenance Allowance (MMA) is calculated to provide basic living
costs for one person based on the local cost of living
Book Allowance ($500/semester & $250/summer)
Equipment Allowance ($500, one time)
Conference Allowance (up to $500, one time)
Thesis Allowance (up to $300, if applicable)
International travel from/to home country at the beginning & end of program
Fly America Act & Open Skies regulations apply
Health Coverage - Accident & Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE)
Maintaining J-1 Status
• Report to AMIDEAST within 5 days of arriving in the U.S.
• Maintain a full-time load of credits at your university
• Remain in good academic standing
• Report residential address changes, phone # changes, any
plans to travel outside the U.S., and anytime you will be
absent from your university for more than two days
• Report academic plans for summer to AMIDEAST
When you arrive…
1. Call or email us your temporary residential address as soon as
you arrive so we can validate you in the Student Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS)
2. Let us know your mailing address so we can mail your first
stipend check
3. Open a bank account at a bank convenient to your university
4. Complete & send all Arrival Forms to us by stated deadline
Reporting to AMIDEAST
You must provide updated contact info to your AMIDEAST advisor.
You must submit regular reports to AMIDEAST including:
Academic Program Outline to be submitted at the beginning of your academic
program
Academic Progress Report to be submitted at the beginning of each
subsequent academic term
Summer Plans Report to be submitted prior to the beginning of your summer
session
University transcript to be submitted at the conclusion of each academic term
Official copy of final university transcript to be submitted upon completion of
your academic program
AMIDEAST reserves the right to withhold your MMA if you do not
submit these required forms on time.
Reporting to AMIDEAST
Additionally, prior approval from AMIDEAST is necessary for:
* On-campus employment
* Academic Training, including required internships (paid or unpaid)
* Travel outside of the U.S.
* Your DS-2019 form will need to be signed for travel authorization
* Travel for more than 29 days results in a deduction of your MMA
*
Taking a reduced course load
*
Registering for any online courses
Consult the Fulbright Handbook & website for more details!
University Program
* Meet with your academic advisor &
international student advisor
* Maintain full-time status and good
academic standing
* Check your email for instructions &
opportunities from AMIDEAST
* Be active in student clubs, university activities & community events!
University Housing
Types of Housing
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Apartment/studio
Group House
Townhouse
Room to rent in a house
Dormitory: graduate housing, international
student housing, family student housing
Where to Find Housing Information
* University housing office – the website or
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*
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actual office
Local town or school newspaper
Bulletin boards around your campus
Classmates or current Fulbrighters
Online resources like www.craigslist.com
Housing Advice
Location
* Near grocery store
* Laundry facilities
* Public transportation
Neighborhood
* Other students in the neighborhood
* Safe, low crime, parking
Utilities
* Utilities included?
* Wi-Fi or internet access?
Costs
* Price of rent
* Amount of security deposit
* Date (and frequency) rent is due
Lease
* Length of lease
* Penalties for breaking lease
* Option to sublet
Health Coverage
Accident & Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE);
administered by Seven Corners
This health coverage is very basic and covers only the expenses incurred by an
unexpected illness or injury that requires immediate, and relatively short-term
treatment. You are responsible for paying all co-pays:
*
*
*
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$25 co-pay for any office visit
$75 co-pay for emergency room, hospitalizations and urgent care
$15 co-pay for all brand name drugs with a generic equivalent
Pre-certification is required for certain treatments, otherwise a
$300 penalty fee will apply
• Print and keep your ASPE card with you at all times
• Waive your university health insurance if possible
• Visit: http://usdos.sevencorners.com for complete details of ASPE’s coverage
Health Coverage
If you have any CHRONIC, PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS that will
require on-going treatment, we strongly recommend you obtain
additional health insurance that will pay for U.S.-based treatment
of that condition.
Examples of pre-existing conditions for which treatment (especially
maintenance or preventative treatment) will not be covered:
* dental and vision issues (including glasses and contacts)
* diabetes
* asthma or other allergies
* migraine headaches, etc.
Visit: http://usdos.sevencorners.com for complete details of ASPE’s coverage
Health & Well-being
Take care of yourself!
Physically
Emotionally
Mentally
Make use of campus resources including:
wellness centers, counseling centers,
academic success center, etc.
“Be social! Even if you think you are shy (I always thought I am one!), but Just try to
break the ice and connect with people in your school, building, and other places, so
that you create a good circle of people that you can enjoy your journey with.”
-- Fulbright Alum
Personal Safety
University orientation will review campus and
community safety
Police & security staff on campus and in
town/city
Dial 911 in an emergency
Sign up for campus text alert system
In the event of an emergency, please follow any local response guidance.
Once you are safe, please contact your Fulbright advisor as soon as possible
to update us on your status.
Social Security card
The Social Security Number (SSN) is a personal identification
number used in the United States. Needed for:
* Employment in the U.S., with approval from AMIDEAST
* Earning any income (other than your grant)
You may also need a SSN to:
* open a bank account
* file federal or state tax returns
* apply for a driver’s license
U.S. Taxes
All grantees are required to complete and submit a tax return to
the U.S. Government each year
• AMIDEAST pays your Federal taxes for your Fulbright Scholarship in advance.
You are responsible for paying any taxes related to your employment.
•
AMIDEAST uses a web-based tax software called “Windstar” to collect student
data and provide tax forms to students. You will be required to enter
your information into the Windstar system at the start of your program.
• You must provide a Social Security Number (SSN) at the start of your program
or apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) through
AMIDEAST.
• AMIDEAST advisors are not tax professionals and cannot offer tax advice
• You are also responsible for filing & paying any necessary State taxes
On-campus Employment
•
ON campus: must be related to field (i.e. an assistantship, teaching
assistant, or research assistant)
•
Must be approved by AMIDEAST
•
20 hour limit per week
during the academic term
•
Allowed to earn up to $500 above
your MMA; any amount over
is deducted from your MMA
See Handbook for details!
Academic Training (AT)
• OFF Campus: to gain practical experience in your field of study
• May be eligible for up 18 months of AT (max. of 12 months after program)
• Can be full-time in the summer
or after graduation
• Requests for post-program AT must
be submitted to AMIDEAST
4-6 weeks before completion
of program
See Handbook for details!
The American Classroom
Academic Integrity / Honesty
 Universities have an honor code
to which you must adhere
Plagiarism
 Plagiarism is using the ideas or
exact phrases of someone without
giving credit to the person.
Plagiarism is cheating and a serious
offense. It is grounds for dismissal
from your university and the
Fulbright program.
Always cite the author and
source when quoting or using
someone’s ideas.

The American Classroom
Class Attendance

It is important that you attend class. Some professors will lower
your grade if you miss too many classes. Also, arrive on time!
Testing

Tests are conducted in a variety of formats - essay, multiple choice,
true or false, etc.
Office Hours

During office hours, you may ask the professor questions about the
course or reading material, and even discuss ideas for a paper.
“The educational system is drastically different… the most surprising thing is the nonhierarchical relationship between students and professors. The connection is
informal and students can call the professors by their first names and they can go to
restaurants, stadiums and coffee shops with them.” -– Fulbright alum
Culture Shock
Symptoms of Culture Shock…
The “W” Curve of Cultural Experience
Homesickness
Boredom
Fatigue
Illness
Unexplainable crying
Over eating
Stereotyping Americans
Loss of ability to work effectively
Dealing with Culture Shock
Listen to your body – Get plenty of sleep and eat your vegetables!
Learn about the U.S. – Try to understand why things are done in a certain
way. This will help put American life into perspective.
Make American friends – Meet students who have lived overseas through
the university’s study abroad office. Americans who have lived abroad will
have gone through culture shock as well.
Reach Out - Remember that your Fulbright colleagues and other
international friends are likely experiencing similar culture shock. Reach
out to them through email, Facebook, Skype, etc.
“Engage and interact with the people from different
cultures and environments. Do not isolate yourself, you would be surprised how easier it
will make it to adapt when you are more active with the people around you. It is a life time
experience, make the best out of it.” -- Fulbright alum
Fulbright Activities
* Pre-Academic programs and Gateways (IIE)
* Enrichment Seminars (IIE)
* Re-Entry Workshop (AMIDEAST)
“Try to do things that you never thought you can do, It is
much easier to overcome some fear you have towards
things when you move to a different place and live on
your own, your way of thinking can adjust in a positive
way if you let yourself open to a new experience.
Like honestly I never thought I can do SkyDiving,
but guess what - I did it!”
– Fulbright alum
Campus Activities
• International Student Office events
• Student organizations
• Graduate Student Association
• Department/Field of Study
organizations
• Faith-Based organizations
• Community volunteer groups
“You will be here for 2 years, but time will pass so fast, so utilize your time to visit as
many places you can, attend the various events, and meet new people everyday. Be
ready for anything and everything, and more flexible to experience new things.”
-- Fulbright alum
Advice from Fulbright Alumni
"Fulbright doesn’t only provide you with great networking and cultural exchange
opportunities, but it also provide you with opportunities to enrich your knowledge,
skills and make great lifelong friendships, so grab every chance you have and get
to know all the Fulbrighters on your campus…”
-- Fulbright alum
“Every new day brings you the
opportunity to make a new friend.
Make friends irrespective of your
cultural, religious, social and economic
differences. Get to know the bus driver,
the head of your department, the
cashier, and the neighbor.”
-- Fulbright alum
Advice from Fulbright Alumni
“The only way for some one to adapt is to let themselves change, so I
encourage all Fulbrighters to be open to changes, which to a great measure
makes the the experience of studying abroad so worthwhile.”
“Make sure you use every day to learn a new thing, meet new people, give
insight about your own culture and have fun!”
“Be open, friendly, curious, don’t judge
people, be open-minded, engage in
cultural experiences, be proud and share
your cultural values with others, really be
a cultural ambassador and represent
your country”
-- Fulbright alumni
Resources
* The Fulbright Handbook and AMIDEAST website:
www.amideast.org/fulbright
* Your Fulbright Program Officer & Program Assistant at AMIDEAST
* International Student Advisors at your university
Questions?