Preparing for Departure

There are many practical details to take care of. Plan ahead to avoid last-minute confusion.

• Arrange housing (Host Family) before departure (see Student Information Sheet which came with the application).
• If you are arranging Host Family, try not to arrive on a weekend.
• Obtain copies of important medical records and prescriptions. Have prescriptions written in generic terms.
• If you plan to bring medicine, be sure to bring it with a prescription for Customs.

MONEY

The first month is likely to be the most expensive period of your stay in the U.S. Traveler's checks are the safest way to carry money. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Bring enough money to meet the initial costs of getting to campus and at least one month's expenses.

• Tuition and fees for the first term
• Books and supplies
• Housing deposits and rent (as required)
• Health insurance premiums
• Household items

WHAT TO WEAR

Comfortable and casual attire clothes are the norm for dress in Washington. Seattle's summer temperature ranges from 68F to 75F (20C to 24C); daily maximums in winter range from 45F to 52F (7C to 11C). January and February are coldest, with average lows around 35F (2C). It may snow once or twice in the winter. The city receives about 80 percent of its rainfall October through April.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Here's a short list of some common foods and other items you may wish to purchase here in Seattle. See also Telephone Cards, below.

TRAVELING TIPS ON YOUR WAY TO THE USA

Keep your passport, travel documents, and money with you at all times. You will need to present your passport, visa, I-20 form, and evidence of financial support to the U.S. immigration officer at the airport. After questioning you about your plans in the U.S., the immigration officer will decide how long you will be allowed to stay. After this, customs service will inspect your baggage. At Sea-Tac International Airport, you will need to take a shuttle train to the Main Terminal Baggage Claim area to pick up your baggage and leave the airport.

CUSTOMS

There are many items, especially agricultural items (i.e, food, plants and animal products) that you are not allowed to take into the United States. For the most updated list of restricted items, contact the United States Embassy of consulate in your country. You may also access the United States customer service travel website at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing_goods/agri_prod_inus.xml.

SEA-TAC INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

If you need more information, visit www.portseattle.org.

See the Student Information Sheet for airport transportation information and information about hotels near the campus.

AIRPORT PICK-UP AND TRANSPORTATION

For details on travelling to and from the airport,
please see our Airport Pick-Up and Transportation page

LODGING

See our temporary housing page for more information about hotels and other places to stay in Seattle. Lodgings vary widely in style and price throughout the Seattle area. There are several expensive luxury hotels located in downtown Seattle.Please confirm rates when making reservations. Rates may change without notice. For extensive travel planning information on the Internet, visit www.travel-in-wa.com.

LIVING OFF CAMPUS

If you plan to seek housing off campus, arrive well before classes start. When choosing an apartment you should consider its cost, proximity to campus, and safety. Average monthly rent for one-bedroom apartment cost about $600 - $750 in the Capitol Hill area. The newspaper lists apartments for rent in its classified advertising section. The advertising is organized according to different areas of the city. You may want to check the Housing Board outside of the Student Affairs Office in the College and check the Housing Office at the University of Washington Student Union Building for available housing.

TELEPHONE SERVICE

If you live off-campus, you must arrange your own local and long distance service. New customers pay a one-time installation charge, as well as a deposit that is usually refunded when you terminate the service. There are several long distance companies such as AT&T, MCI, and SPRINT. Check with all of them to decide which service will be best for your long-distance needs.

TELEPHONE CARDS

Prepaid calling cards provide an easy way to call from any phone, to anywhere. They are available in many different amounts ($5, $10, etc.) and the cost of each call is deducted from the amount, until you have used it all up. These calling cards are available in the main building of the college, the Broadway Market, Bartell Drug Store, and convenience stores throughout the city.

BANKING

A bank offers safety and convenience. Many banks provide such services as checking accounts, savings accounts, bank drafts, foreign currency exchange, money orders, traveler's check, and safe-deposit boxes for valuables. When you set up the account, bring your student identification, your passport, and the funds you wish to deposit.

Banks on Broadway:

Seafirst Bank of America
230 Broadway E.
(206) 358-2086

U.S. Bank
133 Broadway E.
(206) 344-3613

Washington Mutual
1429 Broadway E.
(206) 461-7172

Checking Accounts

There are several kinds of checking accounts and they vary from bank to bank. In the U.S., checks are a common form of payment. With a checking account, you can write checks to make purchases and pay bills. You can also use your debit card to make purchases in most Seattle stores. The debit card takes the money directly out of your account. Just don't forget to keep a record! There are several kinds of checking accounts and they vary from bank to bank.

Savings Accounts

Your money earns interest while it is left in your account. If you plan to bring money for the entire academic year, you should be sure that your money earns interest. Many students open a savings account and a checking account at the same bank so that they can transfer money from the interest-bearing savings account into their checking account as they need it.

Credit System

Credit cards will allow you to make purchases even when you have no money immediately available. Banks and other financial institutions, department stores, and gasoline companies all issue credit cards that can be used to buy goods. The credit cards VISA, MASTER CARD, and American Express are good for identification purposes when you are not near your bank and need to cash a check.

OWNING AND OPERATING A CAR

You must have a valid driver's license and automobile insurance to drive a car. If you have a valid driver's license from your home country, you may use it as long as it is valid or up to one year, whichever comes first. However, some insurance company will not insure foreign license holders. To obtain a Washington State driver's license, you must pass a written test and a road test.

Department of Licensing nearest Seattle Central:

464 12th Ave, Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 720-3024

MAIL SERVICE

U.S. Postal Service is the main provider of mail services in the United States.
Post Office nearest Seattle Central:

Broadway Station
101 Broadway E.
(206) 324-2588

Within the U.S., letters need postage of $0.33 for the first ounce and $0.23 for each additional ounce. To all foreign countries except Mexico and Canada letters needs $0.60 for the first half-ounce and $0.40 for each additional half ounce. To Mexico letters need $.40 for the first half-ounce. To Canada letters need $.46 for the first half-ounce. If you wish faster delivery of any letter or package within the United States and to some foreign countries, you can mail items Special Delivery or Express Mail.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

Due to the high cost of medical care in the U.S., all international students are required by the government of the State of Washington to have a medical insurance policy.

HOSPITALS

In the USA, people should only go to the Emergency Room if their condition is life threatening or extremely serious. For non-emergency sickness, people make an appointment to see a doctor. Many insurance policies will not pay for an Emergency Room visit if the situation is not a life-threatening emergency.

Following are the locations and phone numbers for the two medical centers:

Swedish Hospital
747 Summit
Main Hospital: 386-6000
Family Practice Clinic: 387-6111
Emergency: 386-2573

University of Washington Medical Center
1959 NE Pacific St.
Appointment: 548-4333
Emergency: 320-2111

TRAVEL BY AIR

Many major U.S. airlines offer VUSA (Visit USA) fairs. These consist of coupons that are valid for three to ten flights. You have to buy them in your country before you leave. They usually start at approximately $300 for three flights. Good airfare deals can often be found in the newspaper's travel section.

TRAVEL BY TRAIN

Amtrak provides service from Seattle to many cities in the United States. Train rides are often more expensive than the bus rides, but the ride can be fun and the scenery spectacular. Amtrak offers many services such as Rail Pass, Student Discount Program, and Vacation Packages. Call 1-800-523-8720 or visit www.amtrak.com for more information about Amtrak.

TRAVEL BY BUS

Greyhound buses are an affordable option for long-distance traveling. The bus service connects most cities in the United States and Canada. The Greyhound bus terminal is located at 8th and Stewart downtown. Call 624-3456 for information.

METRO BUS SYSTEM

The Seattle Metro Transit System has bus routes throughout the city and surrounding locations. Bus schedules on all routes are located in the foyer of the main building of the Seattle Central. The time of the day and how many zones you travel in affect how much you pay. Weekday peak hour (6 - 9 a.m. and 3 - 6 p.m.) fares are $1.25 for one zone and $1.75 for travel between zones. Off-peak fares are $1.00 for one zone and $1.25 for two zones. You need exact fare for the ride, since drivers don't carry cash. If you need to change buses to get to your final destination, ask the driver for a transfer when you pay the fare. Transfers are valid for about one hour after they are issued. When traveling toward downtown Seattle, pay your fare as you board get on the bus. When traveling away from downtown, pay as you leave. About a block before your destination, pull the bell cord above the window to alert your driver that you would like to get off at the next stop.

For more information visit the Metro website.

GOPASS

The GoPass is a quarter-long metro bus pass, which allows you unlimited travel throughout the quarter. All full-time student at Seattle Central can purchase a GoPass, if they pay quarterly $10 TMP fee (the GoPass itself costs about $70, ask for details at the cashier's office). You can purchase the GoPass at the campus bookstore, Bartell Drug Store, and other locations throughout the city or at Seattle Central cashier when you register and pay tuition.

IMMIGRATION BASICS

If you are on a students visa (F-1), you must be in school full-time (SCIE 4hrs/day, Seattle Central 12 credit hours). SCIE students must pass their classes and College/college Bridge students must maintain a quarterly GPA of at least 2.00. You are only allowed to take a vacation a quarter after you have been a full-time student in-status for 3 full quarters. Students are not allowed to work off-campus without special permission from immigration. F-1 students may seek employment for a maximum of 17 hours per week ON CAMPUS at Seattle Central, if they are attending classes full time. Students must maintain full-time status.