The University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Hello Handbook |
For Incoming International Students |
Table of Contents
Chapter 1… Welcome to the United States !
Welcome to Lincoln, Nebraska and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)! We are excited to have you here and hope that your stay and studies are enjoyable and productive!
Welcome to Lincoln!
|
There are many topics covered in this booklet, which you can use to refer to during your stay. The International Affairs Office (IA) is made up of two parts, one part is for Study Abroad and the other is International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). ISSS is here to help you answer questions you may have about living in the US and problems which may arise during your stay. You are always welcome to talk with an ISSS Advisor when you need to.
Upon arrival, you will need to check in with ISSS and go through orientation. This will help answer a lot of questions and allow you to meet other new international students.
Our door is always open
The International Affairs Office can also be very helpful in offering:
Services like:
|
Information on:
|
Activities like:
|
And contact to:
|
UNL International Affairs Office 420 University Terrace Lincoln, NE 68588-0682 Phone: (402) 472-5358 Fax: (402) 472-5383 Email: isss@unl.edu Website: www.unl.edu/iaffairs |
Chapter 2… International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is the branch of the Office of International Affairs at UNL which deals with the issues international students and scholars may have about visas, immigration, employment, staying in status, etc.
Any time you have a question regarding your time at UNL or stay in Lincoln, please visit our office and see an Advisor, they will be sure to give you quick and helpful answers.
Here are some main points to keep in mind while a student at UNL, which will help make your time here easier:
-
As soon as you arrive at UNL, report to the Office of International Affairs to sign up for orientation and bring your I-20 or DS-2019, Passport, Visa, I-94 and Data Sheet. The Data Sheet can be filled and printed out online at: http://www.unl.edu/iaffairs/internationalstudents/forms/2006ssdata.pdf.
Please see an International Student Advisor if:
| • If you need to drop a class or become under-enrolled for any reason, please talk to an ISSS Advisor first. Once you are enrolled, make sure you stay enrolled full-time throughout the entire time of your program. Full time enrollment is 12 hours for undergraduate and 9 hours for graduate students. |
| • Stay in status throughout the duration of your program by staying enrolled full-time. |
| • If anything changes, like your address, financial support, transfer of college, change in program... talk to an ISSS Advisor. |
| • Before you travel abroad , come see an ISSS Advisor for a travel signature. Do not travel out of the US on an expired visa. |
| • You may be employed on-campus part-time (20 hours) during the semester and full-time (40 hours) during the summer. For permission to work off-campus, you must first talk to an ISSS Advisor. |
| • Once your program is completed F-1 please stop by for an exist interview. You have 60 days to exit the US. For those J-1 students, you have 30 days to exit the country. |
Advising hours for International Students & Scholars are as follows:
Monday - 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Tuesday - 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday - 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Friday - 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
ISSS Activities
ISSS not only provides services concerning your visitor and academic status, it also offers many fun and enriching opportunities and activities like:
Conversation Partners
Conversation Partners matches you with a domestic student to help improve your English, and to learn more about life at UNL and the United States. You might meet with your partner at a coffee shop or in the union, usually once a week for an hour. This is a great way to make friends and improve your English. For more information please go to the webpage: http://www.unl.edu/iaffairs/internationalstudents/englishpartner.shtml
Cultural Ambassador Program
The Cultural Ambassador Program involves both domestic and international students who volunteer for activities related to New Student Orientation and helping incoming internationalstudents and scholars. The mix of domestic and international students is great, because you have some people who know Lincoln and UNL, as well as people who know what it feels like to be an international student going through cultural adjustment.
Friends of Foreign Students
This local organization matches interested internationalstudents and scholars with Lincoln citizens, who serve as special friends, invitingstudents and scholars for occasional meals, family outings, and social activities. By joining, you will get to know people in the community and American life. Applications are available in the IA Office. For more information please go to the website: www.unl.edu/FoFStu .
International Student Graduate Recognition Reception
After you've completed your degree at UNL, ISSS and the Office of International Affairs would like to recognize your accomplishments at the International Student Graduate Recognition Reception. This event is held in the Fall and Spring semesters.
Organized Trips Organized Trips
Each year, ISSS organizes several trips to tourist destinations around the country like Chicago, Kansas City, and South Dakota. Some of these trips last several days, some just one or two. When you subscribe to the International Affairs Newsletter, we will keep you posted on current events.
 |
Christmas International House
CIH is an ecumenical and friendship program for internationalstudents and scholars offering a "home away from home" for two weeks at Christmas time. Any international student 18 years of age or older, who are studying at a US university, college, or intensive English program, on an "F", "J", or "M" visa, are welcome to apply to Christmas International House. CIH gives you the opportunity to make new friends, experience the celebration of Christmas with an American family, and visit another region of the United States. For detailed information please visit the CIH web site www.Christmasih.org, or call (404)846-4396.
Chapter 3… Orientation
Orientation is a term used by U.S. institutions of higher learning to describe a formal program of introduction to the institution. The purpose of orientation is to help you become familiar with the University and living in Lincoln and the United States. Your home university probably has the same thing forstudents and scholars visiting there.
UNL's orientation for newstudents and scholars is held the week prior to the first day of classes each semester. Orientation is a week-long event at UNL and includes documenting you presence at UNL, the mandatory English Placement Exam, registration, a wide range of information about campus requirements, resources and facilities, immigration and social activities. It is expected that new international students attend orientation, as it helps us become familiar with you and for you to become familiar with the Office of International Affairs and the staff and volunteers involved with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
Orientation familiarizes new students with policies and procedures of UNL and living as a guest in the United States . This includes topics like:
- Mandatory Tuberculosis Testing
- Setting up a Bank Account
- Working on campus
- Staying in Status
- Laws concerning alcohol and sexual harassment on campus
- UNL Psychological and Counseling Services
- UNL Legal Services
Orientation takes newstudents and scholars through the necessary steps to becoming a full-fledged University of Nebraska-Lincoln student. This is a time for newstudents and scholars to ask all the questions they may have and shows them where to go if further questions come up during their stay. It also showsstudents and scholars the many offerings and enjoyable activities of the University and Lincoln, including:
- the University Library and Computer Centers
- the Campus Recreation Center where students and scholars have access to a state of the art fitness facility
- Lincoln ’s StarTran bus system, which you can use with a free bus pass and ID
- and the shopping opportunities you will find near the UNL campus and beyond
Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and recent military action in the Middle East, all non-US citizens are under tighter restrictions for travel within the United States and to and from the United States. The UNL Office of International Affairs and ISSS is here to make sure you encounter as few problems as possible. A new academic experience in a new town far away from what is familiar to you can be quite a shock in the beginning. Orientation allows you to meet new friends and other internationalstudents and scholars who may be feeling the same way that you are. You'll also meet the ISSS Cultural Ambassadors, a mix of domestic and internationalstudents and scholars, who will help show you the way around campus and Lincoln.
For all of the above reasons, orientation is an important first step and introduction to UNL. Make sure to be involved and contact the Office of International Affairs if you have any questions or concerns.
Chapter 4… Housing and Transportation
Housing
Living On Campus
You might want to live on campus for your first academic year or term, particularly if you are an undergraduate. On-campus housing often is less expensive and more convenient than off-campus options. On campus, you will have easy access to the library, computer equipment, the student center, sports and recreation facilities, cafeterias, and your classes. More important, you will have the greatest possible opportunity to interact with otherstudents and scholars.
The typical U.S. residence hall or dormitory offers more than just a place to sleep. Emphasis is placed upon supporting students' academic objectives through academic and social activities. For example, your residence hall may offer quiet areas for study and a computer lab. It will also offer recreation areas and rooms for social activities such as watching movies.
A typical dormitory room may hold 2-4 students who may share a bathroom and lounge with many students. The room will not have a kitchen, although a kitchen may be available. The university will offer several meal plans from which you may choose. |
 |
 |
UNL has several dining halls, cafeterias, snack bars, and even fast food restaurants. UNL will house men and women in the same dormitory, but on different floors. Be sure you understand the arrangements before you commit yourself to a given living arrangement. |
On-campus apartments are reserved for graduate students or forstudents and scholars with families. Because apartments are very popular, there is often a waiting list for on-campus apartments. The apartments are usually equipped with a private bathroom and kitchen.
Fraternities and sororities are social clubs for men and women, respectively. At UNL these clubs maintain houses in which their members live. Ask your foreign-student adviser for more information if you are curious about this particularly American aspect of campus life.
The residence halls fill rapidly: Husker, Fedde, Cather and Selleck Halls are the only residence halls open during the winter and spring vacation periods. By requesting a room in one on these halls you can avoid moving into temporary accommodations during vacation breaks. Family housing on campus is available but limited.students and scholars with a spouse (husband or wife) and children should apply immediately to the Housing Office to be placed on the waiting list for future openings.
|
You can contact the housing office at University Housing P.O. Box 880622 Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0622 Tel: 402.472.3561 or toll-free 1 .800.742.8800 Email: housing@unl.edu Online: http://www.unl.edu/housing/ |
Living Off Campus
Lincoln offers many apartments for rent, they may be furnished or unfurnished with one or more bedrooms and may or may not have access to laundry facilities. Prices vary and are not always consistent with quality. Monthly rent may or may not include utilities: water, gas, and electricity. Telephone and cable services are usually extra costs.
The ASUN (Associated Students of the University of Nebraska) office can provide information on currently available apartments. They also attempt to match people who would like to find a roommate. Their office is located in the Nebraskan Union, Room 136 or go to www.unl.edu/asun/ for more information. The Lincoln Journal Star and Daily Nebraskan newspapers also have many apartment listings.
The Student Legal Service Center, Room 335 in the Nebraska Union, can advise you about the legal obligations of renting a particular apartment. Consult that office before agreeing (orally or in writing) to a rental agreement or lease . Rental agreements usually run for 6-months, 12-months or month-to-month.
The management or landlord of your apartment may not always be as responsible as they may seem. Check with Student Legal Services about the landlords you are talking to. They have a list of those owners who have had complaints against them during the past few years.
It is important to keep duplicate copies of all communications with your landlord, all bills, and all receipts in case there are questions at a later time.
Transportation
City Buses
Depending upon where you want to go, the public bus system in Lincoln, or Star Tran, can be quite convenient. Between the campuses and around downtown, the busses run very frequently from 6:30am-7pm. For a longer bus trip around town, the busses usually make a route 2-4 times/hour and run from 6:30am-6:00pm. The Star-Shuttle has a route limited to the downtown area, including the City Campus and the bus lines #4/2 and #24 go between East Campus and City Campus. Schedules of bus routes and times may be obtained from the Information Desk on the main floor of the Nebraska Union or from any bus driver. Fare is free with your bus pass and NCard. Call the Lincoln Transportation System at 476-1234 for more information.
UNLstudents and scholars can obtain a bus pass at the Nebraska Parking and Transit Services Office by presenting their Student ID Card. Parking and Transit Services are open Monday through Friday 7:30-5:00 pm is located near the football stadium in the lower southwest corner of the parking garage at:
625 Stadium Drive
Parking Garage, Suite A
P.O. Box 880161
Lincoln, NE 68588-0161
Tel: 402.472-1800
Fax: 402.472-0625
e-mail: park@cwis.unl.edu web: http://parking.unl.edu
Intercampus Bus Service
Star Tran and the intercampus shuttle buses run regularly between City Campus and East Campus during the fall and spring semesters. The intercampus shuttle runs later into the night than Star Tran. Fare is free with your bus pass and NCard. Schedules are available at the Union Information Desk.
Taxicabs
Taxicabs are somewhat more expensive and are not as common on the street as you might see in Chicago, New York, or your own country. In Lincoln, taxis must be phoned and they will then pick you up. For the telephone numbers of Lincoln's taxi companies, look up Taxicabs in the Telephone Directory yellow pages.
Bicycles (Bikes)
Bicycles are a popular means of transportation for university students. There are many stores in Lincoln which have new and used bicycles for sale, as well as repair service. Bicycle parking racks are available at many campus locations. Remember to always lock your bicycle using either a heavy-duty chain or a ‘U' lock.
Automobiles (Cars)
Automobiles or cars are expensive to operate and maintain. In addition to the purchase price, the owner/operator is responsible for sales tax, and registration, operating expenses (gas, oil, and repairs), anUNLal state and property taxes, and automobile insurance.
You must register your car at the County Clerk's Office at 625 N. 46th Street.
When registering your car, bring your title, proof of auto insurance, and sales tax receipt. Student drivers must have valid Nebraska Driver's licenses (available at 500 West 'O' St. Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.).
If you buy a car, it must be insured BEFORE it is driven. If you wish to finance a car, most companies require that you purchase comprehensive car insurance before you are allowed to take the car.
Adequate insurance is EXPENSIVE and ESSENTIAL! Look in the Telephone Directory yellow pages for car insurance companies or go to the Student Legal Services Center for advice.
If you own an automobile
Cars are the most common form of transportation in the United States, but they are also a responsibility. You can avoid a lot of trouble by doing the following:
• Automobile insurance is required in every state.
• Never drink alcohol and drive; severe penalties exist and accidents may occur.
• Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight.
• Keep your car in good operating condition.
• Keep safety equipment (e.g., a flashlight and reflectors), a blanket, and a first-aid kit in
the trunk.
• Observe speed limits.
• Report all accidents; failure to do so is a crime.
Chapter 5… Higher Education in the United States
In the United States, students begin higher education after completing 12 years of primary and secondary education. Institutions of higher education include two-year colleges (known as 'community' or 'junior' colleges), four-year colleges, universities, institutes of technology, vocational and technical schools, and professional schools such as law and medical schools. Higher education is available in public and private institutions, institutions affiliated with religious groups, and profit-making institutions. Size varies, too. Some excellent colleges enroll fewer than a thousand students; same large universities enroll fifty thousand or more students. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a public, four-year college and research facility which has over 25,000 students.
Undergraduate Education
The undergraduate bachelor's degree typically takes four years to complete. At most institutions the four years are known as the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years of undergraduate study. There is a Bachelor of Arts Degree, which based upon liberal arts and the humanities, and a Bachelor of Science Degree, based upon hard sciences.
The courses that many undergraduate programs are based upon takes a general studies philosophy that requires students to take a range of subjects to form a broad educational foundation.
During the first two years, students have the opportunity to explore various fields of study such as social sciences, humanities, and natural or physical sciences. These courses are called 'Essential studies' and 'Integrated studies'. By the end of the second year, students at many institutions are asked to choose a specific field of study, known as the 'major', on which to focus for the remainder of the undergraduate program.
Students then spend the remaining two years taking more courses directly related to their major. Students who major in certain fields such as business, engineering, or science find that the curriculum is more tightly structured than it is in the humanities or social sciences, allowing fewer 'elective', or optional, courses.
Graduate Education
Graduate education can result in a variety of degrees. The most common include the master's in arts (MA), sciences (MS), business administration (MBA), fine arts (MFA), law (LLM), social work (MSW), and specialist in education (EdS). The most common final degrees are doctorates in a variety of fields (PhD), education (EdD), law (JD), science (DSc), and religion or divinity (DD).
Master's degrees are the most frequently awarded graduate degrees, usually received after one or two years of graduate-level study. A doctorate or PhD usually takes five to seven years to complete. It may take less time to obtain a doctorate if you enter the doctoral program with a completed master's degree. Unlike undergraduates, graduate students begin specialized study on the first day of classes. You will probably be required to take certain courses and may be allowed as few as two or three electives.
Credits and Grades
Most Colleges and universities use a credit system in which each course is allotted a specific Number of credit hours, representing the number of hours the students in the course spend in class each week. In the United States, a normal full time course load for undergraduate students is 12 credit hours per semester. This means that you will be in the classroom 12 hours each week.
Graduate students take 9 credit hours each semester. Academic performance in each course is evaluated by the professor using letter grades. At the end of the semester you will receive a Number of credits corresponding to the courses you have successfully completed. Your credit hours are multiplied by your grades to determine your grade-point average (GPA) .
GPAs provide a general indication of your overall academic performance and are used by admissions offices and employers interested in your academic history. The grading system used by most colleges and universities to evaluate students' academic performances is based on a four-point scale: A=4.0 B=3.0 C=2.0 D=1.0 F=0.0
Undergraduates are expected to complete their studies with a C average or better; graduate students are expected to complete their studies with no less than a B average.
Academic Advising
As a new undergraduate student, you will be asked to attend an academic advising session with many other students, where you will be given information about UNL's academic system. Such advising sessions are a part of new-student orientation at the beginning of the academic term.
Take advantage of opportunities to meet with an academic advisor or faculty member to discuss your academic choices. Although the international student advisor usually cannot offer academic advice, he or she can help you to find the right person at your college or university to do so.
Graduate students are assigned or will be allowed to choose a faculty member as an academic advisor. Academic advisors offer you information, guidance, and advice throughout your academic program. They may provide this information in a group setting with other students or in private sessions with you. Without the advice of your academic advisor, you may take incorrect courses, resulting in problems later. Specifically, academic advisors identify degree requirements and help you balance your course load, so you do not take too many demanding classes in one semester. They can also tell you which classes have 'prerequisites' or other restrictions. Your academic advisor will also guide and supervise your thesis or dissertation preparation.
Seek the advice of your academic advisor at any time to discuss important educational issues. If you have difficulties in a particular course, your academic advisor can help you find the assistance you need. Some academic advisors are not aware of immigration regulations relating to your academic course load, so you should always discuss academic changes with international student advisors as well.
Registration
Registering for your courses involves several steps. The most important items you need are the University Graduate or Undergraduate Bulletin, a schedule of classes, and how to use eNRoll (the computerized registration process at UNL.)
Before you do anything else, look at this information to determine procedures for registration, the dates of registration, and the cost and payment schedules for the courses you choose.
Academic advisors may pre-register undergraduates for courses before arrival. UNL has an online registration system called eNRoll that allows you to register for classes before you have arrived on campus If you are unable to register during the normal registration period, contact your international student advisor for advice. You may be able to register late, but in that case you will have to pay a late-registration fee.
During registration you not only register for courses, but you will automatically enroll in the school's health-insurance plan and join other activities. If you need to make special financial arrangements or if you are a sponsored student, you must meet with a student-accounts representative during this time. You will receive a student identification card that will give you access to the library, health center, and other campus facilities.
10 Tips for Student Success at UNL
1. Always stay in status and notify the Office of International Affairs and the Registration & Records Office of any changes in your local or permanent address: By helping us keep track of you, you will reduce the possibility of serious Visa violations.
2. If you a problem or question, don’t be afraid to ask the staff and faculty: Although UNL is a large institution, the staff and faculty are interested in helping you attain your goals and answer your questions.
3. Avoid being confrontational when you have a question or problem: You will be more likely to get a helpful response if you are pleasant than if you are rude or abrupt.
4. Know the immigration regulation that relates to your visa status: If you have any questions ask at International Affairs, as you are responsible for keeping your status legal in the United State.
5. Read and keep your Schedule of Classes each semester: The schedule contains much more than just a listing of available courses for each semester, it also includes a semester calendar, dates and deadlines for admission, registration and holidays, university policies and much more.
6. Read and keep your course syllabus for each course: This will help you keep up with the topics and deadlines for your coursework.
7. Visit your course instructors during office hours several times a semester: Don’t wait until you have some sort of problem to approach your instructor. Schedule a time during the semester to visit each of your instructors during office hours.
8. Get to know your adviser or another faculty member in your area of study: This will give you several people in which you can discuss problems or questions you may have and will be good references for future employers or scholarship committees.
9. Build a personal network of individuals for questions and advice: This includes friends, colleagues, lab partners, and staff members you work and/or socialize with.
10. Get involved with employment and/or volunteer opportunities: Use your network to help you find opportunities to be more involved with non-academic activities, as this also makes up a big part of your experience at UNL, Lincoln, and the U.S.
Where to Turn for Answers
Issue |
Contact
|
|
Academic Adviser |
|
Professor Teaching Course |
|
International Student Adviser |
|
International Student Adviser |
|
International Affairs Office |
|
Housing Office |
|
ASUN Office |
|
Resident Hall Manager (Resident Adviser) |
|
Student Health Center |
|
International student Adviser or Counseling Center |
Chapter 6… Managing Your Money
Managing your finances is one of the most important and challenging aspects of a successful and enjoyable academic experience. Dealing with a new currency and cost of living are the beginning of the challenge. Pay attention to the exchange rate between your country’s currency and the U.S. dollar and learn to think in dollars.
Take a close look at your I-20 or DS-2019 and prepare a budget for yourself based on the estimated expenses on the form. The estimates that appear on your I-20 or DS-2019 are usually accurate, and you will be expected to have funds to cover the full amount shown.
It is not possible to arrange for more financial aid once you have arrived at UNL. If you are a graduate student and have an assistantship, be sure you understand what it will cover and what you will be expected to pay from your own funds. If you will receive a scholarship or fellowship, determine ahead of time what portion is taxable and include the necessary taxes in your budget.
Costs
Set Costs
Some costs are established and apply to everyone, like:
• Tuition is set according to the Number of hours for which you are registered.
• Room and Board is set by the Housing Department if you live on campus
• The University Program and Facility Fee is set by the Board of Regents.
• Health insurance premiums are fixed.
• The costs of your books and school supplies are set according to the courses in which you will enroll.
Variable Costs
Some costs will be different for each person, like:
| • Rent, utilities and food costs will vary depending on the student. |
| • Other items for which students spend money are : laundry, toilet articles, transportation, stamps and envelopes, clothing, gifts, movies, typing fees, snacks, holidays, restaurants, pubs, etc. |
| • Automobiles : Before you purchase an automobile, be aware that most cars are expensive to purchase, insure, repair and operate. |
Shopping
There are three major shopping areas in Lincoln, please see the Lincoln Phone Book for phone numbers and maps:
• Westfield Shopping Center at 60 th & O Street
• East Park Plaza at 66th & O Street
• South Point Pavillion at 2910 Pine Lake Road
There are many smaller shopping areas around the city . Some of these contain "discount stores" which have less expensive merchandise of varying quality, such as:
• Wal-Mart, 27th & Superior
• Target, 333 North 48th Street and 56th
• Shopko, 100 South 66th Street, South 27th Street & highway 2, 26th & Pine Lake Road, 3400 North 27 th Street
• Kohl's, 401 North 84 th
• Gordmans, 2600 South 48th Street
• Several "second hand" stores are located on “O” Street between 17th and 22nd Streets. Used clothing and household goods are available at very low prices
• Goodwill Stores, 4555 Vine Street; 1700 S. 17th, and 3910 N. 27th
• Disabled American Veterans, 1730 "O" Street and 3830 N. 27th
• Salvation Army Stores, located at 2711 S. 48th St. and 46th & Leighton St
• The Junior League Thrift shop located at 5631 S 56 th St
"Garage sales" are a popular shopping source. Private citizens in residential areas periodically sell used items in their back yards or garages. These sales usually last a day or two and are identified by yard signs in front of the sale locations. Bargaining is acceptable at these sales, but not in regular business establishments. Other used items (including automobiles and smaller items) are sold through newspapers. This kind of purchase requires a telephone call and a visit to see the sale item.
Food Stores Two types of grocery stores are the "Supermarket" and the "Discount Grocery Store." Both are very large and advertise "weekly specials". Discount stores sell food at lower prices by providing fewer services to shoppers. For example, shoppers may be required to "bag" their own groceries and carry them out of the store. Smaller food stores are located throughout the city. Most are designed for quick, convenient purchases but tend to be more expensive. In some of the small specialty stores it is possible to purchase Chinese, Arab, Indian and Japanese spices, and other ingredients not found in larger grocery stores.
Sales People It is NOT RUDE to refuse a salesperson entrance to your home. In fact, some people may have other reasons for wanting to enter your home or to meet with you.
DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT for any merchandise until you are sure you understand the terms of the contract. After signing, it becomes a legal document and you are bound by its terms and obligated to abide by the terms of the contract.
United States Currency in Circulation
|
||
$1 |
|
|
$2 |
|
|
$5 |
|
|
$10 |
|
|
$20 |
|
|
$50 |
|
|
$100 |
|
|
 $.01 penny |
 $.05 nickel |
 $.10 dime |
 $.25 quarter |
 $.50 half-dollar |
 $1.00 dollar |
 $1.00 dollar |
Personal Budget
As an international student at UNL, you probably have a limited amount of money from which all your expenditures in the U.S. must be made.
The first step in making a personal budget is determining how much money is available for you to spend. Be aware of the maximum sum to which you will have access each year.
From this sum, subtract your fixed expenses. This leaves the balance which will be available to be spent throughout the year. Divide this balance by 12 to discover how much you have available each month.
Make an easy-to-use chart like the one below to help measure the money you spend each week/month. After 6 weeks you should be able to see where you spend money and prepare a realistic budget.
Item |
Week 1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
Week 4 |
Total Month |
Rent |
|
|
|
|
|
Phone |
|
|
|
|
|
Bills |
|
|
|
|
|
Food |
|
|
|
|
|
Clothing |
|
|
|
|
|
Leisure |
|
|
|
|
|
Vacation |
|
|
|
|
|
Etc. |
|
|
|
|
|
Getting Money in the United States
Accessing your home bank account for small amounts
The easiest way to receive weekly funds from your home country is to have a bank account in your home country which you can access here with an ATM or BankCard. This way, someone in your home country can deposit money in your bank account and you can withdraw it here with your card.
Transferring Funds for large amounts
If you need to transfer large amounts of money for your expenses for the year. Several options exist. The best ways to carry or transfer money are:
- Traveler’s checks (in U.S. dollars)
- A cashier’s check drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars
- A wire transfer from your bank at home directly to UNL for tuition (if you are paying a bill) or to a U.S. bank (there is usually a cost for this)
Avoid checks in U.S. dollars drawn on a foreign bank. Such checks take much longer to ‘clear’ than do checks drawn on U.S. banks or even checks in your home currency drawn on a bank at home. Remember that until a check clears, you will not have access to the money.
Please ask your bank at home about withdrawing funds in the U.S. from that account using a BankCard. |
Setting up your U.S. Bank Account
It is advisable for you to deposit any large sums of money you may have in a bank. You may need to wait two to three weeks before receiving payment for your foreign draft. The bank must send your foreign draft away for collection. The following information will help you understand U.S. banking procedures.
The United States is becoming a ‘cashless society.' This means that rather than carrying a great deal of money in their pockets or purses, people find it more convenient and safer to make purchases by check, debit, or credit card.
A NOTE about CREDIT CARDS
... Although they offer flexibility with purchases, if you do not pay off the balance each month, you will be charged interest.
Bank Selection
With the new N-Card, you have the choice to have your UNL student identification be directly linked to a bank account at Wells Fargo. If you choose this option, your N-Card can be used to withdraw money or make purchases, and debit your account directly. It can also be used as a debit card to withdraw money or use for purchases.
If you do not choose this option, there are two major, full service banks in Lincoln which have international banking services: USBank on 13th & 'M' Streets and Wells Fargo on 13th & 'O' Streets. Wells Fargo also has a campus branch conveniently located by the south entrance of the Nebraska Student Union.
If you will be receiving money from abroad, whether in foreign drafts and/or payment orders you should select one of those banks.
You will need your passport or two other forms of identification (preferably one a picture ID) to open an account
Wells Fargo and First Bank have a cash machine (ATM) available in many buildings around campus including some residence halls, UNL Rec Center, Nebraska Union, and East Union. Unfortunately there are no convenient banking facilities near the East campus.
Types of Bank Accounts Available
Most banks will offer a 'student' checking account, which has no costs associated to it and no minimum balance required. Ask your bank if they offer this type of account or one similar to it. This account will allow you to deposit and withdraw money, write checks for purchases, and offer a debit card for withdrawals and purchases.
You may also be interested in a savings account . This type of account is mainly for depositing money, which earns a certain percent of interest over time. There are often limits to how often you can access you money in a savings account or a fee to do so, so ask your banker about the conditions of this type of account.
At the end of each month, you will receive an itemized list of the debits, credits, checks written, and withdrawals made for that month. This is to make sure every transaction was accounted for.
A NOTE about BANK ACCOUNTS
... Make sure you ask if there are costs associated to the account you are opening, some have costs and some do not.
Ask your banker about other types of accounts, investments, and banking services which may be available.
Writing Checks
If you are not familiar with the procedure for writing checks, be certain to ask your personal banker about the process. The staff in the International Affairs office will also be happy to provide additional aid. It is important to fill out checks appropriately and to keep all extra checks in a safe place.
As you write a check, deduct that amount from your total balance in your checkbook register. This will help you keep an up-to-date record of your payments and balance. If you write a check without enough money in your account, it is called a 'bad check' and a penalty will be charged to you, usually around $50. It is a serious matter to write a check for an amount that you do not have in your account.
Many banks now offer a service called overdraft protection , in which the bank will pay an amount you do not have in the bank and you will have to pay this amount back to them. Ask your banker about the cost of this service and its benefits.
Cashing Checks
You will often be required to show two forms of identification (ID) when you want to cash a check. Any of the following is appropriate:
| • Passport - although not all sales clerks are familiar with them. |
| • University ID - you receive your permanent ID at the completion of registration. |
| • International Student ID - available at the UNL International Affairs Office. It requires a photo and costs $28.00 ($22.00 + $6.00 photo). |
| • State ID - available at the Drivers License Testing Center, located at 500 West 'O' Street (471-3861) for $23.75. Bring and a Xerox copy of your passport. |
| • Driver's license - available at the Drivers License Testing Center located at 500 West 'O' Street (471-3861), by passing a driving and written test and paying $23.75. A driver's manual is available at International Affairs, which teaches the legal requirements for drivers in Nebraska. You will need to study this manual to pass the written test. |
Other Banking Services
A safety deposit box, available at most banks, is a good place to store valuable possessions such as the airline ticket for your flight home, expensive jewelry, foreign currency, and the important documents you brought with you. There is a small fee for this service.
Debit Cards
A "debit card", also known as a checking card, allows you to withdraw or deposit money to your bank account using an automatic teller machine (ATM) and to make purchases at stores that accept the card. Some debit cards carry a credit-card logo (such as Mastercard or Visa), and can be used in place of a check or credit card. Debit cards are not credit cards, however, and they can be used only to the extent that you have funds in the account to which they are linked.
Credit Cards
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. You are billed every month and are required to pay at least a portion of your balance each month. If you do not pay the entire amount due, interest (or a "finance charge") accrues on the unpaid balance. The interest rate can be quite high, particularly if you have not yet established your "credit worthiness".
The cost of credit cards varies greatly. The annual fees and interest rates charged by some financial institutions are much higher than others. Many cards offer premiums or awards linked to the amount you spend using the card. Ask a colleague in the department: it really pays to shop around. Once you establish a "credit history", of if you have significant assets, you should be able to obtain a card with a lower interest rate and little or no annual fee.
Credit cards are convenient, but unless you are careful you may be shocked when you get your monthly bill. Keep all your receipts, keep track of what you spend. Debit cards are a better solution for students who have trouble managing their debt. They are as convenient as credit cards but do not allow you to spend more than you have.
Banking Terms
• Checks - the printed form used by a bank customer which orders the bank to pay money from his/her account.
• Deposit - the method in which money is added to a bank account for payment or safe keeping.
• Balance - the amount of money remaining in an account after all money has been paid out according to checks written on that account.
• Checkbook register - that part of your checkbook where all the checks you write and deposits you make are recorded.
• Deposit slips - the form located in the back of your checkbook, on which you list all cash and checks to be deposited into your account.
• Monthly bank statement - a form sent by the bank, usually each month, to each bank customer that shows the deposits, withdrawals, any bank charges and the balance in his/her checking account.
• Interest - a sum of money paid to a customer by the bank based upon a percentage rate of the amount held in the bank.
• Minimum balance - the smallest amount of money allowed by a bank to its customers in order to receive free banking services.
Chapter 7… Staying in Touch
It’s a great adventure coming to a new place to study, but be fair to yourself and your family: stay in touch with home. Phone home and link up with your friends around the world via e-mail; set down your daily thoughts in a journal and write to those who have helped you get here.
The United States has a well-developed network of communications ranging from traditional postal services to advanced telecommunications. NU offers access to many communication services, but if you live off-campus you will have to make your own arrangements for telephone and Internet service.
Mail Service
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the main provider of mail service in the United States and for letters overseas. Other services compete with the USPS in the areas of express mail and package delivery. These include United Parcel Service (UPS), Federal Express (FedEx), and DHL Worldwide Express (DHL).
There is a post-office conveniently located in the lower-level of the Nebraska Union on City Campus and the Main Post Office is located in the 'Haymarket' area of Lincoln, at 8th and P Street.
Mail Delivery
Mail (letters, bills, magazines, packages, etc.) is delivered to your address by the U.S. Postal Service, Monday through Saturday. Be sure to include your ZIP CODE number when you give family and friends your address:
• 68588............City Campus
• 68583............East Campus
• 68508............Downtown near City Campus, including theResidence Halls
• 68503............Area near East Campus, including Residence Halls
If you are off campus and don't know your ZIP CODE, ask your landlord or neighbor.
Telephone Service
If you live on campus, local telephone service is provided by the University
Housing Office, but you will have the opportunity to choose a long-distance company based on your own needs. Long-distance companies offer different calling plans and savings options. Make sure you understand the conditions of the service you choose and get it in writing. A large phone bill is a very unpleasant surprise.
If you choose to have a cell phone you may obtain that service at on-line websites or go to the telephone/computer store in the basement of the Nebraska Student Union on city campus.
If you live off campus, and choose to have traditional telephone line, you must arrange your own local and long-distance service. As a new customer, you must pay a one-time installation charge. Regular monthly bills are approximately $30 per month, without long-distance calls. You will need to take your passport and a second ID to the Alltel Phone Center at 5745 "O" Street to place your order for service. Do not forget to have your telephone service disconnected or transferred to your new address when you move. There is no charge for disconnecting telephone service. If you don't disconnect your service whoever moves into your apartment can use the phone and you will be responsible for the bill. For additional information please visit the Alltel website at: www.alltel.com.
If you share long-distance service with roommates or housemates, make sure everyone understands how the bill is to be paid. AT&T offers a convenient service that permits each member of the household to enter a personal code when making a long-distance call, thereby simplifying the process of dividing the charges each month.
Detailed instructions for using public telephones (usually referred to as "pay phones") can usually be found in the telephone booth. Many pay phones still require coins for local calls, but most now allow you to make local and long-distance calls without coins using a credit card or any of a wide variety of "calling cards". You can make long-distance calls from any pay phone in the United States; long-distance service is not confined to certain locales as it is in many countries.
UNL Computers
Computer Labs are located throughout UNL: in residence halls, in the student unions, etc. and they are filled with the newest high-speed computers with high-speed internet access.
These computer sites provide links to the campus computer network, through which users can access services such as library catalogs, on-line databases, electronic mail, and the World Wide Web. See below for specific NU computing services.
Visit the Computer Lab website for on-campus lab hours and other information. The website is www.unl.edu/cmplabs
E-mail Service
To open a free e-mail account, log into WHAM at the UNL website. You will be given step-by-step instructions on how to set-up an account. To set-up an internet account go to 211 Nebraska Hall, Telecommunications Center (472-5151). The monthly cost will depend on which plan you choose.
Telegrams and FAX
Telegrams can be sent from Lincoln in two ways. If you have a telephone, dial 1-(800)-325-6000 to send your message. The cost will be charged to your telephone bill. If you do not yet have a telephone, go to the post office on the lower level of the Nebraska City Union. They will help you send a telegram, and you can pay for it immediately. You can send a FAX at the Information Desk of the City Union or at NU Telecommunications, Nebraska Hall, Rm 211, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Newspapers
A new student fees program has recently made several newspapers free to students with their N-Card on a daily basis. Those newspapers are:
The Daily Nebraskan (http://www.dailynebraskan.com/)
The University student newspaper, The Daily Nebraskan, is available to you Monday through Friday and is provided free through funding from student fees. It is a good source of information for jobs on and off campus, apartments, free events on campus, and money saving coupons.
Lincoln Journal Star (http://www.journalstar.com/)
The daily newspaper published for the City of Lincoln.
Omaha World Herald (http://www.omaha.com/)
The daily paper for the city of Omaha, also includes more regional and world events.
USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/)
The popular newspaper for summaries of national events.
The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/)
A more academic newspaper which includes more in depth coverage of national and world events.
Foreign Language Newspapers
Many foreign language newspapers and periodicals are available at UNL's Love Library on campus and at the Bennet Martin City Library, 14th & 'N' Streets.
Top
Chapter 8… Academic Life at the University
Your first impressions of academic life in the United States may be confusing. Internationalstudents and scholars often comment that U.S. students say they are competitive, but don't seem to study very hard. However, the professors are quite demanding in terms of academic workload, leading many students to ask: "Does the professor think I am only taking this class?!"
Creativity, tolerance, and flexibility are, in general, valued above tradition and respect for authority in the United States. Teaching styles and classroom attitudes vary widely and are influenced by many different factors.
A NOTE about CLASSES
...Academic life at a U.S. public university is 'what you make of it'. Don't let a large class make you feel lost. Sit closer to the front of the room and talk with the instructor during office hours a few times during the semester. This shows the professor that you are interested about the subject matter and your performance and will make you a person rather than a Number.
Who Is Your Teacher?
Professors are the core of the teaching staff at most institutions in the United States. Full professors generally teach lecture courses, seminars, and courses for graduate students and upper-class undergraduates.
A professor's informal style of dress or speech must not be taken to mean that he or she has a relaxed attitude toward assignments, class attendance, or the quality of your work. Informal attire and the omission of titles in interpersonal communication are common in American university teaching to make students feel more comfortable and included. This doesn't mean that they will be less strict in what they expect from you as a student.
In large research universities, many discussion sessions and labs are led by teaching assistants (TAs) , some of whom may be non-American. Teaching assistants are often graduate students pursuing a master's or doctoral degree.
You should feel free to approach them with your questions, indeed, you will probably be on a first-name basis from the beginning of the course, and you should not hesitate to ask their advice about coursework, grades, or other matters.
English as a Degree Requirement
At most universities and colleges in the United States, undergraduate students, American and foreign, must successfully complete a series of writing or composition courses offered through the institution's Department of English.
Moreover, at most institutions this requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to take upper-level courses. Many schools offer sections of these lower-level composition courses specifically designed for international students.
Because these courses are taught by instructors who are trained and experienced in teaching English to international students, they tend to be particularly helpful.
English Placement Exam
When you arrive in Lincoln, you will be required to take the UNL English Placement Examination (EPE) before you will be permitted to enroll in classes, unless you are from a country whose first language is English. (For example: U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Bahamas.)
The EPE lasts about 3 hours and the format is similar to the TOEFL Test. It includes vocabulary, grammar and reading comprehension sections, the writing of a brief composition, and a listening and comprehension test.
It is not necessary to review for this examination. Bring a #2 pencil to the exam and your passport to register for the exam.
After you are scored on this test, you may be placed in an English as a Second Language (ESL) class as part of your academic program. If additional English classes are needed, you will be automatically registered for the English class. You can then add other classes to complete your schedule during the registration period.
NU Intensive English Program
Days & Time: Eight weeks of intensive language training, five days a week, five hours a day.
Duration: Two Spring semester sessions, two Fall semester sessions, one Summer session.
Registration: Telephone: 472-1884.
Website: http://www.unl.edu/piesl/iep.htm
Types of Classes
At the first or second class of the semester, you will receive a syllabus . This usually has the instructors name and office hours, email and telephone number, a list of topics for each class period, requirements for the course, due dates for projects, quizzes and exams, and references for the reading material in your class. If you add a class late, make sure to ask the instructor for a syllabus.
Lectures are the primary form of undergraduate instruction in U.S. colleges and universities. Lecture courses may enroll as many as 500 students or be as small as 20 or 30 students. Although attendance may not be recorded, you are still expected to attend and learn the material presented in class.
To better understand the lecture, read about the subject matter before you come to class and review it afterward. You might wish to record lectures on tape, especially if you are having trouble following spoken English in your first weeks of school.
A discussion section (also called a recitation, review, or quiz section) is a class in which material presented in a lecture is reviewed and discussed, but not all lecture courses include discussion sections. Discussion is considered an important part of American education as is class participation and attendance.
… Be encouraged to speak in class, even if you answers are not 100% correct, instructors enjoy and praise student discussions. However, if you do not feel confident about giving your opinion in class, it is perfectly normal to ask questions of the instructor after class or during office hours. Seminars are often associated with undergraduate honors courses or graduate study. Seminar courses usually enroll fewer than 20 students. They often cover specialized topics and involve much more discussions and class presentations by the students under the supervision of the professor. Some smaller colleges offer many undergraduate courses in the form of seminars. In independent studies or guided research courses , you may study a topic under the direction of a professor but without any classroom instruction. Such arrangements are usually reserved for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. They generally involve a great deal of reading or work in a laboratory but allow you to focus on a topic of particular interest to you. Internships are practical work or training experiences that allow students to apply, in a work situation, what they have learned in class. Some UNL departments offer academic credit for internships. You will want to visit with an advisor at IA about the legal aspects of internships and work in the U.S.
Homework!
The typical undergraduate course involves:
- three hours of lecture each week
- an additional lab or discussion section
- reading assignments
- research paper or project
- quizzes and tests
- a mid-term examination
- and a final examination
International students are sometimes dismayed by the amount of time spent in class and the amount of reading assigned for their courses, especially if English is not their native language. For this reason, it is important, therefore, to be clear about the role of the reading assignments in a course. In some courses, the reading is very important, in other courses, readings may be supplementary or optional.
It probably will not be possible for you to read thoroughly everything that is assigned. You will have to prioritize: read the most important material first and carefully; then skim the less important assignments.
A NOTE about ASSIGNMENTS
If you are having any difficulties with your assignments, discuss your problem with the professor or teaching assistant after a class or during office hours. Don't hesitate to get help if you are having academic problems.
Research papers may also seem overwhelming. Some students are unable to express themselves clearly in written English; others do not know how to use the research tools in the library; others may not be familiar with American academic writing styles and conventions. Contact the UNL Writing Assistance Center at 129 Andrews Hall or call 472-8803 for problems with written English.
In your writing, you will be expected to know when and how to paraphrase or summarize another writer's ideas in your own words. If you are not a native English speaker this may seem difficult and you may be tempted to quote your sources word for word. However, this is illigeal, in the United States and around the world and is called plagiarism . Plagiarism is the use of another person's words or ideas without acknowledgment of their source
No matter how tempted you might be to copy another's words, it is essential that you acquire the skill of paraphrasing and not plagerize. Borrowed words and ideas must always be clearly documented and understand the ideas you are working with, you should be able to express them clearly.
A NOTE about PAPERS
If you are having difficulty expressing your ideas clearly, find an instructor or U.S. student, a volunteer tutor, a conversation partner, or a colleague who will read your papers, point out passages that are unclear, and help you find phrasing that conveys your meaning.
There is an important difference between individual work and group work. Usually, papers, homework assignments, quizzes, and tests should be done individually. Studying with others is a good idea, but before you work with others on homework, papers, or tests, make sure the professor has allowed it.
The ability to use computers is essential for success in a U.S. college or university today. Most U.S. professors do not accept handwritten papers (except exams). U.S. students typically write their papers on computers, which are available for student use in various locations on campus.
A NOTE ON COMPUTERS
UNL offers free courses to students on popular computer software like
Word, Power Point, Word Perfect, Flash, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop.
See www.itg.unl.edu for information and to register.
Quizzes, Tests, and Examinations
U.S. colleges and universities frequently test students, particularly undergraduates.
Quizzes (short tests on assigned material) are used most frequently in language and mathematics courses. Pop quizzes (unannounced test) are given by the professor to see if students are keeping up with their reading assignments or to verify that students understand the material being presented in the course.
Examinations may call for specific, short replies or for longer responses in the form of essays. Often examinations are a combination of both forms. Objective questions have only one right answer. Types of questions include true-or-false, sentence completion or fill in the blanks, multiple choice, and matching. They cover a broad range of material and demand a particular type of study.
Many exams include one or two questions requiring essays of several pages, or several questions requiring only a paragraph or two. Essay questions generally specify how you are to approach the task. The questions may be long or short.
Grades
Grades are an important factor in gaining admission to graduate school or getting a job after graduation. The basis for grading in each course is determined by the instructor. The weight given to exams, papers, class participation, and other factors will be clearly specified in the syllabus at the beginning of the term.
Assistantships for Graduate Students
Being a Teaching Assistant
Teaching assistants (TAs) not only relieve their professor of some teaching responsibilities (so that the professor can spend more time doing research), but they also learn how to teach the subject matter of their own field of study.
In many fields, the experience and training gained as a TA are viewed as necessary preparation for becoming a faculty member. TAs may be in charge of lab and discussion sections, or they may be required to grade the homework and exams given by the professor. In some cases, TAs may give lectures.
The responsibilities of TAs vary considerably from institution to institution, department to department, and even year to year in a graduate student's time as a student. For example, the TA may begin by grading papers, then take charge of a lab, and finally teach the class.
If you are given a research assistantship, you will be expected to assist a faculty member, or perhaps a group of faculty members, in performing research related to your field of study. You can expect to work about 20 hours per week at times when you are not taking classes. Many research assistants (RAs) work at night and on the weekends.
Before you receive an assistantship, some universities will require you to demonstrate that your spoken English skills are adequate for teaching. One way to do that is by taking the Test of Spoken English, or TSE. Another way universities or departments determine oral proficiency is by calling candidates on the telephone. Some universities will ask a representative in your country to interview you. Be sure that you know which method you are expected to use to demonstrate your ability to communicate in English.
Even if your English proficiency is good, the university may require you to take an English test after you arrive on campus, even if you have already submitted evidence of your English ability. The University of Nebraska requires you to take the International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Institute which takes place in late July and August for three weeks prior to the beginning of classes. Please refer to your department for a recommendation or the Institute for International Teaching Assistants at 472-9764.
The TA's Challenge: American Classroom Etiquette
In general, university students are respectful and alert in class, although there are many who you may think are overly casual or even careless. There are some student behaviors that you may find surprising or that would be considered disrespectful in your country, but common here.
For example, students may sit in class with their feet on the chair or desk in front of them. They may eat, drink, or even sleep in class! You will also need to get used to the fact that some American students call their teachers by their first names, especially their lab instructors or discussion section leaders.
None of these behaviors are meant as a sign of disrespect. It is more a sign of America's value of 'the freedom of expression'.
To be a successful TA in the United States, you must understand the expected roles of students and teachers. You may have to learn new ways of teaching, ways that are now unfamiliar to you.
In American higher education, students are often asked to evaluate their teachers. Negative student evaluations may mean that your teaching assistantship will not be renewed.
A NOTE about TEACHING ASSISTANTS
To get the most out of your experience, consult with other TAs on your campus to learn what may be expected of you. You may also contact the Institute for International Teaching Assistants, 1100 Seaton Hall, to receive feedback on your teaching style and effectiveness.
Attitudes Toward Work
People might work, or have jobs, for a variety of reasons. These include earning money, gaining self-realization or self-respect, or being a secure member of a group. In the United States, earning money is probably the most common reason for having a job. Most people are likely to have the idea that if they did not have to earn money to support themselves, they would not work. This attitude may prevail in many other parts of the world as well.
Americans who work at the professional level may do so for the sense of personal satisfaction they derive from carrying out their duties. Teachers may get satisfaction from helping younger people learn important new things; researchers may enjoy the feeling that they are contributing to the advance of what American academics often call the "frontiers of knowledge".
It is quite unusual for Americans to have a job with the idea that doing so gives them the opportunity to be a member of a group or an affiliate of a particular organization.
Americans are generally more task-oriented than are people from many other countries. That is, their attitude toward work is "there's a job to be done here, so let's do it." People from many other parts of the world are much more relationship oriented. That is, they pay more attention than Americans typically do to maintaining positive relationships with fellow workers, and less conscious attention to carrying out their assigned tasks as promptly and efficiently as possible.
Typical American Supervisor Expectations of Workers
These comments about typical supervisor expectations apply more to visiting scholars who are engaged in research or other non-teaching activities. Teachers are given somewhat more latitude than are researchers.
1. Be on time. Punctuality is highly valued in American culture, and employees can expect to evoke a negative reaction if they arrive late, even if there seems to be a reasonable excuse or explanation for the lateness. Employees who are going to arrive later than expected, or who are not going to be able to attend at all, should notify the supervisor as soon as possible.
2. Follow instructions.
3. Ask about any instruction that is unclear. Most American supervisors would strongly prefer that employees ask about an unclear instruction rather than proceed with a misunderstanding of that instruction. Employees who do not ask about unclear instructions will quickly come to be regarded as unreliable and perhaps even incompetent.
4. Take initiative within your area of responsibility. In some societies, employees are expected to do exactly as they are instructed - no more, and no less. American supervisors, by contrast, generally expect employees to undertake related tasks that need to be done, even if they have not specifically been told to do them.
5. Bring the supervisor's attention to any problems or difficulties with getting the job done. If you can, make a suggestion for improvement.
6. Behave informally. Americans typically behave in much more informal ways toward each other than do people in many other societies. They look other people directly in the eyes when talking with them, even if they themselves are subordinates in an organization; they call each other by first names, and use colloquial expressions and informal vocabulary. They dress relatively informally, and assume informal postures (leaning on a wall, slouching in a chair) in the presence of other people. They learn about and discuss aspects of each other's daily lives, for example, preferences in food and recreation, spouse's name and activities, children's names and activities, and some biographical information. Foreign scholars who insist on behaving formally (for example, by bowing, consistently using the term "sir" when addressing an older or higher-status person, or dressing more formally than other employees do) will be regarded as excessively formal or polite, and even as strange. Many Americans believe, quite erroneously, that everyone in the world wants to behave informally, but might be afraid to do so when in situations that are new to them.
7. Be reasonably respectful of other workers, of whatever status or gender. Going along with the egalitarianism and informality that characterizes their culture, Americans expect a generally respectful attitude on the part of everyone toward everyone else. In part, this is to say that people at a given level in the organization are expected to be polite and considerate of other workers at their own and other levels within the organization, including other workers of the opposite sex.
Scholars in medical fields might find that, in their departments, there is more formality, more awareness of hierarchical differences, and less overt respect for people of lower statuses. Among the fields represented on American campuses, the medical fields generally have the most explicit hierarchies.
8. Show a "positive attitude". Avoid public complaining, gossiping, and blaming others for problems. Be cheerful and constructive in your interactions with other people.
This suggestion does not mean that complaining is not allowed. You may have complaints that need attention. If you do, the preferred way of dealing with them is generally this: Go directly to the person whose behavior is distressing you. State which behavior is causing you the problem, and what problem the behavior is creating for you. Ask if there is anything you can do to help change the situation.
Only if you are unsuccessful in bringing about the change you desire should you approach the person's supervisor.
9. Speak English at work. Even if there are other people at your workplace who are from your country, be sure you use English when speaking with them. For some reason, Americans tend to respond negatively when people around them who know how to speak English use another language instead. They seem to suppose that they are the subjects of foreign-language conversations they cannot understand, and that what is being said about them is negative. You can avoid troubling them by speaking English in their presence.
And, in general, things will be easier for foreign scholars who do use English well. Appendix A makes some suggestions for practicing English on your own.
10. Follow local customs concerning hygiene. This important topic is discussed later, under the heading of nonverbal communication.
Chapter 9… Social Life at the University
Academic achievement is your primary goal in the United States, but a good social life is important, too. Recreation, diversion, friends...all contribute to a balanced life.
Degrees of Friendship
Most Americans are very 'friendly' and appear to be very open when you meet them. You may hear Americans refer to acquaintances, such as a classmate, as ‘friends'. However, there are degrees of friendship.
In the United States, people often say, 'Hi, How are you?' or 'How are you doing?' This is a polite phrase, like saying 'Hello' and is usually not meant as a question in which you would tell them all of your feelings for the day. However, they do genuinely want to know how you are and you can respond by saying, 'Fine, thanks' or 'OK' or 'Not so great, actually' and these responses may lead to a longer conversation and perhaps a stronger friendship.
An American friend might say to you, 'Drop by anytime' or 'Let's get together soon.' These are also friendly expressions, but they are usually not meant literally. It is polite to call someone on the telephone before you visit. It is appropriate for both men and women to call a new acquaintance to see if he or she would like to go to a campus activity with you, even without an invitation.
Although UNL has many international students, many American students at UNL do not associate with them. This is not meant rudely, it is simply that these students are comfortable with the American friends they have and do not seek further friendships. But this is not the case with everyone and it is fully appropriate to make an effort to meet people so that friendships can develop.
Because crossing borders to study is a unique and powerful experience, you may find, at least initially, that you have more in common with other international students than with Americans, and some of your strongest friendships will be made with other international students. Soon you will meet Americans who have studied abroad and who, can relate to your experience as well as individuals who share your interests, academic and otherwise.
Many students believe that there is no better place to make friends than the college dormitory. There may be 30 students living on your floor with different accents, different musical tastes, and possibly 30 different standards of acceptable behavior. Be prepared for very open discussions. Participate in dormitory life and become involved in dormitory activities and functions.
How Americans See Themselves
Americans do not usually see themselves, when they are in the United States, as representatives of their country. They se