cie.colstate.edu/_pdfs/IntlStudentCSUHandbook.pdf

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1 T T A A B B L L E E O O F F C C O O N N T T E E N N T T S S
Welcome 1
The Center for International Education 2
United States Culture Information 3 Culture Shock 3 Cultural Norms 4 Manners 5 Introductions 5 Invitations 5 Dating 5 Smoking 5 Alcohol 5 Time 6 Hygiene 6 Shopping 6 Tipping 7 Clothing 7 Clothing Sizes 7 Weights and Measures 8
General Information 9 Finances 9 Housing 10 Telephones 11 Safety and Legal Issues 11 Transportation 12 Driving 12 Health Insurance 14 Illness 14 Academic Integrity 14 Class Expectations 15
Columbus State University Information 16 The Columbus State University Creed 16 Institution Information 16 Academic Calendar 16 Tuition and Fees 17 Financial Aid 18 On-Campus Housing 18 Dining Services 19 Academic Advisor 19 Grades 20 Regents Test 20 CougarOne Card 21 Mail 21 Smoking 21 Bicycles 21 Motor Vehicle Permits 21 Shuttle Bus 21 Student Activities 22 Department Information 22 2 Columbus Information 25 Climate 25 Places to Visit 25 Theater 26 Sports 26 Cinemas 26 Places to Shop 26 Places to Eat Downtown 26 Places to Eat Close to CSU 27
Immigration Information 28 International Students 28 Important Documents 29 Employment 29 Social Security Numbers 30 Taxes 31
Resources 33
Glossary of Academic Terms 34








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Dear International Student:

On behalf of the Center for International Education, welcome to Columbus State University!
For those of you that are returning, welcome back! We have been looking forward to your
arrival, and we hope to establish a positive learning and living environment for you throughout
your academic career.

As the International Student Coordinator, I am available for cultural and personal counseling;
general academic counseling as it relates to understanding the United States system of higher
education; and for advising on immigration matters. Throughout the year, a variety of programs
will take place that are social, educational, and cultural in nature. We will of course inform you
of those as the year progresses. A great way for you to get involved on campus is through the
International Club, Action International, or the Global Village.

Overall, the Center for International Education promotes a greater awareness of the
international arena, coordinates and develops study abroad programs, cultivates the
international curriculum across academic disciplines, and serves as an international resource for
interested groups and individuals in the Columbus community.

Please visit us! I look forward to getting to know each one of you, so please stop by the office,
even if it is just to say hi. I will have regular weekly walk-in hours throughout the year where I
will always be available for you. However, you can always stop by or set up an appointment. I
hope I will be able to assist you in becoming an active participant and student leader on the
Columbus State University campus.

The purpose of this International Student Handbook is to provide you with information about
the United States (US) culture, Columbus State University (CSU), Columbus, immigration
matters, and other important facets of your life as an international student. Know that this
handbook is not a comprehensive collection of information, but is intended to serve as a guide
for you as you make the US, CSU, and Columbus home. Please give us feedback on how to
improve it for next year. Also, please consult the CSU Catalog and Student Handbook for more
detailed information about academic and community life. They are available in Enrollment
Services and Student Life respectively.

Warm regards,




Amy Nyland
International Student Coordinator


4 T T H H E E C C E E N N T T E E R R F F O O R R I I N N T T E E R R N N A A T T I I O O N N A A L L E E D D U U C C A A T T I I O O N N ( ( C C I I E E ) )
CIE is here to help you with all aspects of your international education. We provide services for
you as international students, such as support and assistance with matters related to adjusting
to life on campus, in the community, and in the US, as well as immigration regulations. We also
offer study abroad and exchange opportunities to students and faculty. We are located in the
International House (corner of University Avenue & Clearview Circle) and are open Monday
through Friday from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Please visit our website to familiarize yourself with all
the services we provide: http://cie.colstate.edu. You can also visit
http://cie.colstate.edu/internationalstudenthomepage.asp to find information pertaining
specifically to international students. You can reach our offices by calling (706) 565-4036.


There are several faculty and staff members who work in CIE.

Dr. Neal R. McCrillis, Mildred Miller Fort Foundation Distinguished Chair of International
Education, Director of the Center for International Education, Associate Professor of History

Dr. Julie A. Ballenger, Assistant Director of the Center for International Education,
Associate Professor of Biology

Ms. Amy Nyland, International Student Coordinator

Ms. Christine Murphey, Administrative Coordinator















5 U U N N I I T T E E D D S S T T A A T T E E S S C C U U L L T T U U R R E E I I N N F F O O R R M M A A T T I I O O N N Culture Shock

Most international students will experience some degree of culture shock the process of
cultural adjustment. The unique experiences that one has when traveling and being immersed
in a different culture may also bring changes in emotions in terms of how the host country and
the home country are viewed. Some of you have gone through some, or all of these phases
already; others may be going through them for a second time; and for even others, this is all
new.

There are several stages of cultural adjustment:
Pre-departure phase This is the preparatory stage before traveling. It is what you go
through in your home country before you leave to come to Columbus. This includes deciding to
leave home, choosing CSU, and making arrangements for your sojourn.
Honeymoon phase Everything about the new country is exciting, interesting, and
wonderful. You often feel like a spectator in this stage as you observe the US cultural patterns.
Hostility phase The stark differences between your home country and the host country are
overwhelming, and everyday tasks may become a hassle. The differences are no longer exciting,
but instead are hard to handle and make you feel frustrated, angry, or resentful. People in this
stage of adjustment often feel homesick and long for the familiar.
Humor phase Gradually, the annoyances seem less so, and things that you found frustrating
are now mere inconveniences or just different. Your sense of humor returns, and things seem
to be much more bearable.
Effective adjustment phase You are fully integrated into the host culture and no longer
notice the differences or new ways of doing things.

To combat culture shock and prevent it from getting you down, try the following tactics: Stay busy. Explore the campus, city, and surrounding area. Do not call home too often. A short call home upon your arrival to verify that you
have arrived is fine, but prolonged calls with friends and family can initially make you
long for home. Exercise. Reduce stress and make yourself feel better by doing something that gets you
moving. Do not allow yourself to just socialize with international students. After a
while, US students will assume you have your circle of friends and you do not want to get
to know anyone new. Do not limit yourself like that. Use your fellow international
students as a support base, but do not fail to get to know people from the country whose
culture you came here to learn. Learn all that you can about CSU. Become acquainted with all the facilities, and
organizations that are available on campus. Take advantage of all the opportunities you
have at your disposal. Do not be too hard on yourself. Recognize that adjusting to a new culture is very
challenging. Keep in mind all the new things you have mastered since your arrival.
Learn to laugh at your mistakes, and learn from them. Take advantage of the Counseling Center. Free, confidential counseling is
available, so utilize the expert guidance and help. 6 Cultural Norms

People in the US attach a lot of importance to the ideal of equality for all. Although this dream
has not been achieved yet, respect for individuals regardless of occupation, handicap, sex, race,
or religion is expected. All individuals you meet deserve the same consideration and courtesy,
whether they are professors, students, doctors or janitors. People in the US tend to be rather
independent and tend to think for themselves. The concept of individual rights is important,
especially the right to free speech.

Also, freedom of religion is a basic tenet of US society. People tend to be involved in their
community, which usually involves the local church, mosque, synagogue, or other place of
worship. Churches often organize recreational activities and also perform a wide array of
services for the local community-dinners, tutoring, free English lessons, etc.

US culture is increasingly more informal. The way people dress, act, and treat each other is
generally considered to be relaxed, informal, and not rigidly structured. Certain occasions are
more formal than others, so take your cue from other people until you feel comfortable gauging
just how formally to act, dress, or speak.

Your own cultural norms may conflict with accepted behavior in the United States. When a
clash in beliefs, values, or traditions occurs, please try to understand the distinction in culture.
Keep in mind that no one culture is right or wrong; they are simply different from one another.
Observing the behavior that is happening around you is a good way to learn some of these
generally accepted US norms.

If you have any questions about any of the US social customs described below, do not hesitate to
ask a fellow student, or CIE staff. Social customs tend to be vague, especially compared to other
countries where the social life is more structured. It is not unusual to be confused at first, so
please ask for explanations or help.

Manners

People in the US tend to be friendly, patient, and polite, and they expect the same treatment
from others. Please, Thank you, Excuse me, and I m sorry are used frequently.
Also, phrases said in casual passing, such as How are you? do not necessarily mean that the
person wants to know how you are feeling. It is usually meant as another way to say Good
morning, or Hello. An appropriate response is saying Fine, thank you. How are you?
When departing, phrases such as See you later and Lets get together sometime are often
meant as a casual goodbye rather than an actual invitation. When in doubt, please clarify
whether it is an actual invitation or not.

People in the United States tend to wait in lines, wait their turn, and usually give others at least
an arms length of personal space. Eye contact is also important.

Generally, it is considered impolite to make phone calls before 10:00 a.m. and after 10:00 p.m.,
though these times can vary depending on a persons schedule (a fellow student may have a
different bedtime than your professor).

7 Introductions

When meeting someone for the first time, a handshake is standard behavior, and many people
introduce themselves rather than waiting for a formal introduction by someone else. Nice to
meet you or Pleased to meet you is the standard response either after someone has been
introduced to you, or after someone has introduced himself or herself. It is always better to
address someone as Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Dr. at first rather than by their first name, especially if
they are older than youthey can always tell you to call them by their first name if they feel that
this form of address is too formal. Be prepared to explain where you are from and, if necessary,
repeat your name several times and explain how to pronounce it.

Invitations

You may be invited to certain events by personal invitation, which can be printed, handwritten,
or verbal. If you are invited and you cannot attend, you may politely turn down the invitation.
However, accepting an invitation and then failing to show up is inconsiderate. If you are not
sure whether or not you can attend, say so and if possible, call to indicate your plans. If you are
invited to someones home for the first time, it is customary to bring the person a small
hospitality gift, such as flowers, a small token from your home country, or some other
inexpensive item. If you are unsure about what type of gift may be appropriate, ask. If you are
invited to a meal or refreshments and you have special dietary restrictions, it is considered polite
to inform your host of these restrictions in advance, preferably at the time you accept the
invitation. When expressing thanks to a host, a short letter or card is sufficient.

Dating

The norms and traditions of dating in the United States are difficult to explain. To date a person
implies that you would like to know him/her better. Going to social events together indicates an
enjoyment of the other persons company rather than implying a serious commitment.

US women and men are generally treated equally. As a result, dating norms and acceptable
behavior are subtle, implied, and constantly changing. Many students prefer to go out in groups
or date casually, often meeting for a date in a pre-determined location and sharing the cost of
the date. The person who does the asking is generally expected to be the person who pays for
the date, though it is polite to offer (once, without insisting) to pay your share and see if your
offer is accepted.

Smoking

Smoking in the United States has continued to fall out of favor, with the exception of college and
university campuses. Smoking is banned in most public places such as restaurants, hospitals,
stores, and schools. If you smoke, it is always appropriate to ask if, and where, you are
permitted to smoke. If you are at someones home, it is generally customary to smoke outside,
unless your host is also a smoker and indicates that smoking indoors is permitted.

Alcohol Purchase, possession, and consumption of alcohol in the United States is restricted to
individuals who are 21 years old and older. Also, you cannot be in a public place (street, park,
etc.) with an open container of alcohol. This law applies to everyone, even for those over 21 and
also includes having an open container in a car driven by a non-drinking driver. Violations 8 involving alcohol can lead to arrest or fines. It may also lead to sanctions by the university.
When purchasing alcohol, you will likely be asked to show ID (show the store clerk proof that
you are at least 21 years of age). An acceptable form of ID is your passport, your drivers license,
or your state ID card. Please do not drink and drive, keeping your own and others safety in mind, and do not accept a
ride from someone who has been drinking. Drinking and driving is a serious offense in the US
and will result in hefty fines, suspension of your drivers license, significant legal trouble, and
imprisonment. Please call a taxi or a friend who has not been drinking if you must have a ride
home. Time

The concept of time is very important to most people in the US. Classes, plays, concerts, public
meetings, dinners, and other events begin as scheduled. Being late is generally not accepted and
is considered rude behavior, as if the person being made to wait is less important than the
person keeping them waiting. Setting appointments or scheduling a specific time to meet is
common practice. If you know that you will be late to a meeting or appointment, a phone call to
explain your tardiness is generally expected along with an apology. Late is being more than 5
or 10 minutes behind your scheduled time. If your appointment is with a dentist, medical
doctor, or other professional, arriving more than 10 minutes late generally indicates that you
have skipped your appointment, and you will likely be charged a fee for failing to call to cancel
or to inform the receptionist of your anticipated late arrival.

Hygiene

People in the US are very much aware of their personal hygiene. They tend to shower daily, and
deodorants are universally used. Clothing is worn one day and then a different outfit is worn the
following day. Many people also change from one type of outfit to another, depending on the
activity that will be taking place later that day (you may wear a t-shirt and shorts to class, but
you would put on khakis and a more formal shirt to go to a party or to dinner at your professors
house). Shopping In the US, prices are fixed, so trading and bargaining do not work, except when you are
purchasing a car. Bartering with the salesperson may be effective in this circumstance. Generally speaking, there is an abundance of stores in the US and comparing prices at several
stores before buying is a good practice. When shopping, use the shopping cart or basket that the
store provides. Also, keep receipts so you can return unused or unwanted items. Generally, you
can return items up to three months after purchasing them; however, some stores prohibit you
from returning items that were bought during a sale. There is a sales tax in Georgia on most items sold. The tax in Columbus is currently 7% of the
cost. Therefore, if an item costs $1, you pay the seller $1.07. In most countries, sales tax is
already included in the price, but in the US this tax is levied when you make the actual purchase. 9 Tipping

Tipping is a prevalent custom in the United States. In restaurants, customers are expected to tip
the waiter or waitress between 15% to 20% of the total amount of the bill. If your car is parked
by a valet attendant, you should generally give him or her a dollar or two. The attendant who
checks your coat at a restaurant or other event should also receive a dollar or two. When you get
a haircut, you are generally expected to tip your stylist 10% to 15% of the cost of the haircut.
Bellmen in hotels and airport skycaps generally receive one dollar per bag, unless they are
extraordinarily helpful and go out of their way to assist you. Room service attendants should
generally receive a 15% to 20% tip, and the pizza delivery person should also receive a tip of at
least 10% to 15% of the price of the pizza. Taxi drivers should be tipped approximately 10% to
15% of the cost of the fare.

Clothing

What people wear in your home country may be different from what people wear in the United
States. Generally, people in the US are fairly casual in their dress, with the exception of formal
occasions. If you are invited by written invitation to a party, generally, the invitation will
include some information about dress. If no information is included with the invitation, you
may be able to guess the attire based on the activity. Generally, a suit or jacket and tie are
reserved for semi-formal occasions, a tuxedo is reserved for very formal occasions, and a nice
pair of pants with a collared shirt or sweater is acceptable casual wear. Jeans are very informal
and khaki pants are less informal depending on the type of shirt they are paired with. For
women, there are various types of pants, skirts, or dresses that are appropriate for any occasion.
Shorts or casual pants are worn for informal occasions.

Clothing Sizes
Womens Clothing
Japanese 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 US 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 British 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Continental 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50
Collar Sizes, Mens Shirts
Japanese 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 US 14 14.5 15 15.5 16 16.5 17 British 14 14.5 15 15.5 16 16.5 17 Continental 36 37 38 39 40 41 42
Mens Suits, Overcoats, and Sweaters
Japanese S M L LL US 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 British 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 Continental 44 46 48 50 52 54 56
Womens Shoes
Japanese 23 23.5 24 24.5 25 25.5 26 US 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 British 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 Continental 36 37 38 38 38 39 40 10 Mens Shoes
Japanese 24.5 26 27.5 28 29 US 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5 11.5 British 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Continental 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

Weights and Measures

Though a few things are measured using the metric system in the United States, most are not.
Below are some common Metric equivalents to standard US measurements:

Temperature Length 32

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