Exchange Visitor Program Orientation Guide: Appendices French-American Chamber of Commerce - NY International Career Development Programs 1375 Broadway, Suite 504 New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-867-0123 Email: [email protected] Table of Contents Boston…………………………………………………………………………………………...………………….3 Chicago…………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….5 Dallas/Fort Worth…………………………………………………………………………….…………….……….7 Denver………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………...9 Detroit……………………………………………………………………………………………………..………11 Houston…………………………………………………………………………………………..……………….13 Los Angeles……………………………………………………………………………………………………….15 Miami………………………………………………………………………………………………………………17 Minneapolis………………………………………………………………………………………………………..19 New Orleans………………………………………………………………………………………………...…….21 New York……………………………………………………………………………………………..……………23 Orlando…………………………………………………………………………………………...……………….25 Philadelphia……………………………………………………………………………………………….………27 San Diego………………………………………………………………………………..……………………….29 San Francisco…………………………………………………………………………………………………….31 Seattle……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..33 Washington D.C…………………………………………………………………………………………………..35 Additional Resources……………………………………………………………………………………………..37 Boston Boston is the largest city in the heart of New England and home of the American Revolution. Transportation Boston has an extensive transportation system, including the subway, commuter trains, and buses. Visit the MBTA website to learn more about routes and fares for the subway (called the T), the bus, commuter rail, and boat systems. Taxis and Ubers are available as well. If you live in the suburbs of Boston, you may need to purchase a car. Search for “used car dealerships” in your area to find safe and reliable options. If you purchase from an individual, make sure the car is inspected by a professional first. Visit the Amtrak website for travel to cities outside of the Boston area. Megabus, Greyhound, BoltBus and many other bus lines are good options as well. Renting a car is another option, but rental rates will be higher if you are under age 25. Accommodations J-1 Exchange Visitors should expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,400 per month on rent when living with one or more roommates. J-1 Exchange Visitors can expect to pay considerably more if they choose to live alone. Consider living in the suburbs of Boston, in areas like Cambridge, Brookline, or Somerville. Consider living in areas where many of Boston’s universities (Harvard, Boston University, MIT, etc.) are located – it is a great way to meet young Americans! Boston is a very safe city, but it is recommended that you avoid living in the neighborhoods of Dorchester, Mattapan, and Chelsea for safety reasons. Learn more here and here and with the Boston Police Department. Non-emergency housing issues/complaints can be filed with Boston 311. Local Climate Boston has what is called a “continental” climate – expect very cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. Local FACC Contact Please reach out to the FACC New England for information on integrating into the city: [email protected]. You can find more information on events here: https://faccne.org/upcoming-events/ Go to the next page for local activities and cultural resources! Activities Local Sports Teams Must-See Attractions and Activities Museum of Fine Arts Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Baseball – Boston Red Sox Paul Revere House Boston Ballet Basketball – Boston Celtics Boston Opera House Boston Public Library Hockey – Boston Bruins Newbury Street Boston Commons Football – New England Patriots Old North Church Harvard University New England Aquarium Brewery Tours the Lawn on D Old Custom Tower Faneuil Hall Freedom Trail Acorn Street (Beacon Hill Neighborhood) Weekend Trips Middlebury, Vermont – a classic New England town! Acadia National Park, Maine Lots of great hiking and – one of the best national parks skiing areas nearby. on the East Coast Salem, Massachusetts – Portland, Maine – a charming perfect for Halloween, learn seaside town more about the infamous White Mountains, New Salem Witch Trials Hampshire – one of the best Berkshires, hiking and skiing areas on the Massachusetts – ideal east coast location for hiking and Cape Cod/ Nantucket / escaping the big city. Martha’s Vineyard, Newport, Rhode Island – Massachusetts – great for a great for architecture summer get-away. enthusiasts. Check out the famous Newport Mansions. Local Resources boston.com: news and information on entertainment, nightlife, restaurants, etc. TimeOut Boston: information on events, restaurants, nightlife, etc. Official website of the city of Boston: information on city news, safety, and living in Boston Official website of the state of Massachusetts: consider visiting towns outside of Boston during your weekends! Fun Facts about Boston ➢ The first Dunkin’ Donuts coffee shop (now a popular national chain) was located near Boston ➢ The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in Boston in 1621 ➢ Every year on December 16th there is a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party ➢ The biggest art heist in history took place in Boston at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – more than $500 million in art was stolen! Chicago Chicago has all the appeal of a typical U.S. big city with a “Midwestern” twist, making it a very welcoming and friendly place to live. Transportation Chicago has an extensive transportation system, including the subway (called the “L”), commuter trains, and buses. Visit the CTA website to learn more about routes and fares for the subway and bus systems. Taxis and Ubers are available as well. Visit the Metra website for information about the commuter train systems servicing nearby areas. If you live in the suburbs of Chicago, you may need to purchase a car. Search for “used car dealerships” in your area to find safe and reliable options. If you purchase from an individual, make sure the car is inspected by a professional first. Visit the Amtrak website for travel to cities outside of the Chicago area. Megabus, Greyhound and many other bus lines are good options as well. Renting a car is also an option, but rental rates will be higher if you’re under age 25. Accommodations J-1 Exchange Visitors should expect to pay between $1,000 and $1,400 per month on rent when living with one or more roommates. J-1 Exchange Visitors can expect to pay considerably more if they choose to live alone. Don’t limit your search to one area. Check out several neighborhoods while searching for an apartment. Curbed has great information about rent costs. Remember to use sites like Craigslist, apartments.com, and Zumper, among others. While the city is generally very safe, it is recommended that you avoid living on the south side of Chicago due to higher rates of crime in certain neighborhoods. Learn more about crime in Chicago here with the Chicago Police Department. Local Climate Called the “Windy City” you can expect very cold, snowy, windy winters in Chicago with hotter, more humid summers. Local FACC Contact Please reach out to the Chicago Chapter of the FACC for more information on local events and for information on integrating into the city. [email protected] or 312-578-0444. Events can be found here: https://www.facc- chicago.com/events.html Go to the next page for local activities and cultural resources! Activities Local Sports Teams Must-See Attractions and Activities Baseball – Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox The Art Institute Navy Pier Basketball – Chicago Bulls Willis Tower Skydeck Grant Park Hockey – Chicago Blackhawks Shedd Aquarium The Field Museum Football – Chicago Bears Cloud Gate Crime/Mobster Tour Wrigley Field Deep Dish Pizza River Architecture Tour Palmer House Hotel Frank Lloyd Wright Houses Weekend Trips Starved Rock State Park, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Illinois – home of amazing – a popular vacation spot for waterfalls and hiking many generations. It’s the “Waterpark Capital of the Indianapolis, Indiana – home World!” that also offers hiking, of the Indianapolis 500 car sports, and scenic boat tours. race! Madison, Wisconsin – a lively Mark Twain National Forest, college town with lots of outdoor Missouri – a beautiful state and cultural activities park that offers a variety of outdoor activities. Named after the famous American author. Local Resources Choose Chicago: tourism website of the city of Chicago TimeOut Chicago: information on events, restaurants, nightlife, etc. Official website of the city of Chicago: information on city news, safety, and living in Chicago Chicagoist: information and news on local events Fun Facts about Chicago ➢ The classic American comedy movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” was filmed in Chicago ➢ Every year the Chicago River is dyed green in March in honor of St. Patrick’s Day ➢ The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed one-third of the city ➢ The largest dinosaur known to man can be found at the Field Museum in Chicago Dallas/ Fort Worth Dallas is home to many unique attractions and art museums and combines a “big city” feel with a more intimate “suburban” way of life. Transportation If you are located in Grand Prairie, Arlington, or Irving, you will be in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area. While it will usually be necessary to travel by car, you will have access to public transportation while in the major cities. Please factor in these transportation costs when planning for your internship in the United States. If you need to purchase a car, search for “used car dealerships” in your area to find safe and reliable options. If you purchase from an individual, make sure the car