2014 Inside the USA Guide Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Welcome and Introduction . 3 1.1 Inside the USA – A Resource for Participants ...........................3 1.2 About InterExchange ................................................3 1.3 InterExchange Programs .............................................4 Chapter 2: Participant Rights, Protections, Understanding . 5 Chapter 3 - Pre-Departure Information . 7 3.1 Improve Your English Language Skills .................................7 3.2 Research Your Host Community ......................................7 3.3 Airline Baggage Allowance...........................................7 3.4 What to Bring With You (do not overpack!) ............................7 3.5 What to Leave at Home..............................................8 Chapter 4 - U .S . Culture & Culture Shock . 9 4.1 U.S. Culture.........................................................9 4.2 Characteristics of U.S. Culture ........................................9 4.3 Signs of Culture Shock..............................................10 4.4 How to Cope With Culture Shock . 11 4.5 Take Care of Yourself ................................................11 4.6 Important Note for Non-Native English Speakers ...................... 12 Chapter 5 - Money in the U .S . 13 5.1 U.S. Money ........................................................ 13 5.2 Traveler’s Checks................................................... 13 5.3 Banks............................................................. 14 5.4 Credit Cards ....................................................... 15 5.5 Sending Money Home .............................................. 15 Chapter 6 - U .S . Correspondence . 16 6.1 U.S. Mail .......................................................... 16 Chapter 7 - The Telephone System in the U .S . 17 7.1 How to Make a Call ................................................. 17 Chapter 8 - Other Helpful Information . 19 8.1 Laws & the Drinking Age in the U.S. .................................. 19 8.2 Shoplifting (Stealing) ............................................... 19 8.3 Personal Safety .................................................... 19 8.4 Temperatures in the United States ...................................20 8.5 Metric Equivalents ................................................. 21 8.6 Tipping ........................................................... 21 8.7 Sales Tax .......................................................... 21 Chapter 9 - Driving in the United States . 22 9.1 Driving in the United States .........................................22 9.2 Local Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV) ..........................22 9.3 International Driver’s License ........................................22 9.4 Foreign Driver’s License (Home Country Driver’s License) . 22 9.5 Obtaining a Driver’s License in the U.S. 22 9.6 What to Do in the Event of a Car Accident ............................23 9.7 Use Extra Caution . .23 Chapter 10 - Travel Information . 24 10.1 Directions to the InterExchange Office in New York City................24 10.2 Traveling to and From New York Area Airports . 24 10.3 Traveling After Your Work Commitment . 26 10.4 Traveling by Plane..................................................28 10.5 Traveling by Bus ...................................................28 10.6 Traveling by Train ..................................................28 10.7 Traveling by Car....................................................29 10.8 Hitchhiking ........................................................30 10.9 Budget Tours and Transport .........................................30 Chapter 11 - Accommodations . 32 11.1 Finding Housing ...................................................32 11.2 Finding Accommodations During Your Travel Period ...................32 11.3 Hostelling International (AYH) .......................................32 11.4 Budget Accommodations ..........................................33 Chapter 12 - Budget Accommodations Outside New York City . 34 Chapter 13 - Exiting and Returning to the U .S . 38 13.1 Traveling Outside of the U.S. ........................................38 13.2 Visiting Canada (including the Canadian side of Niagara Falls) . 38 13.3 Visiting Mexico ....................................................39 13.4 Visiting Countries Other than Canada and Mexico . .39 13.5 Consulates and Embassies in the United States........................39 Chapter 14 - While in New York City . 40 14.1 Exploring New York City ............................................40 14.2 Big Apple Bargains.................................................42 14.3 Free Events and Attractions in New York City . .42 14.4 Attractions Under $20 in New York City ..............................44 14.5 Nightlife in New York City ...........................................47 14.6 New York City Internet Access.......................................48 Keep in touch! InterExchange 161 6th Avenue, 10th Floor New York, NY 10013 1.212.924.0446 www.InterExchange.org Like us on Facebook InterExchange Work & Travel USA InterExchange Camp USA InterExchange Career Training USA InterExchange Au Pair USA Join our Linkedin groups InterExchange Work & Travel USA Alumni InterExchange Career Training USA Alumni InterExchange J1 Alumni Follow us on Twitter @IEXAuPairUSA @IEX_CT_USA @IEXCampUSA @WorkTravel Chapter 1 - Welcome and Introduction 1 1. Inside the USA – A Resource for Participants Inside the USA will provide useful advice and guidance for your stay in the United States. Some of the information, such as recognizing culture shock, will help you during the early days of your program, while other information, such as budget accommodations in the U.S., may be more useful at later stages during your program. Keep this handbook throughout your program for helpful tips and contact information, and always refer to the InterExchange website www.InterExchange.org for the most up-to-date information. Also use our Cultural Compass resources at www.InterExchange.org/american-culture. 1 .2 About InterExchange InterExchange is a nonprofit organization with more than 40 years of experience dedicated to promoting cultural awareness through a wide range of affordable and exciting work & travel, professional training, internship, au pair, camp, language learning and volunteer programs within the U.S. and abroad. InterExchange is designated by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor the J-1 Visa for people from around the world who would like to engage in cultural exchange by visiting the U.S. on one of our programs. We also connect U.S. and Canadian citizens with work and volunteer opportunities that enable them to learn about life in other countries. We encourage all our participants and professional colleagues to learn about The Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, also known as the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. This important act enables the Government of the United States to: ``increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange; ``strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations, and the contributions being made toward a peaceful and more fruitful life for people throughout the world; ``promote international cooperation for educational and cultural advancement; and thus assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world. Our J-1 Visa participants and their hosts must follow all regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of State and maintain contact with InterExchange throughout their selected programs. We guide international visitors to help them take advantage of the cultural opportunities offered by their local host communities in the U.S. Similarly, we encourage U.S. host families and employers to promote cultural learning by introducing international visitors to uniquely American values, customs, history and activities while simultaneously learning about the countries and cultures of visiting participants. Strengthening these relationships makes achieving the goals of mutual cultural exchange possible and allows us to build a global community—one person at a time. IEX-PH01-0214 3 Inside the USA 1 .3 InterExchange Programs Au Pair USA is a 12-month program that gives young people, ages 18-26, the opportunity to experience the U.S. by living with an American host family and providing child care. In return for their services, au pairs receive room, board, a weekly stipend, accident and sickness insurance, airfare and an educational allowance to use toward college- level courses. This program can be extended for an additional 6, 9 or 12 months after successfully completing the original 12-month program. Camp USA places international participants, ages 18 and up, in U.S. summer camps in counselor or support staff positions. InterExchange also sponsors visas for returning staff or for participants who have found their own camp jobs. The Camp Counselor J-1 Visa is a 4-month visa. The InterExchange Camp USA program runs between May 1st and October 15th during the program year. Career Training USA assists international students and young professionals, ages 18- 38, with J-1 Visa sponsorship for internships and practical training programs in the U.S. Candidates may apply for the J-1 Intern or Trainee Visa