WELCOME INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY WELCOME TO FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY WELCOME! Welcome, and congratulations once again on your acceptance and enrollment at Fairfield University. This guidebook has been designed to simplify the next steps in the process and to answer questions you may have about your arrival to campus. For more information, contact the Office of Student Engagement at: e-mail: [email protected] phone: 203-254-4110 website: fairfield.edu/internationalstudentlife International Student Guide fairfield.edu FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY 3 About Fiarfield WELCOME TO FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY ABOUT FAIRFIELD About Fairfield .............................................................................................................................................................................................3 Fairfield University Mission & Identity .................................................................................................................................................3 The Tri-State Area ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Town of Fairfield ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Preparing for Fairfield ...............................................................................................................................................................................5 Pre-Departure Planning ............................................................................................................................................................................5 Important Documents ...............................................................................................................................................................................5 Passport ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................5 Applying for A United States Visa ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Types of Visa .................................................................................................................................................................................................7 Immunization Requirements .................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Health Insurance Requirements ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Transportation from The Airport .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Arriving at Fairfield ..................................................................................................................................................................................10 Funds for Your Arrival .....................................................................................................................................................................10 Financial Obligations and Payment Information ...................................................................................................................10 Foreign Currency Exchange ..........................................................................................................................................................10 Reporting Your Arrival to Fairfield University ........................................................................................................................10 Getting Settled ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Identification ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Banking .........................................................................................................................................................................................................14 News Sources ..............................................................................................................................................................................................14 Area Hotels ..................................................................................................................................................................................................14 Housing (Undergraduate Students Only)......................................................................................................................................... 15 Housing (Graduate Students Only) .................................................................................................................................................... 15 Shopping ......................................................................................................................................................................................................18 FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT – INTERNATIONAL STUDENT LIFE Furniture .......................................................................................................................................................................................................18 The Office of Student Engagement, International Student Life, assists all international students and scholars New Furniture .............................................................................................................................................................................................18 with visa and immigration matters as well as adjusting to life at Fairfield University. Used Furniture ............................................................................................................................................................................................18 Clothing Stores ..........................................................................................................................................................................................19 Our office is located in Barone Campus Center: Room 96, and we are open Monday through Friday from Factory Outlet Stores ..............................................................................................................................................................................19 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST. Contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or call +1-203-254-4110. Department Stores ...................................................................................................................................................................................19 International Orientation is mandatory for all new incoming F1 and J1 students. Topics covered include required Shopping Malls ...........................................................................................................................................................................................19 immigration overviews and information about the university resources such as the Health Center, Residence Life, Boutiques and Retail Stores ..................................................................................................................................................................19 Counseling & Psychological Services, Department of Public Safety, Course Registration, the Library, etc. There Food ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................19 are opportunities for students to open bank accounts, register for cell phone plans, shop for essential items, and Supermarkets ..............................................................................................................................................................................................19 get their university StagCard (student identification card). Information about Orientation dates will be emailed Cultural Food ..............................................................................................................................................................................................19 the semester before your arrival. Academic Supplies ...................................................................................................................................................................................19 Pharmacies .................................................................................................................................................................................................20 FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY MISSION & IDENTITY Transportation ...........................................................................................................................................................................................20