Adjusting to the U.S.

Neighborhoods

Areas close to UMD shuttle and metro are more convenient for new students

Popular places for UMD students - Graduate Hills/Gardens- Silver Spring- Seven Spring Village- Lakeside North- Powder Mill Village - Mazza grandmarc/The Enclave

List of Pros/Cons (Proximity, Construction etc.)

LIVING

LIVING

Furnishing washingtondc.craigslist.orgTerrapin Traders IKEA in College Park (www.ikea.com)Mattress WarehouseCORT- Rental

TV and Internet Comcast Verizon

Miscellaneous items Target Office Depot/Staples PG Plaza (UMD Shuttle 133) Greenbelt Beltway Plaza (UMD Shuttle 101)

Settling in

Free! UMD Shuttle www.transportation.umd.edu, Route Rider App

Metro Rail and Metro Bus www.wmata.com www.nextbus.com

Driver’s license mva.maryland.gov

- Very useful as an ID - Special rules for Intl driver’s license holders

TransportationLIVING

Buying a car washingtondc.craigslist.org

- private sellers www.carmax.com

- certified used cars www.kbb.com

- for car market value www.carfax.com

- for car history

Insurance GEICO, Progressive, 21st Century

TransportationLIVING

LIVING

Subway

Rudy’s in VMH - Coffee and snacks

Stamp Student Union - Fast-food restaurants

South Campus Dining Hall - 5 min walk from VMH

Restaurants on Route 1 - 15 min walk from VMH

Food on campus

LIVING

Stores near campus Giant, Safeway, Target, Shoppers, CVS, PEAPOD

Ethnic stores Silver Spring, MD - Han Ah Reum - 12015 Georgia Ave - LA Mart - 640 University Blvd - Asian Food - 2301 University Blvd Rockville, MD - Maxim - 460 Hungerford Drive, Hyattsville, MD - Patel Bros - 2074 University Blvd E Falls Church, VA - Greatwall - 2982 Gallows Road

Food - Groceries

BankingLIVING

Stamp Student Union Chevy Chase Bank Capital One

Route 1 Bank of America Chevy Chase Bank Citibank ATM 7-Eleven

Good to know ID for checking account A debit card is as good as a credit card SSN required for credit cards

LIVING

Major Service Providers: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint 2 year contracts with high switching fees Most of them require an SSN/ Security deposit to get a monthly post-paid plan (Except T-Mobile) Without an SSN, your may have to use the pre-paid phones which cost more Verizon has the best network coverage, but is more expensive and requires more documents from applicantsLong-distance International Phone Cardshttp://www.1stphonecard.comhttp://www.onesuite.com/ Skype/Rebtel

Phone

LIVING

Snow clothes Prepare for a “Real” Winter

Weather

SSNWORKING

Who is eligible?- International students with GA’s- International students with on-campus jobs- International students with an internship or full time job

International Education Services (IES)- Instructions

http://www.international.umd.edu/ies/2431- Request a Social Security Letter from IEShttp://www.international.umd.edu/ies/1470

Rules and Procedures:- An offer of employment (i.e.: GA or TA on campus)- Visit Social Security Administration Office- You can choose the name that will appear on the ID

Do Not panic if you cannot apply for an SSN right now

Q&A