Student Pre-Arrival Guide Spring 2016


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Student Pre-Arrival Guide Spring 2016

Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

Congratulations on your acceptance to UMass Boston! Soon you will begin your first year of studies through Navitas at UMass Boston, and as an international student, to register for Fall Semester 2015, you must report to campus for Orientation which begins on

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 8:30 am All three days of Orientation are MANDATORY so please book your travel plans accordingly.

Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

Navitas at UMass Boston has a variety of academic, social, and emotional supports and resources in place to assist you during your first year. University study may have its challenges, but we will work closely with you to ensure that you are well-prepared as you continue on to your second year at UMass Boston. Navitas at UMass Boston will help you learn about your new culture, make friends, and make your new home away from home an enriching and satisfying experience. This guide contains important information, which you need to read to make sure you come prepared. Traveling to Boston …………………………………………………………………………. p. 1 Transport from Airport …………………………………………………….………………. p. 1 What Do I Need To Bring With Me? .......................................................... p. 2 Weather in Massachusetts……………………………………………………………….… p. 3 Housing Options ……………………………………………………………………………... p. 3 How to Pay Tuition Fees ………………………………………………………………….. p. 7 Cost of Living ………………………………………………………………………………….. p. 8 Enrollment………………………………………………………………………………………. p. 9 Orientation……………………………………….…………………………………………….. p. 9 Campus Map……………………………………………………………………………………. p. 10 Pre-Arrival Checklist ………………………………………………………………………... p. 11

We are very happy that you will be joining us here in Boston! The Navitas at UMass Boston team looks forward to meeting you, getting to know you, and helping to ensure that your study experience here is successful and enjoyable. See you soon! The Navitas at UMass Boston Team

Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

Traveling to Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Boston’s Logan International Airport (airport code: BOS) will be your final destination when planning your trip to UMass Boston. Depending on your departure location, you may have to connect through any number of major US cities. If you first arrive in another US city, please allow at least 3 hours before you take a domestic flight to Boston’s Logan International Airport to pass through Customs and to find your next boarding gate. Please make sure to inform Navitas at UMass Boston of your travel arrangements ahead of time (at least one week before your arrival) at [email protected] in order to confirm travel and pick up times. When purchasing your airline tickets, please keep the important dates below in mind. IMPORTANT DATES FOR ARRIVAL: Mandatory Orientation: Jan 20-22, 2016 Please meet us on campus by 8:30 am. If you are arriving earlier than your homestay or apartment move-in date, you may need to arrange temporary hotel accommodations for a few days. The Double Tree Bayside is located near the UMass Boston campus. Alternative nearby hotels include Courtyard and Holiday Inn. For more information visit: Doubletree Bayside 240 Mount Vernon Street Boston, MA 02125 Tel: 1-617-822-3600 Fax: 1-617-822-2865

Courtyard Boston-South Boston R, 63 Boston Street Boston, MA 02125 Tel: 1-617-436-8200

Holiday Inn Express Boston 69 Boston Street Boston, MA 20125 Tel: 1-617-288-3030

Transportation to UMass Boston from Boston’s Logan International Airport: Navitas at UMass Boston can provide a driver to pick you up at the Boston Logan International Airport upon your arrival. The driver will meet you at the limo/livery area closest to your arriving gate. Students interested in airport pick-up are required to fill out the airport pick-up information in the Student Arrival Form. A copy of this form has been emailed to you and should be returned to [email protected] along with the detailed trip itinerary 14 days prior to your arrival. This form can also be found on the Navitas website. If you do not need airport pick-up, you will need to take a taxi from the airport to your final destination. You should budget between $35-$50 in cash for taxi service. Students not requesting airport pickup should still return the Student Arrival Form to [email protected] Please note that Boston’s MBTA public transit system also services Boston Logan Airport. This is a safe and inexpensive travel option to get you to your destination. www.mbta.com Important: If you have not been receiving emails from Navitas at UMass Boston, email your student ID number and email address to [email protected]

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Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

What do I need to bring with me to UMass Boston? We recommend you bring the following items when you journey to Boston. *Documents:        

Money, credit card, traveler's checks, financial records (copy of bank statements and list of account numbers) Cash and US currency for incidental travel charges (baggage fees, taxi, snacks, etc.) Official academic transcripts and English translations Medical and dental records, including immunization and vaccination records and prescriptions, eyeglasses, insurance records (if you have these documents on hand) Copy of your birth certificate Passport and plane tickets, Form I-20 (kept with you, not packed in your luggage!) National and international driver's licenses UMB documents, such as the University’s letter of acceptance and contact information for Navitas at UMass Boston *Make two photocopies of any important documents. Have these copies notarized before leaving your home country. Leave one copy at home, and bring one copy with you, but keep it separate from the originals. It might be worthwhile to bring several spare sets of passport photographs in case you need to get a new passport or visa. Critical documents, medicines, and other supplies should be carried in your carry-on luggage. Your carry-on bag should also include one change of clothing.

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Personal Items: Medicine and prescriptions Towel, soap, and toothbrush, first aid kit Eyeglasses/contact lenses (if needed) Address book with family phone numbers and e-mail addresses Music from your home country Personal computer software Photos (family and friends)

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Clothing: Comfortable shoes (Boston is a walking city and many people walk to local destinations) Lightweight, loose fitting clothing for warmer months Winter jacket Winter accessories (hat, gloves, scarf, etc.) Snow boots Pajamas Traditional/dress outfit Sweaters You should bring enough money with you to cover your first month's expenses until you are able to transfer funds from abroad. This will be between $1,500 and $3,000 USD. Any cash or other monetary instruments (traveler’s checks) exceeding $10,000 USD must be claimed at Customs. It can be very expensive to transport a lot of belongings. It is better to buy what you need in the US. If you decide to send your belongings separately, your main options are by boat or by air. Shipping items by boat takes longer, but is also half the cost of sending them by air. Allow eight weeks for items to arrive by boat, or one to two weeks for items shipped by air. Most international flights allow each student a maximum of two pieces of luggage weighing 50lbs (22kg) each (22kg x 2). Please make sure to write your name and USA address on the labels of your luggage and check luggage restrictions prior to your departure. Fees for extra bags or baggage exceeding the airline weight limit may apply. Page 2 Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

Weather in Massachusetts: The climate in New England can be different for students who are accustomed to tropical or warm weather conditions. As such, you should be prepared with a range of clothing from loose fitting, lightweight materials for the summer to heavy winter jackets, sweaters, scarves, long pants, and boots, for the winter. The temperatures range from -5 to -10 °C in the winter months, and 25 to 30 °C in the summer months. Please take this into consideration when you are packing and budgeting for your travel.

Housing Options in Boston: New students must secure housing before arriving in Boston. Make sure that you have the address of where you will be staying for your first night in Boston. If you are arriving earlier than your homestay or apartment move-in date, you may need to arrange temporary hotel accommodations for a few days. The Double Tree Bayside is located near the UMass Boston campus. For more information visit http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/BOSCHDT-DoubleTree-Club-by-Hilton-Hotel-BostonBayside-Massachusetts/index.do. Below is a list of housing options available to students within the city:

Homestay For many students, the opportunity to stay with an American family within the community offers a special appeal. As a homestay student, you will have the chance to be part of a family and take part in family activities. All families are within commuting distance of the UMass Boston campus. Homestay amenities include:         

Private bedrooms, fully furnished; bed and bath linens provided Breakfast and dinner included; parking, if required Private bathrooms available and independence—personal house keys Short-term stays are available, usually for 1-6 months No security deposit or last month’s rent Internet, laundry, heat, other utilities included Easy commute to campus Opportunity to practice English with your host family Available from $1,200-$1,800 per month, per student, based on availability Homestay space is limited and is based on availability; therefore make sure you have secured your accommodation before arriving to Boston. An application can be found on www.globalimmersions.com. Global Immersions Contact Information: Email: [email protected] Phone: (617) 484-4055 Fax: (617) 321-4009 Website: www.globalimmersions.com

Page 3 Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

Apartments A wide range of apartment accommodations are available to Navitas UMass Boston students. The following resources provide off-campus housing options offered through Navitas UMass Boston preferred partners.         

Harbor Point Apartments: Unfurnished apartments located on the waterfront Monthly furniture rental available when you secure your place 10 -15 minutes walking distance from campus Near public transit and 20 minutes from downtown Boston 12-month lease Heat and hot water included Requires payment of electricity, cable, and Internet 1, 2 person units, based on availability Available from $1,300 per month, per student, based on availability Contact Information: Harbor Point Leasing Office E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (617) 825-2033 Website: http://www.harborpointonthebay.com

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Peninsula Apartments: Luxury apartments with stainless steel appliances; washer and dryer in some units Leases can be completed on-line Online rent payment and service request 10 minutes walking distance from campus 12 month leases available; heat and hot water included Requires payment of electricity, cable, and Internet Monthly furniture rental available when you secure your place Available from $1,400 – 2,200 per month, per student, based on availability Contact Information: Peninsula Leasing Office E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (855) 572-1021 Website: www.peninsula-apts.com

Page 4 Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

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100 Memorial Drive Apartments: Unfurnished apartments located on the waterfront Monthly furniture rental available when you secure your place Centrally located on the MIT campus in Cambridge; 10 minutes from downtown Boston Close to shopping and restaurants Near public transit- subway/bus 30-minute commute to UMass Boston by subway 12-month lease Heat and hot water included Requires payment of electricity, cable, and Internet (est. $150-$300/month) 1, 2, 4, and 6 person apartment units, based on availability Available from $1,400-$2,000 per month, per student, based on availability Contact Information: Tom Feldman E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (617) 864-3450 Fax: (617) 354-3037 Website: http://www.100memorial.com/

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Eaves by Avalon: Leases can be completed online Online rent payment and service request Apartment holds can be paid by credit card Monthly furniture rental available when you secure your place 5 minute walk to North Quincy station’s Red Line subway train, just one stop away from UMass Boston 20 minutes from downtown Boston 2 to 12 - month leases Requires payment of electricity, cable, Internet, heat and hot water Two person and one person units based on availability Rent starts at around $1,000 per month, per student, based on availability and length of lease Contact Information: Email: [email protected] Phone: (617) 773-2887 Website: http://www.avaloncommunities.com/massachusetts/quincy-apartments/eaves-north-quincy

Page 5 Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

With fifty colleges in fifty square miles, Boston, Massachusetts has the highest concentration of students in the world. Therefore, it is important that you secure your housing before you arrive. The closer we get to the start of the term, the more limited your housing options will become. At Navitas at UMass Boston, we want your entire educational experience to be enjoyable and successful - including your housing accommodations.

Independent Off-Campus Housing: For those students who would like to search for additional accommodations in Boston, the following resources are the best place to start looking for off-campus accommodations:      

Elena M. Lau, Realtor: [email protected]; 857-204-6188 Craigslist: http://boston.craigslist.org/ Boston Apartments: http://www.bostonapartments.com/ Boston Living: http://www.boston-living.com/apartments-in-boston-ma.html Rental Housing Resource Center: http://www.cityofboston.gov/rentalhousing/students.asp To calculate the distance from your apartment to campus: www.mbta.com

Furniture: Students should prepare to buy or rent furniture when they arrive, as apartments generally are unfurnished upon move-in. There are plenty of stores nearby UMass Boston (example: Target) at the South Bay Shopping Center which is located at 8 Allstate Road, Boston, MA 02118. If students prefer to rent, please continue reading below. Cort Furniture: Monthly furniture rental packages are available to Navitas at UMass Boston students through Cort Furniture. For those students who would like to rent furniture on a monthly basis, this is a good option. Students may also purchase furniture through Cort Furniture. Once housing is secured, students must contact the furniture company to rent or buy furniture. The student package is $99 per month with a one-time delivery fee of $185. This package includes a sofa, arm chair, cocktail table, end table and lamp, dining room table, 2 dining chairs, queen bed, chest, nightstand and lamp. There are additional furniture items available at an additional cost per month. Important: In order to rent furniture, students will be asked to provide copies of their I-20 form, passport, letter of acceptance from UMass Boston and a credit card. Contact Information Website: www.cort.com/student

Local Representative: [email protected]

Page 6 Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

How to Pay Navitas at UMass Boston Tuition Fees: Your tuition deposit and other fees payment are due prior to your arrival. The amount varies based on your program of study: Refer to your Navitas at UMass Boston invoice or letter of offer for your breakdown of fees due:

Tuition and Fees

Amount

UPP tuition fee (50% deposit)

$14,333.00

PMP tuition fee (60% deposit)

$15,083.00

MEP tuition fee (50% deposit)

$16,538.00

ESL + MEP + UPP tuition fee (50% deposit)

$19,683.00

ESL + PMP tuition fee (60% deposit)

$18,856.00

Mandatory Fees International Student Fee (per semester)

$155.00

New Student Fee (one-time)

$643.00

ID Fee (annual)

$25.00

Medical Insurance (per year)

$1,127.00

Methods of Payment • Online debit/credit payment • Wire Transfer • Cashier’s Check • International Bank Draft www.umb.navitas.com/online-payment Beneficiary Account Number Bank Name

Navitas USA Boston 36931253 CITIBANK N.A., 111 WALL STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10043, USA Routing Number 021000089 International Swift Code CITIUS33

For questions and assistance on financial matters, contact Jessica Abreu at [email protected].

Page 7 Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

Cost of Living in Boston:

Estimated Living Expenses (USD)

Per Year (3 semesters)

Off-Campus Accommodation (excluding food)

$14,000-16,000

Meals

$3,600.00

Utilities

$1,200.00

Furniture

$1,200.00

Entertainment

$1,100.00

Personal Items

$1,000.00

Clothing

$1,400.00

Total

*$23,500 – 25,500

*Note: Costs quoted above are averages and can vary depending on a student’s spending habits.

Page 8 Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

Enrollment: You will register for your courses online before Orientation. It is important that you select your courses online on the first day of enrollment as classes may reach capacity. Enrollment is first come first served. To enroll in classes you need to:  Clear remaining conditions on your Offer Letter (e.g. presenting certified documents, IELTS, etc.)  Pay your 50% deposit for ESL, MEP, UPP or PMP program  Complete the online (ALEKS) Math Placement Assessment  Complete the online Writing Placement Assessment Math and English Placement Assessment The assessments are designed to help students select the correct Math/English course. The assessments are required for all students prior to beginning your studies. Details of how to complete these assessments will be emailed to you prior to online enrollment. How to Select your Classes  An enrollment tutorial guide will be sent to you with details on when and how to select your courses online and a recommended list of courses. Important: If you have not been receiving emails from Navitas at UMass Boston, email your student ID number and email address to [email protected] and we will make sure your information is updated in our system.

Orientation: MANDATORY Orientation Wednesday, Jan 20-22, 2016 Navitas staff will meet you in the Campus Center, 1st floor lobby at 8:30 am. Other important Orientation information will be provided upon your arrival.

***Do not be late for Orientation*** The purpose of Orientation is to:     

Make you aware of rules and academic policies Show you the services available on campus Familiarize you with Navitas and the UMass Boston campus Introduce you to your new classmates and returning students Get to know the city of Boston—your new home!

Orientation takes place the week just before the first day of classes. You will be welcomed by Navitas and UMass Boston staff, and will take part in information sessions and various workshops, as well as fun, interactive activities with new and current Navitas students, and Navitas and University staff. The mandatory Orientation is a fantastic opportunity for you to meet new people who are embarking on the same experience with you, and who will likely become your lifelong friends. This is a wonderful way to begin your academic career with Navitas at UMass Boston! We hope you are looking forward to beginning this adventure. We can’t wait to meet you at Orientation! Page 9 Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

UMass Boston Campus Map

Orientation (Sciences Bldg.)

Page 10 Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]

Pre-Arrival Checklist:  Send your Student Arrival Form to [email protected]  Organize all important documents—one photocopy to family, one photocopy in your suitcase, and all originals in your carry-on luggage  Three passport-sized photographs  Identification (passport, driver’s license)  Medical certificates/history/reports  Clothing / Toiletries  Household items (if applicable)  Credit card / Pocket money  International pre-paid phone card  Name, address, telephone number where you will spend your first night in the U.S.  Contact numbers (family and Navitas at UMass Boston)  This Pre-arrival guide

**What to bring to Bring to Orientation**  Your address and contact information in the U.S.  Original immunization records and health history records translated into English  Your passport and I-20

Page 11 Navitas at UMass Boston | 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Campus Center, 2nd Floor, Section 2100| Boston MA 02125-3393 T: +1 617 287 5794 | E: [email protected]