Preparing for Departure

To Do Before You Leave List

⌈ Arrange housing at least 6 weeks in advance (visit our housing page)

⌈ Arrange transportation from Sea-Tac airport (see airport pick up/ airport transportation section of this sheet)

⌈ Check that your visa accurately reflects your first, last and middle name, visa classification and states Seattle Central as name of institution. If you find any error, contact local embassy as soon as possible.

⌈ Check that your I-20 accurately reflects your first, last, middle name and date of birth. If you find any error, contact us as soon as possible.

⌈ Be healthy! Get an overall physical, dental and optical examinations

⌈ If you have any access to US government educational advising center in your country, plan to attend a pre-departure orientation

⌈ Do not attempt to arrive to US more than 30 days before the program start date listed on your SEVIS I-20 form. You may be refused entry!

When You Travel

⌈ Keep in mind that sometimes luggage is temporarily misplaced. In order to avoid considerable problems if this happens to you, we recommend packing items you need for 2-3 days in your carry-on luggage (extra clothes, money, prescription medication, eyeglasses, contact lenses, personal toiletry items, etc.)

• Bring a pen. On the airplane, flight attendants will distribute Custom Declaration Forms CF-6059 and Arrival Departure Record Forms I-94. These must be completed before landing.
• Certain articles are forbidden or restricted to bring into US. These include plants, fruits, meats and vegetables. For the most updated list of restricted items, visit US Customs and Boarder Protection Website: www.customs.ustreas.gov
• Hand carry the following documents:
  - Passport (needs to be valid for at least six month beyond the date of your expected stay)
  - Visa (attached to your passport)
  - SEVIS Form I-20 . For new students, US Consular Officer may put your I-20 in a sealed envelope, sometimes attached to your passport—Do NOT open the envelope! The Custom and Boarder Protection (CBP)officer at the US port of entry will open it.
  - Address of where you live in US (not the college address)
  - Contact information of our office :
  International Education Programs
  Seattle Central Community College
  (206) 587-3893
  Open Monday- Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM

Suggested Items to Bring

⌈ Clothing : Both lightweight and heavyweight items. Include items such as shorts, t-shirts, jacket, coat, gloves, hats, raingear and swimsuits.

⌈ Shoes : Comfortable pairs of shoes. Sandals and boots will be useful too.

⌈ Money : Combination of cash, traveler’s check and credit cards. Make sure you can cover initial cost of getting to campus, and at least first month’s expenses and first quarter tuition (about $4000). Never carry a large amount of cash!

⌈ Medicine, Eyeglasses and/or Contact Lenses : Bring extras! If you have any health concerns or medical conditions, bring a copy of medical, dental and immunization records.

⌈Personal Items : pictures of your family and friends, small gifts, traditional clothes, maps, posters, music and items that represent you or your culture. These items will be helpful for you to introduce yourself to people who you meet here and keep you feel close to home.

⌈ Food Items : Although there are strict rules on customs, you may want to pack a few non-perishable foods, sweets, and/or cooking spices.

Reminder! :Most airlines only allow one luggage and one personal item for carry on. Two check in luggage are allowed. If checked in luggage exceeds 50lbs (22.7kg), extra charges will apply.

In addition, it is strongly recommended that you hand carry the following documentations.

- Evidence of financial resources

- Evidence of student status, such as recent tuition receipts, transcripts, letter or acceptance and class schedule.

- Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee, Form I-797

What Does It Cost?

At the US Airport

Have the following documents available for presentation: your passport, SEVIS Form I-20; Arrival-Departure Record Form I-94; Customs Declaration Form CF-6059 and other recommended documents.

1. Arrive in the US and proceed to inspection area. Inform the CBP officer that you are a new or returning student in the United States.
2. The CBP officer will process your I-20 form and return it to you, take a digital photo and your fingerprints.
3. Pick up your baggage at the baggage carousel.
4. Proceed through CBP checkpoint and show your Customs Declaration Form (CF-6059) to the CBP officer (your baggage may be examined).
5. If your first entry to the United States is at Sea-Tac International Airport, you will need to drop off your baggage once after inspection, take a shuttle train to the Main Terminal Baggage Claim area, and pick your luggage up again there before leaving the airport.
   

Airport Pick-Up and Airport Transportation

Seattle Tacoma (SEA-TAC) International Airport is located about 20 to 25 minutes south of Seattle Central.

Host Family Students : If you arranged a host family or apartment through one of the homestay agencies, you will be picked-up by the agency. Try not to arrive on a weekend and keep in close contact with the agency regarding your arrival flight information.

Other Students : There are many airport transportation options available. Please read the information below and arrange individual transportation from the airport.

Shuttle : Shuttle Express | (425) 981-7000 | www.shuttleexpress.com
Location at SEA-TAC Airport: After baggage claim, cross a sky bridge and go to the 3rd floor of the parking garage. Follow the Ground Transportation signs—our booth is in the center of the 3rd floor, between the orange and purple elevator banks (next to the airport’s ground transportation office). Cost: approximately $36.00

Taxi :
Location at SEA-TAC Airport: Third floor on the Parking Garage. Upon arrival Call (206) 246-9999, or use the curbside phones on Baggage Claim Level. Cost: $40.00-$60.00 (tip is suggested and fuel changes may be added)

Note: Always ask the cost of the trip before getting into a taxi!

Rental Cars :
Location at SEA-TAC Airport: Nine rental car companies have information counters in the Baggage Claim area and five have car-pick up at the airport on the first floor of the garage access from the Main Terminal. In addition, off-airport rental car companies provide courtesy van services to the airport. Note: Some companies may require an International driver’s license, photo identified foreign driver’s license, a major credit card (Visa or MasterCard) and the driver to be at least 25 years of age.

Local bus :
Location at the Airport: The far south end of baggage claim area, outside door number 2. It is good to plan your trip in advance using “Trip Planner” on the following website http://transit.metrokc.gov/. Or you may ask the bus driver at the Airport. Cost is $1.50 to $2.25.

Fore more information, please visit: http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/ground/

Communication

TELEPHONE SERVICE

If you live off-campus, you must arrange your own local and long distance service. New customers pay a one-time installation charge, as well as a deposit that is usually refunded when you terminate the service. There are several long distance companies such as AT&T, MCI, and SPRINT. Check with all of them to decide which service will be best for your long-distance needs.

Telephone Cards :
Paid calling cards provide an easy way to call from any phone, to anywhere. They are available in many different amounts ($5, $10, etc…) and the cost of each call is deducted from the amount, until you have used it all up. These calling cards are available in most grocery stores and drug stores. It is good to ask other international students where to purchase the best deals!

Cell Phones :
Many cell phone carriers are available in Seattle and each of them offers a variety of plans. The monthly cost of maintaining a cell phone is around $50.00. International students who do not have a social security number can purchase a pre-paid cell phone without a social security number. Most carriers require international students to put down deposits of $200.00 or more when signing up for a plan. The deposit is generally fully refundable after certain period of time, usually about 1 year. Your account needs to be in good standing to receive the deposit back.

Following is a list of major cell phone carriers:

AT & T
wireless.att.com

Sprint
sprint.com

T-Mobile
t-mobile.com/

Verizon Wireless
verizonwireless.com

Banking

A bank offers safety and convenience. Many banks provide services such as checking accounts, savings accounts, bank drafts, foreign currency exchange, money orders, traveler’s check, wire-transfer and safe-deposit boxes for valuables. To open a bank account, you need to bring your student identification card, your passport and the funds you wish to deposit.

There are many banks located near campus:

Bank of America
230 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 358-2086

Key Bank
1224 Madison St
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 447-5758

US Bank
135 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 720-0615

Washington Mutual
301 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102
(206) 461-2475

Wells Fargo
1410 E John St
Seattle, WA 98112
(206) 322-2176

Mail Services

U.S. Postal Service is the main provider of mail services in the United States.
Post Office nearest Seattle Central:

Broadway Station
101 Broadway E
Seattle, WA 98102
(800) 275-8777

Within the U.S., standard sized letters need postage of $0.42 for the first ounce (28g). To all foreign countries except Mexico and Canada standard sized letters need postage of $.90 for the first ounce.

Short-term Housing and Long-term Housing

If you need temporary housing when you first arrive in Seattle, you may stay in a fully furnished apartment, hotel, or youth hostel. For long-term housing, homestays and apartment style housing are available. For more information on housing, please review the information included with your acceptance materials, or visit our housing webpage at: http://seattlecentral.edu/international/housing.shtml

Medical Insurance Requirements

The cost of medical care in the United States is very high. Students at Seattle Central Community College are required to purchase the Seattle Community College District policy, and students will

be charged automatically when registering for classes each quarter. The cost is currently $201.75. Please visit our health insurance requirement webpage to learn about the policy: http://seattlecentral.edu/international/insurance_sl.shtml.

The health insurance requirement is waived if students can show proof that they have adequate medical insurance to cover the full length of the academic term. Please see the above website for more details.

Everyday Transportation

Gopass and Metro Bus System

As a Seattle Community College student, you are eligible to purchase the Gopass for $60 (subject to change) per academic quarter. The Gopass allows you to ride the Metro Bus System all over King County for no additional charge. The Gopass can be purchased at the Cashier’s Office and is generally valid from the first day of the academic quarter through the last day of classes. The Seattle Metro Traisit System has bus routes throughout the city and surrounding locations. To learn more, visit: http://transit.metrokc.gov/.

Owning and Operating an Automobile

You must have a valid driver's license and automobile insurance to drive a car. If you have a valid driver's license from your home country, you may use it as long as it is valid or up to one year, whichever comes first. Make sure the license contains photo identification. Some rental car agencies or insurance agency may not accept foreign driver’s license and ask for International Driver’s Permit (IDP). IDP must be obtained in your home country before leaving to U.S. To obtain a Washington State driver's license, you must pass a written test and a driving test. Written test and test preparation guide is available in the following languages: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian Spanish and Vietnamese.

Department of Licensing nearest to Seattle Central:

5811 Rainer Ave S
Seattle, WA 98118-2705
(206) 721-4560

Traveling in the US

Travel By Bus

Greyhound buses are an affordable option for long-distance traveling. The bus service connects most cities in the United States and Canada. The Greyhound bus terminal is located at 8th and Stewart downtown. Call 624-3456 for information.

Travel By Air

Many major U.S. airlines offer VUSA (Visit USA) fairs. These consist of coupons that are valid for three to ten flights. You have to buy them in your country before you leave. They usually start at approximately $300 for three flights.

Travel By Train

Amtrak provides service from Seattle to many cities in the United States. Train rides are often more expensive than the bus rides, but the ride can be fun and the scenery spectacular. Amtrak offers many services such as the Rail Pass, the Student Discount

Program and Vacation Packages. Call 1-800-523-8720 or visit www.amtrak.com for more information about Amtrak.

Immigration Basics

You are required to report to our office upon arrival so that we can validate your participation in SEVIS

• If you are on a student visa (F-1), you must be in school full-time (SCIE 4 hours/day, Seattle Central 12 credit hours)

• SCIE students must pass their classes and college or college bridge students must maintain a quarterly GPA of at least 2.00.

• You are only allowed to take a vacation a quarter after you have been a full-time student in-status for 3 full quarters.

• Students are not allowed to work off-campus

• F-1 students may seek employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week ON CAMPUS at Seattle Central, if they are attending classes full time. Students must maintain full-time status.