Dear UCSB EAP Reciprocity Students,
Greetings from the EAP Campus Office at UCSB! You are probably excited about your pending departure for the United States and the upcoming academic year. In order to alleviate any worries that you might have, we have compiled some information that we hope is useful to you.
Also, as a reminder, when you arrive please stop by our office in 2431 South Hall to let us know you are here. As soon as you have a place to live, please give us your Santa Barbara address so that we may keep you informed about EAP events and put you in touch with students who are interested in studying in your home country. We will be happy to answer any other questions you may have regarding your upcoming stay in California. We look forward to meeting you!
**********CONTENTS**********
1. Important Dates
2. References
3. Planning Your Arrival
4. Paying Fees
5. Registration Information
6. Registration FAQs
7. Student Email & UCSBnetID
8. Health Information
9. Health FAQs
10. Housing Information
11. Miscellaneous FAQs
**********IMPORTANT DATES **********
* 30 days prior to program start date on DS-2019: Earliest possible date of arrival in the U.S.
* September 7: Labor Day Holiday (UCSB, Banks, and most businesses will be CLOSED)
* September 17, 18, 19: MANDATORY International Student Orientation
* September 24: CLASSES BEGIN
* September 25: EAP Reception -- meet American students! (tentative date)
* October TBA: EAP Student Get-Together
**********REFERENCES**********
Please bookmark these web pages on your computer for your reference:
UOEAP Pre-Arrival Instructions: http://eap.ucop.edu/reciprocal_exchanges/pre-arrival/fall/UCSB.shtm
UCSB Campus Education Abroad Program (EAP) Office: http://eap.ucsb.edu/Reciprocity/index.html
UCSB Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS): http://www.oiss.ucsb.edu/index.aspx
MyUCSB Start Page: http://my.sa.ucsb.edu/home/index.aspx
KIOSK Student Handbook: http://kiosk.ucsb.edu/
**********PLANNING YOUR ARRIVAL **********
If you will have already arranged your housing prior to your arrival in Santa Barbara, we suggest you arrive a day or two prior to the mandatory International Student Orientation, which begins September 17. If, however, you plan on looking for housing once you arrive, you should arrive several weeks earlier. When arranging your travel plans, please remember that the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) is located near the city of Goleta, and is actually about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of the city of Santa Barbara. Carefully read the sections below as they include information that may answer many of the questions you might have regarding your first several days in Santa Barbara.
TRANSPORTATION:
There are two relatively easy means of traveling from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to UCSB: (1) Many airlines offer flights from LAX to Santa Barbara Airport for about $150-200 (one-way) – depending on when you make your reservations; (2) The Santa Barbara Airbus runs from LAX to Goleta. The Airbus is scheduled to run from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. at approximately two to three hour intervals. For more information and reservations, please see http://www.santabarbaraairbus.com/lax/index.php. To get to UCSB from the Santa Barbara Airbus stop in Goleta, you can take a taxi for approximately $20.00. The number for Santa Barbara Yellow Cab is (805) 965-5111 or 800-549-8294 and the Airbus driver can call a cab for you and have it wait for your arrival.
If you arrive by plane at the Santa Barbara Airport, transportation to campus is quick and relatively inexpensive, as the campus is only two miles from the airport. There are several ways to get to campus from the airport: (1) A public transportation bus (MTD #11) runs roughly every thirty minutes between the hours of 6:37 a.m. and 11:55 p.m. on weekdays, and 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends. The bus trip costs $1.75 and stops at UCSB. For more information, please see http://www.sbmtd.gov/. (2) A taxi ride from the Santa Barbara airport to UCSB is about $15.00. You can easily find a taxi waiting outside the airport terminal at all times.
If you arrive in Goleta during business hours (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday) and you need our help, call us at (805) 893-3763.
TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION (upon your arrival):
Santa Rosa Residence Hall (on campus) will offer temporary accommodation from August 29- September 19 on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is approximately $54.00 per night for a shared room and includes linens, but not meals. Check-in hours are 7am to 1am. Reservations are not accepted, but there are usually enough beds to accommodate everyone. Also, students must have their perm number when booking a room, so please locate this on your admissions documents and carry it with you. All payments will be billed to your BARC account; cash and credit cards are not accepted. For more information, please see http://www.housing.ucsb.edu/hchoices/student-hotel.htm. On-campus food services will be limited during August and September, but the nearby student community of Isla Vista has a variety of restaurants and markets. OISS will run a free shuttle from Santa Rosa Residence Hall to other university-owned accommodation during move-in weekend.
Santa Barbara also has a tourist hostel downtown: http://www.sbhostel.com/ as well as a number of hotels. For hotel information in Santa Barbara and Goleta, go to: http://www.santabarbara.com/ .
**********PAYING FEES**********
Many of you will soon receive statements from the UCSB Billing Office (BARC) saying that your fees for housing, health insurance, etc. are due September 15, 2009. As an international student, you are automatically granted an extension to pay these bills, so you will not incur any late fees or penalties as long as you pay by October 15, 2009. If you cannot make a payment by October 15, please contact me so that we can arrange for an extension of the payment deadline.
Although international students are protected from late payment penalties until October 15, you may be denied free access to the Recreation Center (a.k.a. RecCen, or the student gymnasium) and/or bus-riding privileges until all fees are paid.
Due to the high cost and difficulty of trying to pay UCSB bills from abroad, we recommend that you wait until arrival to pay your BARC fees. Bills must be paid by cash or check – no credit cards are accepted. Please plan ahead with this in mind.
At orientation, you will be provided with information on how to open up a U.S. bank account, including a map of where to find the banks, automated teller machines (ATMs), etc. If you have an ATM (cash) card with a 4-digit PIN you should be able to withdraw money from any ATM in the U.S., but there is often a $2.00-$3.00 fee to do so. Please check with your bank to ensure ATM access in the U.S.
**********REGISTRATION INFORMATION**********
Beginning in spring and continuing through the summer, the Registrar will email every student their PERM and PIN numbers as soon as they are assigned as well as registration pass times and information on how to register using the GOLD system. All EAP Reciprocity students must register for a minimum of 12.0 units in order to maintain visa status, maintain program requirements, ride buses free, and be eligible for internships.
**********REGISTRATION FAQs**********
* Where can I find instructions for registration?
The Office of the Registrar website offers instructions for new students at UCSB: http://www.registrar.ucsb.edu/welcome/todo-eap.htm . Students must have a perm number (UCSB student identification number) in order to register for courses.
* My major shows as “undeclared” on GOLD, what can I do to change this?
Nothing. GOLD shows all undergraduate reciprocity students as having an “undeclared” major. If GOLD says that you cannot take a course because you do not meet the prerequisite or because the course is open to majors only, you need to contact the undergraduate advisor for the appropriate department. The undergraduate advisor for the major that you declared on your EAP application will have a copy of the transcripts from your home university and should be able to assist you with registration. To find the appropriate undergraduate advisor, go to the UCSB website (http://www.ucsb.edu/academics/depts/index.shtml ) and search for the departmental home page.
* GOLD says I do not meet the prerequisites to take a course, how do I prove that I meet the prerequisites?
You will need to contact the undergraduate advisor for the appropriate department. The undergraduate advisor for the major that you declared on your EAP application will have a copy of the transcripts from your home university and should be able to assist you with registration. To find the appropriate undergraduate advisor, go to the UCSB website (www.ucsb.edu) and search for the departmental home page.
* How can I register for an English as a Second Language (ESL) course?
Some EAP students will be required to take an ESL placement examination based on their TOEFL scores. In order to determine if you need to take the placement exam, please contact the ESL Program Assistant at mlee@linguistics.ucsb.edu. Please note that not all universities will accept ESL courses as credit toward graduation, and your transcript will state “No Baccalaureate Credit.” The ESL schedule of classes is available online at www.esl.ucsb.edu/schedules.htm.
* How do I get the registration sticker to ride the busses for free?
Once you have registered for 12.0 units on GOLD, updated your local address on GOLD, and paid your fees to the Billing Office (BA/RC), you will be able to request a registration sticker by mail that you can then attach to your Access card (student identity card). Some students may find that they are able to order the sticker without having paid the insurance fees (and University housing fees, if applicable), but the Registrar may block students from ordering the sticker until all fees are paid in full.
* Do I need to fill out the Statement of Legal Residence (SLR)?
No, this form is required only of Californian students to receive an exemption of out-of-state registration fees, but these fees do not apply to EAP Reciprocity students. All EAP Reciprocity students’ registration is paid through their home university and EAP Reciprocity students are therefore exempt to UC registration fees.
* All of the courses I want to take are full (or closed) -- what can I do?
It may still be possible for you to take a class that is full (or closed) through a process called “crashing” (that is, to sit in on a class that is full/closed, join a “crash” list, and add the class as soon as a registered student drops it). Crashing may seem intimidating, but is very common here.
To make crashing a class easier, email the professor who is teaching the class (Cc the Department Undergraduate Advisor) and ask if you can be placed on a waiting list. Explain that you are an EAP student unfamiliar with the registration process here at UCSB for your first quarter. Starting the first week of school, go to all of the classes that you wish to take. Sign the roster so that you reserve a spot and so that the professor knows that you attended. When you successfully get into the class, the professor will provide you with a 4- or 5-digit approval code, which you will then use to add the class on GOLD.
In the meantime, you should sign up for a couple of classes even if you have no interest in taking them. This will enable you to get your registration sticker upon arrival and to use student facilities such as the library, recreational center, and to ride the buses for free. You can drop classes once you successfully crash your desired courses, but you must drop courses by October 22, otherwise you will receive a “failing” grade.
This process may sound overwhelming, but try not to worry. There are many students, both EAP and American, in this situation and rarely does someone graduate from UCSB without having crashed a few classes. I, or anyone else in the EAP office, can give you more advice on how to crash, so do not hesitate to contact us!
* What is the difference between P/NP and a letter grade?
The basic difference is that letter grades are used in calculating the university grade-point average (GPA). Unit credit is awarded for any grade of D- or above (A+ through D-), while no credit is awarded for F grades. Passed/Not Passed (P/NP) grades, on the other hand, are not included in the computation of the university grade-point average and a grade of P will be assigned for coursework equivalent to a C or higher on the letter-grade basis. A grade of NP will be assigned for coursework equivalent to a C- or below, and no unit or degree credit will be awarded. Some universities will not accept courses taken on the P/NP grading option, so please check with your home university before making your selection. For more information on the difference between the two grading options, go to: http://www.advising.ltsc.ucsb.edu/grades/available.php.
* What does “R” in the schedule of classes stand for?
The “R” stands for Thursday (“T” is for Tuesday, “W” for Wednesday, etc.). Thus, a class that meets TR meets Tuesdays and Thursdays.
**********UCSB STUDENT EMAIL (UMAIL)**********
Once you receive your perm number, you will be able to register your UCSBnetID and activate your Umail account. Umail is UCSB’s official email service for students studying at UCSB. All official information sent by UCSB departments to students is sent to students’ Umail addresses. It is crucial that students set up a Umail address as soon as possible and check their Umail regularly, as academic departments, professors, official university announcements, UCSB Housing, etc. will all contact students via their Umail accounts. To activate your UCSBnetID and set up a Umail address, please visit https://secureweb.umail.ucsb.edu/identity/.
**********HEALTH INFORMATION**********
HEALTH INSURANCE:
As an international UCSB student you are required to purchase the Undergraduate Student Health Insurance Policy (USHIP) or the Graduate Student Health Insurance Policy (GSHIP) offered by UCSB. Enrollment in SHIP is automatic and the cost is automatically added to your UCSB billing statement.
If your current health insurance will cover you while you are studying at UCSB, you may be eligible for a waiver and not required to purchase additional coverage. You may have already received a waiver form along with further information regarding your insurance from our Student Health Services (SHS). You may also find the waiver form online: https://apps.sa.ucsb.edu//insurancewaiver/login.asp.
However, please note that in order to be considered for a waiver, the medical plan for waiver must be provided by a recognized company or government agency that is owned, headquartered and operated in the United States. Foreign insurance plans with U.S. affiliates or representatives, travel insurance plans and reimbursement programs of any kind do not qualify, including reimbursement arrangements or vouchers from home governments or their U.S.-based consulates.
Please DO NOT request a waiver if you are enrolled in an international or a travel insurance plan. If you have questions not answered above, please email UCSB Student Health at insurance@sa.ucsb.edu. You will receive a response within three days.
Be aware of any gaps in insurance coverage you may encounter. For example, the UCSB health insurance (USHIP & GSHIP) for fall quarter begins September 1, so if you plan to travel before your program begins, you are strongly recommended to obtain supplemental health insurance to cover this gap.
In addition, it is your responsibility to read the terms and conditions for UCSB Health Insurance: http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu/insurance/index.asp. Many students, for example, do not realize that USHIP and GSHIP may only cover 60% - 80% of the fees for visiting a doctor outside of UCSB Student Health Services.
**********HEALTH FAQs**********
* Do I need additional health coverage?
Many students find SHIP to be sufficient for their needs. However, it is important that each student read the terms and conditions of SHIP to determine whether or not additional coverage is necessary.
* Will UCSB health insurance (SHIP) cover me when I travel outside CA and the U.S.?
Yes, SHIP will provide limited coverage outside of CA and the United States. For more information about what SHIP will cover, go to: http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu/insurance/index.asp
**********HOUSING INFORMATION**********
UC AFFILIATED RESIDENCE HALLS:
UCSB has arranged for your priority application to the two UC affiliated residence halls immediately adjacent to campus. Both offer a full range of amenities including internet, residential dining, lounges, swimming pools, exercise facilities, laundry and more. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible to one of these popular and well situated residences if you will be studying at UCSB for the entire academic year.
Fontainebleu Residence Hall: www.myownapartment.com/fontainebleu
6525 El Colegio Rd.
Goleta, CA 93117
805 968-0351
Map
LaNiece Dillon, Community Manager mgrsantabarbara@edrtrust.com
Fay Pressley, Leasing & Marketing Manager salessantabarbara@edrtrust.com
Tropicana Gardens Residence Hall: www.tropicanagardens.com
6585 El Colegio Road
Goleta, CA 93117
805 968-4319
Map
Laura Adams, Director of Finance and Administration ladams@tropicanagardens.com
David Wilcox, Executive Director dwilcox@tropicanagardens.com
Note: As with UC on-campus accommodations, all contracts are for the full academic year (from the start of your studies through June 2010). Read your contact and ask questions about any information and conditions that you do not understand.
COMMUNITY HOUSING (Non-UC Housing):
If you choose to live in an apartment or in a private home with a local family, you do not need to search for accommodations alone. The UCSB Community Housing Office (CHO) will assist you in securing housing in Isla Vista, Goleta, or Santa Barbara. Most students at UC who are beyond their first year of study prefer an apartment or shared living situation off-campus.
In order to make the process of finding housing as smooth as possible for you, we’ve put together a list of housing options and a questionnaire. Please review the housing options below and complete the EAP Housing Questionnaire by July 15, 2009.
Isla Vista is a very populated student area less than 1 mile from campus; most students ride bike or walk. There are many shops and restaurants nearby, as well as the beach. Many houses and apartments are available to rent with EAP and UCSB students. Most students share bedrooms with roommates and the average price of a shared bedroom is between $600 and $700 per month.
Accommodations in the Goleta / Santa Barbara area are 3 miles to 6 miles from campus. There are many accessible bike paths to use, as well as a bus system which is free for students. Rent tends to be less expensive than Isla Vista and there are fewer students over a wider area.
Private rooms in non-student households (families and/or professionals) are usually furnished with a shared bathroom as well as use of kitchen and common areas. The average price is $650-$750/month (utilities are usually included in the price).
Goleta/Santa Barbara on your own
- Studio apartments can cost between $900-$1100/month; one-bedrooms can cost between $1100-$1400/month
- Some apartments have month-to-month contracts and some have 12 month leases.
- No furniture – you would need to buy or rent
- Utilities are not included and would need to be hooked up
Goleta/Santa Barbara with roommates
- Live with American students or other EAP students
- Likely to find a private room; sublets from UCSB students with furnishings are tougher to find
- Roommates may have some furniture for common areas (couch, table) but no bed, desk or dresser for your room
- Average price of a shared bedroom is between $600 and $700
- Share utility costs with roommates
**********MISCELLANEOUS FAQs**********
* On the UCSB Admissions website, I saw a deadline to submit my Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) and I am confused as to how to complete this form online. What should I do?
Please do NOT complete the SLR as it does not apply to EAP students.
* Is there any way that I can get in contact with other reciprocity students coming in the fall?
Yes. You can join the EAP reciprocity Facebook group, where people are coordinating arrival information, travel plans, and general socializing among our EAP students. You can join the group here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17228492764.
* What is the weather like?
Variable. Although we have over 300 days of sunshine a year, it does get cold, especially at night! Pack some sweaters and a warm jacket.
* I want to drive while in CA. What are the requirements for this?
It is recommended that all students who plan to drive during their term abroad obtain a California driver’s license. For more information on how to obtain a CA driver’s license, go to: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/.
Drivers must have valid insurance coverage. This can be expensive. Carefully consider and research the cost of driving before making any plans
* Where can I find out about things to do in Santa Barbara?
For information about weekly community events, The Independent, a local paper published every Thursday, can be picked up on campus free of charge or viewed online at http://www.independent.com/.
General information about Santa Barbara is posted on http://www.santabarbara.com/.
* Where can I find more information about internships?
The best places to find internships related to your field of study are the Career Services office and your academic department office at UCSB. Paid internships and internships that extend beyond a student’s last quarter at UCSB are typically limited to students with J-1 visas only, and require the permission of both the UCSB EAP Office and the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). If you are interested in an internship, plan to attend an information session presented by the OISS
* How can I get a Social Security Number if I need one? Why might I need one?
J-1 visa holders who wish to receive a Social Security Number (SSN) should update their local addresses on GOLD, and must wait until 10 days after arrival in the United States to before visiting the Office of International Students and Scholars in order to start the process for applying for a SSN. A student will need a SSN for a California Driver’s License, a California ID (so you do not need to carry your passport), or for employment off-campus.
* How do I open a U.S. Bank Account?
At orientation, you will be provided with information on how to open up a U.S. bank account, including a map of where to find the banks, automated teller machines (ATMs), etc. If you have an ATM (cash) card with a 4-digit pin you should be able to withdraw money from any ATM in the U.S., but there is often a $2.00-$3.00 fee to do so. Please check with your bank to ensure ATM access in the U.S.
* I heard that the alcohol policy in the U.S. is very strict and I may be required to show an I.D. card if I try to purchase alcohol - is this true?
YES! We want to remind you that the alcohol policy in the United States is probably enforced more stringently than in your home country. All students are expected to follow state regulations regarding drinking (meaning no alcohol for students under 21 years of age). Even those students who are 21 and older need to be aware of the policies regarding alcohol (see below). Please discuss these policies with a staff administrator or our office if you feel it will be a restriction for you.
Please be aware that in addition to a general drinking age of 21, alcohol in Santa Barbara has certain other restrictions. For example, in order to purchase any alcoholic beverage (in a bar or supermarket) students must show an identification card (I.D.) with their photo and date of birth on it to prove they are 21 or older. Many nightclubs will not admit people under 21, so you must provide your I.D. to gain admittance, regardless of whether you intend to purchase alcohol or not.
Also, it is illegal to carry an “open container” (an open can, bottle, cup or glass of any alcoholic beverage: beer, wine, spirits, etc.) on the streets, parks, and beaches of Santa Barbara, Goleta, or Isla Vista. Please observe these policies or they may lead to fines and/or imprisonment.
Police are also very strict with students bicycling while intoxicated and the offense is treated as seriously as if someone were driving a car while intoxicated.
UCSB is now requiring all new students to complete an online tutorial related to alcohol and underage drinking. The tutorial can be found at: http://alcohol.sa.ucsb.edu/Requirement/index.aspx.
--
Kate Musselman
Reciprocal Exchanges Coordinator
Education Abroad Program, UCSB
http://www.eap.ucsb.edu/
kate@eap.ucsb.edu
+1 805 893 5662
