Groningen: Info for Incoming GuR Students

Introduction

Welcome to the UW Tacoma exchange program website! This exchange hosts students from the University of Groningen. We offer a variety of courses in Urban Studies, Business, and Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences to compliment your home institution degree. After you have reviewed this website, please contact us if you have any questions.

Admission to the University

Admission to the UW Tacoma campus as an exchange student from the University of Groningen depends on several criteria. First, contact Paul van Steen at the University of Groningen and discuss your interest in studying in Tacoma. Once you are approved to apply you need to submit the following application materials:

• Application for admission. Applications received via the web are subject to a $50 fee. Paper based applications (available from International Office in Groningen) are fee-waived.
• One copy of official RUG transcript (in English)
• Proof of health/medical insurance coverage in the United States
• Financial Statement (in English) showing evidence of ability to self-support without working for the given time in the US.

Mail application materials to:

University of Washington, Tacoma
International Programs, Attn: Kim Davenport
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
USA

Visas and Entry into the U.S.

Once admission to the University has been granted we will generate the proper forms that you will need in order to apply for a student visa. These forms include the Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - For Academic and Language Students) and the official admission letter from the University of Washington. These documents along with the Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) which is available from the U.S. Department of State website should be taken to the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Make an appointment and apply for the visa as early as possible. F-1 and J-1 students may enter the U.S. as early as 30 days before the start date noted in item 5 on the I-20 form. Effective September 1, 2004 all exchange visitors who use a Form I-20 or DS-2019 to gain initial F-1 or J-1 status are subject to a $100 SEVIS fee. For more information about this fee go to http://depts.washington.edu/uwiso/sevis.shtml.

UW Tacoma Calendar

Groningen students attend UW Tacoma for one of three quarters: Autumn, Winter, or Spring. The dates of instruction for the 2007-08 academic year are as follows:

• Autumn Quarter 2007: September 26 - December 14, 2007
• Winter Quarter 2008: January 7 - March 21, 2008
• Spring Quarter 2008: March 31 - June 13, 2008

Students should review the course schedule for the quarter in which they will be in Tacoma. Students are asked to provide the International Programs office with a list of desired courses; since international students cannot register until arrival in the U.S., we work to reserve seats in these classes in advance.

Arrival in the U.S.

Incoming students are asked to fly to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as a group. Transportation will be provided from the airport to the apartment in Tacoma. Please contact us in advance with your arrival date, time, and flight number so that we can make arrangements to meet you. It is also helpful if you can provide photographs so that we know who we are looking for when we come to meet you!

Check-in Required Before Registration

All incoming students are required to check-in with the International Programs office when they arrive in Tacoma. International students cannot register for classes until they have checked-in and the office has verified that their passport and other immigration documents are in order. The International Programs office is located in West Coast Grocery, Room 324, and open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Living in Tacoma

Housing/Apartment living

Students participating in the UWT exchange will be housed in a fully furnished 2 bedroom apartment located in the historic Stadium District in north Tacoma. The apartment is located approximately 15 minutes (by bus or light rail) from campus and is close to a major grocery store, multiple shops, banks, post office, and many nearby parks, restaurants, and coffee bars. Rent (paid on a monthly basis) includes a fully furnished apartment with wireless internet, power, water, garbage/recycling pickup, and local telephone access. A phone card is recommended as the most economical way to make long distance phone calls. Phone cards can be purchased at any major grocery or drug store.

University Resources

• UWT Campus Map
• Course Schedule
• Course Catalog
• Social activities with student organizations, particularly CIVITAS, and FIUTS (Foundation for International Understanding Through Students)
• Student ID card - New students need to go to the Registrar's Office to pick up their ID cards. This office is located in GWP 102. They are open Monday - Friday. Please call (253) 692-4400 for questions.

UWT FlexPass (Public Transportation)

Students may purchase a bus pass from UWT for a low student rate of $43 per quarter. This pass, called UWT FlexPass, provides access to all public transportation buses in the Tacoma/Seattle metropolitan region as well as access on the Sounder (train). The apartment you will be living in is located one block from a major bus line that will take you into downtown Tacoma, UWT campus, as well as major transit connection stations. The UWT FlexPass can be purchased in the UWT Cashier's office located in room MAT 354. Students must show current student ID to make this purchase.

Bus and Train Schedules:

• Pierce Transit (bus in Tacoma)
• Sound Transit (Express bus and train to Seattle)
• Metro Transit (bus in Seattle)

Practical Matters

• Health Insurance: All international students, regardless of visa category, must maintain adequate health insurance while attending the University of Washington. The Tacoma/Seattle metropolitan region is served by many excellent high quality medical facilities.
• Safety while on campus
• Post Office: Locate the nearest post office at www.usps.com
• Internet Access: Tacoma's Click Network has partnered with three private Internet Service Providers (ISP's). Find out more about getting high speed internet access in your apartment by accessing Click Network's website.
• News Flash: Keep current on news related to your status as an international student studying in the U.S.

Other Resources

• Student Counseling Center
• Disability Support Services
• UWT Directory
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS)
• Foreign Consulates in the U.S.
• U.S. State Department, Travel Advisories
• U.S. State Department, Study in the USA

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