Spring 2013 Pre-departure Survey

NYU’s Office of Global Programs strives to provide students with the best possible experiences and services as they prepare to go away, and we would like your feedback to know how we are doing and where we can improve.  Please take a few minutes (really, it will only take a few minutes!) and complete the following survey. Your answers are anonymous and will help us as we prepare for future semesters.

You can find the survey here:  Spring 2013 Pre-Departure Survey

Thanks so much for your assistance!

Travel Tips from Your Site Rep

We’ve done a decent amount of traveling and have made some classic travel mistakes over the years. Be smarter than us by following these tips!

• I know we’ve mentioned this before, but tell your bank and credit card companies that you will travel abroad. Make sure they won’t block your accounts when they see international charges, and ask for phone numbers to call from abroad in the event you have any issues. The 1-800 numbers on the back won’t always work from overseas.
• Do not plan to use your blow dryers and flat irons that you use here in the US. Even with a plug adaptor and converter, the higher voltage can destroy (as in burn to a crisp!) your appliances and could potentially knock out power in entire buildings, which isn’t a great way to make friends abroad. If you’re not willing to forgo the blow dryers and flat irons for a few months, then it’s best to purchase local versions that operate on 220 volts once you get abroad.
•  Bring a small weekend-size bag/backpack/collapsible duffle bag for trips you’ll take during your time abroad. Pack it with everything you’ll need for the first few days of your trip and bring it as a carry-on on the plane, so you’ll be ready in case your baggage is delayed.
• Don’t forget that you cannot bring more than 3 oz. of any liquid in your carry on for your flight overseas.  Airport security can be very stringent. Make sure you follow all the rules when it comes to flying!
• If you follow a special diet (vegetarian, kosher, etc.) don’t forget to inform your airline ahead of time. It’s horribly unpleasant to be hungry and thirsty while you’re on a plane and they control when you get meals, so bring some snacks (stay away from fruit, especially if you have a layover in a European airport, as some countries don’t want you to bring perishable food into their airports). And make sure you have your own water on the flight (though you can’t take any through security, remember).
• Make several photocopies of your passport ID page and credit/debit cards to leave with a family member or someone you trust. That way, if these items are lost or stolen, they’re much easier to replace.
• Set up a plan of communicating with your family members while abroad—we recommend calling or e-mailing them only once or twice a week while abroad. Your parents will ALWAYS want to talk to you more often than that, but remember that part of studying in another country is putting some distance between you and your old life. You’ll be better for it!
• Buy a journal.  Study Abroad is a profoundly personal experience and Facebook updates alone won’t capture the spirit of what you are doing.  Keep a journal that is meant to be just for you.

Preparing to Live in a New City – Important Advice

As you prepare to land in your new home within the next few weeks, embarking on what I’m sure will be a meaningful and exciting semester, we’d like for you to take a few minutes to review the information and resources we’ve gathered to assist in your transition to live, study, and engage in a new city.

Please click here to access the online portal.

Once you log in (use your NYU netID if prompted), you will be able to watch a webinar on culture and culture shift (“What is Culture?”), links to GlobeSmart – a web tool that provides quick access to knowledge on how to communicate effectively with people from over sixty countries around the globe, as well as links to research about American stereotypes, cultural and ethical relativism, and tips for maximizing study abroad.

These resources are valuable and, we hope, will help you make the transition to living and studying in a new city a bit smoother.

Final Checklist

You’ll be on a plane before you know it.  Take a minute to look through this final checklist to make sure that all of your bases are covered –

• Get your student visa
• Register for 12 – 18 credits; this does not include any waitlisted courses
• Pay your NYU e-Bill
• Register for HTH and print out the confirmation card
• Notify your bank and credit cards that you will be abroad
• Have all medications you may need for the full term (or have a plan to get remainder)
• Make photocopies of your passport/visa, ID, and cards (bank, credit card) and leave one copy with your parents and bring a set with you in your carry-on
• Register with the Moses Center
• Print and review the arrival information emailed to you by our site staff.
• Cancel NYU in NYC housing if you have not already
• Write down all important phone numbers including those listed on the contact page (your phone may not work)
• Submit Medical Forms to the Health Center
• Complete NYUTraveler
• Review the Pre-departure Orientation Presentation
• Set up a communication plan with the parents
• Have some cash on hand to get you through the first few days (you can exchange at the airport if needed)
• Bring your flight confirmation print-out to the airport
• Check the luggage restrictions for your airline before you pack
• Set up a budget
• Bring a copy of prescriptions (medication, eyeglasses, etc.) and carry it with you in your carry on
• Pack a carry on with all important paperwork, phone numbers, medications, and a change of clothes

NYU ID Card Information

All students will need their NYU ID cards while in Madrid.

NYU students: You must bring your NYU ID card with you to Madrid.

Visiting students: you will receive an NYU ID card once you arrive in Madrid.

Office Closing

NYU’s Office of Global Programs, as well as most other departments around NYU, will be closed for the winter break starting at 4pm on Friday, December 21st. We will reopen on Wednesday, January 2nd at 9am.

We understand that questions will come up while our office is closed – if so, please use the “Search” tool within this blog to see if we have covered it already (in many cases, we have!). This blog is meant to be your main resource of things to know and do regarding Madrid, and can continue to assist in answering your questions even when we are not available.

Happy New Year and Best Wishes this Holiday Season!

Ebills due January 4, 2013

As of now, everyone should have received their spring 2013 E-bill.  If you have not received an e-Bill (remember, this is only sent to your NYU email account), you can still access your e-Bill by logging into NYUHome (home.nyu.edu), and then once in the Albert Student Center, click on the “View Bursar Account” link located under the Finances menu.  This will link to the secure eSuite website. Please note that e-bills are due January 4, 2013.

If you would like to designate additional family members (such as parents) access to their billing statement, you will need to follow the provided steps:

1. Once students are logged onto the e-bill web site, they can select the <My Profile> tab and then click the <Invite Other Payer> button.
2. Enter your parents’ e-mail addresses.
3. Parents will then receive an e-mail invitation with instructions on how to set up their own individual e-bill—with a Login name and Password.
4. After parents sign up, they will also be notified every time a new billing statement is available.

 

If financial aid money from your school is going to transfer to NYU and/or your school pays on your behalf, it is ok if these anticipated payments arrive after the January due date. Only the portion of the bill that you are personally responsible for paying directly to NYU must arrive by the January 4th due date.

Remember, as an NYU Madrid student, you will not be charged for housing until you arrive in Madrid and payments will be made directly to your host or landlord. These fees will not appear on your bill. You will be notified of your housing charges and payment schedule when you receive your housing placement confirmation.

Please contact us if you have concerns about your bill.

Reminder: Submit Your Flight Details ASAP!

If you didn’t book your flight to Madrid with Egencia, please be sure to submit your flight details to us ASAP via NYU Traveler! Remember, this is different than the Confirmation Portal.

For more information, please review Flight Options.

Health Forms Should Have Been Received

By now, you should have received Health forms from the NYU Health Center at your permanent home address (for details about these forms, please click here). If you have not received anything, please email health.requirements@nyu.edu ASAP to request that new forms are sent. Note: These forms are NOT available electronically.

Forms should be returned to the NYU Health Center (address on the form) and will be accepted through the first week of January.

Confirmation Portal Closing Tomorrow

If you have not already, please make sure you submit all required information in the Study Away Confirmation Portal right away.  It will be locked tomorrow, meaning you will no longer be able to make any changes or submit new information.

As a reminder, the portal will allow you to submit your passport and travel plans, input your health insurance details, and confirm personal information and agreements. You will also find the Study Away Housing application which will allow you to submit your housing preferences, search eligible roommates, view their lifestyle profiles, message one another, and request roommates. Please read the information thoroughly and submit your answers carefully so that we can best meet your needs.

For more information see Study Away Confirmation Portal.