UMBC
Exchange Student
Handbook
Academic Year 2015-16
Office of International Education Services
Important: The UMBC Office of International Education Services (IES) does not accept liability for the information contained herein. All information provided is correct at the time of printing, but may be subject to change.
© UMBC Office of International Education Services
Table of Contents:
Section 1: Introduction4
Welcome Letter4
Contacts5
UMBC: A Brief Overview6
Section Two: Life at UMBC6
Living Arrangements6
Registration for Classes7
UMBC ID7
Banking8
Billing8
Insurance8
Correspondence with Home10
Weather12
Working12
Public Transportation12
Academic Year 2014-15 Calendar14
Section Three: Campus Policy 14
Emergencies14
Section Four: Dealing with Culture Shock14
The Life of a Typical U.S College Student14
Section Five: Closing15
Section One: Introduction
Welcome to UMBC!
The Office of International Education Services (IES) is pleased to welcome you to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County! Get ready to have the experience of a lifetime. Undoubtedly you will transform culturally, linguistically, personally and intellectually. During your time as a UMBC student, you will have the opportunity to become acquainted with our country, culture, region, and people.
All of your prior experiences and academic preparation will contribute to your time spent as an international exchange student. The more knowledge you gain in regards to the U.S. as a result of formal study or otherwise will help you to fit in and fully understand your new surroundings. Classes, new friends, faculty and staff, social and academic clubs, sports teams, newspapers, magazines, web sites, television, campus events, community events, and so on will aid in your adjustment to your new life and help you to get the most out of your experience at UMBC.
This handbook is produced by the IES Office to assist in the orientation of international exchange students at UMBC. Please read this handbook carefully in order to assure that your transition to life as a student at UMBC goes as smoothly as possible. Again, our office wishes you the best of luck in the upcoming semester.
Best wishes,
The Office of International Education Services
Contacts in the Office of International Education Services
Brian V. Souders, Ph.D. Associate Director
Telephone: +1.410.455.2624Fax: +1.410.455.1130
Email: ffice: 222 Administration Building
Katherine A. Heird Assistant Director
Telephone: +1.410.455.2624Fax: +1.410.455.1130
Email: Office: 223 Administration Building
Mailing Address:
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
International Education Services
1000 Hilltop Circle, 224 Administration Building
Baltimore, MD 21250
USA
Emergency Contacts
In the event of an emergency, contact the UMBC Police Department:
Telephone: +1.410.455.5555 Fax Number: +1.410.455.1087
Email:
Emergency Phones: There are 31 emergency phones installed around the campus along sidewalks and buildings. Look for a telephone with a blue light above it. These phones connect directly to the police department.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County: A Brief Overview
UMBC was founded in 1966 as a public research university to serve the needs of the Baltimore metropolitan area. In the past 40 years it has grown to a community of more than 12,000 students. UMBC offers more than 30 undergraduate majors, varying from the physical sciences and engineering to the performing arts, social sciences and humanities. It attracts students from across the United States, and from more than 50 countries across the world.
In its short history, UMBC has become a dynamic public research university integrating teaching, research and service. As an Honors University, the campus offers academically talented students a strong undergraduate liberal arts foundation preparing them for graduate and professional study, entry into the workforce, community service and leadership. UMBC emphasizes science, engineering, information technology, human services and public policy at the graduate level. UMBC is dedicated to cultural and ethnic diversity, social responsibility and lifelong learning.
Section Two: Life at UMBC
Living Arrangements
Housing: During your exchange at UMBC you will be housed in on-campus student accommodations. You should look at to get a better idea about living in a campus setting. You should have applied for on-campus accommodation by this time. If you have not, please do so immediately. The Office of Residential Life requires a $200.00 deposit to secure your room. The deposit will be returned to you at the end of your exchange at UMBC, providing there are no damage charges to your room.
Exchange students are usually housed in single rooms in apartment-style accommodations with a shared kitchen, bath and living room. The students sharing your apartments are almost always UMBC undergraduates.
The cost of living in the on-campus apartmentsis estimated to be $3,302.00 per semester. Apartment residents are responsible for a monthly utility charge that is billed at the end of the semester and divided among those apartment residents. There is also an addition $350.00communication fee that will be added to the room rate and covers cable, high-speed Ethernet access, and the digital phone with voice mail service.
Bedding: UMBC will loan each student one set of bedding that includes 1 comforter/duvet, 1 pillow, and 1 set of sheets. Each student is responsible for returning the set of bedding to the IES office at the end of the semester in the same condition as it was given to them; please remember to launder it. If you fail to return the bedding in the same condition, or do not return it at all, you will be charged a fine of $100.00. Failure to pay the fine will result in a withholding of credits from UMBC and your host institution until your debt has been paid in full. Many students decide to buy their own bedding after arriving at a local Walmart.
Meal Plans: UMBC offers students a wide variety of meal plans. Traditionally, however, students living in the apartments have purchased their own food at local supermarkets and cooked for themselves. Some past exchange students have purchased the flexible meal plans available to apartment residents. More information is available on-line at
Creating your myUMBC Accountand Registration for Classes
Students must create an on-line myUMBC account in order to register for classes and pay bills. Exchange students can create their online account at <
All exchange students should begin the process of registering for classes on-line now through the myUMBC system. To register for classes, go to the “Topics” bar after you log into your account on myUMBC. Then go to “Classes and Grades,” and then “Student Schedule and Registration”. You can look up the on-line course catalog from the same web site.
UMBC ID Card
You will get your UMBC ID Card after you arrive on campus. To obtain an ID, you will need to go to the first floor of the University Centerwith some form of government-issued identification, such as your passport. Follow the signs for Food Services/Campus Card to find theCampus Card and Mail Services, Room 112. Its website can be found here < They will check first to see if you are registered for the coming semester. If you are not registered, they will not issue you a card. If you are registered, they will take your picture, make the card on the spot, and give it to you right away.
Banking
Many exchange students find it convenient to open a bank account in the U.S. to be able to pay bills locally. PNC has a branch on campus, located in the Commons next to the Bookstore, and is the most convenient for students.
Billing
Students login to myUMBC and select the “Billing & Personal Finances” under the “Topics” tab. From there, they can select to pay their charges, view their e-bills and/or enroll in the Monthly Payment Plan. Your online payment will post to your account immediately. Students will see their true balances anytime they review their “Account Inquiry”.
You can use some credit cards to make your online payment. UMBC accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. A 2.75% convenience fee will be charged on all credit card transactions. There will be no additional fee to pay with cash or traveler’s check on campus. If you plan to pay with cash, please keep in mind that you likely have a daily withdraw limit of a few hundred dollars. In the past, students have withdrawn a few hundred dollars over a series of days; just remember you will have to start well before the payment deadline to avoid UMBC’s late fees.
UMBC’s policies on late fees are as follows: A late payment fee of 5% of the past due balance (minimum late fee of $10, maximum $200) will be charged the first time that an account becomes past due for the semester. An additional late payment fee of 1% of the past due balance (minimum late fee of $10, maximum $200) will be charged each month that charges remain past due for the semester. Payments are non-refundable.
Cash or check payments toward your UMBC bill can be made at the Office of Student Business Services, on the 3rd floor of the Administration Building. Credit card payments must be made on-line. If you open a bank account in the U.S., you can also pay via an eCheck (electronic check) transaction which must be made on-line.
Insurance
All International Students on J-1 visas or other non-employment-related visas are REQUIRED to have a health insurance policy while they are in the U.S. that meets the university's minimum standards. This policy is a requirement of your visa status in the United States. Your US J-1 student visa can be canceled if you do not follow this legal requirement.
International students will be automatically enrolled in the UMBC-sponsored student health insurance plan (Aetna Student Health) when they enroll at UMBC. The cost of the insurance will be charged to their university student account and is estimated at $784 for fall and $962 for spring.
To waive this requirement and receive a refund of the insurance charge, the student must complete a waiver application and submit it by the deadline below with proof of an alternative insurance policy that meets the following minimum standards:
- UMBC requires that your policy be issued within the United States. If you have purchased insurance in your home country, it will not be valid to meet UMBC’s requirements.
- Coverage for both accident and sickness
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions or have a plan that has been in force long enough so that any waiting time for coverage of pre-existing conditions has been met
- A minimum benefit of $500,000 (U.S.) per accident or sickness per policy year
- A $5,000 (U.S.) maximum out-of-pocket expense per policy year (i.e. insurance will pay 100% of covered costs after insured has paid $5,000)
- A $500.00 (U.S.) maximum deductible per policy year, credited towards the yearly out-of-pocket maximum of $5,000 above
- Prescription drug benefit of at least $10,000 per policy year
- Benefits for comprehensive reproductive health care, including contraception and maternity care, to be covered the same as for any illness
- Benefits for in-patient care of mental and nervous disorders, alcohol and substance abuse treatment payable on the same basis as any other sickness; benefits for outpatient mental and nervous care payable as per Maryland mandated benefits
- A $25,000 (US) minimum Medical Evacuation benefit (to return you to your country of residence if you are seriously ill)
- $10,000 (US) minimum Repatriation benefit (in case of death, to return your remains to your country of residence)
- No exclusions or limitations for injury sustained as a result of a covered motor vehicle accident, or for alcohol or drug-related illness or injury
- Hospital room/board covered at the semi-private room rate with no maximum daily limit
- No maximum daily limit on intensive care services, outpatient diagnostic and lab tests
- Proof of payment for the full academic year (September through May); exceptions will be made for students entering or graduating mid-year Insurance Waivers
Waiver applications must be filed the student's FIRST TERM AT UMBC and again EVERY FALL TERM by the established deadline (Feb. 15 for spring term, September 30 for fall term). Waivers submitted after the deadline will not be considered and insurance fees will not be refunded. If no waiver application is filed, or the provided insurance does not meet these requirements, the student will be billed for the UMBC health insurance plan at the beginning of each semester that the student is enrolled at UMBC.
Insurance waiver instructions will be sent to each student when they are enrolled in the plan by email to their UMBC email accounts.
See < for more information.
Correspondence With Home
Standard mail:The Office of International Education Services CANNOT accept mail and/or packages sent to our office with “attention to” or “in care of” any student.
You will not receive your UMBC mailing address until after your arrival. If your friends and/or family wish to send you letters or packages during your semester at UMBC you can email your campus address after you are assigned to housing.
Email: Your UMBC email address must be set up through before you receive your campus ID card. Again, you will receive your UMBC ID card after you arrive on campus. Navigate to this page select “Create an Account” and follow the instructions. We strongly recommend that you do this as soon as possible.
Skype: Skype is a free download for your computer that you can use to communicate Skype to Skype with people anywhere in the world for free. You can even use free video chatting. If the person you desire to speak with does not have Skype, they can download it for free or you can make a call to their land or mobile phone for very reasonable rates. Learn more at
Cell Phones: Most of us in the United States with cell phones have long-term contracts with one of four major cell phone providers. Since you will only be in the United States for four to nine months, you will not be able to purchase one of these long-term contracts.
You can, of course, purchase a pay-as-you-go program with one of these four major providers.
ATT <
Verizon <
Sprint <
T-Mobile <
If you purchase a US cell phone, please be aware that most cell phones are sold locked. In other words if you buy a US cell phone, you need to make certain that you can take your US SIM card out and put in another SIM card.
Weather
Month / Jan / Feb / Mar / Apr / May / JunAverage high in°F: / 42 / 46 / 54 / 65 / 75 / 85
Average low in°F: / 29 / 31 / 39 / 48 / 57 / 67
Av. precipitation ininch: / 2.91 / 2.6 / 3.86 / 3.19 / 3.46 / 3.27
Days with precipitation: / 9 / 8 / 10 / 11 / 11 / 10
Hours of sunshine: / 155 / 166 / 213 / 231 / 254 / 276
Jul / Aug / Sep / Oct / Nov / Dec
Average high in°F: / 89 / 87 / 80 / 68 / 58 / 46
Average low in°F: / 73 / 71 / 64 / 52 / 43 / 33
Av. precipitation ininch: / 4.61 / 3.39 / 4.06 / 3.03 / 2.95 / 3.39
Days with precipitation: / 10 / 9 / 8 / 8 / 8 / 9
Hours of sunshine: / 291 / 263 / 222 / 204 / 159 / 145
Chart taken from:
Working on a J-1 Visa
Exchange students on J-1 visas may only work on campus. They are permitted to work 20hours weekly (or 40 hours during University breaks). In order to work, a student must obtain a Social Security Number, which can only be done after arrival. Working off-campus while on a J-1 student visa is prohibited by law.
Public Transportation
UMBC shuttle services are free to students. UMBC’s shuttles can take you to local grocery stores, the nearby communities of Catonsville and Arbutus, and to the Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
The MARC train, the commuter rail system that travels between the Maryland suburbs and Washington, DC, is best to take to Washington. The nearest stops to campus are in Halethorpe and the BWI Airport:
Amtrak provides national rail service in the United States. While you can take the train across the country, for your purposes you will find it useful for travel to and from New York City and perhaps as far as Montreal, Quebec in Canada <
The United States is a very large country (about 5,000 km from east to west, 3,000 km from north to south). If you plan to travel around the U.S., flying is generally the most practical and often least expensive way. Flying domestically can be inexpensive with advanced planning. Among the airlines that offer domestic flights from BWI airport are:
American Airways <
Delta Airlines <
JetBlue Airways <
Southwest Airlines <
US Airways <
United Airlines <
If you plan to leave the US you must obtain a signature from an international student advisor in the IES office on your DS-2019 prior to departure or there is a chance that you may be denied re-entry into the US.
Academic Year 2015-16 Calendar
August 25 / Orientation and ConvocationAugust 26 / First day of classes for fall
September 7 / Labor Day, campus closed
November 27 and 28 / Thanksgiving Break, campus closed
December 9 / Last day of fall classes
December 10 / Study Day
December 11-17 / Final Exams
January 24 / Orientation
January 25 / First day of classes for spring
March 13-20 / Spring Break
May 10 / Last day of spring classes
May 11 / Study Day
May 14-20 / Final Exams
Section Three: Campus Policy
Please read the Student Code of Conduct in its entirety on the web. <
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency, contact the UMBC Police Department:
Telephone: +1.410.455.5555 Fax Number: +1.410.455.1087
Email:
Emergency Phones: There are 31 emergency phones installed around the campus along sidewalks and buildings. Look for a telephone with a blue light above it. These phones connect directly to the police department.
Section Four: Dealing with Culture Shock
Studying abroad can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life. Or, it can turn out to be a series of bewildering and frustrating incidents that leave you longing for home. Aside from the basic preparations of the "hows" and "wheres" of your trip, it is valuable to also take some time to investigate the "what am I likely to encounter"--that is, the things that will happen to you as you mingle with people whose values, traits and characteristics are different from your own. By thinking and preparing for these encounters, you will certainly enrich your study abroad experience.