Orientations & Arrival Information for New Students & Scholars
Welcome to Georgetown! Our office provides many services to assist in the transition to life at Georgetown University. Orientation will assist you in your transition to life in the United States and at Georgetown.
International Spring Orientation
Monday, January 11 & Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Visa and Immigration Pre-Arrival Guide for New Students
For Degree Programs | For Short-Term Programs | For J-1 Exchange Students
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information for New J-1 Scholars
Weekly Orientation for Scholars
Pre-Arrival Information for Visiting J-1 Professors & Research Scholars
Pre-Arrival Information for J-1 Interns
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Preparing for Georgetown University Cell Phones GOCard/Identification Health Insurance Housing Immunizations Banking, Tuition, & Living Expenses Pre-Departure Checklist | Preparing for Washington, D.C. Climate Resources for Families Safety Transportation & Getting to Campus Getting Around Washington D.C. Parking |
Cellular Phones
Many students purchase cell phones while living in the United States. The cell phone providers offer various service plans to meet your calling needs. Students should research the plans carefully to determine which services will be the most valuable. For more information, please see our handout of various cell phone providers in the D.C. metro area.
Your GOCard will be your official identification card on campus. You can use it for university transportation, parking, printing, on and off-campus debit at local restaurants, and more. You may send a digital photo of yourself to prepare your GOCard, before you arrive on campus. Find directions and more information at the GOCard site.
Georgetown University requires all students to have adequate health insurance. Health care in the United States is extremely expensive. Private companies offer insurance plans that vary greatly in cost and coverage.
J-1 exchange visitors are required by law to maintain adequate health insurance for themselves and for each of their J-2 dependents throughout their program of study.
The University offers a special group plan for students. Please review it carefully for cost and coverage information. The health insurance plan may be accepted or waived online. Students who do not actively waive the University's plan will be automatically charged the cost of University health insurance coverage. Students wishing to waive the University insurance policy must bring a copy of their alternate coverage plan (in English) as well as proof of plan enrollment to prove that the benefits equal or exceed the coverage provided by Georgetown University. Please bring these documents to registration.
The Georgetown insurance plan offers medical prescription coverage but does not cover dental care or prescriptions for eye glasses or contact lenses. Furthermore, students should be aware that most plans have a "deductible" or amount that you must pay before the insurance company begins to cover any medical expenses. Insurance costs will increase significantly when a spouse and/or children are added to the plan.
Please visit this Georgetown web site for more information on health insurance.
All new students must complete the Immunization & Tuberculosis Screening Certificate prior to the beginning of classes. Students who do not submit this form will be blocked from class registration.
Freshman living in residence halls must show proof of meningitis vaccination. Students may waive this requirement by first reading the Meningitis Fact Sheet and then signing and submitting the Meningitis Vaccine Waiver form.
The Immunization & Tuberculosis Screening Certificate may either be sent directly to the University's student primary care clinic or may be hand-delivered to the clinic before the first day of classes.
Banking, Tuition, & Living Expenses
Initial Expenses
Washington, D.C. is one of the most expensive areas in the United States. If you do not yet have a U.S. bank account, you will need at least $2,000 in traveler's checks and $300 in cash upon arrival. This money will cover initial expenses such as transportation, meals, lodging, textbooks and supplies, and cell phone costs. You may also need funds for initial rent and security deposits as well as tuition.
Traveler's checks are immediately negotiable. International bank drafts are acceptable, but funds may take longer to become available. We strongly advise against carrying large amounts of cash. Foreign currency can be exchanged immediately at any of the airports in the Washington area and at most large banks. Banks in the area charge service fees for cashing foreign checks.
Bank Accounts
We recommend you open a bank account as soon as you arrive. Using an international bank will facilitate wiring money from your home country. Service charges and interest rates vary. Foreign checks may require 4 - 6 weeks before funds become available at a U.S. bank. Traveler's checks are the best way to make initial deposits. Two pieces of identification are generally required to open an account. For more information on banks in the Georgetown area, please see our Banking sheet.
Wiring Money from Overseas
After opening a bank account in the United States, you may make arrangements to transfer funds from foreign banking institutions. Wire transfers may take up to 48 hours and require a fee. Speak with a bank representative for more detailed instructions on wiring money from overseas.
Tuition and Living Expenses
Tuition payment is due at the time of registration. Students who are responsible for covering the cost of tuition and fees with personal or family funds should be prepared to submit payment at the time of registration. The University accepts personal checks, cashier's checks, cash, money orders, and traveler's checks. Credit cards are not accepted. Please see the Office of Student Accounts website for more information.
You will need a minimum of $1,800 per month for living expenses. This figure includes only the cost of rent and meals. Students should budget additional funds to pay for health insurance, textbooks, local travel, winter clothing, household furnishings and entertainment.
Students with dependents will need an additional $900 per month for a spouse and $450 per month for each dependent child to cover the cost of their basic living expenses.
 | Pay the SEVIS fee and obtain your visa and visas for any dependents. |
| You must arrive by the start date on your I-20/DS-2019 Form. Make travel reservations accordingly. |
| Prepare your finances. If you do not have a U.S. bank account, you will need at least $2,000 in traveler's checks and no more than $300 in cash. You should wire transfer other funds for tuition and rent once a bank account is opened. For information on how to opena bank account before arriving on campus, please visit the GUASFCU Hoya Banking site. |
| Give family members a contact address and the information for International Student and Scholar Services. |
| Pack all identification and important correspondence from Georgetown University in your hand luggage. Include the following: original letter of admission, valid passport, Form I-20 or DS-2019, original financial documentation, driver's license, copy of birth certificate, immunization records and emergency personal items, e.g. medication. |
| If your passport was issued less than one year ago, bring a birth certificate or a second photo ID in order to obtain a U.S. Social Security Number. |
| Bring adapters/converters for electrical appliances. The electrical current is 110-115 volts, 60 cycles AC. |
| Make reservations at a local hotel or hostel if you have not already secured housing. Research off-campus housing options thoroughly. Be prepared to spend an additional two-six weeks upon arrival to continue your housing search. |
| Check the latest orientation information on our website. |
| And finally...bring photographs and cultural items that will remind you of home! |
Preparing for Washington, D.C.
When packing, prepare for a variety of temperatures. For current weather, please see: www.weather.com
Summer: | Winter: December - February cold, occasional snow -10° to 10°C (15° to 50°F) | Spring & Fall |
Washington is a major, cosmopolitan city. When walking after dark, you should be careful about your personal safety and belongings. Always be aware of your surroundings and try to travel in groups when going out in the evenings. Students who use common sense rarely have problems. If you have concerns about safety, contact the Georgetown Department of Public Safety at (202) 687-4343.
SafeRides, Individual Escorts, and Neighborhood Shuttles
The Safe Rides program provides free, safe transportation for students to and from campus and adjacent neighborhoods. Two neighborhood shuttles operate during the academic year in continuous loops from the main gates of campus at 37th and O Streets, N.W. through Burleith and West Georgetown. Individual escorts are available from the Department of Public Safety 24 hours per day for those in need of special assistance or with personal safety concerns.
Register With Your Embassy
Please note that embassies require their citizens to register with them upon arrival in the United States. Some embassies have online forms available, and some require forms to be submitted in person. For details on the paperwork and other documents required, please check the embassy website of your country of citizenship.
Transportation & Getting to Campus
We suggest that you plan to arrive in Washington, D.C. during U.S. business hours, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, when most University offices and area business are open. Washington, D.C. is served by three major airports: Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI). Unfortunately, Georgetown University is unable to provide airport pick-up.
From Dulles International Airport
Take Super Shuttle from Washington Dulles. Super Shuttle ticket counters are located on the lower level, just before exiting the building. Reservations can also be made online in advance of your arrival. Discounts are available for students with an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Log in to www.myisic.com with your ISIC number in order to retrieve the coupon for the discount.
OR
Washington Flyer airport buses leave regularly (from 5:45am -10:15pm) to West Falls Church Metro station. Purchase tickets ($10 one-way) at the Ground Transportation Center. Take the orange line from the West Falls Church Metro station to Rosslyn. From Rosslyn, take a taxi or the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS) to the University. (NOTE: Taxis directly from Dulles to the city are expensive - about $55.)
OR
Take the 5A Express Metrobus to Rosslyn. The bus costs $3.00. From Rosslyn, take a taxi or the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS) to the University.
From Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
Airport buses leave regularly from BWI to the Capitol Hilton Hotel in Washington. You can then take a taxi from the Hilton to the University. Amtrak trains travel frequently from BWI to Union Station. MARC trains run Monday through Friday. Please visit the website for train schedules.
OR
Take the B30 Express Metrobus to Greenbelt Metro station, and arrive at Rosslyn station by subway. The bus costs $3.00. From Rosslyn, take a taxi or the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS) bus to the University.
From Ronald Reagan National Airport
There are three options: 1) a taxi directly to the University, 2) the Metro (subway) from the airport to Dupont Circle in the center of Washington, and then the G-2 bus or the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS) bus to the University, or 3) the Metro from the airport to Rosslyn and then the GUTS bus to the university.
From Union Station and Greyhound or Trailways Bus Stations
There are several options. Take a taxi directly to the University or take the Metro (subway) from the train station to Dupont Circle and then a taxi, G-2 bus or the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle to the University. It is not advisable to walk around Union Station alone after dark.
Helpful websites:
Amtrak Train | Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) | Dulles International Airport (IAD) | Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS) | MARC Train | Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) | Super Shuttle | Washington Flyer
Getting Around Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is diamond-shaped and divided into four sections: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast (map). Public transportation (including buses, taxis and the Metro) covers most of the city and extends into the neighboring states of Maryland and Virginia. Since owning a car can be very expensive, and parking can be extremely challenging, many students rely on the city's extensive public transportation system.
Georgetown University is located in the Northwest section of the city. The Georgetown neighborhood has no Metro station, but buses and University shuttles travel regularly to nearby Metro stations. Many students live in the residential areas around the university and walk or bike to classes. Many students also live in other parts of the city and either use the Metro and bus, or pay the high cost of parking near the University. To estimate distances and research the best transportation routes, visit the Washington Metrorail website.
To learn more about transportation options in D.C., please see our handout on "Getting Around Washington D.C."
All on-campus parking requires a current and properly displayed Georgetown University permit or a visitor parking pass issued by the Office of Transportation Management (OTM). Parking permits and passes allow parking ONLY in the lot for which the permit or pass was issued. Individuals who park in unauthorized lots will be cited.
Please see the Office of Transportation Management website for current parking rates and procedures for getting permits.
Weekly Orientation for Scholars
All new J-1 scholars are required to attend an orientation at OIP within 30 days of the start date of the DS-2019 Form. If you are unable to attend an orientation within that period, please contact your IS Advisor. Orientations are held every Tuesday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at OIP on the 2nd floor of Poulton Hall. Please try to attend the Tuesday session following your arrival. You should bring your passport and visa documents to this meeting as well these same documents for any dependents. Topics covered in the orientation include regulations governing J-1 visa status, social security numbers, work, travel, health insurance and living in Washington. Please make plans to arrive on time as the session must cover many topics in a short period of time.
OIP must confirm your arrival with Immigration within 30 days of the start date of your DS-2019 Form in order for you to remain legally in the United States. You must attend this session in order for your arrival to be confirmed.
Please note: if you intend to travel outside of the United States after your arrival, you will need to obtain your IS Advisor's signature on the DS-2019 Form in order to re-enter the United States.
Tel: 202.687.5867 | Fax: 202.687.5944 | Web: http://oip.georgetown.edu/isss
