International Students / Scholars: New Student Information
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- Plane Tickets
- Helpful Hints
- Directions to Ramapo
- Housing
- Money Issues and Bank Accounts
- Clothing
- Expenses
- Holidays and Vacations
- Transportation on Campus
- Resources in Mahwah
Plane Tickets
Once you receive your F-1 or J-1 visa, it is time to buy your plane ticket to the United States! Arrange for transportation to this country well in advance. If possible, arrange for a flight arriving at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, since this airport is much closer and more convenient to Ramapo College. If arriving at Newark is not possible, flights can be arranged for Kennedy International Airport in New York.
Inform the Office of International Students and Scholars as early as possible the name of your airline, flight number(s), time of departure and arrival, and names of both departure and arrival airports. The easiest way to do this is via email: radhikar@ramapo.edu
Contact:
Rajesh Adhikari, Director, International Students and Scholars
Ramapo College of New Jersey
505 Ramapo Valley Road, Roukema Center for International Students / Scholars, ASB-123
Mahwah, NJ 07430
Phone: 201-684-7567
FAX: 201-684-7989
E-mail: radhikar@ramapo.edu
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Helpful Hints
Helpful Hints from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for your arrival in the U.S.:
- Do not plan to arrive in the United States any more than thirty days before the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you arrive too early, you will most likely be denied entry to the U.S.
- Always carry your passport, SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019, student visa, and I-94 card on your person. Do not put these documents in your luggage.
- In addition to the above documents, USICE recommends that you bring with you:
- Evidence of financial resources;
- Evidence of student status, such as recent tuition receipts and transcripts;
- Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee, Form I-797,
- Name and contact information for your International Student Advisor at your school.
For more detailed information about your arrival in the U.S., please review this fact sheet on the ICE website:
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm
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Directions To Ramapo
Transportation options from the airport to the college are:
Air Brook Limousine Service or Bus
Driving Directions
Your destination:
Ramapo College of New Jersey
505 Ramapo Valley Road (also called Route #202)
Mahwah, New Jersey
Please read the following carefully.
1. Kennedy International Airport
Most overseas flights to this region use Kennedy International Airport. However, if you are able to arrange to arrive at Newark International Airport in New Jersey, your trip will be considerably shorter and less complicated.
Public Transportation
Air Brook Limousine Service:
Be prepared to pay in US currency or Traveler's Checks. (212) 244-7250.
http://www.airbrook.com/
By Bus: the most inexpensive way to get to Ramapo College from Kennedy International Airport is by bus. At Kennedy Airport, inquire at the Gray Line Bus Line counter which will take you to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. The telephone number is 1-800-451-0455. This service is located near baggage claims. Upon arriving at the Port Authority Terminal, do not be discouraged by its large size. Ask a police officer to direct you to the Short Line Bus Line counter. Buy a bus ticket to the bus terminal in Mahwah, New Jersey. At the bus terminal in Mahwah, phone Ramsey Taxi Company at (201)-327-0147. After 10:00PM, it is necessary to phone the Ridgewood Taxi Company at 1-800-445-8294.
Public Transportation
2. LaGuardia Airport
Follow the instructions for Kennedy Airport in Making reservations. Phone Air Brook Limousine Service at 1-(212)-244-7250. Follow the directions to Mahwah described above to take the bus to Mahwah, New Jersey. Be prepared to pay in US currency or Traveler's Checks.
Public Transportation
3. Newark Airport
Phone (201)-379-6900. Your destination is Ramapo College, 505 Ramapo Valley Road (also called Route #202), Mahwah, New Jersey, off of Route #17. Be prepared to pay the driver in US currency or Traveler's Checks.
Public Transportation
Air Brook Express offers convenient, low cost shuttle between Ridgewood, N.J. and Newark Airport with up to 54 trips daily. More Info
This shuttle will bring you to a location on Route 17, close to campus. From there you can call a cab, or arrange for a friend or International Education Staff member or orientation leader to pick you up.
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Housing
We strongly urge International Students to live on-campus!!
Unless arrangements have been made to live with relatives or friends, finding off-campus housing at a reasonable price in Bergen County is very difficult. Ramapo College does not arrange off-campus housing. In addition, living off-campus will require the purchase of an automobile. Transportation to and from the campus is available but sparse; i.e. only from places like the train station and local malls.
To make arrangements for on-campus housing, contact our Office of Residence Life.
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Money Issues and Bank Accounts
During International Student Orientation and before registration for classes, international students will be taken to a local bank to open accounts and convert currency. As an alternative, students can arrange for a transfer of funds directly to a local bank. The most convenient bank is Commerce Bank in the Interstate Shopping Center on Route 17, Ramsey, New Jersey. (www.commerceonline.com)
Commerce Bank also maintains an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in our Student Center, which means that students can access their bank accounts very easily from our campus.
It is very important that students have at least $500.00 in US currency or traveler's checks to use for the first two weeks of their stay. Students may use Visa, Master Charge, or Discovery cards to pay for tuition and on-campus housing. THERE CAN BE NO DEFERMENT OF PAYMENTS
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Clothing
You will need a variety of clothing while living in New Jersey, because temperatures vary from 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) during the summer months to 10 degrees F (-12 degrees C) during the winter months.
In June, July, and August, very light clothing is needed (shorts, skirts, t-shirts, sandals). However, you should bring at least one sweater and/or light coat.
From September until late November, we experience moderate temperatures. Students usually wear pants, sweaters and a light coat. A raincoat and umbrella is also needed.
From November to early April, heavier clothing such as a heavy coat, gloves and boots (total cost around $150) are needed. Students wear very casual clothing on campus. Pants, blue jeans, shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, and parkas are worn by men and women; women also wear dresses and skirts.
Although men rarely wear suits, if you have one, it would be useful to bring for special occasions.
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Expenses
For on-campus housing, students will need towels, sheets, blankets, a pillow, an alarm clock, and toiletries.
Those living in an apartment (on or off-campus) and cooking their own meals will need a few utensils: pots and pans, plates, cups, glasses, and flat ware. These items may be purchased at a nearby shopping center during International Student Orientation. You should budget about $150 USD.
Textbooks can be purchased in the Campus Store in the Student Center. Cost varies, however, and students should plan on spending at least $200 USD per semester. Some laboratory courses will require a fee of from $25-$50 per semester.
Of course, students will need funds to cover expenses for personal items, transportation, and entertainment as well.
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Holidays and Vacations
Fees for housing and meals do not cover the winter break between semesters or the summer vacation period. All students, including international students, must vacate their campus housing assignments by the last day of each semester, unless they have special permission to stay on campus. It is the responsibility of the student to find alternative housing over winter break and summer vacation.
International students often use this vacation period to return home, to visit with friends and relatives in the US or to travel in our country. Students are not permitted to check into housing again until the beginning of the new semester. It is important to make plans in advance and budget money to cover these additional expenses.
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Transportation on Campus
- The Ramapo Shuttle- will take you to local shopping centers and train stations in the area. This service is free. To see the shuttle schedule, please go to:
http://www.ramapo.edu/about/shuttlebus/index.html - The Short line Bus-Goes to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City every day. Tickets are $3 for Ramapo Students.
Please see: http://www.ramapo.edu/about/shuttlebus/index.html#bus - Taxi- If no other options are available, you can always call a taxi!!
Ramsey Taxi: (201)-327-9000
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Resources in Mahwah
You will find an elaborate guide of hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and local activities in the Mahwah area in The Colleges Online Regional Guide
Please make note of the list of Ethnic dining experiences in Northern New Jersey in that guide.
You should also check for information on places of worship on and off the Ramapo campus in the Regional Guide.
