International Social & Cultural Programming
Through orientation, cultural and social programs, OIS Programming assists international students, scholars and their dependents in improving the quality of their academic and social lives at the University of Pittsburgh. OIS Programming promotes international goodwill, intercultural networking, learning, and exchange among all members of the Pitt community.
Before Arrival After Arrival OIS Programs
Staying in Touch History and Goals of OIS Programming
Programs: After Arrival
After you arrive in the University of Pittsburgh, the following orientation programs may be of assistance in your academic and social life.
- Fall Orientation
- Spring Orientation
- New International Scholar Orientation (J-1)
- To Start Your Life in Pittsburgh
- To Start Your Academic Life in Pittsburgh
- To Improve Your Academic, Social, and Personal
Life Skills
- OIS PASSPORT—ongoing orientation program
- English Language Instruction Resource List
International Scholar Orientation Schedule
| Year | New Scholar Orientation Dates | Location |
| On-Going | Every Friday, noon | 708 William Pitt Union |
New International Student Orientation (F-1 and J-1 Students)
Spring 2008
The New International Student Orientation provides an opportunity for new students to process their immigration paperwork (check-in); receive information about immigration responsibilities, life practicalities, university practicalities, health care, health insurance, and culture shock; and make new friends (orientation). See a more detailed description below.
OIS Fall Orientation
Learn more here
OIS Spring Orientation
Register here
Friday, January 2, 2009
8:30 am if you are attending the check-in sesssion that day or
10:00 am
if you do not need to check-in and are just attending the orientation
Main Floor, William Pitt Union
Schedule coming soon!
OIS expects all new international students to attend the orientation
scheduled for the term they are to begin classes.
Pre-registration is required.
Spring Orientation will help new students get ready to start their academic
career at Pitt. Topics include: life practicalities, university practicalities,
immigration information, health and safety information and more.
- For new student arrival information, click here
- New Student Guide to Pittsburgh.
- Spring 2009 Welcome Packet
Check-In Session (required)
All incoming international students are required to check-in with the Office of International Services. You must check-in before you register for classes or get your Pitt ID.
All check-in sesssions run from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
You must be pre-registered for a check-in session.
Anyone arriving after 1:15 pm will not be able to check-in during that session.
Please register for one of the following check-in sessions:
December 18, 2008 |
December 22, 2008 |
January 2, 2009 |
January 5, 2009 |
Prior to check-in, visit the OIS forms website and fill out the check-in forms. You must bring these completed forms, along with your passport with the visa stamp, your stamped I-20/DS-2019, and your I-94 card, with you to your check-in session. If you are also checking-in any dependants, you must also bring their documents to the check-in session.
ing soon!
New International Scholars Orientation (J-1)
Scholar Orientation is held every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. in the OIS
Conference room. All international scholars who are new to the University
of Pittsburgh are required to attend this orientation. The orientation
will provide international scholars with important information about immigration
regulations related to maintaining their status, adjustment to the University
and Pittsburgh, and the SEVIS fee reimbursement.
Those scholars who arrive just prior to the opening of the Fall or Spring
Terms (August or December/January) are invited to attend the Welcome Reception.
Please register your intent to join the Welcome Reception by completing
and returning the "OIS Orientation Form" in the New International
Student Welcome Packet.
Finally, the PASSPORT
Program offers both students and scholars an opportunity for ongoing enrichment
and skills-building through a complete curriculum designed to equip and
empower you for success for the duration of your program at the University
of Pittsburgh.
To Start Your Life in Pittsburgh
Transportation
University students, faculty and staff may ride the PATransit buses anywhere in Allegheny County without paying a fee as long as they present a valid University ID to the bus driver. PAT schedules and route information are available in the Parking & Transportation Office and the lobby of the William Pitt Union or online at the Port Authority's Web site at: www.portauthority.org.
University students, faculty and staff may also ride all of the University buses by presenting a valid University ID to the bus driver. Schedules are available from the Parking & Transportation Office and in the lobby of the William Pitt Union or online at www.pts.pitt.edu.
Note: University affiliates holding gold ID cards may only use those ID cards for campus shuttles/buses. Gold card holders may ride PATransit buses but they must pay the bus fare when they ride.
If you will have children, ages 5-17, with you while you are in Pittsburgh, you may want to consider what school they will attend while locating housing. In general, your address determines which public school the child will be assigned to.
Paying by Check, Carrying Money in the U.S., and Sending Money Outside
the U.S.
Paying by Check
In general cash payment is not accepted in the U.S. when you pay for your housing or utilities.
If you need to pay for something by check before you have opened a U.S. bank account, you can use a 'money order'. A money order is a check that can be used in place of bank checks in most cases. You will buy a money order with cash at local post office, convenience stores, and grocery stores (Giant Eagle). The fee for making a money order depends on venders. Local grocery stores may charge lower fees than the post office.
When you open a bank account, you should be sure to open a checking account. You will receive a check book in order to draw funds form this checking account. A debit card (plastic card) looks like a credit card which also enables you to draw funds from your checking account.
Carrying Money in the U.S.
The U.S. is called a 'cashless society' where people often carry only up to $20 in cash. Using credit card/debit card or check is common even for making a small/everyday purchases. However, vendors and shops often have a minimum purchase amount (around $5-$10) in order to use credit or debit card.
Sending Money Outside the U.S.
You may want to send money you have in the U.S. to your home country when you finish your program. In addition to using the above methods in reverse, the following sources may be useful to you.
Postal Service: You can send money by international money order (to over 30 countries around the world) or wiring money (to participating post offices in many Latin American countries). For further details about this service, please visit the United States Postal Service (USPS) Web site at or call 1-888-368-4669.
| Amount of Money | Options | Fees |
| Up to $700 | International Money Order | $3.25 |
| Up to $750 | Wire Transfer | $10 |
| $750.10 - $1500 | Wire Transfer | $15 |
| $1500.10 - $2000 | Wire Transfer | $20 |
The USPS can send money via these methods, but does not receive money directly at the post office. If you want to receive money, please read Receiving Money from Abroad.
Setting Up Utilities
Check with your landlord to see which utilities you must set up and which one(s) your landlord will be responsible for. You may have to contact all of these utility companies on your own and some of them may require that you fax information to them or apply to them in person before they will connect or start your utility service.
-
Local Telephone Service
Verizon
1-800-660-2215You will also need to select a long-distance carrier (AT&T, MCI, Sprint, etc.). Carefully check long-distance rates. Companies that advertise low domestic long-distance calling plans often have very expensive international calling plans. Make sure you select a company and a calling plan that will be most economical for the types of calls that you will be making.
-
Electric Service
Duquesne Light
412-393-6000 or 1-888-393-7100 -
Natural Gas Service
Equitable Gas
412-396-3050 or 1-800-654-6335Dominion/People's
412-244-2626 -
Cable Television Service
AT&T Cable Service
412-771-1300 -
Cellular Telephone Service
AT&T
Sprint
Verizon
Cricket -
Internet Service Provider
Stargate
The University has a free dial-up connection service to the University intranet however, at peak times, the lines are commonly busy. To reduce traffic and increase access, the University has contracted with Stargate to provide a reduced rate ISP connection to the University's intranet for University students, faculty and staff.
Cell Phones
Making a Decision About Phone Options
(land lines vs. cell phones or both)
These are some consideration when selecting a land line vs. a cell phone:
- How much do you stay home?
- Do you stay most of the time at your lab or office where you have a phone connection?
- Are you going to travel often in the U.S.?
- Do you need internet connection or fax facility from home?
- Do you want to call/receive a call from your family in abroad often?
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of land lines and cell phones:
| Pros | Cons | |
| Land Lines |
|
|
| Cell Phones |
|
|
Cellular Telephone Service
Getting a contract cell phone can be a little complicated for internationals. Contact the following companies and ask for the options suitable for you. When you choose a company and plan, consider the coverage areas and your possible domestic traveling.
AT&T—Home/land line
Cingular—Wireless
Cricket—Wireless
Sprint—Home/land
line and Wireless
T-Mobile—Wireless
Verizon—Home/land
line, Wireless
Buying/Renting Furniture
When renting a house or an apartment, you can choose to rent one furnished or unfurnished. If you are in need of furniture, there are a number of furniture stores that sell new furniture (Ikea, Roomful Express, Wickes, etc.). You can also buy used furniture or rent furniture.
- Thrift Shops
- Avenue Furniture Exchange
6600 Hamilton Avenue
East Liberty
412-441-8538 - Cort Furniture Clearance Center
2231 Saw Mill Run Blvd
South Hills
412-885-2222 - East End Community Thrift
5123 Penn Avenue
Bloomfield
412-361-6010 - Goodwill Industries
3801 Wm. Penn Highway Monroeville
412-856-9840 - Goodwill Industries
2700 E. Carson Street
South Side
412-481-5390 - Goodwill Industries
600 Penn Avenue
Wilkinsburg - St. Vincent de Paul Society
1709 Carson Street
South Side
412-381-1230 - St. Vincent de Paul Society
6101 Broad Street
East Liberty
412-441-7121 - Salvation Army Thrift Shop
44 S. 9th Street
South Side
412-481-7900 - Wood Street Furniture
713 Wood Street
Wilkinsburg
412-247-1160 - Furniture Rentals
- Apple Furniture Rental
3319 Bigelow Blvd.
412-681-5155 - Cort Furniture Rental
101 Wood Street
412-765-0165 - Pittsburgh Furniture Rental
1200 Chateau Street
412-321-8400 - Rainbow Rentals
401 Penn Avenue
412-361-7368 - Rent-a-Center
6113 Penn Avenue
412-661-1331 - Rent-a-Center
2305 E. Carson Street
412-481-5544 - RentWay
6320 Shakespeare St.
412-361-5781 - RentWay
Edgewood Towne Center
412-243-7368
U.S. Social Security Numbers
Instructions on Applying for a U.S. Social Security Number »
Driver's License
Pennsylvania Driver's License Verification Request Form »
Receiving Money From Abroad
If you want to receive money from your family or friends from abroad, the following methods can be useful depending on the purpose and amount of money.
International Bank Transfer (Wire)
This may be the fastest way of sending a large sum of money internationally. If there is no common account between wiring banks, the transaction will go through affiliated banks in SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) that connect the two banks. SWIFT is a company that provides computer system that allows banks to exchange internationally recognized messages that indicate credited amounts and authorize debits.
There are countries whose banks are not affiliated to the SWIFT network especially among developing countries. In this case, the bank will send the message via telex and this may take some extra time.
Sending the money in local currency may reduce the multiple fees deduction by correspondent banks during the wiring process in addition to the banks on both ends. Find out the cost, the networking banks that can do this transaction and other details from your bank.
Using International Banks
Having an account at a bank that has international branches may reduce the time and cost of fund transfer. For example, the Citibank has a list of countries that allow inter-accounts (an account in your home country and the U.S.) fund transfers within their international branches at lower cost. Find out the related services of your bank at your home country.
Western Union helps you to send the money or messages through the Western Union agent inside and outside the U.S. Through this service, you can make the arrangements over the internet or telephone. The fee may be more than 10% of the amount of money you send but the arrangement can be made quickly so it can useful especially in the emergency situation. Please go to their website and find out their worldwide agent locations, services and fees.
Credit Card
Your family/friends can always deposit money to your local bank account and make them available through your credit card. However, be aware of the associated fees, withdrawal limit, and exchange rate.
Taxes
Sales Tax
As you purchase goods and services here, you will notice that a sales tax is added to the cost of the good or service. Sales taxes are not value-added taxes and are not refundable or recoverable (unless you return the item and receive a refund for what you paid).
Income Tax
In addition to sales tax, there are also taxes on earned income in the
U.S. Earned Income tax is paid to the local,
state,
and federal governments
whether you have earned income or not. You must complete income tax forms
for federal, state, and local governments by April 15 of each year.
OIS provides consultation during Walk-in hours for tax related questions
during tax season. The Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) offers free help at some Pittsburgh locations
through their VITA
program.
Child Care
Many students and scholars have young children with them while they are in Pittsburgh. Children between the ages of 5-17 may attend, for free, the public schools in the community where the family is living. Child care for children 5 and younger is available but it is not free and often there is a wait-list for access to care. Students, faculty and staff of the University may enroll their children in the University's Child Development Center (UCDC) which is located on Clyde Street (412-383-2100).
While UCDC discounts the child care costs for children whose parents are affiliated with the University, please be aware that there is a charge for this service and access is not guaranteed as there is usually a long-wait list. If you have a child while you are in Pittsburgh, you may want to consider applying for the wait-list even before your child is born.
If space is not available at UCDC, you may wish to consider private day care facilities.
Pittsburgh Links
Campus Resources
- OIS Listserv—These two distinct listservs provide current information directly from OIS.
- OISPROGRAMS—Information about campus and city events and OIS cultural and social programs. Sign-up to receive OISPROGRAMS »
- OIS—Information about immigration regulations and OIS policies and procedures.
- The Pitt News
- The University Times
Pittsburgh Newspapers
Other Online Resources
To Start Your Academic Life
Getting a University ID
Students: In order to obtain your ID, you must be registered for current term classes.
The Panther Central Office (located in Litchfield Towers) will process
requests for Panther Cards Monday-Friday, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.
To receive your Panther
Card, you will need to present photo ID such as a driver's license,
passport, school or work ID at the time you apply for your card. If you
do not have a photo ID, at least two forms of signature ID such as a social
security card or a bank or credit card will be accepted. If you do not
have any type of identification, you will need to obtain a notarized affidavit
before you go to the ID Center.
Opening a Computer/E-mail Account
Your computer and e-mail accounts are created automatically when you register for classes. For more information visit the accounts section of the CSSD Technology Web site.
Buying Textbooks
The University Bookstore (4000 Fifth Avenue) is the official source for purchasing textbooks for classes at the University of Pittsburgh. Books are arranged by field and then by course registration number (CRN). Some texts are required; others may be recommended by the professor. Text books for some classes may also be available from other retailers or from on-line bookstores.
The Health Book
Center is located at 3527 Forbes Ave. It carries all course books
for the schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Health and Rehabilitation
Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health.
Other bookstores and used bookstores are located throughout Oakland and
the city of Pittsburgh.
Campus and City of Pittsburgh Maps
Improving Your Academic, Social, and Personal Life Skills
PASSPORT Program Series
PASSPORT is an ongoing orientation program offered free to all new and continuing international students and scholars!
PASSPORT is a cluster of six workshops given throughout the Fall and Spring semesters designed to delve more deeply into the topics covered during OIS Orientation.
If OIS Orientation is "information overload", then PASSPORT will give you forum to ask questions and seek answers on six topics including:
All internationals who complete 7of the 10 workshops in one academic year will be eligible for a grand prize.