Santa Clara University
Exchange and Visiting
Student Handbook
Fall 2012
International Programs Office
www.scu.edu/studyabroad/exchange
Phone 408-551-3019
internationalprograms@scu.edu
Congratulations on participation on this exchange program to Santa Clara University! The
International Programs Office is excited to have you on campus and we are here to help you have an
enjoyable time at SCU.
This handbook is to help prepare you for your upcoming time at Santa Clara University. Please read the
handbook carefully and let our office know if you have any questions.
Contents
Contact Information...................................................................................................................................... 2
Calendar ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Fall International Student Orientation Schedule .......................................................................................... 3
Academics ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Your Visa & Arrival to Santa Clara ............................................................................................................... 13
Finances and Banking.................................................................................................................................. 14
Housing ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
SCU Campus Activities and Sporting Events ............................................................................................... 17
Medical Care and Insurance ....................................................................................................................... 18
Cell phones.................................................................................................................................................. 21
Transportation around the Area and Popular Destinations ....................................................................... 21
Santa Clara Climate ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Adjusting to a New Environment ................................................................................................................ 23
SCU at a Glance ........................................................................................................................................... 24
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Contact Information
Exchange Coordinator
Student Assistant for Exchanges
Andrea Muilenburg
Leah Gonzalez
amuilenburg@scu.edu
internationalprograms@scu.edu
International Programs Office
Varsi Hall
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
408-554-6940
Office Advising Hours – Mondays and Tuesdays 10:00-12:00
Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00-4:00
For Visa and Immigration Questions/Issues
Parinaz Zartoshty
pzartoshty@scu.edu
International Student Services
Varsi Hall
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053
Advising Hours Monday – Friday 9:00-12:00
Emergency Contact Information
If an emergency arises outside of normal business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and you need to
contact someone, call the Santa Clara Campus Security at (408) 554-4444. Remember this is in the event
of an EMERGENCY ONLY.
Calendar
Fall quarter
September 10, 2012 Move in date for on-campus housing
September 11, 2012 International student orientation
September 17, 2012 Fall quarter classes begin
September 17-21, 2012 Fall quarter late registration/add period
September 21, 2012 Last day to add a fall quarter class
October 12, 2012 Last day to drop a fall quarter class without a W & last day to declare P/NP grading
option
November 2, 2012 Last day to drop a fall quarter class with a W
November 19-23, 2012 Academic holiday (Thanksgiving week)
November 30, 2012 Fall quarter classes end
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December 3-7, 2012 Fall quarter final examinations
December 7, 2012 Residence halls close 9 p.m.
Winter quarter
January 7, 2013 Winter quarter classes begin
January 7-11, 2013 Winter quarter late registration/add period
January 11, 2013 Last day to add a winter quarter class
January 21, 2013 Academic holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. day)
February 1, 2013 Last day to drop a winter quarter class without a W & last day to declare P/NP grading
option
February 22, 2013 Last day to drop winter quarter classes with a W
February 18, 2013 Academic holiday (President’s day)
March 15, 2013 Winter quarter classes end
March 18-22 Winter quarter final examinations
Spring quarter
April 2, 2013 Spring quarter classes begin
April 2-8, 2013 Spring quarter late registration/add period
April 8, 2013 Last day to add a spring quarter class
April 26, 2013 Last day to drop spring quarter classes without a W & last day to declare P/NP grading
option
May 17, 2013 Last day to drop classes with a W
May 27, 2013 Academic holiday (Memorial Day)
June 7, 2013 Spring quarter classes end
June 10-13, 2013 Spring quarter final examinations
June 13, 2013 Residence halls close 9 p.m.
Fall International Student Orientation Schedule
Room Location: Locatelli Student Activity Center
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
9:00-10:00 Coffee and Informational Hour – Locatelli Student Activity Center
10:00-11:00 Campus Tour – Meet outside Locatelli Center
11:00-11:30 President’s Welcome and Refreshment Break
11:30-12:30 Visa Rules and Regulations
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-2:00 Health Insurance
2:00-2:15 Campus Safety
2:15-2:45 Career Services
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2:45-3:45 Social Activity
3:45-4:15 Academic Success
4:15-4:45 International Student Association/Club Representatives
4:45-5:00 Questions and Answers
Academics
Life in the Classroom
Many international students find that American classrooms differ greatly from those in their home
country. Here are a few guidelines to help prepare you for the American educational atmosphere and to
succeed in the academic field at Santa Clara University.
Class Format
At SCU, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes are typically 65 minutes long. Tuesday and Thursday
classes are 1 hour an 45 minutes. Some classes meet once a week but are three hours long. Professors
at SCU typically combine both lecture and discussion, although some days may lean towards either one.
The amount of lecture and discussion also depends on the class. The student-faculty ratio at SCU is 13:1
so professors try to learn the names of their students and try to give their students all the help they
need. At SCU, classes are always lead by the university’s renowned faculty. Classes are never lead by a
teacher’s assistants although TA’s may be present. As class sizes are smaller than other larger
universities, students are expected to attend all classes and actively participate in discussion. In a
smaller class it’s obvious who has prepared for the class and who hasn’t so don’t be afraid to share your
thoughts!
The Quarter System
The regular academic year is split into three quarters rather than two semesters. International students
who are used to the semester system may find it jarring that they have to learn everything that they
might learn in one semester back home in 10 weeks at SCU. Students usually take four courses per
quarter, although some students may choose to overload by taking five. Professors will have
assignments throughout the quarter, whether it be short papers every 2 or 3 weeks, weekly quizzes, one
exam midway through the quarter (midterm), a final exam, or a long paper (10-12 pages) due at the
final. There is no “lag-time” in between assignments as professors not only expect students to do the
assigned daily readings, but students are expected to complete the assigned papers and projects. This
may take some getting used to during the first couple of weeks, but as long as students manage their
time well and ask for help when they need it, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Assignments/Assessment
If you are not accustomed to an educational system that requires daily work and quizzes, at first you
may feel overwhelmed by the amount of work that is required at Santa Clara University. Prior to or
during the first class period, professors will give you a syllabus laying out the rules, goals, and calendar
for their course. The syllabus will outline what percentage of your grade will be determined by what
type of work. Some professors do not give much weight to homework, while others prefer papers to
exams. Some might even offer “extra credit” opportunities so that students can boost their grades.
Professors assign specific chapters or articles that are to be read before each class period. You are
expected to come to class ready to discuss the assigned readings. The most effective way to accomplish
this is to manage your time appropriately. Write down assignments, keep a calendar or planner with
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exams and homework due dates, or store these dates in your smartphone, and refer back to your
syllabus often for assigned readings or projects. Don’t lose your syllabus!
Your grade will depend on a variety of factors, which may include:
• Participation in class
• Homework that you turn in on a regular basis
• Quizzes taken throughout the semester
• Formal presentations made in class (individually or as part of a group)
• Papers
• Two or three exams taken throughout the semester, including a final
Participation
It is common for professors to give a grade for class participation. For the most part, professors in the
United States, and especially at Santa Clara University, value the experience and diversity of opinion that
international students bring to their classes, so please be an active participant in class discussions! In
some cases, failure to speak in class could result in a lower grade. Be brave and let others know what
you think. Your academic experience and your grade will benefit from regular participation, and you will
sharpen your communication skills by participating. If there is a situation that makes you uncomfortable
to speak in class, please talk with your professor or teaching assistant.
Attendance
You are required to attend all classes. Your professor will discuss the absence policy on the first day of
class. The absence policy and your professor’s allowances will be discussed in your syllabus. Sometimes
professors will allow you to miss a given number of class periods (usually 2 or 3). It is a good idea to
email or speak with your professor if you anticipate missing class or if you already have missed a class.
Arriving Late
It is expected that you arrive before the scheduled start time of your class. Many professors become
irritated when students do not arrive to class on time; in many cases, arriving late can significantly lower
your grade. If possible try to come to class a little early to find a seat. Some classes are high in demand
and have reached maximum capacity so an open chair can be difficult to find when you have to wade
through rows of irritated students. Arriving late can be an awkward experience for everyone.
Group Projects
You may be required to complete a group project as part of your course requirements. The same
standards for participation, attendance and arriving late apply to these projects as apply to the
classroom. Team members will rely on one another to contribute equally to the project. Every member’s
input and work will affect the grade of the entire team. Good communication is key to succeeding in
group projects. Be sure to exchange email addresses and cell phone numbers once your group as
formed. Keep each other updated on the research you’ve done and anything you’ve worked on
pertaining to the project. Make sure that everyone is on the same page while allowing everyone to
share their thoughts and ideas about the project.
Classroom Culture
The classroom format at Santa Clara, as well as other American educational institutions, may seem more
informal than at home. The atmosphere in classrooms differs widely from one to another. Some
professors rely on a traditional lecture method of instruction with little involvement by students.
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However, the majority of professors encourage lively discussions, debates and over active ways of
teaching. Professors genuinely want their students to think for themselves and share their ideas so that
students will have a richer perspective. Professors may randomly choose students to share their opinion,
so it’s a good idea to be prepared to say something. This can come as a surprise to many exchange
students, as in some cultures debate would be considered a sign of disrespect for the professor. If you
have a question during a lecture or discussion, do not hesitate to raise your hand and voice it. No matter
what the teaching style, students are expected to come to class prepared, having completed the
assigned reading, pay attention in class, take good notes, and actively engage in class discussion.
Common terms used in class
Quizzes: short tests given based on assigned material
Pop quizzes: unannounced quizzes (given when the professors want to verify if the students are keeping
up with their reading assignments)
Midterms: exams based on several chapters of materials lectured in class, usually given after 4 weeks of
class.
Final exams: comprehensive exam given on the last day of the quarter which can cover material from
the entirety of the class (cumulative final) or just the second half of the quarter.
Homework: can be in forms of reading, assignments, papers, problem sets, and research.
Plagiarism: To steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own. In other words, use
another’s work without crediting the source. Plagiarism is severely punished at SCU, as is all cheating.
For more information about plagiarism and ways to cite your sources visit:
http://libguides.scu.edu/plagiarism
Academic Integrity
An excerpt from the Student Handbook
Both the University Bulletin and the Student Handbook outline the University’s expectations that all
members of the University community are expected to be honest in their academic endeavors. Engaging
in any form of academic dishonesty or other acts generally understood to be dishonest by faculty or
students in an academic context subjects a student to academic and judicial action. For the full text of
the academic integrity protocol, go to the Provost’s website at www.scu.edu/provost/ and look for the
link to Academic Policies and Procedures.
What is Academic Integrity?
Academic integrity is applying honesty and responsibility while learning and broadening your knowledge
in higher education. These two important ethical values assist in abiding by a code of academic values
towards learning. Academic integrity is essential in establishing good study habits and researching skills
enabling you to develop and convey your own ideas. Your own ideas effectively mean respecting others’
intellectual property, thus trusting that you are submitting your own personal work. It involves
regulating your own behavior without requiring the professor’s close supervision. In essence, academic
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integrity entails being aware of your own decisions and accepting both positive and negative outcomes
that may arise as a result of your actions.
For information about what procedures are taken when suspicions or evidence of academic dishonesty
allegations are brought against a student, please download the Protocol Regarding Allegations of
Student Academic Dishonesty pdf at this link:
http://www.scu.edu/studentlife/resources/upload/Academic-Integrity-Protocol.pdf
Or
http://www.scu.edu/studentlife/resources/academicintegrity/upload/Academic-Integrity-Flowchart.pdf
If you need help citing sources please visit: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/. There you can find out
how to cite sources using MLA or APA format.
Contacting your Professor
Professors at U.S. universities encourage students to contact them outside of the classroom. Many
professors will include their office address, open office hours, e-mail address and telephone number on
the syllabus that you receive on your first day of the class. Office hours are a period of time that the
professor sets aside to be in his or her office for meetings with students or to provide help on a drop-in
basis. If these hours conflict with your schedule, ask your professor if you can make an appointment to
meet at a different time. Also, many professors check their e-mail on a daily basis, so e-email your
professor if you have a simple question. More complex questions should be presented in person. Should
you have a question about a grade you received on a project or exam, professors are willing to talk with
you about it. If you feel you deserve a different grade, they will allow you to argue your case and will
take your thoughts into consideration. However, do not abuse this.
Computer Skills
Students should be familiar with basic word-processing, use of the internet and (depending upon your
subject area) spreadsheets and databases. Workshops are offered through the Technology Training
team at SCU in the University Library located in the Harrington Learning Commons. Technology Training
provides Training and Instruction Labs and which holds Drop-in Lab hours to help on your projects. You
could even take a software class to prepare for a class, a project, or an internship. Courses are free for
students, and you are encouraged to take advantage of them. Information and schedule of training and
drop-in hours are available on their website: scu.edu/training.
Buying Textbooks
Santa Clara Campus Bookstore
The Campus Bookstore is centrally located on campus. It is a part of the Benson Memorial Center and is
located across from the Learning Commons, Technology Center, and Library.
In the basement of the Campus Bookstore, you can buy new and used textbooks and you can even rent
some textbooks. If you buy your books online from the campus bookstore then you can pick them up in
the basement where they will be ready for you to pick up. New textbooks can be quite expensive, so if
you want to save some money you can try to purchase a used copy. If you know you are not going to
write in a certain book, such a big fat Physics textbook, then renting it is probably the best and cheapest
option. Why would you want an overbearing physics textbook crowding your space when you no longer
need it anyway?
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The book store is organized by department and by class number. Print out or write down your class list
before going so you know the specific course number. You can also ask SCU’s booksellers for help
finding the materials you need. There might be some “Recommended books” available next to the
“Required books.” You do not have to buy the recommended books; they are simply there at the
suggestion of the professor for supplementary reading.
Contact Bookstore
Phone 408-554-4356
Fax 408-554-7872
bookstore@scu.edu
Website: http://www.scu.edu/auxiliaryservices/bookstore/
Campus Bookstore Hours
Monday- Thursday: 8:30 am-6:00 pm
Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am-4 pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Other options:
Libraries
Some professors may make a copy of the book available on reserve in the library. Some required books
are also available in the library. You may borrow the book to read in the library, but are not allowed to
bring it home with you. There are usually only a few copies at most, so if someone else is reading the
book you will not have access to it until it is returned.
Recycle Bookstore- “Silicon Valley’s premiere independent used bookstore”
You’d be surprised at how many books you can find here that some classes actually require. For students
studying art, the humanities and social sciences, this used bookstore might carry quite a few required
books and can save you some money.
Location and hours:
1066 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
Phone: (408) 286-6275
Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 9 pm
Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 7 pm
Sunday: Noon - 7 pm
Amazon.com and Amazon Marketplace
Amazon/Amazon Marketplace is a great way to find cheap new and used textbooks online. When using
Amazon, ensure you are ordering the correct edition. Please note that if you use a non-U.S. credit card
you may be charged an exchange fee. Also take caution in searching for your textbooks to make sure
you have the correct book/edition. Textbooks from Amazon.com generally arrive within 5 days, while
buying textbooks from an individual seller via Amazon Marketplace could take two weeks or more. If
ordering from Amazon, make sure you order from the American version, www.amazon.com. These
come from sellers in America, whereas if you use Amazon from your home-country, it could take much
longer for your books to arrive.
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Helpful Hints
Drahmann Advising Center
From English and math tutoring to academic planning to learning development, the Drahmann Advising
Center is available to help you come any learning obstacle you may encounter while at Santa Clara. At
the Drahmann Center you can request a tutor to help you brush up on your English, writing, and math
skills. The website also provides effective learning tools and advice on how to troubleshoot academic
problem areas.
Location and hours
Kenna Hall Room 101
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
Phone: 408-554-4318
Fax: 408-551-1802
Website: http://www.scu.edu/advising
SCU University Library
It’s the first day of class and your professor casually mentions that a 10 page paper is due on the day of
your final but that you don’t have to worry about it until midway through the quarter. Feels like a long
time from now, but it’s not. You have no idea where to begin, but no matter, SCU’s librarians can point
you in the right direction. As long as you are specific about what you are looking for, any of the
librarian’s can be of great help. If you’re looking to study in solitude then you’ll love the study rooms in
the library. Students are allowed to make online room reservations, although an individual is limited to
four hours of reservations per day in any combination of times.
Tips:
-
The library gets extremely crowded during finals week. Make reservations early!!
The quietest places to study in the library are the 3rd floor, the St. Claire room, and the
basement.
To make room reservations visit: scu.edu/rooms
University Library Website: scu.edu/library
Regular Academic Library Hours
Monday – Thursday: 7:30 am - 2 am
Friday: 7:30 am - 10 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 10 pm
Sunday: 9 am - 2 am
The HUB Writing Center
Having difficulty cranking out that final 10 page paper? Are you experiencing a classic case of writer’s
block? The HUB Writing Center is the perfect place to go to clear your mind. Located in the basement of
Benson Memorial, the HUB’s tutors will read those long and arduous research papers and give you
advice about how to tweak it and make your writing clear and concise. In addition, the HUB sponsors
workshops on punctuation and grammar as well as writing cover letters and personal statements
throughout the school year.
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Location and hours
Lower Benson Room 22
Sunday-Thursday 3:00 pm- 11:00pm
Contact The HUB Writing Center:
HUB director: Dolores LaGuardia
Email: dlaguardia@scu.edu
Phone: 408-992-0136 / 408-393-8999
Website: http://www.scu.edu/provost/writingcenter/
Like the HUB’s Writing Center’s Facebook page! www.facebook.com/scuhub
Student Helpdesk
Located on the first floor of the library, the Student Helpdesk is staffed with student technicians ready to
assist the SCU community with networking and computer-toubleshooting. The IT staff will do the best
they can to answer your questions, solve your computer-related problems and connect you to the
campus network.
Location and hours
First floor of the University Library under the “Start Here” sign
Phone: 408-554-5050
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 am-12:00 am
Friday: 7:30 am-10:00 pm
Saturday: 9 am-10:00 pm
Sunday: 9am-12:00am
Printing
Public printing at SCU is managed by the SmartPrint system. All students are issued printing money at
the start of the year. The cost of printing is $0.08/page for black and white sheets and $0.15/page for
color sheets. All students get a $48 yearly stipend, a $16.00 (200 page) stipend quarterly (law students
get 300 pages/semester).
Printing in the Residence Halls
Each residence hall is equipped with a print release station that residents may use. Students are able to
print directly to these release stations from their own dorm room eliminating the need for each student
to have their own personal printer in their dorm room.
Printing on Campus
The Library and Learning Commons offers more than 15 different printers for students to print including
4 color printers and 4 copy machines. Students are able to print directly to all of these printers by
installing the necessary software from the main IT website: http://it.scu.edu/SmartPrint/.
Registering for courses (taken from SCU website)
Participants in the Exchange Program must register for classes usually before arriving to the United
States. Class registrations are done online through a student’s ecampus account, which is the student’s
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web access to records, financial aid accounts, class schedule, etc. An ecampus account is set up as soon
as an international student has been accepted to the Exchange Program at Santa Clara University.
Class Registration
You can decide what classes you are interested in taking by looking at our website. A schedule of open
classes is available at Http://www.scu.edu/coursevail. Be sure to select “undergraduate”, the
appropriate term when you will be at Santa Clara, and the appropriate school. Classes for the quarter
you will be attending are on the web generally two to four months before classes begin and registration
takes place during this time. The course availability page will show you if classes are still open. If classes
are closed, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to take the class, but we will try to add you into
the class.
Students in the Business and Engineering schools must coordinate with the International Programs
Office staff to approve their courses prior to registration time.
Most classes at Santa Clara are either four or five units, so it is recommended that exchange students
take at least three classes per quarter. For your first quarter at Santa Clara, we do not recommend that
you take more than three full courses. There will be enough for you to do adjusting to the language and
culture and we do not want you to be overwhelmed. If, however, your home campus advisor requires
you to take more than three classes, we can accommodate this.
**You can add or drop classes through the first week of the term. Dropping classes after the deadline is
extremely difficult. Please make sure to contact the Exchange Coordinator in the International Programs
Office if you are having difficulty with any or your courses or with adding/dropping a class. Pay
attention to posted deadlines on the academic calendar, located at
http://www.scu.edu/studentrecords/calendar/).
Registration
Exchange students in the Leavey School of Business or the Engineering School must coordinate
preferred courses with a designated staff member in the International Programs Office prior to the
registration time. Due to procedural rules, these students are not allowed to register themselves on
ecampus and must have their courses approved early.
Arts and Sciences students register for classes using the online system called “ecampus” at SCU. You can
access this system at http://www.scu.edu/ecampus. Each student needs an ID and a password in order
to log into the system. Both are automatically generated when you are admitted as an exchange
student into the SCU system. You should have received an email after you were admitted into the SCU
system to the email address that you listed on your application materials for SCU.
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If you did not receive an email from SCU about how to activate your ecampus account (it should come
from the ecampus@scu.edu address), please notify the Exchange Coordinator at the International
Programs Office.
Students having difficulty logging into ecampus can send a message to ecampus@scu.edu. Please be
sure to provide your name, SCU student ID number, and email address.
Tips for students using ecampus can be found here: https://www.scu.edu/ecampus/students
/index.cfm, including registration and log-in advise.
Notes:
If you are having trouble registering yourself via ecampus, you can email a list of the classes you are
interested in taking to International Programs – Attention Exchange to internationalprograms@scu.edu
by the following dates:
Coming to Santa Clara Fall Quarter (starting classes in September) – May 1st
Coming to Santa Clara Winter Quarter (starting classes in January) – November 1st
Coming to Santa Clara Spring Quarter (starting classes in April) – February 1st
You will need to email the following information:
1. Your full name and SCU ID number (if you know it)
2. The top three classes you want to take (please make sure to include the 5-digit SECTION
NUMBER which tells the system which class you want to add).
3. One or two alternate courses, in case you are unable to get into your first choices.
Once you get to campus, please make sure to come by the International Programs Office so that we can
make sure that each one of you has the information you need about your courses.
If for any reason you are unable to attend the classes you have registered for on the first day of class,
please send an email to internationalprograms@scu.edu or call IPO (408) 551-3019. Professors have
the right to drop students who do not attend the first class – and you may discover that you are no
longer enrolled if you do not show up.
Academic Calendar
For a detailed calendar of important dates, including holidays, and registration periods, refer to this
website www.scu.edu/studentrecords/calendar/
Internet Access and Email
While at SCU, you should use your SCU email account as all SCU correspondence will be sent to your SCU
email address. Internet access is provided by SCU on campus and is free of charge. The wireless
network at Santa Clara University covers all academic buildings, residence halls, student union, library
and study spaces, some outdoor areas and several administrative buildings. Information Technology
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provides and supports several general purpose computer labs on campus, and several specific purpose
satellite labs in Benson, Casa, and Sobrato.
Your Visa & Arrival to Santa Clara
DS-2019 for the J-1 Visa
In your acceptance materials, you received your DS 2019 form, which you need to take to the United
States Embassy or Consulate in your country to apply for a J-1 visa stamp. Be prepared to take
documentation of your financial support, including the acceptance letter from the Santa Clara
International Programs Office (enclosed with the DS 2019), and an original bank statement accompanied
by a letter of financial support from parents or other sponsors. Also, be certain that your passport is
valid six months into the future at the time of application for the J-1 visa stamp.
Document Checklist
Be sure to carry all of the following with you for entry into the United States:
Passport valid for the length of your stay in the United States
J-1 visa stamp
Letter of admission to Santa Clara University
Letter of invitation from Santa Clara University
Original copy of the financial support documents you provided in order to obtain your visa
En route to the United States: you will receive a small white card on the airplane, which is called an "I-94
card." This document is an official immigration document, and should remain in your passport for the
duration of your stay in the United States. The I-94 card in combination with the United States visa
stamp and a valid passport secure your entry into the United States. You must have all of these
documents with you when you arrive in the United States.
When you enter the United States, at the airport an immigration official will process your papers and
return the DS 2019 form to you. Keep your passport, I-94 card, and the copy of your DS 2019 form
together in a safe place once you arrive in the United States. These documents are proof of your
immigration status.
After your arrival in Santa Clara, please make photocopies of the following documents:
DS 2019 (front)
I-94 arrival/departure card
Passport identity and expiry pages
J-1 visa stamp
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Travel to Santa Clara
Flying into San Jose: You can arrive at the San Jose International Airport. The Airport Flyer – VTA Route
#10 makes a continuous loop between the Metro Light Rail Station, the Santa Clara Caltrain Station and
the Airport Terminals. A new shuttle departs each designated stopping point approximately every 15-30
minutes from 5:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The Airport Flyer is free and the Santa Clara Caltrain Station is
very close to campus. You may also take a taxi from the airport to your destination. Also, students
participating in the mentor program may be greeted at the airport by their mentor.
Flying into San Francisco: You should take the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) located at the San
Francisco airport, south to Milbrae. At Milbrae, you need to transfer to CalTrain and take CalTrain to the
Santa Clara station. This should cost around $15.00. You may also take a shuttle bus from the San
Francisco airport to Santa Clara with should cost about $30.00. Or you may choose to take a taxi for
about $80.00. It is about an hour drive from the San Francisco airport to campus and about 1.5 hours by
CalTrain.
Have the address and phone number of the residence hall or house you will be staying at. When you
arrive, the last thing you will want is to dig through your luggage trying to find the information. It is best
to have it with your passport or in your wallet or purse for easy accessibility.
Checking In
If you have any questions or problems when you arrive, please feel free to check in at International
Programs Office (Varsi Hall). Your Exchange Coordinator (Andrea Muilenburg) has weekly office hours –
(Mondays and Tuesdays 10:00-12:00 and Wednesdays and Thursdays 2:00-4:00); please come during
those times. If you do not have questions or concerns, we look forward to seeing you at orientation!
Travel outside the country while studying at Santa Clara University
If you plan to travel outside the United States during your semester/year at Santa Clara, you MUST visit
International Student Services (ISS- located first floor of Varsi) several weeks before departing. Travel
includes a visit home, to Mexico, Canada, or any other country outside the United States. You must
obtain prior authorization from ISS, or you will not be permitted back into the United States.
Finances and Banking
You can open a bank account while at Santa Clara. The documents you will need to present at the bank
are your passport, I-94 and DS 2019. A social security card is not required to open a bank account, but if
you do have a social security card you should take that with you.
Below is a list of the closest banks to campus (Santa Clara does not endorse any of the following bank
locations):
Bank of America – 485 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
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Wells Fargo – 1111 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Citibank – 2500 Pruneridge Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Questions to ask a bank when considering opening a bank account:
1. What is the minimum amount of money that must be in my checking account? (Many banks require
that you keep a certain amount of money in a checking account in order to keep it open. If you go
below the minimum amount there often is a penalty fee).
2. What is the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) service charge per transaction? (This is the amount of
money that you will be charged each time you use an ATM. Some banks offer free transactions for using
their own bank branch ATM machines, but charge a fee if you are using another banking institution’s
ATM machines. Some banks do not charge ATM fees.)
3. What annual fees will be charged? What are fees for if the account is overdrawn (you write a check
for an amount that is larger than the amount of money in your account)? (Some banks charge annual
fees to their customers for having accounts at the bank and fees are charged if an account is
overdrawn.)
4. What is the per check charge? (Some banks charge you a certain amount for every check you write.)
Cost of living
Following is an estimation of expenses for the 2012-2013.
For academic year (3 quarters) For one quarter
Tuition
$40,572
$13,524
Living expenses $16,887
$5,629
Health insurance $1,926
$ 642
Total
$59,385
$19,795
Without tuition $18,813
$6,271
& fees
Tuition: Exchange students are initially charged the normal tuition, but that charge will be zero-ed out
with the full tuition exchange.
Housing: Depending on your choice of on-campus or off-campus housing.


On-Campus Housing & Meal Plans: $3,995 - $5,000 per quarter depending on choice of RLC and
type of meal plans.
Off-Campus Housing: $300 - $1,000 per month
Health Insurance: All Santa Clara students including Exchange participants are required to have health
insurance coverage during their time at Santa Clara. Students must show proof at the time of application
for sufficient coverage.
Personal Expenses: Your personal expenses can vary depending on your needs. The International
Ambassadors and the International Club at Santa Clara can help you with some of the ways to save
money while at SCU.
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Housing
Where students live is a very important and defining part of the social scene on any American college
campus. SCU is a relatively smaller university than many large state universities and the closeness of our
community is reflected in our housing options close to campus. The typical SCU student lives on campus
during their first (freshman) year and often times the second year as well. Students living on campus live
in different sized dormitories all around campus. On-campus living usually involves sharing a bedroom,
bathrooms, having community activities, as well as abiding by rules enforced by a Community Facilitator
(CF), who is usually an upperclassman. Once students reach their junior and senior year, they typically
move off campus for more independence and rent from privately owned houses or apartments, most of
which are around campus. They often rent these off-campus housing options with fellow students. For
more information on both options, read below.
Living in On Campus Housing
If you choose on-campus housing, most of the Residential Learning Communities (RLCs) house
underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores) who are 18-20 years old. If you live in a typical residence
hall you will be sharing a room with one or two other people. In the standard residence hall you will
have a community kitchen that is shared by everyone in the building, but will not have your own in your
room. Two of the residence halls, Sobrato and Casa Italiana, (RLC names are Loyola and DaVinci) have
apartment style housing for 3rd and 4th year students where there is the option of having a single room.
If you live in Sobrato or Casa, you will have a small kitchen and a living room to share with your
suitemates. If you live in the new residence halls, University Villas, you will have a kitchen, living room,
washing machine and dryer to share with your roommates. Students who live in the Villas are
upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) who are 20-22 years old. These residence halls are harder to get
into, so you must be punctual with your housing application form. Living on campus can also be
expensive as all students who live in the RLCs are required to purchase a meal plan (most meals are
eaten in the Benson cafeteria). Many former exchange students report living on campus as a good way
to meet new people.
Student housing in the Residential Learning Communities (RLCs) is limited. Participants must complete
and submit on time the Housing Preference Form. Submission of an application does not guarantee that
an international student will be assigned on-campus housing. Final housing assignment is made by the
Office of Housing and Residence Life at Santa Clara University. Students will be charged directly for oncampus housing.
Information about on campus housing can be found at: http://www.scu.edu/housing/
On-campus housing check in
Students who requested and applied for fall quarter on-campus housing cannot move into their assigned
room until Monday, September 10th between 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. If you plan to arrive earlier than the
move in date, please know that you will be responsible for arranging alternate housing for yourself.
When arriving on campus, please proceed to Kennedy Commons Front Desk to pick up your room keys
and other information. The Kennedy Commons Front Desk stays open until 11:00 p.m. If you are
arriving after hours, please proceed directly to Campus Safety Services located on the ground level of
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the Parking Structure located on the left side as you enter the front entrance of the campus off El
Camino Real. The officer on duty will call the Resident Director (RD) on duty that night to check you into
your room. Here is a link to the campus map: http://www.scu.edu/map/.
Residence halls do not provide towels, pillows or bed linens. You can bring these items with you or they
can easily be purchased after arrival.
Living Off Campus
If you choose to live off campus, it is recommended that you sublease from a Santa Clara student who is
studying abroad for the quarter you will be here, or for a full year, depending on your needs. It is most
common for SCU students to study abroad for fall quarter only. If you are staying for one year, you can
sublease for fall quarter and then meet people to find an apartment/house after fall quarter if you are
staying for the year, or set one up with the new exchange students that come in January. Subleasing in a
house with Americans seems to be the best way for older exchange students to connect with American
students and the social life at SCU, as well as to practice their English skills. This is also very cheap
because the students who are studying abroad are often quite desperate to have someone to fill their
spot. So negotiate the price as low as you can, because there are many options (you should pay at least
$100 less than they are asking). Older students have houses that are only one or two blocks off campus,
and most houses hold 6 to 8 students. Other than that, there are apartments nearby you can find and
rent for the whole year. Traditionally, most juniors and seniors live off campus (age 20 - 22), so they are
older, which changes the social aspect in on-campus vs. off-campus housing, since the older students
can go to the bars and can legally drink, etc. However, more juniors and seniors are now choosing to live
on campus in the University Villas. Finding available off-campus housing can be difficult sometimes and
may not be as nice and clean as on-campus dormitories.
Some international students prefer the freedom of living in an apartment or house usually with other
Santa Clara students. Participants must find their own housing from the list of available off-campus
apartments, sublets, houses that are posted on the Office of Student Life website. Students are
responsible for making their own arrangements with landlords or sublets.
Here is a link to off campus rental listings - http://www.scu.edu/studentlife/housing/list_rentals.cfm
Hotels for temporary housing
Information on hotels close to campus can be found at: http://www.scu.edu/map/visiting/
SCU Campus Activities and Sporting Events
Student organizations
Santa Clara has over 100 registered student organizations and 8 charter student organizations that you
can join. You can find more information on the student organizations here:
http://cms.scu.edu/csl/organizations.cfm On September 17, 2012, from 8:00-10:00 p.m. in the Locatelli
Activity Center there will be a student organization fair, where you can learn about all the student
organizations and talk to members of the organizations. Participating in organizations is a great way to
meet other students and get involved in activities that you like.
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Athletics and Recreation
Santa Clara has 19 intercollegiate sports and is in the West Coast Conference. Students are able to get
tickets to go to athletic home games. Information about athletics can be found at:
Information on recreational facilities (gym, pool, tennis courts, jogging trails, etc.) can be found at:
http://scu.edu/recreation/malley.cfm
The Intramural Sports program at Santa Clara University is one of the most popular with an average of
more than 3,500 student participants per year. Intramural Sports encourages sportsmanship, teamwork,
cooperation, physical fitness, and student involvement. There are structured leagues in a variety of
activities for beginners to skilled players. Leagues are organized for minimal time commitment.
Intramural Sports leagues are open to all current students, faculty, and staff.
Medical Care and Insurance
The cost of medical care in the United States is extremely high. There is no national healthcare. All
exchange students are required to have health insurance coverage with the following minimum benefits
while participating on the exchange program:
 Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
 Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
 Medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000
 A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
 Written proof of policy benefits must be provided in English, with coverage limits converted to
US dollars
The Cowell Student Health Center
The Cowell Student Health Center is located in the Cowell Building (Building 701). The center is open
Monday-through Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursdays 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You must call to make an appointment. Phone 408-554-4501. The center is closed during the summer
and university holiday.
Services
As an exchange student at SCU you are entitled to see a Cowell Student Health Center clinician at no
charge, regardless of what health insurance you carry. However, charges are associated with lab work,
medications, and medical supplies ordered for you. These charges are posted to your student account. A
receipt can be provided for possible insurance reimbursement.
Cowell Student Health Center provides initial and follow-up care for students with acute illness such as
strep throat, flu, mononucleosis, allergic reactions, urinary tract infections, minor injuries, and more.
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Other commonly requested services include:





Routine physical examinations.
Gynecological - pap smears, pelvic exams, STD tests, menstrual disorders, breast exams and
pregnancy tests.
Medical equipment and supplies - ice, heating pads, crutches, wheel chairs, and other
orthopedic equipment is available to students.
Sports Medicine
Health Insurance - Santa Clara University requires that all full time undergraduate and all
international students show proof of health insurance coverage. Cowell Health Center will assist
you with your current health insurance claims when you receive services at Cowell or are
referred to an area medical provider.
EMT Program
The SCU Emergency Medical Services provides after hours care for the campus community. These
students are Certified Emergency Medical Technicians who assess injuries/illnesses and refer the patient
to the appropriate health care provider.
Medical Facilities When Health Center is Closed
Hospitals
Good Samaritan Hospital
2425 Samaritan Drive
San Jose, CA 95124 (408) 559-2011
http://www.goodsamsj.org/
Directions: Exit Health Center onto Accolti Street, turn left and follow Accolti to El Camino Real. Turn
Right on El Camino Real. El Camino Real becomes The Alameda. Merge onto
I-880 S toward Santa Cruz. I-880 S becomes CA-17-S. Merge onto CA-85 S toward Gilroy.
Take the exit toward Union Avenue. Turn Right onto Samaritan Drive.
Kaiser Permanente at Homestead
710 Lawrence Expressway
Santa Clara, CA 95051 (408) 851-1000
http://www.kp.org/santaclara
Directions: Exit Health Center onto Accolti Street, turn left and follow Accolti to El Camino Real. Turn
Right on El Camino Real. El Camino Real becomes The Alameda. Merge onto I-880 S toward Santa Cruz.
Take the I-280 N toward San Francisco. Take the exit toward Lawrence Expressway. Keep left at the fork,
follow signs for Lawrence Expressway and merge onto Lawrence Expressway. Make a U-turn at Lehigh
Drive. Kaiser will be on the right.
O’Connor Hospital
2105 Forest Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128 (408) 947-2500
http://www.oconnorhospital.org
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Directions: Exit Health Center to Accolti Street, turn left and follow Accolti to El Camino Real. Turn Right
on El Camino Real. El Camino Real becomes The Alameda. Turn right to take the I-880 South ramp.
Merge on I-880 South towards Santa Cruz. Take the Bascom Avenue exit. Continue on N. Bascom and
turn right on Naglee Ave. Bear right on Forest Ave. Proceed to 2105 Forest Ave located on the right hand
side of the street.
Urgent Care Centers
Santa Clara Urgent Care Hours: M-F 8am – 9 pm; Sat 8am – 5 pm
1825 Civic Center Drive Ste. 7
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 985-2401 Lab and X-Ray available
www.santaclarauc.com
SCVMC Hours: Express Care Clinic Everyday 9am – 11pm (Walk-In)
751 South Bascom Avenue Lab and X-Ray available
San Jose, CA 95128 (408) 885-5000 press O for Operator
Camino Medical Group, Inc. Hours: Urgent Care Center M-F 8am – 9pm 701 E. El Camino Real 2nd Floor
Weekends: 8am – 8pm
Mountain View, CA 94040 Lab and X-Ray available
(650) 934-7800
Palo Alto Medical Foundation Hours: Urgent Care Center M-F 8am – 9pm 795 El Camino Real Weekends:
8am – 8pm
Palo Alto, CA 94301 Lab and X-Ray available (650) 321-4121
San Jose Medical Group Hours:
Urgent Care Center Everyday 8am – 8pm
625 Lincoln Ave Lab and X-Ray available
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 278-3620
U.S. Healthworks Medical Group, P.C. Hours: Urgent Care Center M-F 7am – 7pm 1717 South Main
Street Lab and X-Ray available
Milpitas, CA 95035 (408) 957-5700
U.S. Healthworks Medical Group, P.C. Hours: Urgent Care Center M-F 7am – 7pm 1893 Monterey Road, Ste
200 Lab and X-Ray available
San Jose, CA 95112 (408) 288-3800
Washington Clinic Hours: Urgent Care Center M – F 8am – 6pm 46690 Mohave Drive Lab and X-Ray available
Fremont, CA 94539 (510) 651-2371
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For Dental Emergencies:
Ravizza, Richard
1795 Park Ave
San Jose, CA
(408) 286-0617
Cell phones
You do not need a social security number to buy a cellular phone and phone plan. Below is a list of
providers. Santa Clara does not endorse any of these providers:
Sprint
2855 Stevens Creek Boulevard #B335, Santa Clara, CA – phone (408) 615-0199
5194 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA – phone (408) 345-0300
AT&T
5180 Stevens Creek Boulevard #30, Santa Clara, CA – phone (408) 241-9686
2794 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA – phone (408) 551-0028
Verizon
2240 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA – phone (408) 557-0310
1601 Coleman Avenue, Santa Clara, CA – phone (408) 567-9000
T Mobile
3936 Rivermark Plaza, Santa Clara, CA – phone (408) 486-9705
2855 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA – phone (408) 244-9034
Transportation around the Area and Popular Destinations
Caltrain
Caltrain is located across the street from SCU and provides students the opportunity to visit different
cities in the Bay area with San Francisco being the last northbound stop. You can look at
www.caltrain.com for ticket and schedule information.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
The VTA provides for Santa Clara County’s bus and rail lines. With VTA you can get to many different
places, including downtown San Jose, Palo Alto, Gilroy, Lost Gatos, Cupertino and many other nearby
cities. Visit www.vta.org for bus and rail maps, ticket and schedule information, and route information.
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Bronco Bus
This shuttle service is provided at very low cost to SCU students for fun trips around the bay area. Once
or twice per quarter the Bronco Bus will schedule tours to places such as Monterrey Bay, San Francisco,
Santa Cruz and other locations.
Popular Destinations
Santana Row
One of the most popular places for students to shop at, catch a movie and have dinner, or just hang out
and mingle. You can find out more information at: www.santanarow.com. Bus lines to Santana Row:
23, 25 and 60.
Westfield Valley Fair
Just across the street from Santana Row. Valley Fair offers a variety of stores, food options, and
entertainment. More information can be found at: http://westfield.com/valleyfair/. Bus lines to Valley
Fair: 23, 60.
Stanford Shopping Center
A cozy strip full of shops, fashion stores, and restaurants. www.stanfordshop.com Bus lines to the
shopping center: 23, 35, 522 and Caltrain.
Pruneyard
Delicious restaurants to dine at and many options for shopping. A great place to hang out.
www.thepruneyard.com. Bus lines to the Pruneyard: 26, 61, and 62.
San Jose Museum of Art
Enjoy a day in downtown San Jose and see lovely works of art. Visit them at http://www.sjmusart.org/.
Bus lines to the museum: 63, 64, 65, 66, 81, 82, and 180.
Santa Clara Climate
Santa Clara, CA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's
and cooler during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's. Santa Clara averages 14
inches of rain a year (a lot less than the average US rainfall amount).
Average temperature ranges (Fahrenheit) for Santa Clara:
January - low 40s to upper 50s
February – mid 40s to mid 60s
March – mid 40s to upper 60s
April – upper 40s to low 70s
May – low 50s to mid/upper 60s
June - mid 50s to lower 80s
July – upper 50s to mid 80s
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August – upper 50s to mid 80s
September – upper 50s to low 80s
October - lower 50s to mid 70s
November – mid 40s to mid 60s
December – lower 40s to upper 50s
Adjusting to a New Environment
Studying in the US will be a unique experience as you will get a chance to see how different cultures live,
the way they view the world and their own lives. It may surprise you that you might learn and view
things about your own culture differently. This is a rare opportunity to not only broaden your viewpoint
but also to mature personally and realize and establish your views.
Learn by asking
Different customs or slang terms may sometimes confuse you. The best way to learn is to ASK. Even if
you think your English is good (or not good enough) or if the question seems trivial, you will not gain a
better understanding of US culture if you keep quiet. People here are helpful, but they cannot guess
what is on your mind, so ask questions!
Culture Shock
This term is given to a feeling of disorientation or confusion that often occurs when a person moves
from familiar surroundings to an unfamiliar one. Coming to Santa Clara from another country, you
certainly will encounter new things. Food, language, people and their attitudes will be different from
home.
You may not be able to convey your thoughts or personality fully in English. Your family and friends are
far away. You may have anxieties about your academic performance. The fear of not being able to “fit
in” may be present. These things can all be part of culture shock. It can make you feel confused, unsure
of yourself and doubtful of the wisdom of your decision to come here.
Symptoms of culture shock
Different people experience culture shock in varying degrees. Those who experience it are usually more
nervous and unusually tired. They want to sleep a lot, communicate frequently with those at home, feel
hostile towards their host country and become excessively angry over minor irritations. It is not unusual
for them to become dependent on fellow nationals. All these feelings may make it difficult to deal with
US Americans and to feel comfortable about speaking English.
Coping with Culture Shock
1. Maintain your perspective. Try to remember that hundreds of students have come to SCU from
abroad and have survived.
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2. Evaluate your expectations. Your reaction to the US, Santa Clara and the University are products
of the way things exist and the way you EXPECTED them to be. If you find yourself disappointed
or confused ask yourself “Was it reasonable?” If you can determine that it wasn’t, it might help
you reduce the dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
3. Keep an open mind. Remember that people here have different customs and may not act the
way you are used to back home. Avoid evaluating their behavior using standards of your own
country.
4. Broaden your views. This will give you an opportunity to experience a new way of life.
SCU at a Glance
Location
Founded
Mascot
School Colors
Acronym
Size of Campus
Undergraduate Enrollment
(Fall 2011)
Faculty (Fall 2011)
Full-time
Part-time
Athletics
Academic Calendar
Undergraduate Degrees Offered
Graduate Degrees Offered
Santa Clara, California
1851
Broncos
Santa Clara Red and White
SCU
106 Acres
5,229
495
349
NCAA Division I
West Coast Conference
19 intercollegiate sports
Quarter system
(Law School is on semester system)
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Commerce
Law (J.D., LL.M.)
Business (MBA, EMBA, MSIS)
Engineering (M.S., Ph.D.)
Counseling Psychology (M.A.)
Education (M.A.)
Pastoral Ministries (M.A.)
Jesuit School of Theology (M.A., M.Div, Ph.D)
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