MySLC

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PRE-ORIENTATION AND ORIENTATION

PRE-ORIENTATION

Pre-Orientation programs are a phenomenal way of entering the College by meeting new friends with common interests and/or identities. This year, we are offering three pre-orientation programs:

• Pre-Orientation for BIPOC, First Generation, and International Students

• Community Partnerships Pre-Orientation

• Theater Pre-Orientation

The Pre-Orientation Program for BIPOC, First Generation, and International Students focuses on gathering students of these identities in order to build community, meet faculty and staff with similar identities, and build skills around college-going wellness and self care in community. The Community Partnerships Pre-Orientation focuses on community engagement and experiential learning with other Gryphons interested in service to the community. The Theater Pre-Orientation program, led by theater faculty, will focus on skillbuilding grounded in theatrical studies and performance. For more information, visit the Pre-Orientation Programs page on MySLC. If you are interested in more than one of these programs, we encourage you to select only one, as they are competitive and fill quickly. Within all pre-o programs, half the day consists of all three groups joining together for skillbuilding activities.

ORIENTATION

On Opening Day, there is a welcome meeting for undergraduate students and parents. There is also be an orientation session for international students during orientation week. Topics included in this session are be on-campus employment, career counseling and internships, health services, and other important information.

Visit the academic calendar for specific dates: https://www.sarahlawrence.edu/academic-calendar/

GETTING TO CAMPUS

Students can get to New York through JFK (John F. Kennedy International) airport, LGA (LaGuardia International) airport, or EWR (Newark Liberty International) airport. Use any of the following options from the airport:

• By Cab - There are yellow cabs outside each terminal at these airports. Be sure to take a New York City yellow cab from a cab booth outside the airport. While expensive, it is the easiest and fastest way to get to campus at 1 Mead Way, Bronxville, New York.

• By Public Transit - A combination of  subways or buses and trains can get students to campus. Detailed public transit directions from any of the above airports are found on the airline websites. From New York City, take the subway or bus to Grand Central Terminal, then take the Metro-North railroad to Bronxville.

• By Shuttle - Inexpensive airport shuttles can be booked from the airport to Grand Central Terminal. Various trip services are dispatched from the ground transportation booths located behind the baggage claim area of the airport. Private sedans, vans and limousines are offered, as are scheduled shuttles to Manhattan and Westchester locations and shared door-to-door service.

• By Airport Bus - NYC Airporter runs buses between JFK, LGA, and EWR airports and several points in midtown Manhattan. Service is frequent, and boarding points at airline terminals are clearly marked. A train stop is located at Park Avenue across from Grand Central Station to make a connection with Metro-North commuter trains.

• From Grand Central Terminal - The Metro-North railroad goes to Bronxville, about 30-40 minute ride. Purchase a ticket at the station or vending booth for the Harlem Line towards North White Plains, departing at the Bronxville stop. For more information including exact schedule and fares, visit http://mta.info/mnr/. Metro-North Railroad Harlem Line commuter trains run every half-hour between 5:00 am and 1:30 am weekdays, and hourly on weekends. Taxi service is available at the Bronxville Station for the short ride to the College.

• By Car - For detailed driving instructions, see Driving Directions to Campus.

WHAT TO BRING AND HOW TO GET IT HERE

To keep travel simple, bring as little as possible. You are less likely to lose luggage if you follow the baggage limitations of the international airlines. However, bringing certain items from home will help you feel more comfortable in your new surroundings -especially photos and room decorations.

COMMUNICATE BEFORE YOU PACK AND TRAVEL

Use Skype, Whatsapp or Zoom to plan and connect with others who will join you at Sarah Lawrence; this is especially helpful for roommates. 

CLIMATE AND CLOTHING

Sarah Lawrence is located in Bronxville, New York in Westchester County, a suburban area north of New York City. This region has four very distinct seasons. Fall and Spring are mild (averaging between 45° - 75° F/ 7°-25°C), and a sweater or jacket will usually keep you warm. Winter can be as warm as fall, as rainy as spring, or it can be snowy and freezing (below 32° F/0°C). If you stay during the summer months, it may be pleasantly warm or blazing hot up to 86°F/30°C.

If you are from a warm climate, it is advisable to buy your winter clothes here since selection is better. Classroom attire is casual - jeans and tee shirts are fine. Student dress can be incredibly casual - however, there are times (Fall/Spring Formals, International Bazaar) where 'dressing up' is appropriate and FUN! If you have a traditional outfit from your country, bring it. There may be occasions, like for example during International Education Week, where you might wear it.

SHIPPING AND BAGGAGE (for undergrad students living on campus)

 Most international airlines have strict rules that limit the amount of luggage you can bring with you. It is sometimes as little as 20kgs or 4lbs. Check the airline. If you ship some of your belongings in advance, clearly label all packages to:

[YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME]

c/o Sarah Lawrence College,

Bronxville, New York,

10708, U.S.A.

You can obtain information about freight and shipping services through local travel agents. Pick a reliable company, since they will be responsible for your things. Be sure to insure any valuable items. Your packages can be picked up at our campus Post Office when you arrive.

MEDICATION

If you have a medical condition that requires daily or regularly scheduled medication, please be advised that healthcare is very expensive in the United States. You may bring medication into the U.S. for personal use only. To be able to bring any kind of medication into the U.S., a doctor's note, or the original prescription, is required. The doctor's note should state the name and quantity of the medicine you are bringing into the U.S. It cannot exceed the quantity needed for 90-day stay. The note must also confirm that the medication is only for your personal use. It is also important to keep the medication in the original container

PERSONAL HYGIENE, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AND SHOPPING

Toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent... you can buy it all here. Bring just enough shampoo, toothpaste, and hygiene products to get you settled.

Many students buy their bed linens and towels after they arrive. It is helpful, however, to bring one set  with you for that first night before we go shopping. A Twin X-Long sheet set will fit any bed. The College does not rent sheets or towels.

Students should buy a reading lamp. Halogen lamps and candles are not allowed on campus. Alarm clocks (if your phone is not loud enough) are essential - getting to class on time is important.

GETTING A MOBILE PHONE

Students are recommended to purchase cellular phones and open accounts with a wireless provider once in New York. The College does not provide phones in dorms or campus buildings for student use. Using a phone from outside the U.S. often incurs expensive roaming fees. Many service providers have good international call plans that make calling home less expensive. Text and call apps such as WhatsApp are also useful when making international calls. The school does not endorse any particular service provider, so students are encouraged to do their own research and inquire about international call plans. Some major service providers include AT&T, Sprint,Simple, AT&T and Verizon etc. Once here you can purchase a "SIM Plan" or you can get a new phone with a contract plan. You can go directly to a mobile phone store to open an account (some are located in Bronxville and Yonkers; others are accessible through the Metro North Rail Road). Though different carriers require different documents, two forms of identification and proof of address are usually required. For proof of address, students can use a letter from the College with the address on it, a bill, or a driver's license. 

SETTING UP A BANK ACCOUNT

Students are recommended to open a bank account in the United States. This makes accessing and depositing money easier, and avoids repeated fees for exchanging currency. 

During orientation, a bank representative is on campus. Banks that have participated in the past include Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, Key Bank and Academic Federal Credit Union. There are other local banks around Bronxville and Yonkers which students may choose to use. The College does not endorse any particular bank, however Sarah Lawrence recommends opening an account at the bank fair, as the representatives are accustomed to working with college students and international students and may be more able to help and guide students.

This article provides some basic and important information about opening a bank account in the U.S. and choosing the right bank for you: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/guide-international-student-bank-accounts-us

When a student opens an account, bring proper documentation. Different banks require different forms of identification and proof of address, so students should bring their passport and student visa, and the I-20 as some banks require this as a form of identification. Students need to present proof of address, which can be a letter from the College showing the campus address. To present a letter verifying your status as an international student at SLC, email the request to regoff@sarahlawrence.edu for undergraduate students and tpettiford@sarahlawrence.edu for graduate students.