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Life in USA Getting Settled About Tucson maps, photos, entertainment, news |
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Furnishing your apartment and getting settled
Work on Campus & Social Security Numbers for CESL students Income Tax The ISPS web page has a lot of help and information about filing your taxes.Form 8843 Even if you do not have US income, you need to file this form. |
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RestaurantsThe new Student Union on Campus offers a wide variety of food. In addition, within walking distance of CESL there are many other places to eat. There are a number of "ethnic" restaurants where CESL students can find food very similar to home. There are Arabic, Asian, Mexican, Italian and Chinese restaurants very near.Be sure to check the Wildcat for coupons to save money. Many times you can find a two-for-one offer or some free food. Tucson has hundreds of restaurants with cuisines from all over the world. Tipping It is customary in restaurants where your order is taken by a wait person at your table to tip 15-20% of your total food check. This is not necessary where you pick up your food in a deli, cafeteria or fast-food restaurant. Do not tip gas station attendants, persons who carry packages in stores, or restroom attendants in stores. However, it is customary to tip the beautician who cuts, shampoos and styles your hair; the barber; a valet parker who parks your car; the bellboy in the hotel who carries your bags; the red cap at the airport or train station; and a taxi driver. Alcohol In Arizona you must be 21 years old to drink alcohol. You must show ID to drink alcohol in public bars and restaurants. Alcohol is not allowed in university residences on campus. Never drive if you have been drinking. It is becoming common to ask someone who does not drink to drive home. This person is called a "designated driver" and does not drink alcohol when he or she is planning to drive. If you have been drinking, call a taxi to take you home. Do not drink and drive. Foods from your Country Many grocery stores carry ingredients used in cooking foreign foods; however, sometimes you need to go to the specialty grocery stores to find foods imported from your country. Some of these stores are
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Checking accounts may be opened at any Tucson bank. There are several banks near the University. A safe, convenient means for paying bills is provided through bank checking accounts. A checking account is opened with a deposit of money in a bank. To pay bills, write checks against the balance in your account from a checkbook provided by the bank. When you pay by check in stores, the cashiers will ask you to show them your student ID card and a check guarantee card. You may get a check guarantee card by depositing a higher amount of money in your account. Over-drafs In some countries, you cannot take money out of the bank if there is no money in your account. In the United States, however, the bank will allow you to continue withdrawing money from your account even if there is no money; for each overdraft there is a $25.00 penalty. This adds up very quickly. Be sure you keep careful account of your account balance. Savings Accounts Money not needed for monthly expenses can be placed in a savings account which will earn interest. Current interest rates are about 2%! Dates To write dates write the month first: August 5, 1994 or 8/5/94. Do not send cash through the mail. You may send either a personal check or a US money order. You may also buy cashier's checks at your bank. In addition to the US Postal Service, packages and large cartons can be shipped by Federal Express, Railway Express, the Greyhound Package Service or the United Parcel Service.
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SUN TRAN BUS The city public bus system has routes to most parts of the city. You can pick up a current bus schedule in C202. Inside you will find information about prices and bus passes. It is easy to get from the university to the four shopping Malls on the bus. When you are reading the schedule, be sure that you look at the right time. There are different schedules during the week and weekends and holidays. The buses do not run very often at night, and they do not run much later than 7:00 or 8:00 PM. Taxis in Tucson are somewhat expensive, but if you share the taxi with others and aren't going so far, it is an alternative transportation. There are several taxi companies in Tucson. Check the yellow pages of the phone book. ARIZONA STAGECOACH Transportation to Tucson International Airport. 889-1000. Call 24 hours in advance of your departure to be picked up at your residence to go to the airport. ARIZONA SHUTTLE To Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. There are a number of shuttle services to Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. There is a pick-up station at Park and 6th. Make reservations in advance and allow about 3-4 hours before your flight time. Prices are about $30.00 one way.
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Bicycle Registration is free, and It is a very good idea to register your bicycle with Parking and Transportation to help identify your bike if it is stolen. Bicycles are a good way to travel around the campus and to apartments nearby. Riders should know the rules for bicycle riding and should ride carefully. Every person riding a bicycle on a street has the rights and responsibilities of a driver of a car. BICYCLE HELMETS All bicycle riders should wear helmets to protect their heads in case of an accident. BICYCLE LOCKS Hundreds of bicycles are stolen on the UA campus each year. Many of these thefts could have been prevented by the following:
Remember, no lock can guarantee that your bike will not be stolen. What you are trying to achieve is delaying the thief. The harder it is to pick up a bike, the more time a thief has to spend on it, the more likely he or she will be caught by the police. |
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Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division If you buy a car, you must register it. For further information about car registration, contact: Department of Motor Vehicles 3565 S. Broadmont. Check the new resident page of the Motor Vehicle Division. PARKING ON CAMPUS Students and visiting scholars operating an automobile, motorcycle or bicycle on campus, whether their own or another, must register this vehicle with Parking and Transportation Services, and display an appropriate sticker in its proper location at all times. In order to park in the university parking lots, you MUST purchase a parking tag from Parking and Transportation. DRIVER'S LICENSE If you drive a car in Arizona, you must have a valid driver's license. You can download a copy of the Driver's License Manual from the internet. You may apply for a driver's license and take the driver's test at the Department of Motor Vehicles, 3565 S. Broadmont. Take your passport, your I-20, your I-94 and your CatCard. Your license is valid only for the dates on your I-20. If you need an ID card to show that you are 21 and you don't drive a car, you may go to any driver's license office and ask for a limited ID card. It costs $12.00 and is valid for five years. You must show your passport and I-94 and your UA ID. AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE If you own an automobile, Arizona law requires that you have adequate car insurance. For a list of auto insurance companies, see the Yellow Pages in the telephone directory. There is a great deal of difference in the rates charged by different insurance companies. Compare costs before you buy. You must carry proof of liability insurance in the car at all times.
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If you are involved in an accident you must get the following information about the other car and driver - especially if the accident was not your fault!!
Call the police if you are involved in an accident where someone is injured or there is a substantial amount (over $500) of property damage. You should also call the police if the other person refuses to give you the necessary information or if they leave the accident site without stopping. WARNING !! These are some driving rules that may be different from your country or that may carry severe penalties.
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SUPERMARKETS OR GROCERY STORES They sell fresh, frozen and canned food, including fish, poultry, meat, dairy products, staples such as flour, sugar, salt and spices as well as toiletries (shampoo and toothpaste) and paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, sanitary napkins, paper plates and paper cups). Most supermarkets also have inside the store a bakery and a pharmacy. Many supermarkets now offer other services such as a bank, post office and video store inside the supermarket. Self-service is the rule in grocery stores, which means that you take a cart or basket, select the items you wish and present them for payment at a cashier's counter. Large supermarkets in Tucson are Basha's Trader Joe's, ABCO, Frys, Smiths, Safeway, and Albertson's. These are the stores that often participate in the "Apples for Schools" program sponsored by Apple Computers. Save your cash register receipts. The nearest large grocery stores are Safeway at Campbell and Broadway and Fry's at Grant and 1st Ave. Also at Campbell and Broadway is the GrantStone Asian Market. You can take the bus to either center. SALES TAX Nearly every item you buy in the United States will have a sales tax added to its price. In Tucson, that tax is 7 percent. If a can of shaving cream costs one dollar, the sales tax on it will be seven cents. A $500 dollar stereo will cost you $535.00 with the sales tax. This tax is added almost everywhere in the United States, but varies from place to place. In some communities certain goods are not taxed. In Tucson you do not pay sales tax on unprepared food bought in grocery stores, but you do pay tax on meals in restaurants. Sales taxes go to the city, county and state governments. PRICES Prices in stores are fixed. The customer does not bargain with the sales clerk. An exception to this is on purchases made directly from a private individual or when buying large, expensive items such as cars or houses and some large electronic items, such as video cameras, TV, etc. |
List of Religious Centers on Campus Tucson has dozens of churches: Protestant, Catholic, Islamic, and many other religions and denominations. There are a variety of religious clubs and organizations on campus. Most are Christian groups by denomination, but some are comprised of a particular religious nationality. These organizations often have weekly Bible studies, English lessons and other activities for their student members. For more information, check page 2 of the "Wildcat" for meeting days and attend meetings that interest you. If religious people approach you on campus, or anywhere, and invite you to participate in activities, it is ok to say "No, thank you. I'm not interested. If someone tries to give you a Bible, it is ok to say, "No, thank you."
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CONVENIENCE STORES Other stores, such as the Circle K and Seven Eleven, also sell food and groceries. They are called convenience stores because they are small and the service is fast. Food bought in these stores is sometimes more expensive than in the large supermarkets. DRUGSTORES They are the only stores that are licensed to sell prescription pharmaceutical products. Doctors' prescriptions can be filled at a drugstore or at the Student Health Service on campus. Drugstores also sell a large selection of cosmetics, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, periodicals, household medicines, greeting cards, photographic film, alcohol and other items. Large chain drugstores in Tucson are Walgreen and Osco. Near campus is the University Drug on the corner of Park and University, where you buy many immediate necessities as well as fill doctor's prescriptions. DEPARTMENT STORES They sell a variety of things: shoes, clothing, appliances, furniture, dishes, pots and pans, linen, towels and toys. In Tucson, most department stores are located in the Malls: Pennys, Sears, Montgomery Wards, Dillards, Foleys, and Macy's. MALLS They are large shopping centers that include a large number and variety of department stores and smaller specialty shops. There are four malls in Tucson: Park Place on Broadway & Wilmot, El Con Mall at Broadway and Dodge, Tucson Mall at Oracle & Limber lost and finally, Foothills Mall at Ina and La Cholla. All four malls are accessible on the bus. Check the schedule for routes and times. When you shop in the mall, always look for the SALE racks. All stores have SALE racks, but the more expensive stores have really good SALE racks in the back of the store! |
DISCOUNT udent. On 4th Avenue there are a variety of second-hand, vintage and thrift stores. 4th Avenue south of 6th Street is an interesting street. Plan a Saturday walk there to browse through many craft and gift shops.
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The Center for English as a Second Language |
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