Welcome to Tacoma Community College!!!

• Introduction: Lead Staff

• Introduction of Mentors & Success Tips!

• Introduction: New Students

• Orientation Schedule

• Fun Ice Breakers!

• Guests-Security

• Important TCC Information

• Presenters from ISO Club

New Student Introduction

Please tell us:

• Your name

• What country are you from

• Your major

• And your hobbies

Important Phone Numbers

• National Emergency number

911

• Campus Security

253-566-5111

TCC Facts • Founded in 1965

• 8500 total students

• 200+ international students

• Representing 20+ countries

University of Kitakyushu (UKK)

• Short Term Program

• 25 students

• 2 quarters

• Extra activities

IMMIGRATION

USCIS (US Citizen & Immigration Services)• TCC’s role- inform you about policies that are set by USCIS.

• Your role as a student- follow the polices and ask ?’s.

• www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

PassportYou must have a valid passport while studying

at TCC. Must be at least 6 months valid to enter the U.S.

Should you carry your passport with you?

I-20• Customs should have stamped (blue and red) page #1 of your I-20

when you entered the country.

• Certificate of eligibility / study at TCC.

• Your I-20 must always remain current—DO NOT allow it to expire.

• Keep all I-20s issued to you in a safe place.

• Never throw out an I-20. You will need these when you make requests to Immigration.

• Signature needed when traveling outside of US.

I-94 (arrival/ departure record)• Staple this card in your passport.

• Officially states how long you are eligible to stay in the US.

• Do not lose this form, replacement fee = $320

F-1 Student Visa• The visa stamp is important for entry and re-entry into the US.

• If your visa expires while you are in the US and your I-20 is not expired, you can continue to study at TCC.

• If you will leave the US and have an expired visa, you must renew your visa.

• Please do your research to see if your visa can be renewed in the U.S. or Canada.

• ?’s contact International Lead Staff.

Working or Not Working• Off - Campus Work= NOT ALLOWED/ILLEGAL!

• On - Campus Work = ALLOWED!

• Examples of Jobs for Students: Tutors, Cashier, Food Services, etc.

• Students are allowed to work on campus after their 1st

quarter and must achieve 2.0 GPA and earn 12 credits.

• Optional Practical Training (OPT)

• F-1 vs. M-1 Student Work

Traveling• Vacation Periods.

• Travel signature on I-20, submit at the latest 3 days before you travel!

• Visiting our neighbors: Canada and Mexico…need a VISA?

• Keep documents with you all the times!

• Family emergency- do not leave the country without informing an International Lead Staff member. Your I-20 can be terminated and you will not be able to come back into the U.S.

Maintain Your Immigration Student Status• Do NOT LOOSE any of your documents (Keep them in a safe

place at home.)

• Keep I-20 valid at all times.

• Grades (2.0 GPA) and Credits (at least 12 credits per quarter)

• Inform us of address change.

• Comply with working policy.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

1. University Transfer Program (2+2)

2. Guaranteed Transfer Agreements

3. English for Academic Purposes (EAP): Intensive English & College Bridge

4. Fast Track Dual Degree Program (High School Completion)

5. Professional-Technical Programs for job training

University Transfer Programs

• Accounting • American Ethnic and Gender Studies• Art • Anthropology • Architecture• Biochemistry• Biology• Botany• Business Administration• Chemistry• Chiropractic• Communications • Computer Science • Criminal Justice • Dental Hygiene• Dentistry• Economics• Education• Earth Sciences • Engineering• English• Environmental Science• Forestry• Genetics

• Geology• History• International Business• Japanese• Journalism• Law• Liberal Arts• Mathematics• Medical Technology• Medicine• Microbiology• Molecular Biology• Music• Naturopathic Medicine• Nursing/BSN• Occupational Therapy

• Oceanography• Pacific Rim Studies• Paper Science & Engineering• Pharmacy• Philosophy • Physical Education • Physical Therapy• Physics• Political Science • Public Administration• Psychology • Sociology • Social Work • Spanish • Speech • Urban Planning • Veterinary Medicine• Zoology

Popular Programs Include:• Business• Engineering• Computer Science• Nursing

Transfer Destinations of TCC Students

Arizona State University (121) New York University (32) University of Minnesota (61)

California State University Indiana University Bloomington (71) University of Maryland (53)

City University of Seattle Pacific Lutheran University University of Oregon (108)

Cornell University (15) Southern Utah University University of Utah (115)

Eastern Oregon University Strayer University University of Washington Seattle (42)

Georgia Institute of Technology (35) Ohio State University (53) University of Washington Tacoma

Hodges University University of Florida (47) Washington State University (106)

Illinois State University University of Illinois (39)

Guaranteed Transfer Agreements

Transfer & Graduation• Transferring to a University:

• - Research university requirements and application deadlines.- TOEFL Requirement.

• - Transcript Request.

• Graduation from TCC:

• - Check your degree audit to track your courses.

- Apply 2 months in advance.

- Sign up for graduation ceremony.

English for Academic Purposes(EAP)

Intensive English College Bridge

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Bridge Level 1 Bridge Level 2 Bridge Level 3

4 hours 4 hours 4 hours 3 hours 3 hours 2 hours of English of English of English of English of English of English per day per day per day per day + per day + per day +

Optional 5 credit Optional 6 credit hours

hours of college of college level courses

level courses which which will count towards

will count towards your degree

your degree

Full Time EAP Full Time College

Full

Time

College

Classes

Fast Track

TCC’s High School Completion Program

Advantages of Fast Track:

• Economical – save time and $

• Fast – graduate up to 2 years faster

• Earn 2 degrees – Leave TCC with a HS diploma and AA degree for transfer

Registration & Advising • Every student has an advisor in the International Office.

• Tuition is due on the 2nd Friday of the quarter; consequences of not-paying….

• Educational Planning Day is November 3, 2010!

• Classroom Norms & Expectations• Classroom atmosphere and instructor expectations.

• Academic dishonesty - Do not CHEAT!

• What is plagiarism?

Maintain Good Academic Status• Earn a GPA of 2.0 each quarter

• Register for at least 12 credits.

• What is academic review?

• Speak with your academic advisor.

Academic Deficiency

Academic Probation

Academic Suspension

STUDENT RESOURCES

Learning Centers• Language Center

• Writing & Tutoring Center

• Reading & Study Skills Lab

• TCC Library

• Math Advising and Resource Center (MARC)

• Free Student Workshop Series

Other Support Services• Access Services

• Counseling

• Student Life

• Mentors

HOUSING OPTIONS

Bed & Breakfast Homestay - $420 per month

Complete Homestay- $550 per month

Apartment Placement

Rent a room

CULTURE SHOCK

• Culture shock: Change in environment* Homesickness * Compulsive eating/drinking

* Boredom * Withdrawal

* Excessive sleep * Stereotyping host nationals

* Irritability * Hostility towards host nationals

• How to deal with culture shock?* Give yourself time to get to know the US culture. Watch and learn from people around you.

* Speak English. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or to talk to people who speak English fluently.

* Share your culture

* Stay in touch with your family and friends at home.

* Talk to other international students who are in the same situation as you are.

* Get involved in activities like the ISO club, Sports Night, Student Life activities, Mentor Program, etc

* Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

STAYING HEALTHY

• Taking care of your physical and metal health is very important!• Eat plenty of healthy foods.

• Exercise regularly; use the TCC Fitness Center during open hours.

• Keep in touch with family and friends.

• Limit your use of alcohol and tobacco products and never use drugs!

– If you are under 21, it is illegal to drink alcohol in the US.

• Keep a balanced life.

• Smoking in the US.

– No smoking in public places, or on TCC campus. Use the smoking shelters.

– Check if smoking is allowed before you start to smoke.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION(ISO Club)

SPORTS NIGHT (ISO activity)

Thursday Evenings, 7:30 – 9:30 PMTCC Gym, Bldg. # 21

STUDENT LIFE – Example Events

-Magic Show

-Dragon Boat

-Rodeo

-Eating Contest

-Cruise

-Outdoor Movie Night

STUDENT PORTAL

On TCC website• Email

• Grades

• Resources

• Registration

• Etc…

ILLEGAL DOWNLOADING

• What is piracy? • For electronic and audio-visual media, unauthorized reproduction and

distribution is also commonly referred to as piracy.

• Internet• In the US, we have very strict rules regarding illegal downloading.

• Students are not allowed to download pornography, illegal music or other illegal files at home or on campus, even if you use your own computer.

HOW TO TAKE THE BUS

• Open the link to view a video about taking the bus• http://www.tacomacc.edu/upload/files/distancelearning/video/letstakeabus.html

• Check bus schedules

• Available on the bus or

www.piercetransit.org

• Different schedule in

weekends & holidays

• Exact cash or orca pass

BUS PASSES

To Buy An Orca Pass• * Online (www.piercetransit.org)

• * Pierce Transit Bus shop (Tacoma Dome).

• To ADD $ To An Orca Pass• * Online (www.piercetransit.org)

• * Retail outlet (Saar’s Market on Pearl or Pierce Transit Bus shop).

• * Ticket vending machine.

Monthly Bus Pass Unlimited rides in Pierce County from the 1st of the month till the end of a month for +/- $70.

(add to your Orca pass at a retail outlet, not available online)

We are here to help you succeed! Have a great quarter at TCC!