The Answer Book for UCM International Students

The Answer Book for UCM International Students

Welcome! This Answer Book is designed to give you some basic information about UCM, the town of Warrensburg and various other topics concerning your transition and living in America. Chapters: 1. Where is the University of Central Missouri (UCM)? 2. What is the weather like in Warrensburg? 3. What clothes do I need? 4. What kind of transportation is available? 5. What is an American airport like? 6. Where will I live? 7. What will I eat? 8. Vaccination Information

1. WHERE IS THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI (UCM)? UCM is located in Warrensburg, a small town in Missouri. Missouri is home to about 6.14 million individuals, with about 20 thousand residing in Warrensburg. Warrensburg is close to many major cities, both in and out of Missouri, including: Kansas City, St. Louis, Jefferson City, Topeka, Chicago and Omaha.

2. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN MISSOURI? Missouri experiences four seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall. Winter: This season is very cold in Missouri and often brings ice and snow. Generally winter is from November to March. Spring: This season is from the end of March until May. Spring brings crazy weather swings, from sunshine and blue sky to rain and thunderstorms. Summer: This season is very hot with lots of sunshine and lasts from June to September. Fall: This season is similar to spring but only lasts from October to November. During this time the trees will change color. On the next page you will find a temperature chart for each month.

Here is a chart with the hottest and coldest temperatures for each month in 2016-17. The temperatures you experience each month will probably be between the two numbers: MONTH COLDEST TEMPERATURE (c) WARMEST TEMPERATURE (c) January -20 20.5 February -9.4 25 March -8.3 28.8 April 0 27.7 May 6 30.5 June 11 33 July 16.6 39.4 August 11.6 32.2 September 7.7 33.3 October 3.8 30.5 November 5 26.6 December -21 20.5

3. WHAT CLOTHES WILL I NEED? Since Warrensburg experiences different seasons, what you need will depend on when you arrive. January Arrival: A warm winter coat and hat Gloves and/or mittens and a scarf Warm socks and waterproof shoes (for snow) Long pants and long-sleeve shirts If you live in a hot climate and are unable to buy a winter coat, you can buy one locally. However, it is best you have warm clothes upon your arrival. May October Arrival: Clothes for warm and cold days You can buy warm clothes in America if needed Bring at least one warm sweater Swimming UCM has an indoor pool as well as one at the Community Center. In Missouri our swim clothes are mostly, shorts, bikinis, tankinis, etc. It is difficult to find swim pants or swim shirts so you might want to bring them from your home country.

3. WHAT CLOTHES WILL I NEED? Cont. How do American students dress at UCM? American universities do not have school uniforms Students generally wear casual clothes Jeans/t-shirt Sweatshirt/ sweatpants Exercise clothes Many wear clothes that support their favorite sports team, music group, club, activity. Etc. America is very individualistic, so each person can wear whatever is best for themselves. Wear professional clothes for class presentations Should I wear American clothes or can I wear clothes from my home country? You can wear whatever is best for you! If you want to wear jeans and a sweatshirt like American students, go ahead. If you want to dress formally for class because that is normal for you, that is also fine. If your country or region has special clothes, you can wear them here too.

4. WHAT KIND OF TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE? Ask a friend In America, almost every student has a car. You can ask American students or other international students with cars to drive you. By Bicycle UCM has a free bike rental program. As a student, you can rent a bicycle for 24 hours for free. You can check out a bicycle at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center front desk. Learn more HERE. Night Ryder UCM has a shuttle bus that is free for students; you must show your UCM ID. You can call 660-238-6379 to request transportation anywhere in Warrensburg. Walmart Shuttle Tuesday nights, Bethel Baptist Church has a free shuttle service for UCM students to go to Walmart. More information HERE. Old Drum Bus This bus goes on a fixed route around Warrensburg. It costs $1.50 one way. You can find their schedule HERE. UCM also offers a shuttle bus for students who need to travel between Warrensburg and Lee s Summit. The bus runs everyday except Sunday. Learn more HERE.

4. WHAT KIND OF TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE? Cont. Train: Amtrak The Amtrak station is walking distance from UCM and students get a 10% discount The train comes 2 times per day and connects to major cities across America Learn more at Amtrak.com Bus: Jefferson Lines This bus goes all over the Midwest and connects to Greyhound buses Learn more at jeffersonlines.com Bus: Greyhound This bus connects to cities across America and Canada Connect with this bus in Kansas City (from the Jefferson bus) Learn more at Greyhound.com Bus: Megabus This bus does not stop in Missouri, you will have to connect to it in another state. This bus is helpful if you are traveling and want to visit different cities/states. Learn more at Megabus.com Uber and Lyft These are rideshare services where you order a pickup via their app You pay on your phone and the price is per ride. It is safest when you share Uber or Lyft with at least one friend.

5. WHAT IS AN AMERICAN AIRPORT LIKE? Packing Rules - Liquids In your carry-on bag, liquids must be less than 100 milliliters. This means toothpaste, eye drops, toiletries, contact lens solution, lotion, face cream, etc. All liquids should be in a transparent bag that is not larger than 1 liter. If you want to bring larger containers of liquids you must put them in your checked bag. Alcohol In the USA, you must be 21 years or older to have alcohol. You cannot bring alcohol on the plane (in any bag) if you are NOT at least 21 years old. How to go through security You will probably be asked to remove your shoes, belt, hat, jacket. This is normal. There will be trays for your belongings. You will need to place all electronics in a separate tray. At times airport officers will ask to open your bag after it passes through the scanner, this is normal as well. If you have questions or need help you can ask the airport employees.

6. WHERE WILL I LIVE? Exchange and Undergraduate Students: Students are required to live on campus for their first two years of school. Students may live off campus if they are 21 or older when they enroll. A student who turns 21 during a school year may not cancel their housing agreement. You can find more information on Residence Halls and living on campus HERE. Graduate Students: Graduate students usually live off campus. UCM does not provide any temporary housing when you arrive. You should make arrangements to stay with a friend or in a hotel when you first arrive. You can also make arrangements with a landlord in advance. You can find a list of rental properties and companies HERE. Where do American students live? American students are also required to live on-campus for their first two years of school. As a result, you will find many American students in all residence halls. For frequently asked questions, check out University Housing s FAQ page.

7. WHAT WILL I EAT? While there are many restaurants in Warrensburg, UCM offers Meal Plans to make it easier and faster to eat your meals. Learn more about meal plans HERE. Dining Halls UCM has three different dining halls. In each dining hall there are many different options for food. You will need to present your student ID card to enter the dining hall. Once inside, you can eat all the food you want. Dining Dollars UCM has several fast-food restaurants and coffee shops on campus. At these places you can use Dining Dollars (placed on your student ID card ) to pay for your order. Some off-campus restaurants will also accept Dining Dollars. What kind of food is inside the dining halls? Each dining hall will always serve salad, beef hamburgers, sandwiches, pizza, soup and desserts. There are also special options each day.

8. VACCINATION INFORMATION You will receive information about mandatory vaccinations before you come to UCM. The topic can be confusing, below are some common questions. Q. Do I need to have a vaccination before I come to UCM? A. All UCM students must have vaccinations for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Students who will live on campus also need the Meningitis vaccine. If you do not have these you can get them all at UCM during Orientation. Q. I have already have the MMR and/ or Meningitis vaccine, do I need to get them again? A. No, not if you can bring a letter from your doctor that shows your vaccination history (preferably translated to English). Q. What if I have had one to two vaccines but not all of them? A. UCM requires all students to have 2 doses of the MMR vaccine. So if you have just had 1 portion, you will receive the other portion here at UCM. Q. Do I need to fill out any medical forms before coming to UCM? A. No, you will complete all the required medical forms during Orientation. Q. What is the Tuberculosis (TB) screening? A. This is a quick medical test to see if you possibly have Tuberculosis. Everyone at Orientation will go through this screening and your UCM health insurance will pay for it.