Pre-arrival Information

Considerations

It is recommended that you allow a week or so to find housing before your program begins. Many apartments within walking distance of campus cater to students and adults without children, and are rented far in advance by students. Many more housing options are available further away from campus. Parking in the campus area is very limited, but the public transportation system in Madison is reliable. There are also many bicycle routes throughout the city.

• UW–Madison offers accommodations for visitors. They range from residence hall-like to comparable to a fine boutique hotel. Visit this page for more information.
• University Apartments are available to some international visitors through Campus Housing. Visit this page for more information.

Private Housing

If you plan to live in privately owned apartments you may want to visit the Visitor and Information Program’s (VIP) website for a listing of local apartments for rent as well as answers to frequently asked questions about the housing situation in Madison.

• Some apartments are available with furniture; others are rented unfurnished. Be careful to check whether or not the rent includes heat and/or utilities. You will probably be required to pay one month’s rent in advance and another month’s rent as a security deposit. To finalize the renting process, you will be required to sign a lease. A lease is a contract which outlines all the terms and conditions for which you, as a renter, are responsible. Be sure you understand what your lease says; you are legally responsible to observe all the terms of the lease once you have signed your name to it. If you are unclear about any aspect of the terminology in the lease, ask someone else to read it before signing. Lastly, do not sign a lease until you have seen the apartment in person.

Temporary Housing

Temporary housing (1-3 days) for new international scholars is offered, when available, by “Madison Friends of International Students” (MFIS) and Madison area volunteers. If you contact MFIS please include your name, address, arrival date, and gender.

• Their office is located in the International Student Services (ISS) Office on campus at 217 Red Gym.
• Contact MFIS, Inc., preferably at least 6 weeks in advance, at 217 Red Gym, 716 Langdon Dr., Madison, WI 53706; phone: 608-263-4010; fax: 608-262- 2838; e-mail: info@mfismadison.org; website: http://www.iss.wisc.edu/mfis/
  The office is staffed by volunteers between 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday through Friday. When the office is not staffed, volunteers continue to check e-mail and voice mail and they will get back to you as soon as possible.

Initial Expenses
You should have some U. S. currency on hand when you arrive, since there is not a currency exchange office in Madison. If you have a debit card, you can use any ATM to get U.S. currency. Please note that there may be additional fees from your home country’s bank for changing currency.

You should plan to arrive with enough money to assist you during your first few weeks in the U.S. These expenses could include things such as hotels, food, registration fees, and other housing costs. Until you are living in a dormitory, house, or apartment, you should expect to spend from $20- $40 per day for meals at moderately priced restaurants and from $100-$400 per night for off-campus accommodations.

NOTE: If you will be paid a salary from UW–Madison, you will not receive your first paycheck until the beginning of the second month of employment. It is especially important that you bring enough money for all start up costs as well as your living expenses for the first month. Please consult with your department payroll person regarding your salary and benefits.

Bringing Money to the U.S. from Abroad
All U.S. paper money is the same size and color. Denominations are $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 or $100. U.S. currency is based on a decimal system, with 100 cents per dollar. Many small, local shops do not always accept $100 bills, and sometimes they do not accept $50 bills. It is best to have a mixture of $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills when paying for smaller expenses.
Do not bring large sums of cash! There are many safer options available, these include: traveler’s checks, electronic banking/ATMs/check cards, international credit cards, bank checks/crafts, debit cards and wire transfers. Please contact your bank for details.

Banking in the U.S.
Many of you will wish to establish a U.S. bank account. Before you open an account, be sure to do some preliminary research to compare services and fees. There are many different local banks and credit unions conveniently located near the Madison campus. We suggest searching the internet to find the locations of local banks and credit unions.

There are two basic kinds of accounts which you should discuss with the banking institution:

• Checking accounts.
• Savings accounts

To avoid delays and cash-flow problems, you may want to open an account in a bank with a branch in the U.S. This would avoid long delays (4-8 weeks) required to process a check issued in a foreign currency from a foreign bank. It is very important for you to be familiar with your government’s regulations for transferring funds to the U.S. You should also check with your bank in your home country regarding fees charged for transferring funds to the U.S.

Please be aware of email and phone scams. Refer to the links below for helpful resources to protect your identity and information:

• Housing Scams
• Identity Theft
• Scam Awareness
• Federal Trace Commission (FTC) Consumer Blog
• Imposter Scams
• IRS Imposter Scam Video

If you are ever a victim of a scam, please contact IFSS for assistance.

Coming to a new country, you may experience the Four Stages of Cultural Adjustment referred to as the 4- H’s (Honeymoon, Hostility, Humor and Home). Most people experience these stages to some degree.

1. When you first arrive in the U.S., you may experience the honeymoon stage, the initial stage of cultural adjustment. During the Honeymoon stage, everything you experience and discover may feel new and exciting. You may be very enthusiastic about everything you encounter and everyone you meet.
2. Next, you may experience the hostility stage. This is the period when you realize that there are many new challenges and barriers to overcome. For example, you may not always understand things such as local culture and jokes, and you may experience language barriers that feel frustrating and draining.
3. Next comes the humor stage. This is the stage when you begin to learn to overcome the challenges and barriers you have encountered. During the Humor stage, mistakes do not bother you as much. In fact, you may find that you can actually laugh at them!
4. The final stage is the home stage. This is the point when you feel at home in your new environment.

Remember that not all people experience all of the Four Stages of Cultural Adjustment and that they might not follow in the order discussed. Stay busy and surround yourself with positive people. Remember to talk often with friends, family and UW staff to work through challenges. Let the journey begin!

• Spring: March 1–May 31

Cold to mild weather. Lots of rain and occasional snow. Rain gear and layers recommended.

• Summer: June 1–August 31

Mild to very warm and humid weather. Rain and thunderstorms possible. Abundant sunshine. Light layers and sun protection recommended. Also bring gear for outdoor activities like swimming and hiking.

• Fall: September 1–November 30

Warm/Mild to cold weather. Sun and rain possible with occasional snow. Very windy at times. Light to heavy layers with warm jackets and rain gear. Prepare for possible very cold temperatures or snow.

• Winter: December 1–February 28

Cold to freezing weather. Lots of snow and blizzards possible. Ice storms and rain as well. Heavy layers, coats, water proof snow boots, gloves/mittens, and hats.

Don’t forget to pack your cultural attire and items from home too! There are several events on campus that celebrate cultural diversity in which you may want to participate.