Introduction

Posted on by Nitindra Chowdary Pavuluri

About ISA

ISA, the Indian Students Association was founded with the sole purpose of making a significant contribution in context to the student welfare at Texas State University-San Marcos. ISA wishes to extend its services to the general community so as to promote several developments concerning students in local, state, and national events. ISA is a friend to all

The Indian Student Association was founded with the sole purpose of making a significant contribution in context to the student welfare at Texas State University-San Marcos A forum for cross-cultural interaction transcending all geographical boundaries ISA focus on the welfare of the Indian Student Community but its doors are open to all students. From arranging to pick up newly arriving students, their boarding and lodging during their period of acclimatization to catering to their everyday needs and keeping them in touch with their distant homeland. ISA is involved in various activities.

Being away from family and friends, the only contact over a telephone coupled with the extremely tight school work proves extremely difficult for almost every Indian student. ISA provides a means of shortening this distance. With this view ISA arranges regular activities not only within the university but also provides the doorstep for Indian students to participate in the normal activities of the City of San Marcos. As an association in the Texas State University, it arranges activities varying from get-togethers, taking up social causes, and at the same time enjoying student life. ISA can look forward to claiming the distinction of being the most active International association among the Texas State University Student Associations. A dream of all the members. ISA as a friend to all is open to all TX State students.

 

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Pre Departure Information

Posted on by Nitindra Chowdary Pavuluri

A) Clothing:

The dress code on campus is pretty informal. A T-shirt worn with jeans is almost a universal dress for all genders. So, bring plenty of them. Formal clothes may be useful occasionally. You may, of course, want to bring along some Indian clothes (saris, salwar-kameez, kurtas, etc) with you, which may be useful during the on-campus events hosted by ISA such as Diwali/Holi/Potluck, etc. The following are different clothing with a minimum quantity that you can bring with you:

  • Formals: One suit (Optional), ties (2), shirts and trousers (3), traditional saris or kurta.
  • Casuals: Jeans (4), T-shirts & sweats (6+), cotton shirts (2+), shorts (for outdoor, indoor, sports use) (3).

The temperature in San Marcos is about 35 to 40 degrees Celsius in summer and 0 to -5 degrees Celsius in winter. It is advisable to get both summer as well as winter clothing – sweaters or jackets, a muffler (optional), a scarf, and a woolen cap. Coats or jackets can be purchased in the US for better deals. Do not forget the warm clothes if you are arriving in the fall semester. An umbrella is an essential item to carry with you. The following are recommended clothing and accessories:

  • Footwear: Sports shoes, formal shoes (required occasionally), sandals.
  • Winter wear: Sweaters (good quality, at least 2), muffler/ scarf, woolen cap.

In any apartment, you’ll have access to washing and drying facilities. These machines have large capacities enabling you to do 2-3 weeks’ laundry at a time. So plan your wardrobe accordingly with the following recommended items:

  • Undergarments: About 12 sets of undergarments and socks (ankle socks preferably cotton).
  • Miscellaneous: Towel (1+), napkins (2), leather belts (2+), handkerchiefs (6+).
  • Linen: Bed sheets (queen size, 2), pillowcases (big, 2), shawl/light blanket (for spring/summer use).
  • Things that can be purchased in the US: Winter jacket, winter gloves, caps, wind-cheaters, track-suits, good sweaters (discounted), and comforter.

Note: Indian clothes (particularly cotton made) have a tendency to shrink in size when washed on the hot and/or warm cycle in a washing machine here or by drying in the dryer, so please be careful with the clothing sizes (buy a bit bigger ones).

B) Driving License

It is preferable to learn to drive in your home country. If you have a driving license in your home country, it is advisable to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before arriving in the US. This IDP may help you to drive a car initially if required. However, there is a procedure to obtain US Drivers License which can be found in the following link: Texas Driving License.

C) Pre-Requisite Courses

If you have a bachelor’s degree with a non-Computer Science Major or equivalent then you would have the following pre-requisites (Other branches might or might now have prerequisites):

  • Programming in C++
  • Data Structures using C++
  • Operating Systems
  • Applied Discrete Math
  • An Elective (Introduction to Database Systems/Computer Networks/Human Factors/Artificial Intelligence)

However, these are undergraduate courses that would require some effort. It is better to get the textbooks related to the course (Books of your choice). If you have any pre-requisites and if you are experienced in those courses, then please get all the relevant documents (for each pre-requisite you wish to get waived, get a separate official and sealed copy of syllabus and transcript, copy of experience letter and any other documents you feel appropriate) you can to get that pre-requisite waived.

D) Kitchen

Food is not a problem for either vegetarians or non-vegetarians, although if you are a non-vegetarian you have more choices. There are several fast-food centers in the vicinity, providing Indian/American/Mexican/Oriental foods. But it would certainly be cheaper and healthier to develop some culinary skills. Come well-armed with your pots and pans, your favorite masalas & some recipes. The following are some recommended cookware:

  • Cooking Utensils: Non-stick pan (2), Non-Stick Tava, Pressure Cooker (for 4 people, get spare gaskets and safety valves)
  • Others: Spoons, Forks, GOOD knives, cups, glasses (2 each), Microwaveable set (Optional) consisting of cups, plates, bowls (2 each)
  • Condiments and spices: Garam masala, Pav bhaji masala, Chole masala, Sambhar & Rasam masala, Haldi, Chill powder, Jeera, Dhania.
  • Others: Pickles, Papad, Homemade snacks, etc.

Although you can buy almost all kinds of Indian foods here, it is advisable to get a reasonable quantity of the recommended items to help you initially for some period of time.

Note: There should not be any problems with US customs if the spices are properly sealed. So, please pack everything to be leak-proof.

DO NOT bring Liquid / Gel (such as creams/toothpaste) in your Cabin Baggage.

Remember, the easiest way to make new friends is to feed the existing Indian food-starved populace with desi delicacies and sweets. So if there are any specialties of your place, do get them with you.

E) Personal Items

Get the following items to help you for the first few days (or weeks).

  • Toilette: Toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue-cleaners (if using one), soap, a complete shaving kit (for guys all in a toiletry bag), and shampoo.

You will have to buy medical insurance here, but medication is very expensive here, so, get some medicines that you have used for minor ailments and any special ones that you need:

  • Medicines with prescriptions: For standard minor ailments like fever, cold, cough, stomachache, etc. Also personal medication (if on any) and medical history papers. Antiseptic cream, relaxyl, etc. Spare eyeglasses/ contact lenses (Get the eye prescription too!). Get a complete medical checkup done before getting here, including a chest X-ray.
  • Important Get your teeth checked by the dentist and get treatment if you have any cavities as it is very expensive here.

Study Materials & Stationery: calculator (but you’ll soon want to buy some fancy stuff here), micro-tip pencils + refills (2), good pens (2), eraser, stapler & staples, Indian calendar, backpack (Most of the stationary is optional. You can also buy it here).

  • You may want to bring photocopies of your documents (2 to 3 sets) as each photocopy costs 10cts, and furthermore, it may help if you want to take a transfer to another university.
  • Needles & thread, buttons, sports equipment if you play tennis, squash, or soccer.

 

F) Miscellaneous

  • Bring your favorite Indian/ Western CDs, walkman (optional), and your favorite books. If you bring videotapes with you – remember that most VCPs here don’t play PAL (videotapes recorded in India).
  • Personal: Family photos, ‘Indian’ ethnic stuff (gifts/personal use), Indian postage (to send letters home with someone), etc. An up-to-date address book of all your acquaintances/ friends/ relatives in the USA – Canada region, photos of deities (if religious-minded).

G) To Do or Not To Do

  • Things to do before coming here: Learn cooking. Learn driving and get an International Driving Permit (if possible). Also please get a good haircut just before leaving (especially guys).
  • Things you should not get: Electrical appliances – The voltage and frequency used here are different (110V/60Hz). And in any case, appliances like iron, toasters, etc are very inexpensive and you can purchase them once you are settled in. Some other things that you might be better off buying here are blank notebooks & file holders.

H) Money

The initial expenses are high. Below is an estimate of how much money you might need. This will vary depending on your course and the apartment.

  • Tuition Fees: The tuition fees for 9 credit hours for the first semester (which is normal for graduate students) is about approx. $8000 (Fall 2017). This includes all other fees like Student Service Fee, Information Technology Fee, Instructional Infrastructure Fee, International Education, Library Acquisition Fee, Medical Services Fee, Records Processing Fee, Library fee, and Recreation Center Fee.
  • Living Expenses: Living expenses are generally $350 – $450 per month. This includes room rent (generally rent is $250 as mostly 4 students stay together in a 2 bedroom apartment), groceries, electricity, telephone bills, and other miscellaneous expenses.
  • You can get a check/DD payable to “Texas State University-San Marcos ” for the exact amount (if you know it), for a slightly smaller/more amount, and pay the remainder in cash/traveler’s checks.

I) Accommodation 

There are two options. You can either join with seniors if they have a vacancy or you can lease an apartment. You will have to message in the what’s app group to check for availability. The following apartments are at a walkable distance from the university:

 

Post Arrival Information

Posted on by Nitindra Chowdary Pavuluri

A) Transportation from Airport:

Once you fill out the form on this page, you will be added to our what’s app group. You can post all your questions in the group and can even request a ride from the airport to your destination. If one of us is available we may come to pick you up from the airport. In this case, one of us will contact you with details. If you do not receive a response from us until a week before your scheduled departure, then you can avail one of the following transportation services:

B) Check in with International Office:

Your first work is to meet the officials at the International Office (IO). They keep a photocopy of your passport, I-20 student copy, visa details, etc. When you leave the US (temporarily or permanently) you have to report to IO and have your I-20 signed by an official at IO. Keep the contact numbers of ISA office bearers; you will always need their advice.

C) Register for Courses:

You will have to register for courses through the following link:

Register for Courses.

You will have to visit your department homepage to check which courses you need to register according to your degree requirements. It is always advisable to consult your graduate advisor before you register for courses (Computer Science students will have a diagnostic interview with the graduate advisor to determine if they need to register for any prerequisite courses in their first semester). The following are links to a few well-known departments (for other departments click here):

D) Jobs:

Prepare a decent resume and make a few copies. You can book an appointment with the Writing Center. They will help you in preparing your resume and cover letter. You are eligible to work on campus for no more than 20 hours. Each job has its own requirements and most of them require you to complete one semester of coursework and have a TXST GPA. You can check for available jobs and apply to them by visiting the following website: Job4Cats .

A Graduate Assistant (GA), Graduate Instructional Assistant (GIA), Teaching Assistant (TA), or Research Assistant (RA) will waive your tuition fees by 50%. These jobs are highly competitive. More information about the description of these jobs can be found in the following link: Graduate Assistantships.

After you obtain a job at the university, you will have to apply for SSN by visiting the office at 900 Bugg Ln #200, San Marcos, TX 78666.

E) Finances:

If you applied for a loan, your bank will pay your first semester fees through an international wire transfer. Check the following link for details on how to make an international wire transfer: International Wire Transfer Details.

If you are paying from your personal savings, the first thing you need to do after coming to the USA is, open a bank account. There are several banks near the university such as Wells Fargo, Bank of America, etc. Wells Fargo has a branch in our university itself. So, most of us prefer Wells Fargo as it is convenient. You can visit the following link for Banking and credit card information.

You will then have to visit the following link to pay your tuition fees:
Tuition Payment Portal. You can enroll in a payment plan for a fee of $30 which will enable you to pay your fees in 2 – 3 installments. You can check for more details after you log in to your portal.

F) Accommodation:

We suggest you plan your travel according to your apartment move-in date. If you need temporary accommodation (it might be expensive) till your apartment move in date:

  • First, message in the what’s app group to check if there is any availability with the seniors.
  • You can book a room on AIRBNB
  • You can book a room in a HOTEL
After moving into your apartment, you can expect the following monthly expenses:
  • Rent -> $250 – $300 Max per head ( if 4 students opt for a 2 bedroom apartment)
  • Electricity -> $20 – $40 Max per head (depends on how you consume the power in your apartment).
  • Water -> $10 – $20 Max per head (again depends on your usage).
  • Internet -> A few apartments provide FREE internet in the unit, but if you want to opt for high speed internet, you might end up paying $10 – $15 per head.
  • You will need to pay renters insurance (for rented apartments) which might cost from $10 – $17 per month for a full apartment ($4 – $5 per head per month). You can compare different companies such as State Farm, All State, etc. for the best deal.
  • Approximately it will cost about $75 – $120 per person per month for groceries and dining out.
  • This will approximately bring to a total of $380 – $500 Max per head per month.

The university has FREE shuttles which operate from university to apartments to HEB and Walmart. You can check the shuttle number and the corresponding route in the following link: Shuttle Services

For some apartments, you will have to apply for utility (Electricity) service. You can visit the following link to register: Utility Service. If you do not have a SSN, just enter 000000000.

 

G) Daily Groceries and Indian Groceries:

Daily groceries and most Indian groceries are available in HEB and Walmart stores in San Marcos. Some Indian groceries such as vegetables – brinjal, bottle guard, dal, etc. will not be available in San Marcos, you will have to travel to South Austin (which is the nearest to our university about 30 Miles). Manpasand Indian store is the closest one.

  1. HEB – we have 2 HEBs in San Marcos:
    • Small HEB  -> 200 West Hopkins Street (5 – 10 mins walk from the university)
    • Big HEB  ->  641 East Hopkins Street ( 20 – 30 mins walk from the university).
  2. Walmart: 1015 Highway 80. (30 – 45 mins walk from university)
Learn to cook from Youtube, if you don’t know how to.

H) Phone Carrier:

  1. There are many carriers from which you can avail yourself of a plan.
  2. Lyca, H2O, Ultra, Boost -> these are the popular (Pre-paid SIM cards) which you can use only for first few months.
  3. The advantage of taking the above-mentioned carriers is free calling and texting to India (always check terms and conditions) and low prices.
  4. You can either order them online on their respective websites or go to some mobile shops and pick it up. It is better to order online as you might not be aware of the shops where SIM cards are available.
  5. But after about 2 or 3 months, 4 or 5 students can take a family plan in either T mobile, Sprint, or AT&T. These are Postpaid carriers. You will get to know about it after you come to San Marcos.
  6. These prepaid SIM cards might cost from $19 – $55 per month according to the plan you choose. Please check the prices and plans online.

I) Point of Contact for any help:

  1. If it is a life-threatening emergency, never depend on anyone call 911.
  2. If you need some information that you need to work on, message in the Facebook or What’s app group and someone will reply.
  3. For example, if you want to go to an Indian store, message in the group to check if anyone is going to Austin/San Antonio sometime in the near future. Someone will reply and you can go with them (for a nominal fee).
  4. If you have any doubt regarding the courses, contact any senior in your department and ask him/her about courses to be taken.
  5. If you are not satisfied with the response from seniors, email your respective graduate advisor to request for the info. They are in that position to help students. So DO NOT HESITATE TO DO SO.
  6. If you have any other questions or problems, please contact current Indian Student Association – TSU volunteers. As their position says, they are Volunteers, and they do have their works to be done as they are students like you, but they still come forward and try to help new joining students. So kindly understand that point and request some help sensibly. For example, they might not help you find an apartment, they can only suggest you. They might not help you take you to Austin for your groceries but they can suggest the ways you can go to Austin.

J) Health Care:

  1. As mentioned above, if it is a life-threatening emergency, please do call 911 and DO NOT WAIT for anyone to bring their car and take you to some hospital.
  2. You must pay for health insurance. You can enroll in the insurance offered by the university as it is the cheapest one: Click here to enroll.
  3. If you are sick, you can consider going to the university health center which is really a good place to go and get treatment.
  4. As you will be opting for United Health Insurance, you are responsible to pay a $30 deductible on each visit to the university health center.
  5. The university health center is not 24/7, so if there is an emergency in the middle of the night, consider going to the emergency room at that time.
  6. But remember, emergency rooms are expensive, but life is more worth than your money. You don’t need to pay them immediately, first they treat you then they will ask you to pay the bill after 30 to 60 days, only if there is anything that your health insurance did not cover.
  7. It is very important to opt for health insurance. For more questions on health insurance you can contact International Health Insurance.

K) Public Transport:

  1. There are a few bus transport facilities in San Marcos:
  2. CARTS ride in San Marcos is FREE of cost if you show your student ID.
  3. Other than these, Uber, Lyft and other taxi services will be available 24/7.
  4. Request any of the seniors living near your apartment if they can help by taking you to the grocery store when they are going. They might help you sometimes but not always.

Finally, It will be a little scary to come to a new place and live if you don’t have any support at first. But for sure, you will get used to it within 10 days max. You will enjoy each other’s company here at TSU and you will be successful one day. All the very best!!!

 

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Posted on by Nitindra Chowdary Pavuluri
Indian Student Association at Texas State University