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Tips for International Students
We've Been There!
(Suggestions from current international students)
Before you come to Weatherhead:
- Bring books in your own language. The MBA program
requires a complete immersion in English and with
time you might find that you miss your native
language - sounds funny, but it’s true.
- Bring dictionaries – for those moments when
the word will be at the tip of your tongue, but you
will only be able to say it in all the other 100 languages
you speak, except English.
- Buy a quality brand laptop -you don’t want
to have problems in the middle of the semester or
fight with it while you are burned-out.
- Bring the medications you are used to.
You will also want to bring your prescriptions; they
may help in case of any emergency, and before activating
your medical insurance.
- Make sure your teeth are in excellent condition
– dental services are good, but extremely expensive.
Besides, these expenses are not covered by the medical
insurance from the University. Have your wisdom teeth
pulled out if you think it might be a problem –
you might think it is a joke, but if they start growing
during finals you could suffer.
- Check the list of required textbooks and see if
you can get them at better prices in your own country.
- Bring cookbooks with recipes from home – you
may not have much time to cook, but it is always handy
to have it to impress the right person when necessary.
- Bring your national dress if possible and/or crafts
items – traditionally we have events in which
international students celebrate and share about their
cultures. We will have a lot of fun at the International
Fest, I promise!
- Bring your own music; you may be able to find music
from your own country in Cleveland, but the selection
may be quite limited.
- If you plan to buy a car and drive to school,
try to reserve a parking space now!
After you arrive here:
- Get an Ohio ID or Drivers License. You will need
it if you want to go out with your friends and be
admitted to places where you are required to be 21,
the bars and nightclubs check every time. In addition
you will need an ID to buy cigarettes or anything
containing alcohol at the stores.
- If you can find an apartment within walking distance
that is both reasonably nice and not too expensive
you may want to consider it. There really will be
times when you do not want to have to drive. However,
it depends on your needs; places further away are
usually less expensive and if you can get good parking
at school you may have a shorter walk than anyone
walking to campus. Take suggestions from your peer
mentor. Also, be sure to take a look at the place
before you sign the lease. Don’t hesitate to
ask the second-years; we have been through the process
and can provide valuable suggestions.
- Major long distance phone providers such as MCI
or AT&T can be really expensive. Get a prepaid calling card
like Net2Phone, IDT, or use the 10-10 numbers (10-10-719
for example); they have much lower rates for international
calls. You might also consider a VoIP such as Vonage or Skype. Most second-year international students will
be able to tell you all about the different options.
- An MBA is about time management; try to find out
what kind of tool is more versatile and suitable for
you to keep a record of your activities and tasks,
and to plan ahead of time. Many students have PDAs
(i.e., Palm Pilots, Handspring, etc.) or use good
old-fashioned paper diaries. Most important of all
try to enjoy your free time!
- Last, but not least: Get in touch with Second-years…call
us…write us e-mails…bug us all the time….That’s
why we are here – to help you feel better and
have fun while also, by the way, getting a degree!
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