Pre-Departure

Orientation

Part III of III

Presented by

Alliance Abroad Group

Your designated visa sponsor

Final VersionRevised 03/26/2014

Your Orientation is Almost Complete!

• Alliance Abroad Group, (AAG) has prepared the following presentation in order to meet and exceed the U.S. Department of State J-1 visa regulations found in section {62.10} Program Administration.

• This is Part III of III presentations that will help prepare you as you embark on your cultural exchange program in the U.S.

• Presentation Part III Overview:

• Travel Smart Checklist

• Sample Cost of Living Expenses

• Housing Responsibilities & Guidelines

• U.S. Culture

• General Safety Tips

• Pre-Departure Orientation Quiz & Acknowledgement Form

Travel Smart Checklist

• Tickets and Airline Boarding Passes• Your Passport With J-1Visa Approval

• Travel Insurance• DS - 2019Form• DS – 2007 Form• International Drivers License or Photo

Identification Card • Host Company Application With Arrival

Instructions

• 24 Hours after your arrival, Retrieve your automated I-94 Form 24 hours after your arrival if traveling by air or sea.

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

Email a scanned copy of all your documents to yourself for safe keeping!

As you prepare for your trip to the U.S., make sure you have

all the necessary documents and reviewed all the important information:

Travel Smart Checklist

• Determine the climate for your new home-away-from-home.

• Get familiar with U.S. Currency – U.S. Dollars (US$) $1= 100 cents.

• Figure out the conversion rate, which varies daily. (http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/ )

• Determine your time zone. There are six

in the U.S. • Determine if your mobile phone will

work in the U.S. or if you will need to purchase one upon arrival.

Travel Smart Checklist

• Double check your airline’s luggage policy or fees.

• Pack your essentials in your carry-on luggage along with a change of clothes.

• If taking medication, please carry it with you on the plane

• Pack your favorite toiletries.• Bring something representative of your

home country to share with your Host Company and new friends

• Pack electronic necessities, phone, laptop, camera and chargers & adapters.

• International Calling Card if necessary

Travel Smart Checklist

• Make a reservation or confirm

your housing accommodations

• Review your “Arrival Instructions”

• Identify your “Tourist’s Things to Do List”

• Review your Program Top Ten To Do’s List

• Confirm your first day of training with your host company.

U.S. Cities Cost of living Expenses

• Ensure your financial safety; bring at least $1,000.00 in cash, traveler checks or credit

card.

• Explore the cost of living in your new city as well as the average costs of restaurants, grocery stores/markets, transportation, utilities and sports and leisure offerings.

Check out: http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=United+States

o Meal - Inexpensive restaurant $11.00

o Meal - Fast Food Combo $7.00

o Cappuccino $3.25

o Soda – Coke/Sprite/Diet $1.50

o Bottle Water $1.25

o Milk – One Gallon (3.8 L) $2.98

o Eggs – One Dozen (12) $2.50

o Bread – One Loaf $2.25

o Bus Ticket – One Way Only $1.00

o Gas – One Gallon (3.8 L) $3.25

o Basic Utilities (gas, water, electricity) $164.00

o Apartment – 1 Bed Room $750.00

o Internet $40.00

o Cinema – 1 Movie Ticket $9.00

o Concert – 1 Ticket $35 – $50

For Example – Austin, Texas

Basic Monthly Housing Expenses

• Rent

• Electricity/Gas

• Water/Waste

• Garbage Services

• Internet/TV

*These expenses do not include Housing

Deposit and Application Fee(if applicable)

AAG Housing Definitions

All AAG placements include information about housing in the area. Please refer to the

housing section of your placement offer to determine if your program housing is AAG

Provided, AAG Assisted, or Participant Arranged.

•AAG Provided Housing – this means that AAG has secured the housing for you and your rent will be deducted from your paycheck accordingly. Please confirm with your agency that you have been booked for this housing option.

•AAG Assisted Housing – this means that AAG has located and vetted the best housing option for this placement and you must stay at this location in order to accept the placement offer.

•Participant Arranged Housing – this means that YOU are responsible to locate and secure your own housing for the duration of program. In addition, AAG must review and approve your program housing prior to your arrival to the U.S. If your placement offer states that housing is Participant Arranged, you must submit your housing details to:

housing@allianceabroad.com at least 4 weeks prior to your arrival to the U.S. An AAG representative will contact you directly to confirm whether your Participant Arranged housing has been approved.

Even if you plan to find housing once you arrive, you MUST have a place to stay for the first few nights upon your arrival.

Arrange your housing before you

Depart for the United States!

Other Things to Remember!

1. Ensure you have a housing plan before you leave your home country; submit your confirmed housing information to AAG for approval.

2. Bring enough money to pay your 1st month’s rent and deposit upon arrival/check in as well as to cover your living expenses until you receive your first stipend check!

3. Report any changes to your housing address to AAG within 10 days to ensure SEVIS is updated.

Important questions to ask…

In regards to your American home:

1. Is the housing in a safe environment?

2. Is this specific housing option

affordable?

3. Is there access to affordable transportation?

4. Do you understand the housing terms and payment requirements?

Housing Tips & Recommendations

The housing leads you have been provided in

your Placement Offer for Participant Arranged

Housing are the best options available. In

some areas, you will need to secure housing

and pay a deposit well in advance of your

arrival to the U.S.

Also consider the following:

• Rent is usually due on the 1st of the month

• You might need to provide a security deposit

• You are responsible for damages

• Keep your new home clean

Connecting with

Your New Community

You can search by City, State to find helpful information and resources like:

• Chamber of Commerce

• American Fact Finder

• Community Roots, Legacies & Celebrations

• Local Libraries

• Post Offices

• Preserve America Efforts

• Public Service and Volunteer Opportunities

Also check out your new city’s website.

Click here for more information:

http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Family-Community.shtml

Important U.S. Culture

The U.S. is considered an ethnically and racially diverse country as a result of large-scale migrations from different countries throughout its

history.

Characteristics include:

• Diversity and Individualism

• Privacy and Personal Space

• Principles of Equality

• Informal and Friendly

• Being Direct and Honest

• Freedom of Speech and Religion

• Family and Time Orientated

General Customs & Etiquette

Meeting & Greeting

• Greetings are casual.

• Offer a handshake and a “Hello.”

• Smiling is a universal hello in any language!

• Use first names and introduce yourself

Business Etiquette & Protocol

• Report to your shift on time. “On time” is considered at least 10 minutes before your schedule shift.

• Report to training properly groomed and dressed in your uniform or professional attire.

• Remember to smile; customer service comes first!

Safe Guarding your

Health, Safety & Welfare

Though many Americans are friendly, open, and willing to help, be aware that there are some people who may want to take advantage of international visitors.

Be cau­tious! Remember safety first, use common sense during your stay

and trust your instincts. If some­thing or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or leave.

General Safety Tips

• Always keep your property close to you or in a concealed place.

• Do not carry large amounts of cash

and do not expose it in crowded places.

• Travel in a group or go out with a friend as much as possible.

• Do not use ATM machines in the dark, especially if you are alone.

• Make sure to have copies of all

your important documents with you, and keep your originals in a safe place.

• Be aware of your surroundings.

• Do not behave in ways which may bring at­tention to others or someone who might try and take advantage

of you.

General Pedestrian Walking Tips

• Follow the cross walking & street signs

• Whenever possible, walk with a friend.

• Stay on well-traveled, well-lit streets.

• Avoid shortcuts through dark or wood­ed areas, parking lots, or alleys.

• If you think someone is following you, change direction or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant, or lighted house. If you are scared, yell for help.

• If you have to work late, make sure there are others in the workplace with

you and ask someone (a colleague or security guard) to walk you to your car or transit stop.

General BIKING/MOTORCYCLE

Safety Tips

Riding your bike can be a great deal of fun, and it's a great way to exercise & get around. Nevertheless, bike riding has its hazards, especially when you're sharing

the road with motorized traffic.

• Check your bike, to make sure everything is working properly.

• Wear a Helmet!

• Wear appropriate clothing (No flip flops, wear bright reflective clothing to ensure you are visible on the road)

• Follow the rules of the road!

• Always lock up your bike.

General Swimming Safety Tips

You can greatly reduce the chances of you or your friends and family becoming drowning or

near-drowning victims by following a few simple safety tips:

• Learn to swim!

• Never swim alone.

• Never dive head first into sallow or murky

water.

• Remember that swimming & alcohol

can be a deadly combination.

• Learn to perform CPR.

General Skiing Safety Tips

• Never ski alone and follow the rules.

• Wear a helmet and appropriate ski attire.

• Use proper ski equipment and make sure your bindings are properly adjusted.

• Take a break. If you’re tired, take a break and rest for a while in the lodge.

• Respect your limits. Do not ski trails that are above your skill level. Trails will be clearly marked

(Green Circle, Blue Square, Black Diamond) as to what level skier they are appropriate for.

General U.S. Laws To Follow

Drugs & Alcohol

• Never drink under the U.S. legal age of 21

• Never purchase alcohol for anyone under the age of 21

• Never drink in public places like parks or sidewalks

• Never use or possess illegal drugs

• Marijuana it is still ILLEGAL under federal law

• Workplace Drug Testing is common and can be conducted

at random

Driving

• Never drink and drive

• Never drive without a valid license or car insurance

• Never get into a car if the driver is drunk or intoxicated

• Never text and drive

• Always wear a seatbelt

Violence

• Never threaten another person or touch them in an inappropriate way

• Never be involved in a fight or violence of any kind (Disorderly conduct)

• Never damage property

• Never disturb the peace

Theft

• Never shoplift or steal

Human Trafficking - Education

What is Human Trafficking?

• It is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons…

• By means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abductions of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments of benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation.

• Exploitation shall include, at minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or removal of organs.

As defined by the United Nations Office of Drugs & Crime

Human Trafficking - Awareness

Helpful questions in determining whether a person maybe a possible victim:

• Does the person possess their identification & travel documents? Or is someone else controlling their personal documents?

• Can the person freely leave employment or the situation?• Does the person appear to be malnourished or disoriented with time or their whereabouts?• Are there guards at work/harbouring site or video cameras to monitor and ensure no one escapes?• Is the person involved with in the modelling,

massage or adult entertainment industries?• Is the person involved with in the domestic servitude, factory or construction/agricultural work environments?• Does the person in question avoid eye contact or exhibits unusual about of fear or anxious behaviour?

Human Trafficking - Prevention

Take action!!!

Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-3737-888 to:

• Get Help or Help Someone!

• Report an Anonymous Tip

• Learn More

Final VersionRevised 03/26/14