Getting Settled in Houston

For an introduction to the city of Houston www.houston-guide.com/

Overview of University of Houston

• For general information: www.uh.edu or specific access the Office of International Student and Scholar Services website www.uh.edu/intservices
• For specific information about campus life and safety, student demographics and services: www.uh.edu/youru/prospective.html

Organizations

UH Student Organizations

Arranging Housing

On Campus Housing

Students may arrange on-campus housing by submitting the ìResidential Life and Housing Room and Board Application formî provided in the Graduate Application or completing an application from the website, http://www.uh.edu/housing or calling toll free 1 (800) 247-7184 or (713) 743-6000. Upon submitting a residential housing application, a social security number or student identification number must be provided. Student Identification numbers can be retrieved from the Graduate Coordinator.

Off Campus Housing

There are many apartment locators in Houston and most offer a free service. Students can find a listing of apartment locators by searching the web using key words such as Apartment Locators-Houston-Texas. When making a housing selection, it is advisable to consider the following:

• Some apartments require a full months rent in advance and a security deposit.
• Location of the University of Houston (address: 4800 Calhoun, Houston, Texas 77204). Not to be confused with the other two University of Houston campuses. May want to survey a map of Houston: http://maps.yahoo.com/

Transportation

Houston is a large city and many times it is more convenient to use public transportation. For bus service rates and routes: www.hou-metro.harris.tx.us/

Financial

When is the first stipend check issued?

• Fall incoming Graduate students will receive their first stipend check on October 1.
• Spring incoming Graduate students will receive their first stipend check on February.

How often are stipend checks issued?
Once a month. Typically, checks are issued on the first day of each month unless the first of the month falls on a weekend or holiday; the check will then be issued on the following workday.

What is the amount of each stipend check?
TAs and RA’s will be provided a salary of $1,750/month (US$21,000 per year) and health insurance stipend of $150/month (US$1,800 per year).  Note: this gross amount does not reflect the deductions of taxes or any additional option selected.

How much money should a student bring?
It is difficult to estimate how much money a student should bring.  Much depends on each studentís arrangements. Listed below are expenses to consider:

• Fee Bill
  Students must pay at least half of their fee bill.  The fee bill includes all costs for extra benefits selected by the student.  Therefore, if a student chooses to live on campus, opting for one of the housing packages and chooses a meal plans, these cost will be added to the fee bill.  Half of the total amount of the studentís fee bill must be paid the first week of class.  By adding the cost of all options selected, students can estimate the amount that must be paid.
  NOTE: the student fellowship and out-of-state tuition waiver will pay for most (90%) of the tuition per semester.  Insurance is free for the student only, not dependents.
• Cost of Housing
  If a student chooses to live off campus, ask the apartment manager or housing manager the terms of the housing agreement. Some apartments require a full months rent in advance along with a security deposit. There are many apartment locators in Houston and most offer a free service.
• Food, transportation,and sundry of items

Coins and Currency or traveler checks?

• International students should bring most of their money in U.S. travelerís checks. Cashier Checks and regular bank checks often take weeks to cash. Moreover, if lost, traveler's checks can be recovered, currency cannot.
• Another recommendation is to find a bank and open an account. For convenience, many U of H students use the banking system on campus, WoodForest National Bank, located in the University Center Building. Later, direct deposit can be added to a studentís account so that monthly stipend may be deposited electronically and directly to the specific checking account.

How much will food cost?
Food in Houston is inexpensive. Much depends on individual preferences. Great culinary and price diversity exist in Houston. There are many grocery markets and restaurants available. Students can find a listing of restaurants in the free publication ìHouston Press or website http://www.houstonpress.com/restaurants. Additionally, there are many eateries located at the university in the University Center Building or University Center Satellite. Refer to the Campus map website www.uh.edu/cgi-bin/campusmap.

Arriving in Houston

Houston has two airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport-Houston, and Houston Hobby. Intercontinental Airport is located 25 miles north of the city. Students can secure transportation by using Airport Express located near the baggage claim area. An airport bus runs every 30 minutes from 7:30 am until 11:30pm. The cost is about $15 from Hobby Airport and about $20 from Intercontinental Airport. The bus service brings passengers to three major downtown hotels, as well as the University Hilton Hotel at the University of Houston.

Alternatively, students can travel by taxi from the airport directly to the university from Intercontinental for about $40. Ask the driver about the fare before leaving the airport. Taxi fare will be more expensive than the airport bus fare. There are three UH campuses in Houston, so be sure to tell the taxi driver that the address of the University of Houston is 4800 Calhoun Road.

If students arrive at Houstonís Hobby Airport, they are much closer to the university. Taxi service is located in the airportís ground transportation area. The taxi fare from Hobby Airport is approximately $15. It is customary to tip the driver at least 15 percent of the total amount of the fare.

Students planning to meet friends or a relative at the airport should state at which airport. A map and direction to campus can be located on the following website: http://maps.yahoo.com/

Those who choose to use the special airport pickup provided by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services may call either (713) 743-5077 or email Joan Litzenberger at ljoan@uh.edu. However, this service is only available between specific dates and has a deadline for reservations. For spring semester: Service availability is from December 29^th until January 2, reservation must be made by December 27^th. For fall semester service availability is from August 1 to August 12, reservation must be made by July 30^th.

Airport Clearance

Arriving international travelers must first clear the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, where uniformed, multilingual Special Service Representatives (SSRs) are available to assist passengers. Passports, Visas (if required) and other necessary documents must be completed correctly and available for the Immigration inspector. Looking for information on traveling through U.S. Customs? Please visit the www.customs.gov.