INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK

CAMPUS LIVING


(North Quad Dormitories)

DePauw provides several residence halls for undergraduate students. During the summer, you will be given a room assignment in one of these halls. At that time you will also find out who your roommate will be. For your room, you will need twin size bed sheets, a pillowcase, a blanket, a bedspread, clothes hangers, a waste basket, a small study lamp, a telephone and whatever decorations you would like. Your roommate may already have some of these items for your room, and we have collected some of these things left by previous international students for you to use. The university provides a bed, a dresser for clothing, a desk, a closet and an overhead light. If you find that you need something once you arrive, it can be bought in Greencastle.

Food
Students living on campus receive meal points that they can spend on food during the semester. Meal points are part of the Room and Board fee that all students who live on campus are required to pay. Meal points work like money. Each dining facility offers food that costs you a certain amount of points. You pay for what you eat by giving your Student ID card to an attendant who subtracts points from your account by running your ID card through a computer. There are three dining facilities on campus that each accept meal points as payment for food:

» Longden - buffet-style, all you can eat, warm and cold food items open during breakfast (7 AM-9:30 AM), lunch (11:30 AM- 1:30 PM) and dinner (5 PM- 7:00 PM).

» HUB - Fast food. You can choose daily from the following types of food: Mexican, Chinese, pizza, the grill (hamburgers, chicken, fish, French fries), Italian pastas, sandwiches, soups, vegetarian cuisine, salad, cereal and a small grocery store of snack food and desserts. You spend your meal points on each food item you purchase. The HUB is open from 7AM until midnight daily.

» The Gate Restaurant - This food option is a sit-down restaurant with menus and full service. You can order appetizers, a main meal and dessert. Points are deducted from your meal plan according to the meals you choose. The Gate is open during lunch and dinner hours.
You will be able to choose from several foods at each meal. A typical breakfast would consist of: bacon and eggs, cereal, toast, juice, and coffee. Lunch might be a hamburger or sandwich, soup, vegetable, assorted salads and fruit. Dinner menus usually have a choice of meat, potato, vegetables, assorted salads, ice cream and cake. Milk, tea, coffee, lemonade and soda are available at every meal.

Some students eat their Sunday evening meals in Greencastle restaurants. American food restaurants specialize in a variety of foods such as hamburgers, pizza, "Mexican" food, Chinese, fried chicken and steaks.

Tipping (15% of the cost of the meal is a normal amount) is a common practice when you are served by a waitress or waiter. The tip is left on the table when leaving the restaurant. A dinner may between $5.00 and $14.00. A 6% sales tax is added to the price of all purchases.

Remember, to enter a liquor store or a bar, order an alcoholic beverage in a restaurant, YOU MUST BE 21 YEARS OF AGE. Drinking in public before that age is illegal and punishable.

Each living unit has limited kitchen facilities for cooking. The International Center has a fully equipped kitchen in which you may cook.

Living with American Students
One of the many positive aspects of your stay in the United States will be the opportunity to get to know American students. However, since many American students are embarrassed by their lack of world travel and their limited knowledge of languages, they may appear to be difficult to get to know, somewhat indifferent, and at times even unhelpful to foreigners. Keep trying, and you will find that most are warm, friendly and helpful, and that they are very much interested in learning about you and your country.

One of the first impressions you may have of living on campus is of the noise ... the loud playing of radios, tape recorders and stereos. If talking or music is too loud, most students will quiet down when asked. But don't expect them to be completely quiet all of the time.
The American student is jovial and fun loving ... while most study hard, they also play hard. Leisure activities include informal parties, movies and recreational sports. Students laugh at themselves a great deal and enjoy kidding one another. If someone makes a joke at your expense, please realize that it is
done good-naturedly, and that the person making the joke considers you a friend. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most people enjoy being helpful.

The Greek System
In addition to the University Residence halls, fraternity and sorority chapter houses provide living accommodations for their members. Each fraternity and sorority is associated with a national organization bearing the same name, which consists of one or more Greek letters. Men's fraternities and women's sororities are social organizations that also emphasize academic achievement. Membership rules vary among the Greek houses; membership is open to all full-time degree candidates, and other students who will be at DePauw for just one year are eligible for affiliation with a fraternity or sorority, but may not live in the house. Membership is by invitation, and the cost of room and board is a little higher than in the residence halls. At DePauw there are 11fraternities and 9 sororities. They are involved in social activities, athletics and service to the community. When you arrive you will be given more information concerning fraternities and sororities.

Safety and Security
Although by the standards of the typical American city and university, DePauw University and the town of Greencastle are small, safe places, you should nevertheless take precautions in your everyday life to ensure your safety and protect your possessions.

On Campus
» Always lock your room door (and windows) even if you’re only going out for a few moments. Every year there are reports of items stolen from rooms, sometimes by fellow residents, but often by outsiders who walk into the dorm off the street

» Lock your door before going to sleep

» Lock your windows if they are accessible from the outside

» Keep your small valuables (wallet, purse, money, jewelry) out of sight

» Do not leave notes on your door announcing that no one is in

» Never lend anyone your keys or your ID card

» Do not prop open residence hall doors, even for a friend

» Report any persons acting suspiciously in and around the residence halls. Note their description and location and call Campus Safety immediately

» Do not walk on campus alone late in night. Walk with a friend or phone Campus Safety for an escort

» If you receive annoying or harassing phone calls, hang up immediately. Do not answer the caller. If the calls persist, keep a record of the time, the voice description and then contact Campus Safety

General Safety Precautions, especially for cities:
» Remain alert while walking and listen to what is happening around you. Do not stop to talk to strangers. Do not make eye contact with strangers. Walk briskly, purposefully, and confidently.

» Dress like other people around you. Try not to stand out, or make people notice you as different.

» Stay in lighted areas. Stay on well-traveled paths. Do not take shortcuts that take you into dark or isolated areas.

» Even during the day time, you may find yourself alone in the street. If someone comes toward you, be very cautious. If you feel uncomfortable, cross the street.

» If you think someone is following you, go quickly to the nearest store, place of business, or even to a house. Do not be shy about screaming if you think you may be in serious trouble.

» Never accept a ride from a stranger or from someone you do not know well. Do not hitchhike and do not pick up hitchhikers. It is against the law and it is very dangerous.

» Women should not accept dates from strangers or casual acquaintances. It is more important to be safe than friendly. Be careful of sexual assault.

» Do not carry around a lot of money or valuables. For example, $50 is considered a lot of money to carry in cash. If you must carry a lot of cash, do not be obvious about it.

» Women should be careful of their handbags. Never leave a handbag hanging from the back of a chair in a restaurant; put it on your lap or between your feet. Be careful of your handbag when trying on shoes or clothing in a store.

» When in a city where pickpockets may be around, men should carry their wallets in a breast pocket of their shirt of jacket or in a front pants pocket.

» If you are threatened by a robber, try not to resist. Give up your valuables as calmly as you can and observe as much as possible about the assailant. The exception is a situation when you feel your life is in danger and you must fight or run away.

» If you have a car, lock it wherever you leave it, even briefly. In large cities, lock it even when you are driving. Keep valuables in the trunk of the car, out of sight.

» Be especially careful in parking lots, day or night. Have your car keys ready and walk briskly to your car, looking around.

» Do not give your name or phone number to a stranger.

Attitudes about Smoking
Fewer and fewer Americans are smoking and more people are very concerned about health issues related to smoking. Students feel quite justified in objecting to a person’s smoking in the same room, particularly because of the law that limits smoking in public areas. Not only will people ask you to refrain from smoking; they may try to convince you to stop to preserve your health. We advise you to avoid smoking as much as possible when you are in the public areas of the University. When you are visiting a group of people, it is polite to ask if you may smoke. All University buildings are officially smoke-free.

Coping with Culture Shock
During your first few weeks much will be happening to and around you as you adjust and acclimate yourself to the customs and activities of DePauw University and the United States. Most people experience “culture shock” when they enter a new society. Following are some suggestions that may help you deal more effectively with culture shock:
» Get plenty of rest to deal with the stress and fatigue that you may experience
» Take time to think and talk about your own feelings
» Make an effort to be optimistic, but not to the point of avoiding negatives that should be expressed
» Make your new home environment as comfortable as possible
» Make friends as quickly as possible. If there are others of your nationality on campus, meet them. This will provide a source of support
» Try not to compare and search out “things like home”. Things are different! Enjoy and explore those differences
» Always keep an open mind and a sense of humor
» Share information about your country with your fellow DePauw students. The International Center keeps a collection of materials, maps, posters, flags, etc about many nations. We invite you to borrow any materials we have on your country

Helpful tips from other international student:
» If you are talking with someone from your own country and another person who does not understand your language walks into the room, switch to English. Otherwise, people might think you are making fun of them or criticizing them. Or, they just may feel uncomfortable.

» To practice your English, find a friend who is fluent in English and converse with this person about your culture. You will be astonished about the differences and similarities you both have in common.

» If someone says something incomprehensible to you, ask the person to elaborate. But, do not take out the dictionary in front of the person to ascertain the word.

» Distance yourself from those who use profanity. Remember that profanity is not allowed in the classroom.

» You might believe that the standard of living in the US is high, but that does not mean that the students’ standard of living is that high.

» Before you criticize anything or anyone, try to understand.

» Get involved in sports or organizations. It is a very effective way to make friends.

» Before you act silly, obnoxious, loud or do anything wrong, think twice. You might leave within one year so you don’t care, but there will be others after you and they will have to deal with the reputation you built up for them.

» Use your spare time to organize parties. Cook! Organize student breaks with your Resident Assistant (RA) and dress up in a traditional costume. Food is a good way to attract people. Everybody will enjoy these events and you will spread your culture around campus, which is good for everybody.

» Bring pictures from home: your town, country, friends, family. Bring music from home. Bring books, videotapes, etc. Other students might be curious about you and you might be happy to have these items with you when you get homesick.

» If you get depressed, don’t stay in your room. Force yourself to go to classes and meals at least. The campus is not huge and it is possible to meet new people every day. Don’t be shy; if people don’t come to you, walk up to them and ask them questions about anything. Show you are interested in getting to know more about them and their culture.

» Getting to know other international students is fun and interesting. You can exchange points of view, organize parties, help each other because you are in the same situation, and make great friends.

» Americans usually compliment people. Therefore, if you do something well and they give you a compliment, be amicable about the compliment. Do not interpret a compliment as a criticism.

Drivers License and Owning a Car
If you have an International Driver’s License you may drive in the US with that license.

If you do not have an international driver’s license, but you have a Foreign Driver’s License you must obtain a Indiana Driver’s License if you want to drive. To obtain an Indiana driver’s license, you will need to pass a written test, a vision test, and a driving test. You will also need to present various pieces of identification when you apply for your driver’s license

If you don’t have a license at all, you must apply for an Indiana learner’s permit first, if you want to drive.