International Students

Some aspect to consider before/after arriving to the US

Note: This is rough guide with some recommendations by IGG student for IGG students. It is NOT OFFICIAL information, and there may be specific tasks required of you based on your specific visa or country of origin. Go to the official websites for accurate and updated information regarding your duties as an international graduate student.

Here is a list of the main aspects you need to address during the summer previous and after your arrival:

1. Make sure to follow all the steps required to get you Visa and related documents in advance! Information about non-immigrant Visas can be found in Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS). Also, if you have other questions about moving to the US, the SISS is a great place to ask!

2. Plan to arrive a few weeks in advance to set in your new place and get to know the city.

3. Also, don't miss the International Graduate Student Orientation. In here, they cover all topics related to international students, including Visa information, academic requirements, how to bike, and how to adapt to a new country. You may also make your first friends in Davis there!

4. After you arrive, you will want to get cell phone data and a bank account. Remember to bring your passport, and your documentation (Visa and related documents) to run these errands.

5. Get a California ID. The California ID is a legal proof of your age and it's less risky to carry than your passport. Alternatively, you can apply to a Driver's license (see Transportation section). Schedule an appointment at the DMV. Prepare carefully all the required documents before your appointment (you don't want to go to the DMV more than once, believe me!). A complete list of required documentation can be found in the California DMV website.

   • This is the documentation that I brought with me to get my California ID. This is intended as an UNOFFICIAL guide, make sure you review the official website on your own.

     • • Valid passport

       • Visa

       • Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status (DS-2019, I-20, etc.)

       • The most recent I-94 form

       • 2 different printed documents for proof of residency. You can request one from your bank, use your lease, or a utilities bill. Both should have your complete name (as written in your passport). Feel free to bring more than 2 in case they don't approve any of them.

       • Optional: if you have a social security number, you can take as well. If you are not eligible for one, you can say so in your application.

6. Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) after you get a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) or Teacher Assistant (TA) contract. Before being hired as a GSR or TA you are not eligible. To apply for a SSN you need to go to a Social Security Administration Office with the required documentation. The closest SSA office is located in West Sacramento. All the steps and required documentation are very well explained in the SISS website!

Tips for international students from the Survival Guide

These are some tips that older students have shared for incoming international students:

• Make sure to start the US Student Visa request process as early as possible, preferably around June, to ensure that you get it on time. Don’t wait on this!

• Plan to enter the United States at least two weeks, preferably a full month, before classes begin for fall quarter. It takes time to adapt to life in the US, and this time is great for learning the geography, figuring out food options, and growing comfortable with Davis.

• For PhD students, get your Social Security number as early as possible - ­ if you don’t have this, you won’t get your stipend on time!

• A good plan for housing is to share an apartment or house with one or more American students. Hopefully, these students will be friendly, and they will be able to help you with basic tasks, such as figuring out where to buy food, how to deal with administrative issues, and so on.

• Ask other (trustworthy!) students about the possibility of entering a family plan for your cell phone. Family plans can be up to 5 times cheaper than purchasing an individual plan, especially with smartphones.

• The week before graduate school begins, the Office of Graduate Studies puts on a Week of Welcome, with lots of useful talks and seminars. Not only is this a good way to learn more about the administration at UC Davis, but it’s a great opportunity to meet new people!

Find your communities!

Grad school is a marathon, not a sprint. To have enough energy to get to the end, you need to find activities and communities that help you recharge batteries. Sometimes getting to know new friends can be hard, especially if we are busy with research and coursework. If you don't know where to start, here are some tips:

• Find communities that you identify with. Spending time with people that understand us is a gratifying experience. Visit our communities page to get more information.

• Join clubs or take classes to do learn that skill that you always wanted to learn, or keep cultivating a previous hobby.

• Look for the mental support that you need. Sometimes we need help processing all the big changes that we are going through. Qualified therapists can provide assistance and support. Don't hesitate in using all the mental health resources available on campus!