First Year Students

Packing

Most airlines operating international flights have limits to the pieces of luggage you can take with you for free. You will have an opportunity to join a shopping trip to local stores and supermarkets as part of Odyssey, the international student orientation, or you can purchase necessary items before you arrive. Here is a web page with useful information.

Add a label to your luggage with your name, Connecticut College, address and Dean's phone number:

Your Name
Connecticut College
270 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT 06320
1 (860) 439-2050

Mark your baggage in some distinctive way (ribbons on the handle) to make it easier for you to identify your luggage.
Pack essential documents, medicines, etc. in a carry-on case.

For more information with regard to travel to the U.S. please visit: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all

Essential Travel Documents

Please make sure you have your I-20, a passport valid for at least 6 months after your travel date and a valid visa. If you are entering the U.S. with the Conn I-20 for the first time, please bring your admission letter as well as your financial aid award letter.

Ideas on What to Bring

Bring copies of your important health records.
Pack prescription notes, medications you take regularly (as for allergies), or anything you might not be able to purchase here.
Bring photographs, cultural dress, maps, posters, little snacks and other items that will help you remain connected to your home and for others to become familiar with your home country. Also, there will be opportunities for international events where you can wear your traditional clothes.
Spices: If you enjoy cooking or sense that you might soon be missing food from home, pack some spices for cooking needs on campus. (Please note, however, that most residential houses do not have kitchens). It is also important for you to know that some foods are not allowed to enter the U.S. by plane. If you are concerned about what is allowed, please refer to the US Customs and Border Protection website.
The best advice is to travel light. Bring clothing and some favorite possessions.
Clothing: When you arrive in August, the weather will probably be around 80°F or 27°C. In general, we will have fairly warm weather into September when temperatures will begin to get cooler. We start experiencing winter weather in November, when temperatures can go down below freezing (32°F or 0°). You will be able to purchase winter clothing here.
You may find it most convenient to buy blankets, linens, pillows, lamps and other accessories when you arrive here, or purchase them online. If you would like to ship items you purchase online to campus, send shipments to:

Your Name
Connecticut College (Class of XXXX)
270 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT 06320

You'll receive your campus box number during Orientation. You will keep the same mailbox all four years you are here.

About Voltage and Electrical Items

Electric voltage in the U.S. ranges from 110 to 120 volts. You will be able to use your electronics on campus only if they have dual voltage such as laptops, tablets and cell phones. Anything else, you will be able to purchase here. Try to buy your outlet adapter at home or at the airport, because you will likely need to charge your electronics immediately when you arrive on campus.

The Internet and Email

There is Internet (and thus, email) access at Shain Library and computer labs. If you have your own computer, you will also have wireless access and be able to get online from your room or everywhere on campus.

Connecting with Family and Friends at Home

Most students use Skype, WhatsApp, Viber or other similar applications that use VOIP technology to make free calls or video calls in the U.S. and abroad where wireless is present.

Postal Services

There is a post office on campus at the College center (Cro). It is open during office hours and offers a variety of services. Your post office box is located within the Post Office, and you will have that box for your entire four years at Connecticut College.

Honor Code

One of the core values of the Connecticut College community is respect for the Honor Code. By abiding by the Honor Code our students uphold the collective responsibility they have to each other and to the whole community.

Cultural Shock

The U.S. may be very different from your native country, and the way people interact may surprise you. As you negotiate the aspects of U.S. culture, you may experience the "Culture Shock" phenomenon. If you feel that you may be experiencing culture shock, remember that there are people always available to talk to. A special workshop on Culture Shock is offered during Odyssey, the international student orientation.

Conversation

Feel free to talk and ask questions to anyone on campus. When someone asks "What's up?" Or "How's life?" they are simply saying "Hi!" and not necessarily trying to begin a conversation, so respond in a similar way. These phrases may strike you as "shallow" in the beginning, but they are actually simple greetings.

Time and Appointments

People have busy schedules and value their time. When you want to see a professor, go during the office hours or call in advance to make an appointment. Go to appointments five minutes in advance, and if you are going to be late for an appointment or cannot make it, then contact the other party. If you have either a job or an academic interview, you might dress a little more formally - just enough for a good impression. Invitations with "RSVP" require you to respond as soon as possible if you are planning to attend, but you don't have to call if you are not going to the event.

Daylight Savings Time

Most Southern hemisphere countries do not experience this change in time. In late fall, the time is changed to move an hour ahead and in early spring the clocks are turned an hour back.

Tipping

It is common and sometimes even expected that you add a tip in addition to the predetermined fee or bill when you pay for services, e.g. to waiters at restaurants, cab drivers, etc. The amount you tip is usually about 15% of the bill or fee itself. Most people who work these kinds of jobs do not earn a whole lot, and a substantial amount of their earnings come from tips.

Sports Culture

Sports are part of day-to-day life for most people in the U.S. Most people are very supportive of their teams. Sports that tend to be watched mostly on TV by students on campus are baseball, American football, and basketball. There are also annual events that have a huge following and certain traditions such as the World Series (baseball) and the Super Bowl (American football).

Finances & US Currency

Denominations: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100.

Coins: 1 cent (penny), 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime), 25 cents (quarter), 50 cents (half dollar)

Banking

Citizens Bank and Bank of America are two of the main banks with offices located near the campus. Bank representatives will be on campus during Welcome Weekend to help students who wish to open accounts. There is an ATM served by Citizens Bank in the College Center at Crozier-Williams ("Cro").

Types of Accounts: Savings account (interest is accrued) and checking account (for frequent transactions).

Check the bank websites for information about minimum deposits, balances, appropriate fees and credit cards.

Common Terms & Abbreviations

Connecticut College Terms & Abbreviations

Academic Terms

Common Slang & Everyday Language

Conversions

Appliances that run on 220- 240V do not work well or may be damaged unless you use a current-conversion kit. Similarly, appliances that are dependent on current frequency may malfunction without proper transformation.

International students are encouraged to turn to the following people for information, advice, or referral to other helpful resources. The International Student Adviser and your International Adviser (IA) - another student who has had the experience of balancing two or more cultures, languages, and ways of life. Your IA is not only a friend who can help you deal with culture shock or homesickness, but also a source of information and advice. Your IA can help you get involved in international student events.