Choosing housing for your freshman year can be very confusing with all the different choices offered. I remember reading about all the different dorms and the type of floors - all-female floor, or perhaps a study abroad floor or a double or a quad... Well, one option to consider is special interest housing (SIH). SIHs are for students who want to live around others who share common interests. There are seven Special Interest Houses: Art, Computer Science, Engineering, General Science, International, Photo, and Unity.

Being an international student and someone with passion for travelling and cultures, International house piqued my interest. In my freshman year I applied and got accepted to live at International house (I-house). I-House is a SIH based in residence hall Eugene Colby C. The focus of I-house is to help international students adjust into their new environment, while also giving an opportunity to local students to get exposed to cultural diversity. It is a place for international and domestic students to come together for cultural discussion, learning, food and events.

FACILITIES OFFERED

1. Kitchen
One way I-house celebrates its diverse mix of culture is through food! Members have exclusive access to a full-sized, fully equipped kitchen (the only SIH to have one). The kitchen contains numerous cooking supplies (pots, pans, utensils and cutlery), refrigerator, oven, stovetop, microwave and rice cooker along with various spices and sauces. Even though I do not know how to cook much, cooking Irish soda bread with friends for St. Patricks Day was great fun.

2. Large Lounge (in addition to the regular floor kitchenette and lounge)
Next to the kitchen is a full lounge area. It has couches, a ping pong table (we often have fun tournaments), projector and sound system for meetings, presentations and movies (movie nights every Friday). (Side note: we also happen to have a record player with a collection of vinyls!)

3. Summer Storage
As an international student, I had to get a storage unit for the summer to keep all my belongings. Storage units are pretty expensive especially if you hire one on your own and then there is the added worry and work for transporting your things to the unit and getting them back. The I-house e-board organizes summer storage for the floor, including hiring a storage unit, transporting the things to and back from the unit. This was extremely helpful and all I as a member had to worry about was getting my things packed in time, ready to be put in the storage. (You do have to pay, but since the cost gets splits amongst all members it comes out to be very reasonable.)

TRADITIONAL EVENTS
Every Semester, International House holds few events to bring all the members together and have fun.

My favourite is the International House Dinner that happens once EVERY semester. All members come together to eat home cooked food which we prepare in our own kitchen. The food cooked is generally, but not always, from a member's culture of origin. The event often takes place on campus in a banquet area, but based on members' preferences, the dinner may also take place off campus, at a restaurant of the floor's choosing. We did both this year! Along with on-floor and off-floor members, a lot of alumni also came to this dinner and it was a great way to meet new people and network. We also went to the Long Acre Farms for apple picking in early October and cooked beautiful apple pies with the apples we collected. Another fun trip was the Darien Lakes Amusement Park trip.

Every couple of weeks there are culture nights held where members of the floor teach each other about their cultures - the food, history and traditions. During the presentation, food from the chosen culture is served and sometimes even movies are shown. Past culture nights this year have included Swiss Culture Night and Chinese Culture Night.

Other than these events, we frequent the Rochester area, having a friendly competition of laser tag or bowling, or enjoying skiing during the winters!

Hyun prepares a meal for I-house members attending the South-Korean culture night

I-HOUSE DINNER FALL 2016

DARIEN LAKE 2016

MEMBERSHIP
While I was an on-floor member of I-house, one can also become an off-floor member. On floor members have to pay around $100 to get access to all the events and kitchen. While the majority of people living on floor tend to be members of I-house, this is not a requirement and is not uncommon.

For those interested, incoming students can apply through their housing application. In order to live as an on-floor member, you are required to fill out a couple of essay questions. However, if you're not interested in living on-floor but wish to be part of the I-house community or join later in the year, just contact I-house, no essay required!

CONNECT WITH I-HOUSE!

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ritinternationalhouse

Twitter: https:/twitter.com/iHouse_RIT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/international.house/

Website: http://www.rit.edu/sg/ihouse/

If your ever wanted to travel the world, learn about new cultures, cuisines, you should consider applying to International House!

DARIEN LAKE 2016

Your first semester as a freshman can be a bit of a whirlwind. From dorms, to new friends, to classes...it can be overwhelming.

I remember as a freshman my biggest challenge was figuring out classes. Never before had I needed to get my own textbooks and determine my study schedule. I was a bit naive looking up textbooks because I assumed they would be $10 or maybe $20, but not $105! I was shocked to say the least. Thank goodness for my Orientation Assistant (now called Orientation Leaders) told me about Amazon Prime for students, valorebooks, campus book rentals, etc. She also recommended that I hold off until my first week of classes before I purchase any textbooks. Why? Textbooks are always subject to change. And she was right. According to the Barnes and Noble website for my first year writing class, I needed two books outlining the writing process. As it turned out, my professor didn’t agree with using textbooks for class so we didn’t need them. The only class that I actually needed to rent a textbook was for my math class.

Anyway, something else that may be new to you are syllabi. Professors will usually hand out a syllabus for the class they teach which will outline when tests are, how the class will be taught, when the final exam is, when office hours are, and the professor's contact information. My advice is...

READ THE SYLLABUS!

I cannot stress enough how important the syllabus is. I know it can seem like it's just another paper, but it will save you from either doing too much work or not enough. Also, it contains how to get in contact with your professor...which leads me to office hours.

GO TO OFFICE HOURS!

Even if you don’t have any questions, stop by for a visit. The professors are sometimes your best resources for advice or class suggestions. I’ve literally had professors work with me to find classes that will not bore me. I’ve had professors who provide contacts in the industry. Professors are amazing and they are not scary. I know I was a bit freaked out to go find a professor and have them answer my questions, but after you visit one professor it becomes easier to approach staff and faculty.

This might be a lot to absorb, but your first semester you will discover and learn so much.

As an international student from India, US culture was not the only thing I had to adjust to. The academics and education system in US are very different than that in India. It is more hands-on interactive and you are expected to be an independent learner. Original thinking is appreciated and you are encouraged to actively take part in discussions. Here you will be expected to put in an increased amount of time and effort into your studies.

Here are few things to keep in mind regarding the academic system:

Professors

My classes have 20-30 students maximum as opposed to the huge classes (50) I had in India. And the thing that I admire most is the openness between you and your professor. Professors are easily approachable and friendly. As opposed to the culture in India, the classroom setting here is relatively informal. Most professors also ask you to call them by their first name and one can openly (but respectfully) disagree with them. One of my professors baked and brought cake for us whenever we had critique. He even cooked us a full breakfast with pancakes, French toast, and sausage for our final critique!

Flexibility

One of the best parts of education in the US is that there is no compulsion to make a firm decision about what subject you want to study before you start college. Some students take several semesters or even several years before they declare a major. I know students who started out in a different major and later switched to something entirely different. One of my friends switched from biomedical to design after almost completing her biomedical degree.

Students can also, for example, major in business while taking minors in web design or/and music. This flexibility gives students the opportunity to explore different subjects before making a firm decision. Even if you know the major you want to pursue, it's always worth selecting a variety of classes to give your schedule a little diversity.

Don't be afraid to try new things and fail. Push yourself and discover your new limits. Find who you are. College is the last time in life where it will be okay to fail and easy to get back up. Try something new only to realize it's not for you...or maybe you do find something that was meant for you.

Assignments are due throughout the semester

Course grades usually don't depend on one final examination, but on a number of projects submitted over an entire semester. Some classes may require you to write papers every week, others may have group projects you have to work on with your classmates, there maybe presentations you do or weekly quizzes..etc.

This does make it easier to earn a good grade, as your entire final grade does not depend on one final exam. However, it also makes it easy to fall behind, if you do not keep up with each project/exam.

Importance of Participation

In most courses, class participation counts towards your final grades. Professors grade you on how much you contribute to the class discussion. One of the reasons for this is that professors value more your understanding of course material than your ability to memorize it. Understanding is more important than memorization!

One should keep this in mind and be sure to make it a point to contribute to class discussions from the beginning of the course.

Plagiarism is a big deal

Well, everyone knows plagiarism is bad. However, international students coming from different educational systems may not have a clear understanding of what it means. In the US, plagiarism is a big deal, and it is very important that all work you submit is your original. Copying from another source, even with the best of intentions, can result in you failing the class. Duplicating your own work (i.e., submitting almost exactly the same work for two different assignments) may also be considered plagiarism in some scenarios. You can read about RIT's policy on academic integrity and plagiarism here: https://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/policiesmanual/d080

I was never taught how to quote, cite or paraphrase a source in school. We were taught to listen to our teachers and memorize what they say. If we wrote our answers exactly the way the teachers said, the better chance we had of getting an A. Thus, when I was asked to write journals and research papers in my freshman writing class, I was very confused as what constituted as plagiarism and what did not. I approached my professor regarding the same and he was very helpful and understanding.

It is important that international students ask for information and support from their professors on how to avoid plagiarism. This is nothing to be afraid of.

If you do not understand the concept of plagiarism fully, please approach your professor!

Too many choices!

With exhaustive options for classes, events, clubs, activities, extracurriculars offered, it can be very overwhelming to choose and balance all your activities. For example, RIT offers over 300 clubs. You won't be able to be part of all the clubs that interest you. Go to a meeting or two for the clubs you are interested in and then decide which ones you are most passionate about!

There are resources on campus to help you make the right decisions and choices. Talk to your academic advisor, your program chair, and professors. They are their to guide you and advise you on decisions related to academics and future career plans. Your seniors are a great resource, as they have already gone through the similar dilemmas.

Time management and organization is the key! If you plan well and organize all your work well,you can easily balance between academic work and extra-curricular activities. Some people make lists, some people have a physical planner. I personally use Google calendar for reminders and keep a small checklist on my phone. But always keep in mind that your academics come first; that is what you have come here to do!

My academic experience at RIT has been great and I look forward to the coming years. While it may initially take time to adjust to the academic system, once you do adjust, you will find that its an environment that fosters growth and all round development.

Happy studying!

First week of classes is already over! Week one is all about fun! The workload is low, most professors just go over the syllabus. The real work starts from Week 2!

Now that all of you have gotten a bit of overview of how your daily schedule will be and how your classes are, here are few things to keep in mind:

1. SLEEP : Getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily is essential.
2. Eat well and work out: Don't fuel your body with junk
3. GO TO CLASS!
4. Check your RIT email regularly
5. Go to your professors during office hours: Not only when you have some difficulties, but just to strike a conversation as well. They are great resources to learn about classes, your major, the industry...they might also provide you with good contacts in the industry.
6. Befriend upperclassmen
7. If you already haven't - figure out your syllabus for each class! Figure out all the resources available to you on campus (and of course use them). The sooner you do that, the easier your semester will be.
8. Lock your dorm rooms when you leave. Theft incidents have been reported several times last year.
9. Find yourself a place to study: Scope out a place on campus where you'll do your studying, someplace where you can be focused and concentrate.
10. Find your way of relaxing- There will be stressful projects, deadlines and exams later in the semester. Find something that helps you stay calm and sane.
11. Don't take on commitments just because you think they will look good on your resume. Yes of course it's important to build your resume, but build it with things you like. Do things because they get you closer to your goals and because you enjoy them.
12. Take college seriously, but not too seriously- A decent GPA coupled with outside classroom experience is better than getting a 4.0 and just being buried in textbooks.

In the end, have fun! Be sure to make time for activities you enjoy. Make your experiences worth remembering.

This year, I'm lucky to fill a number of roles on campus. My largest role and involvement on campus this year is my involvement with Student Government—as SG President! I never thought that I would get involved with Student Government, but I'm so glad that I did.

One of the scariest things that I have had to do in college is give a speech to almost 4,000 people at the convocation (this is a big welcoming event for incoming students). I spent a long time working on practicing this speech—to speak and to sign! Below is the speech I gave to the RIT incoming class of 2016:

Welcome to the newest members of the RIT Family. A few years ago I was sitting on the other side of this podium, feeling excited for the years ahead, anxious to say goodbye to my parents, and tired of ice breakers. I sat where you are now, looking up at a tall guy wearing an orange blazer, and I thought—what bet do you have to lose to have to wear an orange blazer like that? At that time, I never would have thought that someday *I* would have to wear it.

You see, I’m introverted. A lot of you are introverted, too. In fact, if I’m being honest, standing in front of a large group of people is very terrifying—but college helped me grow. It will help you grow, too. In college you have the opportunity to do or be whomever you want.

Ask any student in the next week:  “What are your favorite things about RIT?” Many will say your ability to try and explore so many new things. If you want to knit a sweater for the Tiger Statue, you can do that. Go explore the natural beauty of upstate New York? You can do that. If you’d rather break out your nerf gun and hunt zombies, well of course you can do that.

This Saturday you will have the opportunity to attend the club fair—I suggest you join a club or two (or three, or more). Whether it’s Pep Band or Quidditch (yes, we have a Quidditch team), join something you’ll love, and sign up for something you’ve never experienced before! During the fair, you will be exposed to new groups of people and activities.

For example, you can help raise awareness of mental health with Active Minds, write for the Reporter, join a Club Sport’s team, or even become a DJ at the campus radio station, W I T R. Introverts and extroverts alike are allowed in every club.

For those of you unsure of fraternity or sorority life—look into it. They are incredible...our 31 greek organizations pride themselves on maintaining fantastic GPAs. This past year they donated over $92,000 to their philanthropies, and completed almost 16,000 service hours. Greek life provides another wide array of leadership opportunities!

RIT prides itself on being student centered. A part of that is giving YOU the power to make the changes you want to see on campus. Student Government launched a petition site to get YOUR feedback called PawPrints. We’ve had hundreds of great ideas from students on things to improve right here at RIT. I personally invite you to join our discussions—great suggestions we’ve already implemented include opening the library 24 hours, getting healthier options in the vending machines, and even changing the ID card design!

You’re going to learn a lot this year. You’ll have to truly manage your time. Can you just hear your parents saying “the three hour break between classes is PROBABLY best used for homework, not watching Netflix or taking a nap” — I hate to admit it...but they are right. You’re going to learn that there are so many people on this campus rooting for your success. There are countless offices and resources to help you at every turn.

As Student Government President, I want you to know that my door is open. You know who else has an open door? Your OL. Your RA. Your Professors. Dr. Destler! Everyone’s goal is to make sure that you have all the resources and tools you need to be successful. 

College success is different for everyone. For you, it might be your late nights in the machine shop, the research you complete with a professor, the awesome co-op you get with your dream company, or the project you complete after 30 hours in the studio. Success could be going to No Voice Zone, **(I used American Sign Language from here to the end of my speech)** or taking an ASL class to learn to communicate with deaf students.

Success is finding yourself, learning a lot, and having fun.

My door is always open! Come in and look for the orange jacket. Have a great year! Go Tigers! 

This fall marked my fourth year at RIT, and my third year in the New Media Design program. After switching my major, occasionally I would doubt whether or not switching was the right decision. This summer, I interned at a creative marketing agency and I now am 100% sure I am where I want to be.

Co-ops and internships are required for about 80% of all majors at RIT. Programs requiring them typically have blocks built into the schedule. Most programs in engineering and computing, for example, are considered 5-year programs with co-ops built in. Students will spend typically four full years on campus studying and learning from RIT faculty and staff. The other "year" is a total of the co-ops completed throughout the students' time at RIT. Co-ops and internships could be summer/fall, spring/summer, or even multiple summers. However each program breaks it down, students leave here with actual experience in the field and a better understand of what's out there after graduation.

My major is one of few that does not require co-ops or internships, but they are still highly recommended. Last spring, I started looking into potential internship opportunities for the summer. I focused mainly on Rochester, since I'm local and could easily live at home and commute. My professor for my Principles of Advertising class, Barry, has worked for multiple advertising firms in Rochester and has a company of his own. He loves teaching and is always trying to help his students - especially those looking for work. Each week he would send out opportunities from various companies. One company, Butler/Till, really stood out to me and I decided to go for it. My professor reviewed my portfolio and resume, and even sent a reference letter to a personal contact within the company.

A little while later, I saw Butler/Till at Creative Industry Day on campus., which is a career fair hosted by RIT specifically for design and creative majors. I talked to the representatives, showed them some examples of my work from my portfolio, and submitted a resume. A few days later, I got a call for the Creative Service Intern for their summer program. I was thrilled!

The program was 9 weeks over the summer and consisted of shadowing/projects for different departments as well as team time. There were 8 interns in all, and we were divided into two teams for our main summer-long project. Our client was The Strong National Museum of Play. To say the least, I had a blast working for this client and touring their facility.

This internship gave me a lot of insight into the day-to-day design work in a research-driven creative marketing agency. I saw first-hand how different departments interact and communicate with each other, and how the company works under quick deadlines. We learned a lot through company classes geared towards teaching their own employees news skills and lead them on their own paths to personal success. Butler/Till is employee -focused. Every employee receives stock when they are hired. It's a great way to motivate employees - if they work hard and the company is successful, they will see their hard work pay off and see the value of their work. The culture of the company was fun and inspirational. Each Wednesday of the summer is Wiener Wednesday - a grilling event for everyone to enjoy a free hamburger or hotdog (or 2) - in addition to their summer olympic games. Fridays are Bring-Your-Dog-to-Work days. Each year, everyone also receives several days of paid leave to go do community service. Everyone really seemed extremely happy to work there, and always went out of their way to see if we needed anything.

I am so glad to have had this opportunity. I now have a better understanding of what to look for in a company and its culture, more than just what kind of work they do. It's also reassuring to feel so comfortable in that environment and to know that I made the right decision switching into New Media Design - I would wake up each day excited to go to Butler/Till and see what the day had in store. Throughout the summer, I learned so much about the business, and the various aspects of the company - things I would never learn in the class. Additionally, I received a lot of life advice from some of the more recent graduates and well as the VP's and higher-ups of the company. I highly recommend internships/co-ops to everyone, regardless of whether or not your major requires it. Even if your experience ends up not being all that you wanted, there is always something you can take away from the engagement.

Hello people of the world! This is my first blog post! Today, I’m just introducing myself and telling you how I’ve spent my time here at RIT so far.

I’m Riley - your typical, crazy, overwhelmed, sleep-deprived college student. I’m a second-year double-major (which explains the sleep-deprivation), studying Advertising Photography and New Media Design here at RIT. I’m originally from a small town, Lowville, in Upstate New York (the real Upstate). I graduated from Beaver River Central School in 2015 with a class of 74 students. To put it in perspective – in my county, the cows outnumber the people. So I’m glad to be here at RIT in an environment where the opportunities are endless, which I’ll be writing an entire blog post on in the future.

At school, during my free time (although it may be limited), I play intramural volleyball, soccer, and pickleball. I’ve also had four on-campus jobs - all at one time)! Some of these positions included Sports Photographer, Student Ambassador, Graphic Designer, and Social Media Assistant for various RIT departments such as RIT Athletics, Undergraduate Admissions, Center for Residence Life, and Student Government. Most of these positions are related to my field of study and are great experience to put on my resume... and it doesn't hurt to have some extra income. I can also honestly say that I have been very passionate about every job I’ve had on campus, and have tried to go above and beyond the ‘job requirements’ as an effort in starting to leave my (small) impression on RIT.

That’s another great thing about RIT – the professional staff treats the students like professionals as well. It’s intimidating at first, being held to such high standards, but the payoff is truly astonishing. Students are making big changes and, like I mentioned earlier, leaving their impact on RIT as a University and community. A prime example is my friend Andrea, who is also a Student Ambassador. She is also the President of Student Government this year. I was fortunate enough to work with her last year in order to see her dedication and commitment first hand, but it’s relieving knowing that the Student Body is in great hands. I mention her because she works as a professional, with other professionals and RIT administrators, and is actually involved in the process of searching for our new President at RIT. So again, just trying to highlight the importance students can make and how their roles can play a huge part in RIT’s success.

It's the start of the Fall semester and it's a high time to consider studying abroad, whether in the Spring, Summer, or even next Fall, studying abroad is a great opportunity for students to explore and learn about different cultures. Even learning about yourself!

If you are in a rigorous, intensive major, consider studying abroad during intersession or over the summer. It's a great opportunity to be in a different environment meeting new and different people.

This summer I studied abroad in Japan and it was a blast. I was able to observe the cultural and technological differences. Japanese people have their own values they hold close and dear that was completely different from Americans.  After I came back, I talked with one of my professors about hte experience, and we talked in depth about the working culture in Japan as well. 

You can only be deemed the title of "student" for a short period of your life. Take the opportunity to explore and do not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. The world is out there waiting to be explored, all you have to do is reach out and take the opportunities that come your way.

Staying motivated after a long summer is super important. Part of that definitely comes from having still been productive over the summer and not falling behind on learning. Even if you did take the summer off, though, don’t sweat it! It’s not the end of the world having to get back into the swing of things, it just takes a few days and tactics in order to get back on your feet. 

One of the things that I feel helps keep me the most motivated is simply surrounding myself with other friends who also need to get a lot of work done. When I surround myself with friends who are in the habit of being productive, it only feels more natural for me to be working too.

One of my biggest habits is getting out of my house and out of my room or dorm when I want to be productive. I tend to go home when I want to socialize and relax, and if I try to work at home I find that all I really end up doing is making less-focused, lower-quality work. Even without my roommates or friends over, just simple things - like my bed or television - really keep me in a lazy state, so I really have to remove myself from those two objects in order to stay focused. If you’re in your room working with a bed right next to you, it’s going to be super tempting to grab your laptop and try and work on your bed. I’m guilty of that myself, and if you really need to get your work done and focus on an assignment you don’t want to fall into that trap.

One of the other things that really helps my work ethic is taking breaks. If I am grinding down on my work all day every day, I am going to burn out and it’s going to be a bad time. One way I help counteract this is by simply keeping a schedule for everything. All my work times and meeting times go into my calendar, but I also have a scheduled time for relaxation and just winding down. It helps and you really need it to get focused for another day of work. 

One other thing that’s more a personal opinion than anything else is working at coffee shops. I like to work in coffee shops and places that I feel comfortable in, but also an environment where I can get in the zone and focus in on my work. Java's at RIT is my favorite go-to coffee place where the chairs are upright (but still super comfortable) and tables in the front for me to work on my laptop. The amount of people who are working in there or reading also helps me hone in on my own work. 

As a senior who has lived on campus for almost 2 years, I have discovered some hidden food gems within RIT Dining Services. Of course, food preference is a personal flavor. I like ethnic foods, especially Asian cuisines, and healthy eats (veggies, fruits, low sugar-low fat food, etc.) I'm also a huge coffee fanatic!

Since RIT is one of the most caffeinated campuses in the nation, let’s start with coffee shops! There are 5 coffee joints on campus: Beanz, the College Grind, Artesano, Java’s, and Midnight Oil. There are also other places that provide hot coffee throughout the day, like Ctrl Alt Deli in Golisano College and Catalyst in Institute Hall. The first five places offer freshly brewed coffee, caffeinated drinks including milkshakes, frappuccino’s, lattes, etc. Of these locations, you can use your meal plan to pay for your food and drink, with the exception of Java's. In Java’s, you have to use a debit/credit card, gift card, cash or Tiger Bucks since it is separate from RIT Dining. My personal favorite is the ice coffee with soymilk from Artesano, and Americano or Blueberry flavored coffee from Java’s. Java’s has special flavored coffee daily- for example, blueberry or raspberry, and it’s worthy to try! Remember to get a punch card at any of the coffee locations and you can get 10th coffee for free if you purchased 9 cups of coffee!Something unique you can try is the Matcha (green tea) flavored drink (Frapp or Latte) from Artesanos. I also recommend adding flavor syrup in your daily coffee to mix things up; they are very tasty and sweet.

Most of the coffee shops on campus also have pastries and baked goods. Artesano offers a wide selection of pies, muffins, breakfast pastries, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, breads, etc. They also have gluten free options. My favorite pastry from Artesano is the almond croissant; the almond filling is amazing but not too sweet and the croissant bread is crispy and tasty. Beanz offers Ultimate Smoothie Blendz (USB) smoothies, desserts, baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, salad, etc. USB offers a different variety of fruity or creamy smoothies, with options of protein additions. The smoothies are wholesome and made fresh. The College Grind has a selection of artisan sandwiches, baked goods, and other pastries. Midnight Oil is another coffee joint that serves as a late-night hangout area. Improv shows and poetry nights are hosted fairly regularly there. Midnight Oil offers breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, and late night snacks.

After my morning coffee ritual, the second thing is the food! Gracie’s (located in Grace Watson Hall) is an all-you-can-eat type of dining. Gracie’s offers pizza, pasta, self-serve salad bar, made-to-order sandwiches, grill, etc. There are also two rotating chef stations on the right and left wings in Gracie’s. They usually feature, for example, comfort food, stir-fry, wings (as in chicken wings), and catering from local restaurants. There is also Simply Eats that offers amazing allergen friendly and vegan cuisine, as well as gluten free options.

Brick City Café, located in the center of the Student Alumni Union, offers nutritious breakfast like omelets, breakfast sandwiches, or eggs (any style), French toast, pancakes, waffles, and more! For lunch, Brick City has visiting chefs including Indian, Dominican, Chinese cuisines, and rotational house chef’s specials. Brick City also offers a made-to-order sandwich station and self-serve salad and fruit bar. My favorite food options at Brick City Café are the daily soups, rotational house chef’s special and visiting chefs. The French onion soup is my go to! Nathan’s Soup& Salad, also located in the Student Alumni Union, is a local Rochester-favorite soup shop since 1980. Nathan’s offers a variety of delicious, hearty, home-style soups, sandwiches, and fresh-baked breads. I personally love the cheddar bread.Vegetarian and dairy-free options are available too!

Commons is another late-night dining option. It is located in the Center for Student Development and is opened till midnight. The Commons offers a variety of food options, including (but not limited to) pizza, pasta (the pasta toss is really good!), subs & salad, "Chef’s specials," sushi, and soups. The Wings in Commons are a must-try and they also offer a garbage plate as well. For those of you who have not heard of a garbage plate, it is a signature Rochester dish that typically includes an assortment of mac salad, fries/potato wedges, and a hamburger or hot dog piled high and covered in a special hot sauce. You can also order your food online and get it delivered to your dorm or apartment on campus! The online order site is: https://diningexpress.rit.edu/start-order.

In Global Village, there are several dining options for students, such as The Global Village Cantina & Grill (which contains Salsarita's and the Global Grill), and Crossroads. Salsarita’s offers freshly prepared, made-to-order tacos, burritos, quesadillas, Mexican pizzas, nachos, and salads. Check out the full Salsarita's Menu by clicking the link! Salsarita’s also has a bar that serves alcoholic (21 years old and over only) and non-alcoholic beverages. They have pretty yummy Blue Margaritas. The Global Grill offers order to cook cuisines including Chinese, Thai, Indian, European, etc on a Mongolian grill. Hissho Sushi bar serves freshly made sushi at lunch during weekdays. The sushi is good and my personal favorite is Thai stir fry from the grill.

There are a couple more dining services options at RIT, but I will cover them in my next blog. Thanks for reading my blog and please continue following RIT brick city ambassador blogs!

Career Fair is coming Wednesday! Are you ready to get a job?

RIT's Career Fair usually has around 250 companies here to recruit for both co-op and full-time positions. The type of companies that participate range from small tech firms to Fortune 500 companies. This is a great opportunity for students to get a job by directly talking with people from the companies. This event also gives RIT students a much higher chance of getting hired! Of course, you need to be fully prepared for career fair in order to be successful.

One thing I really love about RIT (and get alot of help from RIT) is preparing for job searching. RIT's Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education offers many helpful workshops and presentations during each semester year, especially before each career fair. Many academic clubs also host organized, major-related workshops. The following lists several steps I usually do to prepare for the career fair:

• Resume reviews: Have as many people as possible read your resume because different people can give you different opinions and adivice. The Career Office also offers walk-in resume reviews, which can help improve your resume by providing professional suggestions. A good resume will definitely give companies a good first impression.
• Go to a mock interview: By talking with people you will know where you can improve. The Career Office can help us to prepare for interviews and also 60-seconds commercials. What is your special point or what makes you standout is always the good question to ask yourself. 
• Go to visiting company workshops: Companies want students to know more about them and will often give presentations. This is also a good opportunity for us to get connected with people from the companies without a long time in career fair. Ask good questions and show interest to these companies.
• Go to presentations related to job searching: There are many good presentations held by the Career Office, such as “how to create LinkedIn profile”, “How to find hidden jobs”, and “ Tips for successful interview.”
• Go to an affinity reception: This year, the club (SWE) I am involved in is invited to an affinity reception - which is a reverse career. Introduce the club you are involved in and have a chance to introduce yourself to the recruiters.
• Pre-register for career fair: Get your name tag.
• Search companies who come to career fair: Get to know the companies you are interested in and show the companies that you are prepared. Take notes and review your notes when you are in the line waiting to talk with recruiters.
• Apply online ahead for the companies you are interested in career fair: This will let be one step ahead for connecting with these companies.
• Dress professionally

Last, but not least, is important to PRACTICE!!! Practicing how to talk to recruiters will let you perform more naturally in the real situation. Check the event calendar listed on Career Office website to know what’s going on next. https://www.rit.edu/emcs/oce/student-home

Good luck and I wish you to find a great job!

Like most students, I also planned to go back home (India) for the summer after freshman year. But, I wanted to spend my summer constructively and get some real world experience related to my major. So, last spring, I decided to do a co-op and started looking for potential internship opportunities in India for the summer. (This way I got to spend the holidays with my family while also getting real world exposure).

I did my co-op at Interactive Avenues, a digital marketing agency under IPG Mediabrands. During the course of the 8-week long co-op, I was associated with the Creative Director (my mentor/supervisor). I spent a lot of time shadowing different departments (tech, creative, copy, client-servicing) to understand how they interact, communicate and work closely together. The co-op gave me a lot of insight into the day-to-day work of a digital agency under tight deadlines as opposed to easier and longer deadlines for college projects. Interactive Avenues has a diverse customer base and I received opportunities to work on projects for big brands such as Gionee, Bausch and Lomb, Trident, Micromax and Tensports. My mentor made sure I got to work on a diverse set of projects from simple banners, social media creatives to website/UI/UX design and interactions. I even had the opportunity to work on smaller independent projects for the company, which is great for someone who just finished their first year at college.

Personally, it was an enriching experience that gave me confidence in my abilities as a student and as a valuable member of the creative team. Moreover, I made some great connections and received a lot of advice from the experts in the industry. This co-op experience brought clarity in my mind that I would want more exposure in core UI/UX work. For the future, I hope that i get opportunities to work at different companies such as a small boutique design agency to have an understanding of the kind of work I would enjoy doing after my degree.

Here are the key takeaways from my experience:

1. Start early
Cooperative Education (Co-op) or internships are required by 80% of majors here at RIT. My major (New Media Design) is one of few that does not mandate co-ops or internships, but students are still highly encouraged to take up co-ops/internships. Students do not usually do a co-op the summer after their freshman year, but It's never too early to start putting yourself out there and get experience!

2. Real world experience
Co-op/internship gives you the opportunity to get a real world experience in your field of study and apply what you're learning while at RIT. They are a small preview of how work life will be after college.

3. Basic life skills
Apart from learning and experiencing things related to your major, you learn a lot of basic life skills like networking, work ethics, presenting yourself in a formal setting/workplace, teamwork and collaboration... Even if your internship ends up not being all that you expected, there is always something you can take away from the experience.

4. Define your Career path
It will help further define your career path - This co-op showed me that I am learning all the relevant skills that are being used in the industry, and brought further clarity about what I want to do after my degree.

5. Don't set your expectations too high
Companies usually prefer some kind of experience before they choose an intern and most internship programs target juniors and seniors. This doesn't mean that you won't be able to find any internships; it just means that you might have to start at a smaller company first.

6. Career fairs and Career Services
RIT holds a career fair each semester. Though career fairs are geared up more towards juniors and seniors, I encourage freshmen to attend it as well. Even if you are not looking for a co-op/internship, attending the career fair gives you practice and a preview of what to expect when you actually go looking for one.

RIT Office of career services and co-op is a great resource to prepare for Career fairs and interviews. They help you build your resume, elevator speech, and also offer services such as workshops, mock interviews.

7. Conduct informational interviews
A lot of times, students (especially freshmen) may be interested in an industry but know few details about it. You should use your winter break/free time to set up informational interviews (with seniors, professors, experts in the industry, recruiters) to become better informed. Informational interviews are also a great way to make connections and network. (and if they lead to an internship, then nothing like it!)

During my college search, I went on countless college visits. Sometimes it was an entire family affair - as my twin brother and myself were both looking at colleges at the same time. Family vacations and mini road trips were often planned around specific colleges.
These visits typically consisted of a brief presentation or meeting with an admissions counselor and a tour. For some of the colleges that were higher on my list, I tried to attend open houses or even overnight visit programs when possible. I wanted to try to really take advantage of my trips out to different schools - especially if they were farther away.

RIT was actually the very first college I visited. I went with my brother and parents to the admissions office for a counselor presentation, and followed it up with a tour (side note: I had the pleasure of working my tour guide from this visit when I was hired as a tour guide two years later). I loved the visit and could totally see myself going to RIT, but I was slightly hesitant to commit so soon. How could I fall in love with the first school I visited? I convinced myself to keep my options open and look at some more schools before committing.

In the spring of my junior year, the college search was really picking up. It was getting close to the decision deadline, and I had heard back from nearly all the schools I applied to. I had been accepted to RIT and a few of my other top schools. To make the decision, I decided to attend two open houses - the first one was at one of RIT's competitors (who I keep anonymous), and the second was RIT (naturally).

For the competitor's open house, I was invited to come a day earlier for an overnight program to get an "inside" look into the school and the students there. I was thrilled... until I got there. One, I was not prepared for the weather. This school was farther north than where I was coming from, and it started to snow... and I had no coat. It was a rough start. Following that, I just could not picture myself at the school and became more discouraged. The housing was not what I expected, and we all slept on the floor in a crowded room. The college students "hosting" us gave us a personal tour, but pointed out things I did not want to know - like George, the dead bird on the outside of a window that had been there for apparently several weeks. By the end of the weekend, that school had dropped to the bottom of my list.

A couple weeks later, I attended one of the Accepted Student Open Houses for RIT. I was excited to go, and the first thing I saw were all of the happy student ambassadors working the event. There were balloons, the pep band was playing fun music, and there was a free continental breakfast (I love coffee). I felt at home here, and it was so reassuring. During RIT Open Houses, you break up and go to your particular college to learn more about your department and/or major. Originally I applied as a Civil Engineering Technology major (I have since switched to New Media Design), and met with department for a presentation and lunch. My department ordered pizza for everyone and it was great - one week prior to this open house I had my wisdom teeth removed and had not been able to week solid food for a while... which may have added to my excitement over this free lunch.

That day I decided RIT was the school for me. I went to the bookstore and bought an RIT-branded hoodie - because that's the real show of commitment. My advice to all students who are in the midst of their college search is to try to visit a school. Visit more than once if you can! The one open house at the competitor school completely unsold me on the idea of going there, whereas the RIT one really confirmed that this was my #1 school. If you cannot visit, stalk the schools online (in a not creepy kinda way). Our Student Ambassadors write dozens of blogs - like this one - to help students get a better idea of what campus is like. There are videos, blogs, and social media channels to help you get a better look at campus if you cannot make it in person.

Hopefully, I see some of you at the next open house, and good luck with your college search!

It's time to get dirty!

Students at Mud Tug 2017. Photo by John Garay

Every September for the past 21 years the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity hosts one of RIT's signature events, Mud Tug.

The event happens behind the Grace Watson dining hall on the field. Giant mud pits are dug the week leading up to the event. They are each about one and a half feet deep and filled with water, creating mud.

Around noon, the "Dream Team" will tug. The Dream Team is Dr. Destler's team which consists of top administrators at RIT, including Dr. Destler himself, Dr. Sandra Johnson, the Senior VP for Student Affairs, Joe Johnston from Student Conduct, Kory Samuels from Dining Services, the Student Government President and Vice President, representatives from Auxiliary services, and many other departments. This year, there were also representatives from the MLS organization, which was one of the benefactors of this year's tug.

This year's Dream Team at Mud Tug.

Once the rounds begin during which the teams compete on the 5 pits, which are sponsored by local places. Teams are made of 10 students. Common teams are organizations (fraternities and sororities, Student Government, clubs, etc) or floors of Residence Halls!

There is also a pit of mud called the play pit where people can go and play in the mud. The team that loses gets tugged into the mud pit. There are also fun activities like a DJ, dunk tank, dancing, and free food! You definitely don't want to miss Mud Tug at RIT.

Pro-tip: wear rain boots or something easy to rinse out, or a pair of shoes (and clothes) that you don't mind getting potentially ruined in the mud!

Students tugging in the mud. Photo by Mike Owens.

I know searching for your perfect college can take some time and a lot of research, but I definitely suggest visiting as many colleges as you can to help aid in that search. Some colleges seem great on paper or in pictures, but really don’t tell you the whole story about what the real vibe of the campus is as a whole. 

I asked myself alot of things that had to do with the vibe ad feeling when I was touring colleges. Did people seem like they were enjoying their time on campus as current students? Do the facilities look up to date and have everything to help me meet my goals? Do I like the design and layout of the campus I’m going to be spending my whole college experience at? 

All important questions that might be hard to answer unless you actually pick yourself up and get yourself on some of those tours. A lot of the time, they have other information you might not normally see on the website that tour guides will be able to provide. Plus, you are getting some really cool first-hand interactions with people who go to a college you might end up attending. 

I always say to those who ask, the best time you can go on a tour is on a week day. You can actually see the college in it’s typical active state. That way, you can really get a feel for what the buzz and activity level is on campus and see if it really clicks with you. I feel like everyone has this “Aha!” moment when they know they’ve found the right college. They usually don’t get that moment until they’ve visited to really seal the deal on a location (if they can visit). 

When I first went on a tour for RIT I took a Tuesday off of school, and my five friends and I all took a road trip over from our small town in Massachusetts. I’d looked at pictures of campus on the website, but it really just didn't do the campus justice at all. I got a much better and more in-depth look at all the facilities, and recieved important information I needed to help me determine what school I wanted to make my first choice. 

The good thing about tours is you get so much useful information in a condensed amount of time. You are literally immersed in the college campus, while the tour guide is explaining all this beneficial information to help you make your decision as accurately as you can. Sometimes it could take hours sifting through all that information online or through pictures, whereas a tour would provide so much more in a fraction of that time. Tours give you everything at once and allow you to ask your own questions to a tour guide - you wouldn’t be able to ask a computer questions such as personal experiences the tour guide or others have experienced on campus. 

In the end, visiting college campuses is honestly the biggest thing that helped me determine my college choices. If you can’t get out there to a far away location, don’t sweat it. But, if it’s a doable drive and a college you are seriously considering, then get in gear and make that college tour happen. College is more than just a location, it’s a stepping stone for your career  - so you have to put in the effort. 

Visiting RIT can be very influential in your college decision. As hard as we try, it can be really hard to convey what it is like on campus in blog posts and videos. That being said: there are several opportunities to visit RIT's campus!

Options for Visiting RIT's Campus

1. Attend an Open House. The next Fall 2016 Open Houses will take place Saturday, November 12th, and Friday, December 2nd. You can register for an open house here: https://www.rit.edu/emcs/admissions/visit/on-campus/open-house

2. Come for an individual campus visit. On individual visits you will have the option to attend an information session, have a personal interview, take a campus tour with a Student Ambassador, tour the residence halls, and even meet with representatives from your academic department.
   • Campus Tour: An hour-long, student-guided walking tour of our academic, athletic, and campus life facilities.
   • Personal Interviews: Personal interviews are offered year-round Monday through Friday. However, depending on the time of year, interview times may be available only for high school seniors and transfer students. While personal interviews are not required for admission to RIT, we are happy to meet with you on an individual basis. It's a great way to ask specific questions to one of our admissions counselors.
   • Information Sessions: Information Sessions are available May through November (and selected weeks in February, March and April) at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.
   • Academic Department Meetings: A unique part of your visit to RIT may include an individual meeting with an academic department representative from one or more of our undergraduate programs. 
3. Attend College and Careers.  Are you a current high school junior? College & Careers is a two-day career conference, designed to help students, who will be entering their senior year in the fall, gain the experience and knowledge necessary to start making career decisions. Regardless of your background or academic interest, you will find College & Careers to be a rewarding and fun way to explore your future.

You can schedule a visit online here or by calling the Admissions Office at 585-475-6736.

While on Campus

Explore Brick City

• Bring a camera! Take pictures of classrooms, equipment, lab spaces, and anything else you see that is really exciting.
• Schedule time to explore on your own—eat a meal in the dining hall, visit the bookstore, and wander around other places that you find interesting!
• Explore the area surrounding campus. We have lots of restaurants, stores, and things to do in Rochester!

Learn About Student Life

• Listen to WITR 89.7 - this is our student-run radio station… It’s great!
• Scan the bulletin boards, learn about clubs and events that happen around campus.
• Check out the doors by the Campus Center (across from the Clark Gym). During the school year, these doors are a giant calendar with lists of all of the events that are happening on campus.
• See if you can find the free pizza—there's some almost every day!

Get the Real Scoop From Current Students

Ask your tour guide, other student ambassadors, or RIT students you meet around campus questions about their experience! We’re more than happy to share what we have learned so far at RIT.

• Why did you choose RIT?
• What do you do in your free time? Weekends?
• What clubs and organizations are you involved in?
• Is there anything unique on campus that you like to do?
• What do you wish you could change about RIT?
• What’s it like to live on campus?

Your tour guide and other students might even be willing to give you their email address so that you can follow up if you have more questions. It doesn't hurt to ask!

During and after the visit

• Write everything down AS SOON as it is over. It is super easy to forget your first (or second) impressions.
• If someone took extra time to meet with you, make sure to thank them! They're more likely to remember you if you send a handwritten thank you.
• Write down all of the deadlines on a calendar... You don't want to miss the application deadline! Some of the deadlines have shifted this year, so it's even more important that you are cognizant of this!
• Browse RIT's online materials and blogs. You can learn so much more about RIT!

Most people don’t realize how amazing RIT is for art school.  Whenever I tell someone from back home that I go to RIT, they always ask if my major is either engineering or computer science… It’s actually advertising photography, guys. They seem baffled and ask why I didn’t go somewhere like SVA or Purchase. Well, I did apply there but I always wondered “What if I wanted to change my major to like Industrial Engineering? I would have to transfer, worry about what schools to go to, etc.” I always liked having options just in case, and RIT is the best place for options. 

“RIT is one of the best photography schools in the nation, it’s cold, and the main sport is hockey”- Lauren Szigetvari, aka me circa 2013 

RIT had everything I wanted and more. Our facilities - no matter what major - are insanely amazing. During my internship over the summer, they couldn’t believe all that RIT had to offer and all the information theyhave already taught me in my three and a half years here. This school gives me the opportunity to literally do whatever I want (as long as it if offered) and I get to explore other options if I want to. I am working towards a minor in advertising and public relations, and I love that I can take these classes even though I am not in the major or the College of Liberal Arts. RIT is kind of like a buffet with every food possible and you get to go back in line as many times as you want. Now who wouldn't want that many choices?  

Most colleges in the United States host campus visits and open houses to provide prospective and accepted students a better sense of the college environment as well as academic programs. It is easy for students who are from the United States to attend such events before they enroll into a college. For international students though, it is much more difficult to determine from afar which college atmosphere would be the best fit. So, how can international students who can not visit campuses decide on a college to enroll in? 

Research! Before choosing to apply to colleges and especially after receiving acceptance letters, I did extensive research. While you should consider rankings, they do not tell the entire story. In order to determine the right fit you should:

- Get a sense of the campus environment and culture. What is the composition of the student body?
- What support services are available to international students?
- Get a sense of the area you would be in. Is it a small town or a big city? What facilities are available near the college campus?
- Review academic, research and internship opportunities, especially in your field of study. Is there flexibility?
- What other activities, leadership opportunities, and extracurriculars are available?

Here are a few ways to get this information:

Social Media and Technology
At RIT, we have a private social network called the RIT Loop that we use to communicate to prospective and accepted students. There are also Facebook groups for each accepted class every year. Along with these we hold online information sessions and Q & A chats. All these mediums connect students and even parents with admission counselors and student ambassadors. There are also helpful blogs by our student ambassadors (such as this one) on various topics such as housing, food on campus, academics, career resources etc.There are also unofficial parent Facebook pages for parents to talk about their students' college transition and any questions they may have. Social media platforms, such as those mentioned above, are a great way to ask any questions you have and understand the American experience. Some colleges also visit international students in their home countries for info seminars and/or have online videos and virtual tours of their campus as well. International Alumni might also hold accepted student info sessions in home countries. Look out for the colleges visiting your country and/or online info sessions and other such events!

Talk to people
There is no better way to get know details about a particular college than from the people who have graduated from there or are currently studying there. When I was in process of choosing a college, I connected with a lot of people - alumni, student ambassadors and current students. I even did phone/skype calls with a few alumni and student ambassadors. These people are more than happy to help and answer your questions and/or give you advice. 

Online Reviews and rankings
Students should check out the college rankings, and reviews are worth a quick read. These give you a broad sense of the reputation of the college.

Career Resources
Check out the career services office at the university, and see what career support and resources they offer. RIT has a dedicated Office of Career Services and Co-op, which offers services like career counseling, career mentors, resume building advice, numerous preparatory workshops and presentations for interviews and job search. RIT also has an online search engine for jobs and co-ops called the RIT Job Zone. 

Financial Constraints
Another critical factor for international students is the tuition cost and financial aid offered. You need to be aware of how much you can spend on college. And you need to consider if the university offers financial aid/ scholarships to international students or not. My advice would be to write to the university admissions office to make sure you know about all the scholarship opportunities available to international students and apply to all of them.

Academics and your area of study
Compare your chosen major and the coursework offered for that program in different universities. See if the college offers research opportunities, or classes in subjects you like other than your major.

One of the reasons I picked RIT was because it is a non-traditional art school. I have the opportunity to take classes in web development, business, advertising, etc. RIT's New Media Design program is one of a kind, and not offered by all universities. From the course material given online, the major seemed to be the perfect mix of design and tech and it really peaked my interest.

Good luck with your college search!

So let’s start by getting stereotypes right out of the way. A common association with college kids is that we have no money. “Broke college kid” – I’m sure you’ve all heard it. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way!

You might be wondering: how am I supposed to have time to study, handle my course load, have a social life AND work?

I’d say, just like anything, you need to find the balance. If you’re smart about time management, you’ll have no problems fitting in a work schedule. Say you have a couple-hour break between classes. Instead of going back to your room or killing that time strolling campus, work. I can’t speak for every job across campus, but I can say that most of them are pretty lenient about your schedule. Some might tell you that you need to work a certain number of hours, then it’s up to you when you can fit them in during the week. Some will ask you for your class schedule and then fit you in where they think it will work best. Some might even let you work whenever you want and anytime you want. So if you’re worried about being overly committed to a job, you just need to find the right one that will fit your routine. If you have a day off of classes, you could work seven to eight hours that day and be done for the week. Or if you only have morning classes, obviously you can structure your work schedule to be a few hours or so every night. Again, employers on campus know that we are students first and foremost, so they are more than willing to accommodate you and your calendar.

I’ve had four different jobs on campus so far and all of them have honestly been easy to work around. My supervisors/bosses/etc. have always accommodated me and what works best for me – either cutting a few hours here or there, or adding some when I could handle more. Obviously, each student will be a little different, so they handle things case-by-case.

For my first job, I worked with Student Government (SG) directing their social media platform. I started working for SG in my first semester at RIT and I worked about 10 hours a week during my time there.

Over the summer I stayed at RIT, so I applied for two other jobs and was happy to get them both! One of them was more for fun and fostered my passion for RIT. That’s the job that I’m currently doing right now – working with RIT Undergraduate Admissions – as a Student Ambassador, giving tours, and doing more social media work (like this blog for you)! As a Student Ambassador, I give one or two tours a week to go with a couple hours spent on social media work, and the occasional Open House (that I definitely recommend checking HERE).

My other two jobs are jobs related to my majors; My majors are photography and design based, and my other jobs consist of shooting sports with RIT Athletics and graphic designing for Res-Life. I point that out because it’s a common thing on-campus – to be able to find a job that’s specific to your field of study – so not only is the on-campus job acting a source of student-income, but you’re also getting real job experience that you can use on your resume as well.

      As we all aware, RIT is located in Rochester, NY, which is fairly close the border between the US and Canada. Rochester is 2 hours (by driving) away from Niagara Falls, CA, 3 hours (by driving) from Toronto and 5 hours (by driving) from Montreal. Going to RIT means you have to take a trip to Canada sometime during your time here. When you and your friends make a spontaneous plan to go to Canada for a weekend, you may wonder what documents do you need to visit Canada? In this blog, I will share some personal experiences of how to travel to Canada with a tourism visa. This blog does not apply to American citizens and Canadian citizens; it targets towards international students who need visas to visit Canada.

Do I need a visa?

 First, you need to know if you need a visa or not. You can obtain this information by visiting Canadian Citizenship and Immigration website at:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

As a Chinese citizen, I do need to obtain a visa prior to visiting. I have to plan ahead to apply for the visa. Even if you do not have a plan to go to Canada, it’s always a good idea to have the visa. So when the time comes, you won’t be stressed out because you don’t have the visa to Canada.

Application preparation

After you determined that you need a visa, you can follow Canadian Government’s website to apply online or apply on paper. I recommend applying online since it’s a lot easier. You will need to answer a questionnaire on the Canadian Government’s website. Then the website will notify you what kind of visa you should apply for. At this time, you need a scanner or camera to make digital copies of your documents. There’s also an application fee of $100 that you need to submit after filling the application.

You will obtain a personal reference code and instructions on the application procedure. The application document I filed out was IMM 5256. You can find instructions on how to fill out the IMM 5265 form at:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5256ETOC.asp

You also need supporting documents including travel history, passport, invitation letter (if needed), proof of financial resource of supporter, proof of means of financial support, digital photo, purpose of travel, etc. As an international student studying in the US, you can also provide your I-20 documents. It makes the process easier; you are more likely to be granted a visa. After finishing your application and submitting your payment, you will receive a confirmation message and instruction of how to proceed next. Directionally, you will have to mail your passport to one of the Canadian Embassies to get your visa. The duration of this process will depend on how busy the embassy is. After you get your passport mailed back, you are good to go!

Traveling to Canada

From Rochester, there are a few ways to travel to Toronto. You can either take a bus, drive or fly. In general driving is a lot easier and cheaper. If you are driving, make sure you have your license, registration, and your insurance documents. If you are flying, Air Canada is a good airline to buy your tickets because there are direct flights from Rochester to Toronto. With this being said, if you ever need to fly from your country to Rochester or fly from Rochester to other countries, Toronto is a convenient connecting stop. You do not need a visa for connecting flights in Toronto, but it would helpful if you have one to make the Custom process goes faster.

Other tips for traveling 

Other tips for traveling to Canada are to consider your phone plan and GPS. For you mobile carrier, you need to confirm with them if you will be able to use your phone over in Canada and how your data works in Canada. Using GPS is crucial for me during traveling, so I always make sure that I can use my data and Google maps.

Also, some places in Canada accept US dollars. However, they will treat it as Canadian dollars (it’s 1 USD to 1.3 CAD) and that’s a lot different. It’s convenient if you have some Canadian dollars or you can call your bank to see if there are any Canadian bank alliances that you can use to get Canadian bills.

In Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC