What kind of orientation will we be getting?
Like PKU, UM also hosts a many thousands of foreign students on its
campus every year, so there will be other students like you who
are on campus for the first time, as well as others who are more experienced.
In the department of Chemistry, there are usually 30-45 graduate students
and post-doctoral associates from China, including many from PKU.
While in China, you can contact [NEED INFO HERE]; PERHAPS THERE IS
ALREADY A "LIVING IN THE US" PROGRAM/SESSION THAT EXISTS.
In addition to the UM PKU Program staff, there are two valuable resources
for PKU students who are living in the US:
(1) The Chinese Student and Scholar Program: (CSSA: http://www.umcssa.org/)
See also: http://uuis.umich.edu/maizepgs/view.cfm?orgID=10004294
(2) PKU Alumni group: INFO NEEDED
| Jul 2 (Mon) |
Depart from China;
arrive to US
3:30 PM - Pick-up at airport by Professor Coppola, Katie Lutker,
and PKU alum (Xiaomu Guan)
Check in at Oxford Housing
Group dinner with Katie and Xiaomu
|
| Jul 3 (Tues) |
9 AM - pick-up at Oxford by Katie
Introduction to campus; get ID cards at Student Activities Building
10:30 - Go to Wolverine Tower with Henoia to fill out financial
paperwork
noon - lunch: meet with Professors and graduate students
afternoon - set up bank accounts, check out bus routes and shopping
diiner - with other PKU alums (end of summer hosts)
|
| Jul 4 (Wed) |
US Holiday - relax and join
other summer research students for picnic |
| Jul 5 (Thu) |
Orientation to Chemistry Department
PKU students join research groups |
| Wednesdays |
Lunch session with Professors and students |
| Aug 9 (Thu) |
Joint poster session with US
students in China |
| Aug 25 (Sat) |
PKU students return to China |
How will I get around?
The UM campus is extremely user friendly, and the campus bus system
is convenient. The city of Ann Arbor is quite small compared with Beijing...
only 140,000 people... and there are many fewer than this during the
summer because most of the students have gone home.
What is the weather like in Ann Arbor?
The temperature in Ann Arbor is nearly the same as Beijing, all
year round, so the summer can be hot. The air quality is excellent,
and there is not as much rainfall as in Beijing. Summer weather in
Michigan can range from 50 to 98 degrees F (10-35 C); from rainy and
very humid to very sunny and dry. We recommend that you bring clothing
that can be layered.
What is the typical work week for research students at
UM?
Research, of course, knows few time limits! However, the typical work
week is a full day on M-F and usually at least a partial day on Saturday.
What about housing, and what I need to bring?
For 2007, you will be sharing double rooms in the Oxford
Housing complex. The complex is nearby to campus; you can locate
the Oxford Complex on this
map in the lower right corner.
You are responsible for your meals, and you have many options.
(a) Prepare your own. There
are community kitchens in the Oxford Housing for students who want
to prepare their own meals. There is also a community kitchen available
for students' use with major appliances (refrigerator, stove) and limited
cookware, china, and silverware. There are many Chinese supermarkets
in Ann Arbor.
(b) Buy a mean plan. You will need to decide on the day of
arrival if you want to purchase a Univeristy meal plan because payment
is expected at that time. Please see Entree
Plus for meal plan choices.
Oxford does not serve meals on site, however, students can eat in any
meal serving hall should they choose to purchase a meal plan. Warning:
things are more expensive in the US than at PKU! Please note: most
of the students do not buy the meal plan, particularly the Chinese
students.
(c) Eating out. There are many interesting and low-cost restaurants
in Ann Arbor, including some nice Chinese restaurants.
Things that you might consider bringing or sending ahead:
(1) pillow, sheets, and blankets
(2) alarm clock
(3) basic needs for preparing and eating your own food, if you wish
to do that (the kitchen supplies are limited)
(4) a small fan
(5) whatever else you think you want for your room
(6) your laptop computer (rooms are wired and there are many free wireless
locations around the city); the campus also has many, many open access
computing sites
Here is a series I questions I posed to Guo Jiacheng, a student from
Shanghai Jiaotung University who spent two summer with us at UM while
he was an undergraduate. He welcomes any questions from Chinese students
who are coming for the summer program.
Guo Jiacheng: etcrespo@hotmail.com; etcrespo@sjtu.edu.cn
1. How much money did you bring with you? Did you bring it
as USD?
I brought $500 USD and I think that is more than enough.
2.We must have given you a check for your stipend when you arrived.
Did you set up a bank account or just end it back to China to access?
What makes the most sense? I could arrange to get the money to China
before they leave?
I set up a saving account in UM credit Union and
didn't end it. Because In China, you can also get money from any Chinese
Bank if you have American check (But this transaction may take a month).
Note (25 May 2007): we are still thinking about the best way to deal
with the money, including payment in China prior to departure for the
US.
3. Did you have an ATM card that you used?
Yes, I have UM credit union ATM card and if they stay here for less
than one month, I didn't recommed they apply for the Credit Card.
4.Do you send stuff ahead or just buy when you got here?
Try to bring as much as you can (hehe).... it is much more expensive
in the US. I even brought my pillow with me.
5. Did we arrange for the Chinese Student/Scholar Association to take
care of you when you first arrived?
No, You didn't. But don't worry too much, they can easily find Chinese
Student at UM.
6.Did you bring a credit card too?
Yes, I did. Visa Card and Master Card are all OK. But they usually
charge more, so if you have this, just bring in
case.
7.What did you need money for right away?I know for the insurance
(did you pay cash for that?) Did you buy the meal plan in the dorm?
Yes ,for the insurance, only check
and that why I highly recommend them get the UM credit Union check and
card on the first day. I didn't buy the meal plan in the dorm, and didn't
recommend. They won't like it, I bet! Come to the Big Supermarket evey
week to get the stuff you like.
Where can I buy supplies?
There are many small shops and stores with convenient walking distance.
Within 15 minutes driving time from campus, and on the bus route, there
are some large stores, grocery stores, and shopping malls. In general,
the UM campus is a pleasant environment in a small and safe US town:
Ann Arbor, Michigan. During the summer, there are still many faculty
members and students who are on campus. UM has an active group of Chinese
students and a large Chinese Student and Scholar Association who are
always available to assist their Chinese friends in getting accustomed
to living in the US.
Pre-trip check-list
(1) PASSPORT: Make sure your passport is up to date and you have not
been told you are in need of extra pages for obtaining visas.
(2) VISA: Please work with the PKU Office of International
Relations to obtain the necessary forms. We will work with them to
provide official letters of invitation as well as the DS-2019 that
you need for your interview for the J-1 visiting scholar visa.
(3) MEDICAL: You will be required to obtain medical insurance
in the US when you arrive onto campus.
(4) EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: You will provide us with
contact information. You will also have a list of contact names, places,
and addresses that you can give to your families. In addition, we will
have some sturdy, laminated cards made up for you to carry while you
are in the US that will let anyone know who you are, where you live,
and whom to contact. If you have any allergies or other health-related
restrictions, we will also include these on those cards.
(5) PRE-TRIP
ORIENTATION: PKU MAY HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU
(6) MOBILE PHONE: If you have a mobile phone and a provider
that allows you to use your service in US, you are obviously free
to do what is necessary to adapt your service.
(7) MONEY: You will receive a check for your full stipend when you
arrive. You should have enough cash and back-up funding with you to
be comfortable. A credit card is a good idea for emergencies. If you
have a bank card that works in the usual ATM Networks, Ann Arbor has
ATM machines in multiple, convenient locations.
