Introducing Your Student Senators Council Site Ambassador

The Student Senators Council at NYU has selected a group of your peers studying away in the spring of 2017 as student representatives who will work to improve student life across NYU’s Global Network University. Known as your Site Ambassadors, they will act as a general liaison between students at your site and global programs initiatives in Abu Dhabi, New York, or Shanghai.

Without further ado, we would like to introduce Kara Stevens, ks3579@nyu.edu.

My name is Kara. I grew up thirty minutes outside of New York City and spent my summers on Catchacoma Lake in Ontario, Canada. At school, I’m involved in Gallatin’s growing film community. I spent my senior year of high school in Rennes, France living with a host family. I also lived in London my freshman year at NYU. I’m passionate about filmmaking, food policy and animal rights. In my free time, I like cooking new recipes, reading new literary magazines and county newspapers, and taking photos.

I’m very excited to host town hall meetings and other events that will give students the opportunity to come together and use their voices. I’m motivated to create several opportunities for our community to get to know each other and share our experiences abroad. Particularly in the beginning of the semester and all throughout, I hope to be an advocate for anyone who is having a difficult time adjusting socially or academically.

What to do if you Encounter Flight Cancellations or Delays

While our hope is that you arrive at your study away destination without any challenges, we know at times these can occur for a variety of reasons.  Please note that NYU is unable to act as an intermediary between the traveler and airline, but it may be helpful to keep in mind the below tips should you encounter any flight cancellations or delays:

Contact Your Airline First

Number one tip: Whether it’s an airport delay or flight cancellation, contact your airline – immediately.  It is most beneficial to act quickly so that you are able to grab a seat on the next available flight if necessary.  Many passengers will be trying to rebook and options may become more limited the longer you wait.

If Your Flight is Canceled:

• Multi-task communications: If your flight is canceled or delayed, immediately get in line for a gate agent; at the same time, call the airline (it may be quicker).
• If you have a frequent flyer status with the airline that gives you access to a priority phone number, using this may expedite the service you receive.

Note: There are no federal requirements that require airlines to provide you with any hotel or meal vouchers due to events outside their control such as weather, but airline policies on this vary. When in doubt, ask. Some will provide you with certain amenities.

If Your Flight is Delayed:

• Stay in touch with the airline: Follow the tips above; stay connected to your carrier
• Don’t be late to the gate: Even if you’ve been told your flight is delayed, stay in the gate area. Delays can evaporate and windows of opportunity for take-off can be short; if you’re not present for boarding, you may be out of luck

Note: Always be at the gate at least 20 minutes before departure, minimum.

Ultimately, if you are in an area where you still have access to email or phone service, please contact the appropriate staff member(s) at NYU Paris listed on your arrival cheat sheet to forward your updated itinerary.  This is another reason why it is important to have a copy in your carry on.  

Should your updated itinerary arrive outside of the provided transportation window, you will be responsible for getting to housing (but don’t worry – the arrival cheat sheet will have all the relevant details necessary to do so!).  

The staff recognize these occurrences are beyond your control so will work with you to catch up if any material is missed.  On behalf of the entire NYU Global Programs team, we wish you safe travels!

Important Travel Reminders

The time is almost here to leave for France, but before you depart for the airport make sure you have all of your immigration needs taken care of! It is important to keep any immigration related paperwork on your person/in your carry-on luggage and ready for your arrival in France.

Two important reminders for best practices when traveling abroad:

1.     In order to board your international flight you will need your passport.  You should have copies of your passport elsewhere.  OGS recommends keeping a color copy of your passport and visa separately in your carry-on luggage.  You should also have access to a digital encrypted copy of your passport and visa online that can be obtained from any computer.  Additionally, you may want to leave a copy of your passport and visa with a parent or guardian, or whomever you trust and would call in an emergency. If your passport/visa is lost or stolen having a copy of such may help expedite getting a replacement.

2.    After you arrive at your study away site, you should register with your local Embassy or Consulate.  U.S. citizens can register with the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program     which will automatically alert the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate to your presence in country.  Non-U.S. citizens should register with the relevant home country Embassy or Consulate abroad.

Upload a copy of your visa

By now you should have received your passport with your visa from the consulate. OGS requires that you upload a copy using the Visa Upload. It is imperative that you let us know if you are struggling, are in need of assistance or are delayed in applying for your visa. If this is the case, please contact OGS immediately at ogs.outbound@nyu.edu or 212-998-4242.

Global Safety Tips

Keeping you safe — and ensuring your ability to make academic progress — are top priorities for NYU. As you prepare to spend the semester away from your home campus, we wanted to share with you some tips and best practices that will help to do so.

The University continuously monitors events in cities and countries around the globe, and adjusts security precautions, as necessary, based on the local environment. Should an urgent situation arise, the University maintains an emergency notification system, which delivers alerts via text message and email.

• Register your travel with your respective embassy or consulate – both while you are at your study away location, and anywhere else your travel plans may take you.
• Make sure to have a mobile phone with you whenever you’re away from the site – and be sure to keep it charged!
• If you are planning on traveling away from your site – even if only for a night — please be sure to register your trip in NYU Traveler, and let a member of your local site staff know.
• Please be sure that your site staff has a local contact phone number for you.
• Do your homework before you travel away from your site. Check for potential travel warnings for cities and countries to which you are thinking about traveling (the US State Department website is a good place to start.
• Always be fully aware of your surroundings. Avoid at-risk areas (in many cities, this could include locations that are very popular with tourists). And if during your travels you ever find yourself in a situation in which you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and leave.
• Whenever possible, travel in groups. Whether you’re going out for an evening, or are planning to explore the region (or beyond), go with friends!
• If you don’t know the person entering a building right after you, make sure they have their own ID — don’t allow “piggy-backing” at entrances to NYU academic centers and residence halls.
• If you ever have a question or concern about your safety – either at your site, or while you are traveling – either check with your local site staff, or call the NYU Public Safety Command Center (open 24/7) at +1.212.998.2222.
• Should you ever feel anxious or upset during your time away, or you simply want to have someone to speak to, please call the Wellness Exchange (24/7). You can always reach them at +1.212.443.9999, but many sites also have local numbers, which can be found here.

For more safety tips, visit: http://www.nyu.edu/paris/student-life/safety.html

NYU Paris Online Global Health & Wellness Orientation

In the coming days, you will receive an email from site staff at NYU Paris with instructions to complete an Online Global Health & Wellness Orientation.

This mandatory online exercise provides useful information about health and safety resources in Paris.  It encourages you to practice self-care, to support your fellow students and the NYU Paris community, and to remain curious about all the things that are different and exciting in France.

It should take you about 45-60 minutes and must be completed by January 20. Please access the orientation by clicking the link in the email you received.

If you have questions about the content please email nyu.parsis.studentlife@nyu.edu.

Arrival Information EMAILED to You

Please look for the arrival information that is being EMAILED to your NYU Account from NYU Paris site staff. This email will contain your check-in location and directions on how to get there from the airport in an attachment (addresses are not in the information below).

Spring 2017 NYU Paris Arrival Date: January 23, 2017*

*PLEASE NOTE: If you have received direct confirmation from the NYU Paris staff that you are enrolling in Sciences Po or University of Paris courses , you must arrive on January 19. Most housing assignments have been posted on the housing portal. For the remaining students, housing assignments will be e-mailed on Monday, January 16.

Please print out these directions and pack them in your carry-on! We also encourage you to leave a copy with your parents.

Travel Information

You are responsible for arranging your own transportation for your semester abroad. Please keep in mind you MUST arrive on January 23, 2017 (unless you have received confirmation to arrive on January 19 for Sciences Po or University of Paris orientation), and participate in the mandatory orientation.

What to do Upon Arrival in Paris

Upon your arrival in Paris, you should first go to your assigned residence hall/host family.

All students should then check-in at NYU Paris

NYU Paris
57 boulevard Saint Germain
75005 Paris

Please arrive no later than 3:00 pm in order to attend one of the mandatory Welcome Meetings:

• 12:30 pm
• 3:00 pm
• 5:00 pm

Check-in location details, transportation directions, and transportation options were sent to you via email. Please print these directions and bring them with you on the plane. If you did not receive this email please email my colleagues in Paris directly at NYU.Paris.StudentLife@nyu.edu.

 

Reminder: Complete the Visa Status Survey & Upload a copy of your Visa

OGS sent a mandatory Visa Status Survey to all students in December (unless you have already informed us that you have obtained your visa or if we know that a visa is not required based on your citizenship). Please fill out this survey as soon as possible so we know where you are in the visa process. It is imperative that you let us know if you are struggling, are in need of assistance or are delayed in applying for your visa. If this is the case, please contact OGS immediately at ogs.outbound@nyu.edu or 212-998-4242.

If you have already received your visa, OGS requires that you upload a copy using the Visa Upload. If you have not received your visa yet, please indicate this on the Visa Status Survey and then upload a copy of your visa to us once you receive it.

Understanding the Cost of Living in Paris

There are several things that you can do to prepare your finances before you arrive in Paris. Figure out: what is the cost of living in [site]? What can I do now to make sure I save money? This site, Numbeo, can help you compare the cost of living in your home city and your study away location!

Fire Safety Guide

To help you prepare for your semester at NYU Paris, please take a few moments to review the Fire Safety Guide linked here. The guide will remind you of important lessons for remaining safe should there be a fire and also introduce specific policies of your new home.