Prearrival Information for the English Language Institute

Here is some information we hope will help you prepare to come to study at the English Language Institute.

Checklist

1. Take your I-20, along with a copy of your financial statement, to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy to apply for your student (F-1) visa. Here are some ideas about what to expect during your visa interview. You can also check the information about getting a visa at the US government site, http://www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov/obtainingvisa/index.html. This site has links to US embassies in different countries that may have more specific information about getting a visa in your country.
   
2. Make housing arrangements if you plan to live on the OSU campus. See Housing information below.
   
3. Make travel plans. You should arrive at least three days before the beginning of the term. If possible, plan to arrive on campus at Oregon State University during business hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.
   
4. Make arrangements to transfer money to the U.S.
   
5. (Optional) Contact OSU students from your country. You can contact them through ISOSU (International Students of Oregon State University): http://oregonstate.edu/groups/isosu/index.htm

Oregon Maps

This is a very simple map of where Corvallis is, in relation to Eugene and Portland. If you would like to see a more detailed map, click here

Transportation

If you are travelling by air, you can fly to Eugene (55 km from Corvallis) or Portland (145 km from Corvallis). The following information will help you plan your trip to Corvallis.

From the Portland Airport to Corvallis

For those who arrive at the Portland International Airport, Hut Airport Shuttle offers transportation from Portland to Oregon State in Corvallis. Service is available seven days a week, ten or more times daily. The cost is approximately $45 ($90 round trip) to the OSU Bookstore on campus or to the Hilton Garden Inn hotel near campus. Make sure you ask about the student discount.

For more details, look at their website at http://www.hutshuttle.com. You can make a reservation online at their website. You can also reach Hut Shuttle by calling 1-503-364-4444 (or 1-888-257-0126 in the US), faxing 1-503-371-9450, or emailing office@hutshuttle.com. When you arrive in Portland, go to the information booth near the baggage claim area and ask the person there to help you.

There is also Greyhound bus service from Portland to downtown Corvallis three times daily. The bus ticket is about $15. The trip to Corvallis takes about two and a half hours. Check the Greyhound website at www.greyhound.com for current fare and schedule information.

To get from the Portland airport to the Portland bus station, take the Blue Star Bus directly to the Greyhound bus depot. These buses leave the airport every 30 minutes between 7:00 a.m. and midnight. and the cost is about $13.00. To find the Blue Star Bus, step outside from the baggage claim, cross two lines of traffic, and walk to the left. At the information booth, request the Blue Star Downtown-Airport Express. Check their website for more information: bluestarbus.com. If you are ready to walk a little, you can take the TriMet Light Rail from the airport to about 250 meters from the Greyhound bus depot for about $2.

A taxi from Portland to Corvallis will cost about $140, so a taxi is a very expensive idea.

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From the Eugene Airport to Corvallis

From the Eugene airport, the Express Cab and Shuttle offers a limousine service to Corvallis ten times daily. The cost is about $45 for an individual, less for a group. They take reservations by fax (541)344-9080 or phone (541) 757-1478. You can also use the OmniShuttle at the Eugene Airport to go to Corvallis. This is about $50. You can register online at www.omnishuttle.com or contact OmniShuttle by phone at 1-541-461-7959 or in the US at 1-800-741-5097.

In addition, there is Greyhound bus service from Eugene to Corvallis three times daily. You will need to take a taxi from the Eugene airport to the Eugene Greyhound bus depot at 987 Pearl Street. The cost for the taxi to the bus station will be about $20.00. The cost from the Greyhound station in Eugene to downtown Corvallis is about $13 and the trip takes about an hour. You will probably want to take a taxi from the station in Corvallis to OSU for about $8. Check the Greyhound website at www.greyhound.com for the schedule and latest details.

A regular taxi from Eugene to Corvallis will cost about $90.

Housing

ELI students can stay in on-campus housing (residence halls and family housing) or off-campus in apartments, co-operative housing, shared housing (including a room in a house with other Americans), etc.

For more information about university housing (dormitories and family housing), you can e-mail the OSU Housing Office at UHDS@oregonstate.edu or write to:

University Housing & Dining Services

Oregon State University

102 Buxton Hall

Corvallis, OR 97331

Telephone: 1-541-737-4771 or 1-800-291-4192 (in US or Canada)

Fax: 1-541-737-0686

You can also check the OSU Housing Web pages at http://uhds.oregonstate.edu/ You can see pictures of some of the rooms at http://oregonstate.edu/uhds/halls_coops/.

Please note that the ELI does not arrange housing for regular program students; you will need to contact the Housing Office directly for that service.

If you want to find a place to live off-campus, you have two main options:

Homestays through OvECS: get more information at http://www.azhomestay.com/

Look in the rental advertisements in the local newspaper, the Corvallis Gazette-Times: http://www.gazettetimes.com/admarket/rentals/

Click for more information about what to do when you arrive.

Temporary Housing

You may want to stay in a motel if you arrive before the dormitories are open or until you find off-campus housing. See more information about temporary housing, including what to do if you arrive before the beginning of term. Two nearby motels are listed below:

Towne House Motor Inn
350 SW 4th Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97333
Telephone and fax: (541) 753-4496
Daily cost: About $34. Weekly cost: About $218

EconoLodge
101 NW Van Buren Street, Corvallis, Oregon 97330
Telephone: 1-541-752-9604
Fax: 1-541-752-0042
Daily cost: About $45

Medical Details

When we sent you the I-20, we also sent a medical history form. Please fill out and sign the form. Note that you will need to bring proof of immunization with you. All OSU and ELI students are required to have TWO immunizations against measles (rubeola), mumps, and rubella. (You can read about these immunizations in different languages at http://www.immunize.org/vis/#index.) You MUST have at least one dose of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine before you arrive. You will not be able to attend class until you are immunized. You can get the second immunization when you arrive.

Bring the medical history form with you and give it to the Health Center staff when you are required to take your TB skin test. The test is given by the Student Health Center and costs $11. If a chest X-ray is required, there is a fee of approximately $70. You will receive details at orientation.

Medical Insurance

Health care in the United States is very expensive. For this reason, all international students and their families are required to have medical insurance. All students who attend OSU are charged and enrolled in the OSU insurance plan. OSU student insurance costs about $275 for a single student per term.

Some students may be allowed to use their own insurance instead of OSU insurance. You will need to bring proof, written in English, that you are insured. You will also need to bring a brochure that lists what is covered, written in English. You must give this information to the OSU student insurance representative during the first 21 days of the term.

If you are thinking about using your own insurance, please contact the OSU student insurance representative at student.insurance@oregonstate.edu to find out if your insurance will work. If your insurance does not cover everything!!! that OSU insurance covers, you will be required to purchase OSU insurance. Don't take chances - plan to buy OSU insurance, or ask first!

What to Bring

1. The climate in Corvallis is generally mild. It is dry and warm in the summer, colder (-5C to +15C) and wetter in the winter. You will need a warm jacket and an umbrella in the winter. You can bring them or buy them here. Many students prefer to buy these things after they arrive because it's more convenient for them. The prices of these items in the U.S. may also be lower than in some other countries.
   
2. Casual clothing is OK for class. Many students wear jeans. Again, you may want to buy most of your clothing after you arrive.
   
3. There are several occasions during the year when international students have an opportunity to wear the traditional clothing of their countries. You may want to bring one such outfit.
   
4. If you have taken the TOEFL in your country, please bring your most recent TOEFL score.
   
5. Bring enough money (about $750.00) in traveller's checks, credit card, or bank cards (Automated Teller Machines are widely available) to cover the first week's expenses for lodging, meals, housing deposit, etc. Please do not bring a large quantity of cash.
   
6. If you plan to drive a car while you are staying in the U.S., you should get an International Driver's License. You can use the International Driver's License to drive in Oregon for several months. Then, you will need to get an Oregon Driver's License.

Testing

You will take a series of English tests after you arrive at the ELI. The tests will measure your proficiency in English--in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. ELI classes will be chosen for you based on the results of the tests.

Instruction

The ELI has five levels of instruction, beginning with Level 2 and ending with Level 6. (There is usually not a level 1 since we assume that you already know the basics of English). Level 2 is designed for students who have studied English in their countries but who are at an upper beginning level of proficiency. Level 6 is the most advanced level.

You will spend about four hours per day in classes or labs. In addition, you will be required to do homework assignments for most of your classes. You will study writing, vocabulary and reading, speaking, listening, grammar, and academic skills. For more information, see the curriculum details.

Co-curricular and Cultural Program

During each term, the ELI arranges field trips, parties, picnics, and other activities. This program has several goals: to offer students enjoyable and educational experiences; to help students become more comfortable living in the U.S.; and to offer opportunities outside of classes for ELI students to practice their English.

More Information

Conversant Program

ELI students who want to practice English conversation and learn more about American culture can participate in the ELI Conversant Program. The Conversant Program matches ELI students with conversation partners from the university or the community for weekly meetings throughout each term. Conversing pairs often participate in activities together while practicing English.

For more information about the cultural and conversant program, contact the ELI's Co-Curriculum Coordinator, Candy Pierson-Charlton or click here.