Fast Facts

International

Coordinator of International Student Programs

The Coordinator of International Student Programs, Nina Fleishman '72, helps international students with such diverse issues as academic support, vacation arrangements, cultural adjustment, scheduling advice, and immigration matters. She can be reached at nfleishman@emmawillard.org.

Day in the Life

Take a look at the day in the life of two international students. Emma is a freshman from Jamaica, and Christine is a senior from Korea.

English for International Students

International students whose English proficiency is not strong enough for enrollment in a mainstream English course take English Grammar and Composition and Introduction to American History and Literature during their first year at Emma Willard. Placement in these courses is determined by a school-administered test.

English and History Supplement for International Students is a course designed to support international students in their initial English and history classes at Emma Willard and help them gain an understanding of U.S. academic expectations.

Immigration Information

International students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States must have an F-1 (student) visa to study at a school in the U.S. You will receive an I-20 form from the Admissions Office, which must be presented at the U.S. embassy or consulate as part of the application for the F-1 visa. In addition, students must pay the SEVIS fee before their visa interview at the embassy or consulate. If you have questions about your I-20 form or visa status, contact Sharon Busone in the Admissions Office at sbusone@emmawillard.org.

International Health Insurance

All international students who do not have coverage with a USA-based insurance company (as a dependent on their parent's plan) must enroll in the 10 month Premier Health Insurance Plan through Emma Willard School. Please contact Laura Bernard, Director of Business Services and Financial Aid, for more information at lbernard@emmawillard.org.

Arrival at School

New international students and their families should plan to arrive at Emma Willard School on Sunday, August 25, 2013, between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. If you arrive in the area with family members or a guardian before Sunday, you may make arrangements to stay at one of the local hotels. All students should submit the online arrival plans form so that we will know when to expect you. New international students who are traveling by themselves are invited to arrive and move into their rooms on Saturday, August 24, 2013. If you are traveling unaccompanied by an adult to the Albany Airport, Albany-Rensselaer train station, or Albany Greyhound bus station, and would like to have a school representative meet you on your arrival, please fill out the request for transportation form.

Orientation Program

Recognizing that international students have a number of special needs, Emma Willard School provides an orientation program for new international students during the opening week of school.

Travel

Emma Willard School is located in Troy, New York. The closest airport, train station, and bus station are located in or near Albany, which is just across the Hudson River from Troy. Albany and Troy are approximately 150 miles north of New York City. It takes approximately 2 ½ hours to get to Albany from New York City by bus or train, and 3 or 4 hours by car, depending on traffic.

Flying to Albany Airport

It is most convenient to fly into the Albany International Airport (airport code ALB), which is only a 20-minute drive from Emma Willard School. Taxis are readily available outside the airport. The cost of a taxi ride from the Albany Airport to Emma Willard is approximately $30. Students traveling alone to Albany should submit the request for transportation form in order to be picked up by a school representative.

Flying to a New York City Airport

Emma Willard School does not provide pick-up service from the New York City-area airports (John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark International Airports). However, upon request, the school can arrange private transportation from JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark Airport to campus. Northeast Shuttle Service, the transportation company we work with, typically charges $450 for transportation from any of the NYC airports to Emma Willard School for one, two, or three people.

The Premiere Express Shuttle offers inexpensive once-a-day service between the New York City airports and Albany Airport. More information is available here.

Getting to Emma Willard School

You can take a taxi to Emma Willard from the Albany Airport, Greyhound (bus) Terminal, Amtrak (train) Station, or a hotel near the airport for approximately $30.

If you are arriving at Emma Willard by car, directions are available on the school Web site here.

Money

It is helpful to have some United States currency (money) on hand before you arrive in the U.S. You may need cash for meals or snacks, taxi fares, and tips. If you have an automated teller machine (ATM) card or debit card, you can get cash from an ATM in the airport when you arrive; ATM’s often provide the best exchange rate and are easy to use. However, it is not safe to carry a large amount of cash. Be especially careful with your money in New York City.

You will receive information about the Emma Willard School SmartCard from the Business Services Office. The SmartCard will allow you to make purchases at the Emma Willard school store easily. For other spending needs, we recommend that you maintain an account at a local bank. You will have an opportunity to open a bank account when you arrive at school. In a local bank account, you can safely keep large sums of money for travel, shopping, etc. You can withdraw money from your account as you need it by using the ATM card that you will receive from the bank. There is an ATM on campus right outside the school store. You should never keep large amounts of cash in your room or send cash through the mail.

Jet Lag

When you travel to the United States, you will probably experience jet lag, that feeling of exhaustion and disorientation that results from traveling across multiple time zones. Experts say that it can take as long as a day for every time zone crossed to recover from jet lag and feel “normal” again. Fortunately, young people often adjust more quickly than that!

If you have somewhere to stay before the opening of school, it would be helpful to arrive in the U.S. a few days before registration day so that you can begin the adjustment process. Even spending one extra night in a hotel (or in your room, if you are traveling alone) will make the first day or two easier for you.

During the school year, the jet lag recovery policy allows students suffering from jet lag after their return from international travel to phase in required evening check-ins during the first few days that they are back at school.

Vacations

The school residence halls close during Thanksgiving Break, Winter Vacation, and Spring Break.

Thanksgiving Break

November 22 - December 2, 2013

Depart between Friday, November 22, 3:30 p.m. & Sunday, November 24, 12:00 p.m.

Return between Sunday, December 1, 12:00 p.m. & Monday, December 2, 9:00 p.m.

Winter Vacation

December 20, 2013 (10:00 p.m.) - January 8, 2014

9th/10th/11th graders depart between Friday, December 20, 10:00 p.m. & Sunday, December 22, 12:00 p.m.

12th graders & PGs depart between Saturday, December 21, 5:00 p.m. & Sunday, December 22, 12:00 p.m.

Return between Tuesday, January 7, 12:00 p.m. & Wednesday, January 8, 9:00 p.m.

Spring Break

March 14 - March 30, 2014

Depart between Friday, March 14, 3:30 p.m. & Sunday, March 16, 12:00 p.m.

Return between Saturday, March 29, 12:00 p.m. & Sunday, March 30, 9:00 p.m.

Families are responsible for arrangements for students during these periods. It is very important that families make vacation travel arrangements well in advance so that students do not have to leave school early or return late because of flight schedules. Note that the earliest departure times shown above are the earliest times that a student can leave school; when booking flights, allow sufficient time for the student to get to the airport and go through the security line.

The school provides transportation to and from the Albany Airport, train station, and bus terminal at the beginning and end of vacation periods for students who request it. Group transportation to JFK and Newark Airports is arranged at peak travel times; the cost of this transportation depends on the number of students traveling at the same time and is charged to students’ school accounts.

A number of school-sponsored trips are offered during Spring Break. In addition, international students are sometimes invited to stay at the homes of American students and are encouraged to take advantage of such opportunities when they arise. It is not advisable for students to stay at a hotel without adult supervision and the school requires detailed parental permission for such an arrangement.

Students who need assistance with vacation arrangements should speak to Ms. Fleishman, Coordinator of International Student Programs, several weeks before the beginning of the vacation period.

Expectations for International Students

Your success at Emma Willard and in the U.S. educational system depends to a great extent on your willingness to speak English as much as possible and to participate actively in all aspects of school life.

Students should always speak English during classes and in the presence of any person who does not share their native language. This expectation is based on respect for other members of the community as well as the educational need for regular language practice. Students are encouraged to take advantage of additional opportunities to speak English and to further their understanding of American culture whenever possible.

All boarding students, international as well as American, are expected to participate regularly in residence hall activities.

The U.S. educational system places great value on class participation. International students are expected to participate actively in their classes by asking questions when they arise, contributing to class discussions, and playing an active role in group projects and activities.

An occasional visit to an American home adds greatly to an international student’s cultural experience and can serve as a good break from dormitory life. Students are strongly encouraged to accept invitations from American students whenever possible and to view these visits as an important part of their overall educational experience.

Emma Willard School

Life at Emma

Flying to Albany Airport

Flying to a New York City Airport

Getting to Emma Willard School

Thanksgiving Break

Winter Vacation

Spring Break

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Flying to Albany Airport

Flying to a New York City Airport

Getting to Emma Willard School

Thanksgiving Break

Winter Vacation

Spring Break

Underclasswomen picnic

Baccalaureate Dinner

Senior party in the library

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