CSSA @ SDSU New Students Guide

Dear New students:

Welcome to America's Finest City!
Welcome to CSSA at SDSU!
We really hope this orientation will make things easier for you at the beginning.

1. Communication:

For international (to China) and domestic long distance calls:
Wanna call your family back in China and tell them you have safely arrived in San Diego? freecall.com provide the best and cheapest long distance service for making calls from US to China and within domestic US. Sign-up is easy and straightforward. Right after signing up with freecall.com, you can get in touch with your family members through their Toll free and local access numbers. Click the banner on the right side to sign up. You can use any credit card (with Visa or Master symbol) you bring from China.

For cell phone services:
Why do you need a cell phone in the US? Well, first of all, nearly every student here owns a cell phone. So if you don't, you're kinda ... Secondly, cell phones here are free, yes, they ARE free, unlike in China. Believe it or not, you can even make money by buying a cellphone. That's right. Not only you get a free cool phone, they even send you free money. These a're the reasons you should have a cell phone, not to mention the conviniences. The best place to buy cell phone is amazon.com. It has the largeest catalog of wireless phones & service. You get a Free cool phone, up to $100 cash back, Free car charger, Free headset, plus Free shipping!

2. Housing:

We think this should be the first thing you want to settle. Obviously, you are facing 2 choices: on-campus or off-campus. It is absolutely up to you.

If you are choosing to live in the dorm, we believe the university has provided enough information on that. All you need to do is to apply timely and make sure you got one dorm before you come. Late application may result in failure of obtaining a dorm.

If choosing off-campus housing, you also should find it early since near-campus houses and apartments are rented out fast in August. Monthly rent here is ranging from $600 to $700 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment; ranging from $800 to $1200 for a two-bedroom, one- or two-bathroom apartment. Most apartments are unfurnished---no bed, no table¡­ Some students can find a bedroom in a house, which costs $300 to $500 or so. Here we may be helpful by providing the following ideas:

1. We have an official mailing list via it we can reach all members of CSSA. You definitely want to join the mailing list because that is where you get most valuable information on everything.
2. We can team you up with other students by email so that you two or more can rent an apartment together and share the rent.
3. We will post some timely housing information on CSSA website under Newsletter. You should contact the housing by yourself.
4. You may also ask your email partner to find the housing for you.
5. Most CSSA members will be willing to provide temporary housing for a while so that you have time to find housing here. But do remember to ask to pay for your stay.
6. Search out the Resource & Links > Housing for websites from which you can find useful housing information.

3. Internet Access:

We all need internet access at home for our study and research. If you can't afford the broadband cable or DSL service. A cheap and fast dial-up service such as the one provided by Bigzoo.net is the perfect solution. Click the link on the right side to sign up the 30-day free trial. You can use any credit card (with Visa or Master symbol) you bring from China.

5. Food:

Good news: Food is relatively cheap in the States! Whenever you are hungry you can buy something to put in your mouth in 1 minute.

Buy or cook?

1. If buy: on campus, right off campus you can find hundreds of dining places. Automated vending machines provide dozens of snacks and drinks.
2. If cook: (make sure you are allowed to when finding a room in a house) you can purchase from Chinese supermarket --- 99 Ranch Market, Vietnam grocery store ---Vien Dong, and many American superstores like Vons, Ralphs, etc.

6. Transportation:

1. Walk: Of course, living within walking distance to the campus is no big deal.
2. Bicycle: If not too far, but relatively far by foot, consider buying a bicycle. Either new or used are available. It is convenient. Best of all, no parking fee and no waiting time for parking a car. Note: Riding bike is prohibited on most part of SDSU campus.
3. Bus: Taking bus is a very economic way to commute. San Diego has a fairly good public transportation system. You can buy daily, monthly pass with student discount. Find the best route using the OTIS - Online Transit Information System before you take bus.
4. Motorcycle: Cheaper that cars and much cheaper parking fees too. The most concern is safety.
5. Car: Buying a new car is easy. You go to a dealer and finance your car with specialists. But getting a used one may take quite a while. Also it depends on how long it takes you to learn to drive. Consult experienced people after you settle down.

7. Banking:

You need to put your $, especially cash, in a safe place as soon as possible. Don't worry about the interest rate now since you know Uncle Sam has already lowered interest 6 times this year. You will find it out later. As far as I know, Wells Fargo Bank is promoting free checking account and also provides you with a credit card. (For reference only)

!! Do remember to bring 2 photo IDs with you when opening accounts at any bank. It is required. ( Passport + Diploma can be a pair.) !!

Most students open one checking account and one savings account. You will use checks to write off money from your checking account

You can also find banks on campus at the Aztec Center. By the way, it is good to know the Aztec Center, located at the southeast corner of the campus by College Avenue. It has a Campus Information Center. They have campus maps and all bus routes timetables available for free. They answer all kinds of questions, such as building locations, phone #s, bus routes, events' time and locations, etc. Ask anybody if you are confused. The majority of people here will be glad to help you.

8. Visiting ISC (International Student Center)

This is the home for all international students at SDSU. Tel # is 594-1982. Location is the northwest corner of the campus. It functions in the following area:

• Issuing I-20 forms and international student ID number. (See 6 for getting Student ID card)
• Providing Health Insurance Plans to clear your F Hold. (It is also relatively cheaper than outside plans. Recommended by CSSA)
• Answering any questions concerning immigration and visa.
• Facilitating the exchange of knowledge and culture among all nations and peoples.
• Featuring every Friday noon's Coffee Hour in the semester by preparing and providing food from different countries for FREE and other socializing activities.
• A lot more for you to discover.

9. Getting your student ID:

In many occasions, you will be asked to show your student ID, such as going to the Cashiers' Office, or the Admission Office, or checking out books from the Love Library, etc. (Note: "Love" is a person's last name here.)
!! No picture needed. They took it real time. You have the ID in 10 minutes. !!
(Your second photo ID!)
!! Where: the Aztec Center. (Right under the Information Center) !!

Visit this link for details: http://as.sdsu.edu/azteccenter/azteccard/

10. Class Registration:

By Internet: SDSU Webline.

Be aware of the F Hold and other Holds on the Regline. Remember that you have to clear them at least 2 business days before you can register classes.

SDSU e-Services Portal, your information central at SDSU, registration info, online transcripts, etc. everything.

11. Important Phone Numbers

• 594-5200 Campus Telephone Directory
• 594-6659 Escort Service (free service)
• 911 Emergency
• 1-800-COMMUTE SD Transit/ Car/School Pool
• On-campus phones are free to use. You can omit "59" by dialing the last 5 digits only. Some phone can call outside by dialing 8 first.
• Using on-campus pay phone to call 594- # is free too. But you need to put in 35 cents first. After hanging up the phone you will be returned 35 cents.
• CSSA encourages phone using both on campus and off campus to save you trips.

12. University Orientation

CSSA strongly recommend new students attend this event well organized by the University. You may find it very helpful when you first come to a new place.