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Living GuideFor those people who either officially decided to attend to the University of Utah (the U) or is in the process of deciding if going to the U or not, this living guide is maybe worth it to reading though. q From the Airport to the UThere are at least two ways to get to the campus of the U from the Airport. First you can take a shuttle, or a taxi at the airport (the transportation cost is roughly $20 and $30 for a shuttle and a taxi respectively). Another way is to get picked up at the Airport by Thai students here at the U. If one prefers to this way, it is required to contact to one of the contact people (look at Contact Person down below) so that he/she can arrange a person to pick you up at the airport (please email to let them know at least two weeks prior to your arrival). q AccommodationThe U has its own apartments to rent away to students (it is a so-called University Housing Apartments). Here, http://www.apartments.utah.edu/, is a useful website to find out regarding monthly rates, security deposit, terms and conditions. Before making a decision about living on-campus, I highly recommend to take a glance at the given URL address. However, you can also consider to stay off-campus housing apartments (quite a lot of Thai students stay off-campus housing apartment). In general, off-campus housing price can fluctuate depending on market considerations, types of apartments, and distance to campus. If you need some more information of off-campus housing apartments, we would suggest to write an email or give a ring to one of the contact people (look at Contact Person down below) so that he/she can give you some more insightful information. q Weather-wiseFor one who may or may not know about Salt Lake City (where the campus located on), I would like to give you more geographic information about Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City is a place where is surrounded by mountains and is well known as a desert. Speaking of whether, this city has all four seasons, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring. Below is the temperature corresponded to each season. Summer ~ 95 F (40 °C) Fall ~ 50 F (10 °C) Winter ~ 40 – 20 F (~8 – -10 °C) Spring ~ 50 F (10 °C) As you see from the approximate temperature above, temperature of summer is more or less as hot as Thailand. Yet when winter comes, temperature can be below zero. And of course you will see SNOW in winter season. For more details about weather, please visit, http://www.weather.com/ . q Contact PersonIf you feel like you need some more information concerns to the U, city itself, people, and so on and so forth, you can give an e-mail or call to one of following people. TSAUU Webmaster: [email protected] TSAUU Board; Thum: [email protected] , Phone (801) 583-1861; During March-June, Thum may stay in Thailand, Phone (02) 930-5426 Andy: [email protected] , Phone (801) 583-1164 Thanit: [email protected] , Phone (801) 583-8400 Huak: [email protected] , Phone (801) 583-1861 Please feel free to give us a call. We would love to hear from you. q A Must Thing to Do Once Arrival at the UFirst thing you need to do after your arrival is to go to the International Center (room 410, Olpin Union Building). Reporting to the International Center is to get a checklist form and then you must complete the form to be able to register online for the first semester at the U. Needed documents to be carried with you to the International Center are your I-20, IAP-66, I-94, passport and vaccination record. Secondly, you need to apply for the Social Security Number (SSN) at the Social Security Administration Office (202 West, 400 South) in downtown Salt Lake City. If I am not mistaken, you can pick up the SSN form from the International Center. Then you have to drop the filled out SSN form at the office (no mailing to the office). Thirdly, opening a bank account is a very important thing to do as well. It is sort of convenient to students to open an account and to access to a bank since the university has its own operated bank on which is located on-campus. q Other ConcernsIf you are in the process of packing up your suitcases to this lovely city Salt Lake City, there are couple of things it would be worth it to mention. Mentioning of medicine, it is best to bring medicine with you. Just for the fact, some medicine is not easy to buy at the pharmacy store since pharmacist needs to see a doctor’s prescription. Speaking of winter coats, I personally recommend not to buy winter coats from Thailand. I would say it is better to buy winter coats over here since you can still find a good and cheap one. However, you might bring one cool jacket with you just for in case. If there is anything or any concern left out, please feel free to write an email or give a call to those contact person.
Written on Feb 17, 02 & revised on Feb 19, 02 by Aphichart Rodchanarowan
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