Table of Contents
		Arrival
		Getting Around
		Finding Housing
		Safety
		Managing Money
		Shopping
		Climate and Dress
		Staying Healthy
		Staying in Touch
		Libraries
		Legal Holidays
		Hints for Having Fun
		Bringing Your Family
		Financial Aid for International Students
		Immigration Information
		Getting Ready to Leave New York
		Resources for International Students

Safety
General Safety
At Home
False Friends
Important Telephone Numbers

General Safety
As you start to become familiar with New York City and its neighborhoods, you will begin to feel relaxed about moving around the city. New York City is safer by far than 30 years ago but, like any large urban area, there are safety aspects to think about while living here. The best advice is to always be alert, but not to be afraid. And use your common sense. Here are some general tips, or “street smarts,” that most longtime New Yorkers try to keep in mind.

If you know that you may be walking alone at night, map out your route beforehand and avoid dark, deserted streets. Always have extra cash available to take a cab should the need arise. When possible, try to travel with a companion. You should walk as if you know where you’re going, and try not to look lost…even if you are! Avoid stopping in a public place and opening a map of the city as this will mark you as a tourist, and a possible target for pick pockets and “con artists.”
You should also avoid parks after they close at nightfall, taking out or counting money on the street or subway, and leaving your possessions unattended, even at college libraries. Be sure to keep your handbag zipped or snapped shut while in a public place, and keep a tight grip on it! An alternative is to wear a travel money carrier. Leave your expensive jewelry at home or tuck it away out of sight under your clothing. Be especially alert for pickpockets on crowded streets, buses and subways—never carry your wallet in the back pocket of your pants.

If you suspect that someone is following you, go into the nearest store or crowded area; don’t enter your building alone if you think someone is behind you. If you do happen to become the victim of a robbery, do not resist. Be prepared to give up your valuables willingly to avoid the greater danger of being hurt. Remember that if you stay calm, you are unlikely to be injured.

Try to avoid riding the subway alone late at night; it’s usually better to take a bus or a taxi. If you do use the subway at night, wait for the train near the station booth or in the designated area where other people are standing. Avoid empty or unlit cars, and ride in the middle car near the conductor.

As in any large city, New York has many beggars, or “panhandlers,” often located around subway entrances, on subway cars or around ATM machines. You should never feel pressured to meet a demand for money simply because of someone’s aggressive behavior or persistence. Panhandling is, in fact, illegal on the subway, although you will see that it happens frequently.

Stay away from card games, fortunetellers, and strangers promising you “good deals.” These and other “confidence artists” will try to trick you into giving them money but you can’t win!

Keep in mind that most university campuses have their own security force and generally offer a free escort service for students who prefer not to walk alone late at night. Contact your school to find out what services are available to you and don’t hesitate to use them when you need to.

At Home
Here are some safety precautions New York City residents should keep in mind:

Call the police at 911 in the event of a crime, fire, or medical emergency, whether you are directly involved or simply a witness. For non-emergency situations (such as reporting a disturbance or the discovery of a robbery) call 311. (You don’t need to dial “1” before these numbers.)

Keep your door locked at all times. When moving into a new house or apartment, consider changing all the locks. Most locksmiths recommend a “drop” or “dead bolt” lock on all doors. Ask a locksmith, hardware store, your superintendent, or the police department for advice. Should you lose your house keys, immediately change the locks. Do not leave an extra key under your doormat, in a mailbox, or in any other accessible place.

When you come home, have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your door. If your building has an unattended lobby or hallway, never let a stranger follow you into the building after you have unlocked the outside door.

When someone comes to your door, always ask who is there and be sure of their identity before you open the door. Telephone, gas, cable and other utility company representatives should only be allowed to enter your home if you have scheduled an appointment in advance and they can show you a current company photo ID. Never “buzz” anyone into the building whom you don’t know.

Your landlord is legally required to provide a functioning smoke detector in your apartment. Make sure to change the battery at least once a year; contact your superintendent for assistance if you suspect the detector is not working.

If your apartment is located on the ground floor or the top floor, or can be accessed from a fire escape, invest in window gates or install window locks. (Be sure to check with your superintendent, as New York City fire regulations prohibit certain types of window gates that open into fire escapes.)

If you plan to be away from home for several days, cancel your newspaper delivery and have the post office hold your mail or have a friend collect it for you. A full mailbox or a stack of newspapers beside your door is a clear sign to a burglar that no one is home, making your apartment an easy target. If you have an answering machine, make sure that your message is not too informative— saying “We’re not here right now” is offering too much information to potential intruders. Avoid offering any personal information (especially your address and credit card number) over the telephone.

Record the serial numbers of your valuables (such as a television or stereo) so that in case of theft they can be readily identified and returned to you if they are recovered. Keep a master list of the numbers of all your credit cards, your passport and any travelers’ checks, saved in a place that is separate from where you store these items. Should any of these items get lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to the appropriate authority.

False Friends
We know that you will make many new friends during your stay in New York City. As a newcomer, you will find yourself getting invited to take part in all sorts of different organizations, from school clubs, to religious groups, to fraternities or sororities, to intramural sports teams. The great majority of these organizations and groups will be legitimate and well meaning. However, there are also illegitimate organizations, often known as “cults,” that use high-pressure recruiting tactics to bring in new members, and you will need to exercise caution to avoid organizations like this.

Cults often appear to be religious groups but sometimes masquerade as therapy groups, political organizations, or even business or management-training groups. They may pressure you into joining by making you feel guilty if you say “no” or by making you think that there are tremendous advantages to becoming a member. Members may also try to make you give up your religion, contribute money, or help them recruit other members. In the worst cases, cults can disrupt your life, force you to cut ties with your family and friends, and perhaps even pressure you to quit school and give up career plans.

Remember that cults often look for people who are unusually vulnerable. International students are often considered targets because they know you may be lonely, struggling with a language barrier, or unaware that these groups are potentially dangerous.

This does not mean that every active student club or organization is a cult. You will have to use your judgment and make careful decisions. Don’t join a group without asking questions about it first. And don’t hesitate to ask your international student advisor for advice.

Important Telephone Numbers

Keep these handy by your phone.

Next: Managing Money