International students

Survival Guide 2008-2009

The International Student section of the Guide is designed to make your preparation and transition to student life at Pierce Law easier. This section of the guide includes information about visas, travel, items to bring, and being a student at Pierce Law. Pierce Law is a pleasant and multi-cultural community which encourages informal, personal interactions. It is a friendly environment and we hope that your stay here – whether one year or three - will be a valuable learning experience

Getting to Pierce Law

Globe

The nearest international airport to Concord is Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. At Logan Airport you can pick up the Concord Trailways Bus www.concordtrailways.com to Concord, NH. The bus terminal in Concord is a 10 minute walk to the Holiday Inn and a 10-minute cab ride to Pierce Law. A cab ride from Boston to Concord is 1.5 hours long and quite expensive. Some limousine companies provide airport service: Grace Limousine LLC www.gracelimo.com and Executive Sedan and Limousine www.execairportservice.com.

If your flight takes you to Manchester Boston Regional Airport in Manchester, NH www.flymanchester.com you must take a cab or a Vermont Transit bus www.vermonttransit.com/index.html bus from the airport to the bus terminal in downtown Manchester and then Concord Trailways bus to Concord. A cab ride from Manchester Airport to Pierce Law will cost you approximately $50.00.

If you are staying at the Courtyard Marriot in Concord, they do provide shuttle service to the hotel from the airport; please make sure they are aware of your arrival ahead of time.

Driving to Concord from Boston takes about 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Take Interstate 93 North to Concord, NH. Get off at exit 14. Stay on the left side of the ramp and follow signs to Pierce Law

Applying for a Visa

Apply for a student visa (F-1 or J-1) at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest you. Payment of the SEVIS fee is required before you apply. Go to www.fmjfee.com for payment and to www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/index.htm for information about the SEVIS fee. Print a copy of the receipt and bring it to the U.S. Embassy together with your Form I-20 or DS-2019, a valid passport, original financial statements and other supporting documents. The same goes for your dependents who will come on F-2 or J-2 visas, except that they don't have to pay the SEVIS fee. You will be required to appear for a personal interview when you apply for a student visa.

Some tips for a successful interview are:

Be friendly and courteous to the consular officer at all times.
Be prepared for an interview in English.
You must overcome the presumption that you are an intending immigrant by showing strong connections to your home country in the form of property ownership, a job, social/family ties and professional involvement.
Be aware consular officers are under considerable time pressure to make a decision quickly, so their first impressions of you are critical. Your responses to the officer's questions should be short, clear and to the point.
Bring to the interview only those family members who are accompanying you to the U.S.
Be positive. Do not argue with the officer. If you are denied a visa ask the officer a reason for the denial. If applicable, ask for a list of documentation that you may bring in order to reverse the decision. If you can, get the officer's name.
Be prepared to discuss the program you are hoping to pursue in the U.S. and how it can benefit you upon your return to your country.
For male applicants who are subject to mandatory military service, be prepared to explain how you will comply.
For married students whose spouse and children are staying behind, be prepared to address how they will be supported in your absence.

Once you have your U.S. visa, keep your passport, financial documents and formI-20 or DS-2019 with you when you first enter the U.S. Do not pack these documents in the suitcase.

Transferring from a U.S. University to Pierce Law

If you are already in the United States and have been attending another educational institution, we will provide you with a Transfer Form to be signed by you and completed by your current International Student Advisor. Contact Pierce Law International Student Advisor and Dean for Students Fran Canning, fcanning@piercelaw.edu, to facilitate the transfer of your SEVIS records from your current school to Pierce Law.

Changing to F-1 Status

If you are in the United States, on a non-student U.S. visa, you may have to file a Petition to Change Status to F-1 (Form I-539). Contact the International Student Advisor if you have any questions

Entering the United State

At your first U.S. port of entry, you will be asked to present your passport, I-20 or DS-2019 and an I-94 Arrival-Departure Card (which you will get from the airline) and submit to a short interview with the immigration officer. Make sure the officer stamps your I-20 or DS-2019 and I-94 card with F-1 or J-1 and D/S for Duration of Status. Your picture and fingerprints will be taken at this time.

Everyone is especially cautious since the terrorist attack of September 11, so please pay close attention to what is going on around you. Listen carefully and follow closely all instructions given by security and transportation personnel. Do not leave any baggage unattended in a public place. Do not accept any package from anyone you do not know or someone who is not boarding the plane. Have your immigration documents in a safe but accessible place and have American dollars available for your transit to and your first few days in Concord, NH.

It is a good idea to schedule your arrival in Concord on a weekday, when the school is open. Offices are normally open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. If you have any questions, you can reach us at (603)228-1541

Items to Bring

International Driver's License - is helpful to have. It must be used in conjunction with your current driver's license, so bring both.
Credit Card – is a convenient way to pay for purchases, hotels, car rentals, etc. Do not give your credit card number over the phone or the internet unless you initiate the call.
Funds - It is imperative that you bring with you, in US dollars, the money to cover tuition and living expenses. You do not need to have cash. Books and supplies, room, board, medical insurance and personal expenses are estimated to be $20,736 for 12 months. Additional funds are needed if you bring dependents. Remember: students on an F-1 visa can only work on campus and there are very few jobs available to international students. You cannot have a job off campus.
Auto insurance information – If you are purchasing a car bring a "good driver letter" from your auto insurance company at home. It may help you save on the cost of auto insurance in the US. If you are not licensed to drive in your country you may have to take a certified driving course to get a NH driver's license.
Medical Insurance – All students are required to have medical and health insurance in order to register. If you buy insurance in your country that will cover you in the U.S. bring proof of coverage with you. Insurance is also available at school. You will receive more information about insurance options from the Student Financial Services office in July.
Dental and vision care are not often covered by the insurances offered, so we recommend that you get your teeth and eyes checked before leaving home. Remember to keep your current insurance coverage in full force and effect until the effective dates of the school policies.
Dictionaries – Your native language legal dictionary. A bilingual general dictionary may be used in classes and exams. You cannot use an electronic dictionary during exams.
Your home country's music, costume, customs and IP laws are basic knowledge you will find useful during presentations you will make about your country in the spring semester.
Medicine kit – Bring your doctor's prescriptions and any medication that you take regularly. Know the generic equivalent of your medications because they are cheaper to buy. Prescription medicine is very expensive in the U.S., as are all medical services. We recommend you undergo a general physical exam before coming.
Clothing – Because of changing seasons, it is important to be prepared for changing weather. Rain repellent outerwear, waterproof footwear and umbrellas will help. Mittens, hats, insulated boots and warm coats are essential in the winter. Dress code is casual at school, but you might want to bring something more formal for social events. Your national dress is always welcome for special occasions.
Commonly used spices – If you plan to cook, bring spices that you are accustomed to. They might just be the right touch to make you feel at home.
Academic transcripts – All students need to ask their degree-granting undergraduate and/or law school to send an official copy of their academic transcript directly to Pierce Law. LSDAS and WES do not count as an official copy. LLM students: If you plan to take a US bar exam, the state bar examiners will require an official copy of your law degree. Please request a copy before you leave home

Bringing your Family: What to Consider

School age children (ages 6 to 16) are required to attend school. To enroll them you will need to have their official birth certificate, school records, medical history and immunization record. The immunization should cover at least 3 doses of DPT (diphtheria), 3 doses of OPV (oral polio vaccine), and 1 dose of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). A mantoux test for TB (tuberculosis) is also recommended if you are coming from a country with a high incidence of the disease.

Childcare centers for preschool children and after-school programs in the Concord area are expensive and often have waiting lists. It may take some time to make childcare arrangements. Please refer to the Child Care section of this guide for more information.

Family members who accompany you must have medical insurance if they are on J-2 visas and should have insurance if they come as F-2. Medical insurance is expensive, but uninsured medical services and prescriptions are even more expensive. Please keep that in mind.

Dependent spouses of international students on F-1 status are not eligible to work under any circumstances. They can, however, attend language school like Second Start www.second-start.org or other part-time vocational or recreational programs.

Academics Information

Included in the Guide is the 2008-2009 Academic Calendar. The fall semester runs from August to December after which you will have a month-long semester break. The spring semester runs from January to May. Formal commencement exercises take place in mid-May of each school year. Juris Doctor candidates are required to complete their program before graduation day. Master degree students (LLM, MIP, MCT, MICLJ) must have completed at least 24 credits to qualify to participate in graduation. Graduate students can take the remaining credits required (for a total of 30) at the Intellectual Property Summer Institute (IPSI), China IPSI (CHIPSI), Ireland e-Law Summer Institute (ELSI) or an internship for credit which is available to Master of Intellectual Property track students only.

International students are required by immigration law to maintain full-time studies. At Pierce Law, full-time status means taking at least 12 credits per semester. Some exceptions apply. If you need to take less than 12 credits in the last semester of your program, you must have a valid medical or academic reason. This also must be approved by the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and International Student Advisor.

Classes meet once or twice a week for 1 to 3 hours each. Attendance at classes is required and assignment deadlines are strictly enforced. Some classes will have teaching assistants who help students review for classes. Most professors are willing to meet during designated office hours and an Academic Advisor will be assigned to help each student plan their program. The Academic Success office is available for extra help and support. It is important to seek the help of all resources available when you experience difficulty in any class. Textbooks, study aids and other educational materials are available in the school bookstore.

The educational system and teaching practices in the United States may be different from your country's norm. The classroom interaction between professor and students is informal and casual, but respectful. Students are encouraged to ask questions and express opinions. Students are called upon by the professor daily, so be prepared for each class. A syllabus describing the course is handed out on the first day of class by the professor. The syllabus lists the assignments due for each class, grading policy and the professor's expectations for each course. Read it carefully and follow it closely.

There are Academic Rules and Regulations which govern the academic functions of Pierce Law and a Conduct Code that all members of the community are expected to abide by. Please read these guidelines carefully. Do not hesitate to ask for help and clarification. This is your education and your full participation is expected. Faculty and staff want to help you achieve your educational goals.

Finally, your education at Pierce Law includes participation in extra-curricular activities and there are many to choose from. Organizations like the Student Bar Association (SBA), Student Intellectual Property Law Association (SIPLA), Licensing Executives Society (LES) and American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) are some of the professional organizations that you can join. Activities and events like the Lunar New Year celebration - hosted by Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Singaporean students; Divali - hosted by Indian students; Multicultural Celebration - hosted by the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and the Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA); and the Chat Partner Program, are only some of the different activities at Pierce Law. We hope you will take advantage of all or some of them.