The International Office Northwestern University
Community Resource Guide
Getting from O’Hare International Airport to the Evanston Campus
Transportation from O’Hare International Airport to Evanston...........................................................3 Residential Life: Stuff to Bring.........................................................................................................................4 Setting Up a Phone............................................................................................................................................6 Creating a Bank Account.................................................................................................................................7 Accommodations for Parents Near Campus..............................................................................................8 Opportunities to Earn Money on Campus..................................................................................................9 Apps to Get On Your Smartphone............................................................................................................10 Places To Go....................................................................................................................................................11 Resources for International Students.........................................................................................................15
Getting from O’Hare International Airport to the Evanston Campus
The ‘El’ You want to stay away from Chicago’s “subway” (the ‘El”) if this is your first time in the city or if you have a lot of stuff with you. Getting from O’Hare to Northwestern takes at least an hour and a half and you probably won’t have enough space for your luggage. If you decide to hop on the ‘El.’ these are the directions: 1. Take the CTA Blue Line (Loop) train from O'Hare to the Washington stop in Chicago's Loop. 2. Exit the train and walk through the pedestrian tunnel to the Red Line (Howard) train's Washington stop. 3. Take the Red Line (Howard) train north to the Howard stop. 4. Exit the train and transfer to the Purple Line (Linden) train. 5. Take the Purple Line train north to the Foster stop in Evanston. 6. Walk east on Foster about two blocks until you arrive at Sheridan Road. Refer to the campus maps to find specific locations
By Car Car rental: If you come with your family and are planning on renting a car, these are the car rental options at O´Hare (http://www.flychicago.com/ohare/groundtransohare/rentalcarsohare.shtm). Remember, most agencies have a minimum age requirement of 25 so this is not really an option if you are travelling by yourself. Directions: This 17-mile trip will take approximately 35 minutes. 1. The main airport exit will become I-190 East. Continue on I-190 for one-and-a-half miles. 2. Take the 1C exit to merge onto I-294 North toward Rockford/Milwaukee/I-90/Tollway. You will pay a toll. This EXIT is very easy to miss so make sure you stay on the right lane and drive slow after you leave the airport. 3. Continue on I-294 for four miles. 4. Exit onto East Dempster Street/US-14. 5. Continue on Dempster Street for 10 miles. 6. Turn left at Chicago Avenue. 7. Continue on Chicago Avenue for about a mile until you see tennis courts on your left. 8. Turn left at Dartmouth Place. The International Office will be to your left. Here’s the link to Google Map directions: Link to Map
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Residential Life Stuff to Bring 1. Toiletries and Bathroom Related Things a. Shower caddy (to carry all your bath products in) b. Bath robe (because you have to walk through the hall from the bathroom to your room) c. Towels (2 bath, 2 face) d. Slippers e. Q-tips f. Band-aids g. Bath products, razors, toothpaste, etc. h. Medicine (cough drops, vitamins, aspirin, etc.) 2. Bedding a. Comforter and covers b. Blankets (optional) c. 2 sets of sheets (twin size extra) d. Mattress pad e. 2 pillows and pillow-cases 3. Laundry Needs a. Laundry detergents b. Laundry basket c. Shout Stain Remover d. Bounce Sheets for Drawers 4. Dorm Room Needs a. A fan (if you happen to live in a dorm with no AC) b. Storage bins (for excessive clothing, etc.) c. Lamp (light bulb) d. Fridge (smaller than 3 cubic feet!---as required by the university: ) e. A side table (if you like to put stuff next to your bed) f. Hooks, removable adhesive, hangers for your clothes (if you like to hang stuff) g. Alarm clock (if you can't wake up to your cell phone ringing) h. Water bottle i. Plastic Plates/Cups/Spoons/Forks/Chopsticks j. Decorative Stuff(posters, plant, calendar board, etc.) k. Post-its/pins l. Tissues m. Air Fresheners 5. Winter Clothes a. Heavy Jacket b. Boots and/or shoes with good traction c. Sweaters, cardigans, sweatshirts d. Hat or earmuffs e. Gloves or mittens f. Scarves g. Long-sleeved shirts h. Thick pairs of jeans
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Residential Life Where to get these items: 1. Target is your one-stop shop for most of the items above, from toiletries to bedding to laundry needs to dorm rooms needs to even some clothes. The closest location is at 2209 Howard Street in Evanston, and there are Shop-and-Ride shuttles that run from campus to this location. 2. Bed Bath and Beyond has a wide selection of dorm room needs. The closest location is at 5545 West Touhy Avenue in Skokie. 3. Old Orchard is the closest mall to campus and has a large variety of stores such as Abercrombie, American Eagle, Bloomingdales, Gap, Hollister, Macy’s, Zara, and an Apple store. It is fairly easy to access by the 201 Pace Bus from the Davis El stop. 4. For some good discounts on clothing if you’re trying to build a winter wardrobe all at once, try the Marshalls next to the Old Orchard Mall (9445 Skokie Avenue) or Burlington Coat Factory which has a wide selection of coats at great prices but is a bit further away 2614 Gold Road in Glenview. Also make sure you check this out too! What you really need to bring to Northwestern – from the Unofficial Student Guide http://asg.northwestern.edu/drupal/usguide/?q=node/19
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Setting Up a Phone The four major cell phone providers are AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Here’s some information on each of them, to make it a bit easier for you to decide on which carrier you want. Remember though there is a grace period during which you can test the service, see if you like the phone, and if you don't, you can return the phone without revoking your contract. I have the Samsung Intensity provided by Verizon, it is not an elaborate phone and lacks many applications (internet, games) but has reception EVERYWHERE, it is easy to use and text.
AT&T 1620 Chicago Ave Evanston, IL 60201 • •
Depending on your plan you are allocated a certain number of minutes a month; minutes which are unused can be rolled over to the next month. Reception is pretty good in most places but Tech (the huge building where most of our classes are in)
Verizon Wireless 630 Davis St Evanston, IL 60201 • • •
Excellent coverage (provides reception in Tech!!) Could be overpriced depending on the phone/plan Customer Service can be inconsistent to poor
Sprint 1735 Maple Ave Evanston, IL 60201 • • • • • •
Sprint also receives reception in Tech and in the Norris basement, Reception is good Cost is pretty standard Website easy to navigate Changing phones is simple Android phones are awesome Customer service usually pretty good
T-Mobile 1735 Maple Ave Evanston, IL 60201 • • •
Could be overpriced Would advise to get a smart phone (BlackBerry) Reception is alright, sometimes not that great but can do through wireless system with BB
For more information about coverage at Northwestern check out: http://www.northbynorthwestern.com/2009/09/44830/north-by-northwesterns-cell-phone-guide/
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Creating a Bank Account
Name of bank
Location
Pros
Cons
US Bank
Branch at Norris University Center ground floor, ATMs all around campus
The only bank with a branch on campus and ATMs on campus. You can also set your Wildcard up as a debit card.
Not many US Banks outside of Northwestern.
Bank of America
Branch at 1336 Chicago Ave., ATMs at CVS on 1711 Sherman Ave. and D&D dogs at 825 Noyes St.
Many students use this bank, very hassle-free, and a well-trusted bank in the U.S. Many branches outside of Northwestern.
No ATMs on campus, but two ATMs close to North and South campus
Many branches outside of Northwestern.
No ATMs on campus, but two ATMs close to North and South campus
Only international bank
There are no branch locations walking distance from campus and no ATMs near North Campus
Chase Bank
Citibank
Branch at 1603 Orrington, ATM at 2100 Ridge
ATM at Seven Eleven at 817 Emerson and 817 Davis
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Accommodations for Parents Near Campus Hilton Orrington 1710 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 866-8700 Rates: September 10- September 14 20 rooms $149/night for single or double occupancy $159/night for triple occupancy $169/night for quadruple occupancy September 15-September 17 5 rooms $259/night for single or double occupancy $269/night for triple occupancy $279/night for quadruple occupancy
This is one of the options closest to campus. All dorms are within walking distance, and it is a popular spot for visiting parents. The International Office has reserved a block rooms at this hotel for your convenience. Spots are limited, so book fast if you’re interested. The rooms are listed under the name “International Student Orientation”. Feel free to call for more information
Hilton Garden Inn
1818 Maple Avenue, Evanston, Illinois, 60201, USA 1-847-475-6400
Rates: There is no group reservation, but you are free to reserve individually. Rooms are approximately $250/night.
Other Accommodations: There are several other options in Wilmette and Skokie, as well as the Best Western University Plaza, however they are not within walking distance of campus.
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Opportunities to Earn Money On Campus
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Sell your clothes at Crossroads. Medill freshman Lynnanne Nguyen recommends selling your clothes at Crossroads Trading Company, next to Cosí on Sherman. Crossroads accepts clean, stylish clothes for cash. While they typically offer 35 percent of resell value for used clothing, you can net up to 50 percent if you’re willing to forfeit instant cash and trade your clothes for other items in the store instead. Don’t just drag in whatever clothes you can find on the floor of your closet, though: Crossroads only accepts brand-name clothing, so leave your carefully hand-stitched skirts at home. Follow Crossroads’ tips for selling to net about $30 dollars.
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Skip the Norris bookstore and sell your old books on Amazon. Norris may rip you off when it buys back books, but it’s certainly convenient. Thor Rudebeck, a Communication junior, remembers the time he sold a book to Norris — receiving only 25 cents back from the $5 cover price. The greater profit margins online justify any extra work involved in dragging your books to the FedEx store. While Norris usually only pays back 25 to 50 percent, you can net a 75 percent profit – and sometimes more – selling your books on Amazon, Half.com or other online retailers. If you’re anything like me, with a pile of old textbooks in your room three feet high and growing, take an hour to list all your books online. Every book may not sell instantly, but the profits should provide you with steady laundry and liquor money.
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Phone-a-thon. This pays $9.25 per hour to call “parents, alumni, and friends of the University…to build relationships and secure support. You can do homework while on the job and it offers a pretty steady source of pocket money! Check out more here. International students can work up to 20 hours a week and may need to apply for a Social Security Number, if needed. Phone-a-thon is a good option because it doesn't require work-study as many on-campus jobs do.
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App to Get on Your Smartphone Bank of America Mobile App • • •
Gives you a list of transactions and how much each transaction was Lets you set reminders in case you go below a certain amount Sometimes has deals for specific retail locations
U.S. Bank Mobile App
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Gives you a list of transactions and how much each transaction was
NU Shuttles App • • •
Gives you a list of Northwestern shuttles and let’s you know if/when they’re running Can narrow shuttles times down by specific shuttle Tells you how many minutes are left until the next shuttle arrives at a particular stop OR it tells you the actual time it is scheduled to arrive
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Places To Go The Art Institute
How To Get There: • Purple line to Howard à switch to Red • Red Line to Fullerton à switch to Brown • Brown Line to Adams/Wabash à walk East
The Field Museum
How To Get There: • Purple line to Howard à switch to Red • Red Line to Roosevelt à walk East
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Places To Go The John Hancock Center
How To Get There: • Purple line to Howard à switch to Red • Red Line to Chicago à walk Northeast
Millennium Park
How To Get There: • Purple line to Howard à switch to Red • Red Line to Fullerton à switch to Brown • Brown Line to Adams/Wabash à walk East
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Places To Go Navy Pier
How To Get There: • Purple line to Howard à switch to Red • Red Line to Roosevelt à walk East
Water Tower Place
How To Get There: • Purple line to Howard à switch to Red • Red Line to Chicago à walk Northeast
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Places To Go Wrigley Field
How To Get There: • Purple line to Howard à switch to Red • Red Line to Addison à walk West
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Resources for International Students on Campus The International Office Go-to place for any and all questions about international paperwork, visas, work authorization etc. Any other advice on being an international student – talk to one of our staff members at the office, they will be more than willing to help you with all your problems! Please click here for contacts of IO staff members. Students can always stop by to talk to an Advisor during Walk-in Hours (Monday-Thursday, 10am-1pm and 24pm).
International Student Association (ISA)
It’s a community of international students right at your disposal. They have several events throughout the year ranging from the global-engagementoriented Food for Thought, cultural events such as the International Film and Food Festival and the alltoo-exciting Formal in winter quarter.
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Resources for International Students on Campus Multicultural Center (MCC) Located at 1936 Sheridan Road (opposite Deering Meadow and in front of Plex). FREE PRINTING, but you must bring your own paper. Also a nice place to study sometimes.
Academic Advising Freshman advisor – USE THEM to try and decide which classes you want to take based on what you are interested in. If you are interested in everything or nothing, just ask them which classes are good, or what they recommend. à CTECS – These aren’t usually mentioned in academic advising, but seriously these are your best friends. AVOID classes with bad CTECS make sure you check the professor CTECS too.
Residential Life There’s a ton of CA’s (Community Assistants) to help you get through your time here. While they are here to make sure everything is going according to University Policy, they’re also super informative and can refer you to any and every resource or solution to most problems you may have. Don’t be scared of them – make friends with them and use their knowledge and wisdom!
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