International Student & Scholar Handbook by The International Office @ Northwestern University

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & SCHOLAR HANDBOOK

WELCOME TO NORTHWESTERN! We are happy to have you on board at Northwestern University! On behalf of all the members of the International Office and the Office of the Provost, I would like to welcome all the international students, scholars and their families to our community. We are eager to help you make the most of this new experience, providing you with the support you need to accomplish your academic goals. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have questions or concerns. Again, welcome to the U.S., to Evanston, Chicago, and to Northwestern University! Enjoy your time! Sincerely, Ravi Shankar, Director The International Office

CONTENTS Banking and Temporary/Visitor Housing………………………2 Permanent Housing…………………………………………….3 Furniture/House Essentials Shopping and Transportation….…...4 Shopping (Clothes) and Weather……...………………………....5 Grocery Shopping …….……………...……………………….....6 Campus Resources and Recreation ……….……………...……...7 US Academic Life and ESL (English as a Second Language)...….8 Community Involvement & Childcare………..................................9 Cellular/Mobile Service & APPS.………………………………10 Explore Chicago! (Map and Sites)………………………….. 11-24 Tipping Practices and WildCard Advantage……………………25 Overcoming the Culture Shock…………………………..…….26

SETTING UP A BANK ACCOUNT Having a local bank account is important because many places do not accept foreign credit cards. For deposits and withdrawals, it would be best to open a checking account, which usually comes with a debit card. It might also be helpful to open a linked savings account with the same bank, since these generally provide a higher interest rate than a checking account. Choosing your bank is up to you, but some offer more locations and convenience than others. You should discuss your options with a banker if you have any questions. Be sure to ask about ATM locations, since withdrawing money from an ATM that is not your bank’s may result in fees. Most Evanston and Chicago banks will allow international visitors to open checking and savings accounts without a Social Security Number. Bank of America: 1705 Sherman Ave. (Evanston), 500 N. Michigan Ave. (Chicago) Chase: 1603 Orrington Ave (Evanston), 875 N. Michigan Ave. (Chicago) Citibank: 817 Church St. (Evanston), 539 N. Michigan Ave. (Chicago) PNC Bank:: 1633 Chicago Ave (Evanston), 16 W. Grand Ave. (Chicago) US Bank: 1999 Campus Dr. (ground floor of Norris University Center, on the Evanston campus), 360 N. Michigan Ave. (Chicago)

HOUSING—TEMPORARY/VISITOR If you have not been able to arrange for a place to live while you’re at NU, or you would like to know where visitors can stay when they come, there are a few options available for temporary housing while you look for something more permanent. Keep in mind that hotels and other temporary options can be limited and expensive, though some offer discounts for Northwestern, so be sure to ask when making a reservation.

Evanston

Chicago

Best Western University Plaza 1501 Sherman Ave. 847-491-6400

Hostels:

Hilton Garden Inn 1818 Maple Ave. 847-475-6400 Hilton Orrington 1710 Orrington Ave. 888-677-4648 (for reservations) Homestead Hotel 1625 Hinman Ave 847-475-3300

Hostelling International Chicago 24 E. Congress Pkwy. 312-360-0300 Hotels: There are many hotels available. While prices vary, they are generally expensive in this area. To find the one that best fits your needs, please try www.hotels.com.

HOUSING—LONG TERM/PERMANENT ON CAMPUS If you are interested in living on campus, and have not already made arrangements, contact The Office of Graduate Housing at 847-491-5127, gradhousing@northwestern.edu, or www.northwestern.edu/gradhousing. (Undergraduate students will be contacted directly regarding on-campus housing.) OFF CAMPUS - Make sure to click hyperlinks for additional information           

Evanston Neighborhood Properties ChicagoRentals.com Rent.com American Homestay Network Craigslist.com (listed under “Housing”) Chicago Apartment Finders Coolapt.com ApartmentPeople.com The Chicago Reader ApartmentGuide.com Sabbatical Homes

Northwestern:  NULink - Info on off-campus housing (and more!).  Online Sublet - View postings of available rooms and apartments posted by members of the Northwestern community

Some things to consider when moving off-campus:   

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If subletting: will rent be paid monthly and to whom? Are roommates involved? Is there a security deposit/move-in fee? Are any utilities (gas, water, electricity, internet, heat, etc.) included? How do you set these up? If not included, how much more can you expect to pay monthly? How long is the lease period/length of sublet? If renting a room from someone, what parts of the house/apartment can you use? If you have roommates, discuss your living arrangements: how to split costs and chores, who is responsible for paying for which utilities, whether and when it’s ok to have guests, whether smoking is permitted (also something to discuss with the person/company you are leasing or subletting from) Proximity to campus (is it close enough to walk?)/commute time How close is public transportation? Are furnishings provided? How safe is the neighborhood? If you have children, how far is school or childcare providers?

FURNITURE/HOUSE ESSENTIALS SHOPPING Once you’ve found a place to live you’ll probably need a few things to fill your space: a bed, chair, couch, desk, dining table, pots, pans, etc.). Below are some stores where you can find everything you’ll need! All suggestions reasonably affordable.

Evanston

Chicago

Target 4466 N. Broadway or 2209 W. Howard

Target 4466 N. Broadway or 1154 S. Clark

Best Buy/Office Max 2301 and 2255 Howard St.

Bed, Bath and Beyond 530 N. State St.

One-stop shopping for groceries, clothes, or furnishings. Avoid buying large items if you’re on the train or shuttle . The Broadway store is near the Wilson CTA stop, and the Howard store you can reach with the Shop-N-Ride Shuttle (pg. 7).

For office supplies or electronics, you can find them at these stores. Located side by side, you can get there on the Shop-N-Ride Shuttle (pg. 7)

Affordable Portables 924 Davis St.

All locations offer the same variety that makes moving a lot easier since you can find everything at one place. The stores closest to the Chicago campus are near the Wilson CTA station to the north, and near the Roosevelt stop to the south.

While they don’t have groceries or clothing available, and they may not always be quite as inexpensive, this store is also a great option for collecting those household odds and ends you’ll need and is conveniently located near the Grand CTA station, walking distance from the Chicago campus.

Affordable furniture for dorm rooms and homes.

Other options to consider:  Ikea (1800 E. McConnor Pkwy, Schaumburg, IL ) -you will definitely need a car to get to

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this enormous furniture store, but for larger items, you can shop online and have them delivered

Craigslist Individuals sell items online with this popular website. You may find a great deal, but

make sure to find out whether it’s reasonable for you to pick up what you buy, since most sellers won’t deliver.

TRANSPORTATION Finding your way around the city will soon prove invaluable. The map, showing you places in the city you’ll want to check out (pgs. 12-29) shows you how to get around with the CTA train system as your guide. If you don’t plan on driving in Chicago, the CTA (www.transitchicago.com) is the best, but here are a few more options you can explore:  Zip Car and I-Go: These are car-sharing services that, for a reasonable membership fee, allow you to “borrow” one of their cars from various reserved parking spots throughout the city when you just can’t get where you want to go any other way. You must be at least 21 years old, with a valid Driver’s License, driving experience, and a clean driving record to join. (or )

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Northwestern Shuttles (must have valid WildCard): - Intercampus Shuttle: The Intercampus Shuttle runs from 6:40am-11pm Mon.-Fri.

(excluding university holidays) between Ryan Field on the Evanston Campus and the Ward Building on the Chicago campus, stopping at various points in between. - Shop-N-Ride Shuttle: Operating only on select Sundays during the academic year, the Shop-N-Ride stops at locations throughout the Evanston campus and takes them to the Target, Jewel, Best Buy, and Office Max on Howard St. and to the Lincolnwood Town Center if you need access to a shopping mall. Safe Ride: Available 7pm-3am daily on the Evanston campus, Safe Ride will get you safely home. Be prepared for the occasional wait time. Must have valid WildCard. Call: 847-491-7000. Taxi: If you are on the Chicago campus, you should be able to hail a cab off the street from wherever you are. In Evanston, you might have to call. All companies have comparable rates, but Norshore offers a flat rate from Evanston to O’Hare: 1-800-244-9200.

SHOPPING

Shopping for clothes and more Whether you’ve come to Northwestern from somewhere cold, or (especially) if you’re from a warm weather country and haven’t experienced a snowy winter, you may need to pick up a few articles of clothing to adjust your wardrobe for the weather here. Below are a few places to get you started. When buying a winter coat, the warmer the better.

Evanston

Chicago

Uncle Dan’s 901 W. Church St.

Michigan Ave. -The Magnificent Mile and State Street starting at Water Tower Place at Pearson

Outdoor and winter clothing. Can be pricey, but always quality!

The North Face Store 1600 Sherman Ave.

Wide variety of coats for any weather. May be a bit expensive but guaranteed to keep you cozy!

Lincolnwood Town Center 3333 W. Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood, IL

Ave. and extending south to Millennium Park, you will find more than 460 stores and boutiques including department stores where you’ll find everything you need!

Outlet Malls

Chicago Premium Outlets (Aurora Mall) 1650 Premium Outlet Blvd, Aurora, IL 60502

If you need a variety of stores to shop, the Shop- Gurnee Mills Outlet N-Ride Shuttle (pg. 7) can take you to this mall. 6170 W Grand Ave., Gurnee, IL 60031

Old Orchard Westfield Shopping Mall 4999 Old Orchard Ctr., Skokie, IL If you need shopping choices, you can take the Pace 208 bus from the Davis CTA station, or 201 CTA bus from Howard to this mall.

Pleasant Prairie Premium Outlets 11211 120th Ave, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 Fashion Outlets of Chicago 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont, IL 60018

WEATHER IN CHICAGO Winter is, predictably, the coldest season in Chicago and the one you must prepare for most! With wind chill that can make it feel colder than it is, you’ll want to make sure you get a warm coat and pair of boots. Avg. highs are 0-4°C (32-40°F), with lows ranging from –4°to – 8°C (17-24°F).

Spring in Chicago is an exciting time to get outdoors once winter is gone. As the transition season from winter to summer, the temperatures can vary widely and it is generally the season with the most rain, so be prepared. Avg. highs are 10-21°C (50-70°F), and lows range from 5-15°C (40-60°F).

Summer is the most active time of year for most people in Chicago. With warm weather and festivals, it’s a good time to get outdoors. It can get a little too hot and humid for some tastes, so be prepared to be warm most of the time. Avg. highs are 21-35°C (70-95°F), with lows ranging from 15-21°C (60-70°F). July is generally the hottest month.

Fall is time for classes to resume after summer break, students to return to campus, and Wildcat football season is in full swing at Ryan Field. Temperatures begin to cool down, leaves change color, and there’s often quite a bit of rain. Avg. highs are around 720°C (45-68°F) with lows ranging from 2-12°C (36-54°F). Source: weather.com

GROCERY SHOPPING

Help! My Refrigerator’s Empty! Once you’ve got a place to stay, you should take some time to walk around the neighborhood to get oriented a bit. You don’t want to come back hungry to an empty apartment though, so learning where the closest grocery store is will help. Below, you’ll find a list of local grocery stores, and how to get there. The $ symbols indicate about how expensive each place is, relative to each other ($=least expensive, $$$$=most expensive).

Evanston

Chicago

Trader Joe’s 1211 Chicago Ave.

Treasure Island 680 N. Lakeshore Dr.

Conveniently located close to campus. Many organic options available. Reasonable prices. $$

Jewel 1128 Chicago Ave. or 2491 Howard

Jewel stores can be found throughout the city. Prices are fair. Wide selection. Sign up for free Rewards Card to save money. Close to Dempster CTA station, or take the Shop-N-Ride Shuttle to the Howard store (see pg. 7) $$

Whole Foods 1640 (Downtown) or 1111 Chicago Ave.

Whole Foods offers a variety of fresh, pricey, organic items and have locations nationwide. $$$$

Target 4466 N. Broadway or 2209 W. Howard The Broadway location is steps from the Wilson

CTA station (or take the Shop-N-Ride Shuttle to the Howard store, see pg. 7), Target offers cheap groceries, clothing, home furnishings and many other useful items. $$

Neighborhood/Ethnic Grocery Stores

Depending on where you settle and how far you are willing to travel, you might find better prices and more variety elsewhere. The Argyle, Devon and Rogers Park neighborhoods (pgs 16-17) are close and offer a wealth of ethnic and neighborhood stores with very reasonable prices. $

The most conveniently located grocery store near the Chicago campus, Treasure Island has variety, and great ready-made items. More expensive than Jewel/Dominick’s, less than Whole Foods. $$$

Trader Joe’s 44 E. Ontario

Not far from campus is Trader Joe’s, a great option for organic, ethnic, and wide variety at reasonable prices. $$

Mariano’s 333 E. Benton Place (Off upper Randolph) Wide variety of produce and general food. Reasonable prices. $$$ Whole Foods 30 W. Huron

Similar to the Evanston locations, Whole Foods is pricey, but has a wide variety of organic food options. $$$$

Jewel 550 N. State St.

While not as close as several other options, Jewel will offer the selection you may be looking for. Close to the Grand CTA station, if you have a Jewel Rewards card, you’ll save more. $$

CAMPUS RESOURCES       

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LGBT Resource Center: Serves the LGBTQ+ community through workshops, events, outreach and advocacy. Office of Religious Life: Find your spiritual home at Northwestern through a variety of faiths, groups and religious leaders. Counseling & Psychological Services: CAPS offers workshops, classes, biofeedback, individual counseling sessions and more. Student Health Services: If you get sick, you can visit a doctor at this office! Student Health Insurance Office: Contact this office if you have insurance questions. Student Financial Services: Contact this office if you have tuition payment questions. Norris University Center: The campus student center in Evanston. Visit Norris to study with friends, have coffee (at Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts), eat lunch, or visit the campus bookstore. Student Organizations: A very important part of the American university experience is participating in extracurricular activities and student organizations. It's a great way to make new friends! NU has 500+ student organizations! Northwestern Wildcats sports: Cheer on the Wildcats in dozens of sports, including (American) football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse and more. Campus events: Visit Planit Purple to find events happening on campus today!

RECREATION Learn Something New! Looking for a way to unwind? Searching for ways to enjoy the outdoors? Always wanted to take a photography, pottery, or web design class? Want to learn another language? Now’s the time! Northwestern, Evanston, and Chicago offer opportunities to get out and explore your interests. Here are a few places you can check out add your various talents, and indulge your interests.       

Norris Mini Courses: The Mini Course program gives members of the Northwestern and Evanston community a chance to learn all sorts of new things. Take a pottery class, learn Italian, make truffles and more! New classes are available every quarter. ARTica Studios: Paint, make pottery, draw, sew, make buttons and more at this art studio inside the Norris University Center. Great for children and adults! Fitness and Recreation at NU: Group exercise classes are FREE for NU students! Chicago Park District: With tons of trails, bike paths, parks, swimming facilities, events and programs, you will undoubtedly find no shortage of ways to enjoy the outdoors in Chicago. Old Town School of Folk Music: With classes for kids and adults, and concerts you can attend, if you are interested in dance or music, you’ll find The Old Town School of Folk Music is the perfect fit! Harrington College of Design: If you’re looking for a way to express yourself through art, photography, or design, you can find a number of recreational classes available to you. The City Colleges of Chicago: With seven campuses located throughout the city, The City Colleges of Chicago offer a variety of educational opportunities. While you may not be able, or interested in pursuing a formal academic program, there are a number of options for recreational courses at a campus near you.

US ACADEMIC LIFE Academic life in the US may be very different than academic life in your home country! Here is some advice for success in the American classroom:  Class participation is very important, and is generally part of your grade. This means you can and should speak in class and engage in discussion with your professors and classmates.  Study groups help you learn, make friends and practice your English.  Make sure you read the syllabus for each class carefully and submit your homeworks on time  Plagiarism is not tolerated. This means you cannot copy work from another students, article, website or other source without a proper citation  Professors and teaching assistants are here to help you. Most will have “office hours,” where you can go to ask questions or get extra help. Visit your professor of TA’s office hours!  Quarters at Northwestern are 10 weeks long.  Not sure how to address your professor? Use "Professor" or ask!  Don’t worry about your English: the only way to improve your English is to practice. If you make mistakes, just keep trying and smile!

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE If you are looking for help in improving your English proficiency, want a chance to practice your English conversational skills, learn more vocabulary or reduce your accent, you may consider some of the following ESL resources:

Northwestern Resources  

CCIS- English Conversation Partner (free) Graduate Student English as a Second Language Program at Northwestern University

Tuition-Based English Language Instruction

The following programs require F-1 status be established with their institution:  English Language Academy, DePaul University  English Language Program, Roosevelt University  ESL, North Park University  Kaplan English School

Tuition-based classes at Oakton do not require F-1 status (free options available):  Oakton Community College

FREE ESL instruction through Oakton Community College  Designed for adults 16 years and older whose native language is not English  Teaches listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills  Introduces students to American culture  Students may be admitted any time during the term if space is available  Students must bring identification and Social Security number, if possible  Students must register in person (see website below for registration locations and class times)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Community Organizations Evanston and Chicago have no shortage of organizations that offer a variety of programs and services, often free of charge, that you can take advantage of. Feel free to explore the information the city provides to find out more, but here are just a few to get you started:

Evanston

Chicago

Evanston Public Library 1703 Orrington Ave (Main Branch)

Chicago Public Library 400 S. State St. (Harold Washington—Main) With locations throughout the city, if you live in Chicago, you are never far from a library. Offering everything from homework help for children, to events, information on city history, job search assistance, and debt and credit advice, there are few topics you can’t find some help with at your local library.

To get a library card, all you need is a photo ID and proof of residence. With various services available, like research and volunteer opportunities, or homework help if you have children in school, you will find a wealth of information!

YWCA 1215 Church St.

The YWCA is an extremely active organization in the Evanston community. Dedicated to empowering women, they offer programs such as domestic violence services and prevention, workshops on building healthy relationships, young women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and racial justice initiatives.

Evanston Chamber of Commerce 1560 Sherman Ave. #860

The Evanston Chamber of Commerce offers information on the city, events, arts, education, networking, and other opportunities for the residents and business community in Evanston.

City of Chicago 121 N. LaSalle (City Hall) In a city as large as Chicago, you might expect the city government to offer an enormous wealth of services and opportunities. And you’d be right! With information on everything from settling in, street cleaning, parking regulations, events, programs, initiatives, parks and recreation, jobs, safety, taxes, transportation and housing, there’s not much you can’t find out about from the city itself. Also check out Explore Chicago, Chicago’s official tourism site.

City of Evanston

CHILDCARE If you need help with childcare, these resources will help you make the best decision for your family:  Childcare Network of Evanston  Child Care Services in Chicago  North Shore Nannies of Illinois  Parents Connect Childcare listing in Chicago  Chicago Child Care Society  Care.com  Benefits Program at Northwestern - If you or your spouse is a staff member, discounted childcare may be available.

CELLULAR/MOBILE PLAN OPTIONS

How to Call Home Mobile Phone Providers and stores near the Evanston campus: AT&T 1620 Chicago Ave (847) 424-9232

Sprint 1735 Maple Ave (847) 859-8870

T-Mobile 1732 Sherman Ave (847) 425-1936

Verizon Wireless 2516 Green Bay Rd (847) 475-4444

Best Buy Best Buy offers phones from multiple companies, so you can compare plans/ 2301 W Howard St (847) 570-0450) Each company offers various incentives with a variety in phone, text, and data plans. These are continuously changing. Please contact or visit these companies for the most updated information!

Mobile apps to talk/text internationally: Viber, WhatsApp,

Skype, WeChat Suggested APPS Northwestern app SafeRide - for NU shuttle buses Weather App Google Translate—translations Evernote—an organizing tool Examtime—mind maps for studying Feedly—for news Voucher cloud—discounts and deals Trulia—for rent Moovit—public transit All Recipes—cooking My Fitness Pal—health & fitness Find My Phone

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Lake Michigan

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Color Guide

Attraction Museum Neighborhood Restaurant Theater Sports Venue

Airport

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CHECK OUT THESE GREAT PLACES! The Bahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;i House of Worship - Cultural Location: 100 Linden Ave., Wilmette, IL 60091 Hours: 6am-10pm, with prayer services at 12:30pm

Ryan Field and Welsh-Ryan Arena - Wildcats 2

Location: 1501 Centr al Str eet, Evanston, IL 60201 Events: Nor thwester n Football (Ryan Field), Basketball, Volleyball and Wrestling (Welsh-Ryan) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; also various speakers, concerts and other events may be hosted here.

Pita Inn - Restaurant Location: 3910 Dempster St., Skokie, IL 60076 Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-12am

Rogers Park - Neighborhood Location: Fr om Howar d Str eet south to the Loyola ar ea. Fun Facts: Roger s Par k, just south of Evanston, is a neighbor hood known for its diversity. Be sure to check out the numerous Mexican and Salvadoran restaurants and grocery stores on Clark Street.

Devon Avenue - Neighborhood Location: Just south of Loyola University Places to Check Out: Devon Avenue is famous in Chicago for its rich history and thriving immigrant communities. When exploring Devon, you will encounter Orthodox Jewish, Russian, Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi neighborhoods.

DON’T FORGET TO CLICK THE HYPERLINKS

Superdawg Drive-in - Restaurant 6

Location: 6363 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60646 Fun Facts: Family r un since 1948. Famous for its hot dog sculptur e likeness of owners Maurie and Flaurie Berman (both Northwestern Grads) that stand 12 feet tall. Some of the best hot dogs in the Chicagoland area.

Edgewater/Andersonville - Neighborhood 7

Location: Between Gr anville and Ar gyle on Chicago’s nor th side Places to Check Out: Known for the Swedish influences of the ear ly settler s of this neighborhood, Edgewater and Andersonville have grown in size and diversity in recent years.

Argyle - Neighborhood 8

Location: Ar gyle Str eet, mostly near Br oadway Places to Check Out: While technically a neighbor hood within a neighbor hood at the edge of another neighborhood, we thought this location deserved some attention of its own. Also known as “New Chinatown”, “Little Saigon” or “Little Vietnam”, the Argyle area is full of great Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai and Cambodian owned markets and restaurants.

Uptown - Neighborhood 9

Location: Foster to Ir ving Par k on Chicago’s nor th side Places to Check Out: A cultur al and enter tainment center on the nor th side, Uptown is definitely not to be missed. Home to the famous Aragon Ballroom, & The Green Mill Jazz Club.

Koreatown - Neighborhood 10

Location: Albany Par k, a nor thwest side neighbor hood Places to Check Out: Home to a lar ge population of Korean Amer icans, this neighborhood is home to the annual Korean Festival, Korean television station (ch. 41), Korean radio station (1330 AM) and two Korean language newspapers.

11 O'Hare International Airport Location: 10000 West O'Har e, Chicago, Illinois 60666

Margieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Candies - Restaurant 12

Location: 1960 N. Wester n, Chicago, IL 60647 Fun Facts: Thr ee scoops of ice cream. Whipped cream. Nuts. And a river of rich, bittersweet hot fudge. To many, that's heaven in a white clamshell dish. A venerable Chicago institution known far and wide, Margie's Candies has delighted young and old with our homemade sundaes, shakes and hand-dipped candies for more than 90 years.

Wrigley Field â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cubs - Baseball 13

Location: 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago, IL 60613 NU Day at Wrigley: Once a year Nor thwester n holds NU Day at Wr igley where students, faculty and staff can purchase discounted tickets to a game. Fun Facts: The Cubs play baseball. Built in 1914, Wr igley Field is the oldest ballpark in America.

Music Box Theatre - Fun Outing 14

Location: 3733 N. Southpor t Ave., Chicago, IL 60613 Fun Facts: Built in 1929, it was, at the time, a small movie palace, seating 800 compared to the 3,000 seat theatres the city held at the time. Currently, it is the largest theatre space operated full-time in the city of Chicago and is known as the premiere location for independent and foreign films in the city.

The Vic - Fun Outing

Location: 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 Fun Facts: Or iginally opened in 1912 as the Victor ian Theatr e, now can accommodate up to 1400 concert or moviegoers.

16 Lakeview/Lincoln Park - Neighborhood 16

Location: Ir ving Par k to Sedgwick on the nor theast side Places to Check Out: One of the most popular neighbor hoods in Chicago, Lakeview and Lincoln Park contain Wrigleyville, the area surrounding Wrigley Field, beaches, harbors, and tons of restaurants, entertainment and night life.

Biograph (Victory Gardens) Theatre - Fun Outing 17

Location: 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614 Fun Facts: Built in 1914, the Biogr aph was or iginally one of Chicago’s famous movie houses. It is perhaps most famous for being the location where the FBI’s “Public Enemy #1”, infamous bank robber John Dillinger, was killed in 1934.

Lincoln Park Zoo - Fun Outing Location: 2200 N. Cannon Dr ., Chicago, IL 60614 Fun Facts: Home to some of the wor ld’s r ar est cr eatur es like black r hinos, wild dogs, pygmy hippos and dwarf crocodiles (and one polar bear who really likes to pose for pictures)

Chicago History Museum - Cultural Location: 1601 N. Clar k St., Chicago, IL 60614 Fun Facts: Host var ious events thr oughout the year including lectur es, walking tours.

The Second City – Fun Outing Location: 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60614 Fun Facts: Founded in 1959 in Chicago, The Second City is inter nationally renowned as a sketch and improvisational comedy school and theatre, now with locations in Chicago, Toronto and Los Angeles. Second City is a true entertainment institution in Chicago.

17 Steppenwolf Theatre - Fun Outing 21

Location: 1650 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL Fun Facts: Founded in 1974 in Highland Par k, IL by high school fr iends Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry and Gary Sinise.

Museum of Contemporary Art—Cultural 22

Location: 220 E. Chicago Ave Fun Facts: The fir st Fr iday of ever y month, the MCA hosts “Fir st Fr idays” an after hours event (6-10pm) featuring young artists, the world’s first iMac G5 digital “dating bar” and local DJ’s.

John Hancock Observatory - Fun Outing 23

Location: 875 Michigan Ave., 94th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611 Fun Facts: The J ohn Hancock Obser vator y has the fastest elevator in America. From the observation deck you can see parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois 80 miles away.

The Magnificent Mile - Shopping & Fun Outing

Location: Michigan Ave fr om appr ox. Chicago to Monroe Fun Facts: Events held thr oughout the year . Essentially begins at the Chicago Water Tower and ends at Millennium Park.

Navy Pier - Fun Outing 25

Location: 600 E. Gr and Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 Fun Facts: Or iginally envisioned as a fr eight and passenger dock when it opened in 1909, Navy Pier has become an entertainment venue visited by over 8 million visitors annually, making it the most visited tourist venue in the Midwest.

18 Chicago Children’s Museum - Cultural 26

Location: 700 E. Gr and, #127, Chicago, IL 60611 Fun Facts: Designed for childr en 12 and under to engage them and positively influence their growth and development. Visited by over 500,000 people annually. Located at Chicago’s Navy Pier, another great attraction!

Chicago Architecture Cruises and Tours - Fun Outing 27

Location: Var ies based on tour company Fun Facts: The Chicago Ar chitectur e Foundation (www.ar chitectur e.or g) offers a variety of trips. Many others depart from McClurg Court and from Navy Pier and highlight Chicago’s rich and diverse architectural history from the Chicago River.

Pizzeria Uno - Restaurant 28

Location: Or iginal Location: 29 E. Ohio, Chicago, IL 60611 Fun Facts: Pizzer ia Uno is the or iginal Chicago deep dish pizza. Many other Chicago pizza company founders once worked at this restaurant. Pizzeria Uno outgrew its original location, and now offers Pizzeria Due 1 block north of Uno.

XOCO/Frontera Grill/Topolobampo - Restaurant 29

Location: 445 N. Clar k St., Chicago, IL 60654 Fun Facts: Owner and chef Rick Bayless was the fir st ever winner of the Bravo show “Top Chef Masters”. Both Frontera and Topolobampo are James Beard Award winning restaurants and the International Herald Tribune named Frontera as the third best casual dining restaurant in the world.

Girl & the Goat - Restaurant 30

Location: 809 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607 Fun Facts: Open since the summer of 2010, this popular r estaur ant is r un by “Top Chef” Season 4 winner Stephanie Izzard. The menu focuses on Mediterranean flavors made with local ingredients. The kitchen is open too, so you can watch as your dishes are created.

19 Polish Village - Neighborhood 31

Location: Milwaukee Avenue, just south of Belmont Places to Check Out: Pasieka Baker y (Milwaukee and Lawndale) is famous for its Polish pastries, cakes and breads, especially the makowiec (poppy seed cake) and Polish rye bread – don’t be afraid to ask about the various treats.

Wicker Park/Bucktown - Neighborhood 32

Location: Along and around Nor th Avenue, near Damen and Milwaukee Avenues Places to Check Out: Known as a “hipster” neighbor hood, Wicker Park is a popular destination among young people in Chicago. There are plenty of places to eat, like, Piece, a pizzeria specializing in “New Haven” style thin crust pizza with specialty toppings including mashed potatoes, meatballs and clams.

Ukrainian Village - Neighborhood

Location: Division Str eet to Chicago Avenue, between Wester n and Damen Places to Check Out: The Ukr ainian Institute of Moder n Ar t (Chicago and Oakley) has five or six exhibits on display at any time, featuring Chicago artists of Ukrainian descent. The Ukrainian National Museum (Superior and Oakley)

Logan Square - Neighborhood 34

Location: Diver sey Par kway to Bloomingdale Avenue, between the Chicago River and the Milwaukee District North Line railroad Places to Check Out: Known for its histor ic mansions, you can explor e the architecture of the neighborhood in Septembers in the Historic Mansion House walk. With a large Puerto Rican population, you’ll want to make sure to check out the many restaurants.

United Center – Blackhawks/Bulls/Concerts - Fun Outing 35

Location: 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60612 Fun Facts: The Blackhawks play hockey and the Bulls play basketball. Opened in 1994 it is the largest arena in the U.S. Home of the famous Michael Jordan statue to commemorate the Bulls player who led the team to 6 NBA championships, 3 in the United Center. http://blackhawks.nhl.com; www.nba.com/bulls

20 Frank Lloyd Wright House - Cultural 36

Location: 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Par k, IL 60302 Fun Facts: This was the home and studio of r enowned ar chitect Fr ank Lloyd Wright and his family from 1889-1905. Frank Lloyd Wright designed many famous buildings, incorporating nature into the work he did, as you can see in many of his creations.

Taste of Brasil - Restaurant 37

Location: 906 S. Oak Par k Ave., Oak Par k, IL 60304 Fun Facts: One of the most acclaimed authentic Br azilian r estaur ants in the Chicago area, this place is a favorite of west-siders in Oak Park.

Greektown - Neighborhood 38

Location: Along Halsted, between Madison and Van Bur en Places to Check Out: Along with the annual summer festival, Gr eektown offers a variety of other places to explore. Pegasus Restaurant (Halsted and

Adler Planetarium - Cultural

Location: 1300 S. Lakeshor e Dr ., Chicago, IL 60605 Fun Facts: Adler is Amer ica’s fir st planetar ium and is built on what was once an artificial island on Lake Michigan.

Shedd Aquarium - Cultural 40

Location: 1200 S. Lakeshor e Dr ive, Chicago, IL 60605 Fun Facts: Open since 1930, Shedd is the lar gest indoor mar ine mammal facility in the world. Shedd has the oldest aquatic animal in a public aquarium in the world – an 86-year-old Australian lungfish named Granddad, originally an attraction brought for the 1933 World’s Fair.

Field Museum - Cultural 41

Location: 1400 S. Lakeshor e Dr Fun Facts: Founded in 1893, it has been in its pr esent location since 1921. Hold special program, lectures, family activities and overnights where families can spend the night with Sue the Dinosaur, the largest, most complete and best preserved T-Rex fossil ever recovered.

Soldier Field – Da Bears - Sports 42

Location: 1410 Museum Campus Dr ive, Chicago, IL 60605 Fun Facts: The Chicago Bear s play Amer ican football. Open since 1924, Soldier Field hosted President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was home of the first Special Olympics, and have been the home of the Chicago Bears since 1971.

Chinatown - Neighborhood 43

Location: Center ed at Cer mack and Wentwor th Avenues Places to Check Out: ChinaTown Squar e (Wentwor th and Ar cher ) is a huge outdoor mall, the largest in the U.S. outside of New York and San Fran-

Little Italy - Neighborhood 44

Location: Har r ison to Roosevelt, between Mor gan and Ashland Places to Check Out: No tr ip to Little Italy can be complete without food, and Taylor Street has many options, including Francesca’s and Pompeii. With a rich history, including Jane Addams Hull House, Little Italy is not to be missed.

Pilsen - Neighborhood 45

Location: Center ed along 18th Street from Halsted to Western Places to Check Out: Pilsen, located in the “Hear t of Chicago” neighbor hood on the near west side, is the “heart” of the Mexican community in Chicago. Renowned for its extensive murals, depicting cultural scenes inspired by the Mexican heritage of the community, Pilsen is a neighborhood with rich in art and history.

22 U.S. Cellular Field â&#x20AC;&#x201C; White Sox - Sports 46

Location: 333 W. 35th St., Chicago, IL 60616 Fun Facts: The White Sox play baseball. For mer ly Comiskey Par k, US Cellular Field was renamed in 2003. The White Sox first field was on 39 th St. and was their home from 1900-1910 and served as home to the Negro Leagues until it was demolished in the late 1940s.

Hyde Park - Neighborhood

Location: 47th to 60th Streets, between Lake Michigan and Cottage Grove Ave. Places to Check Out: Home to The Univer sity of Chicago, Pr esident Bar ack Obama, and dozens of other famous celebrities, politicians, musicians, athletes and business people, this south side neighborhood is known around the world.

Museum of Science and Industry - Cultural 48

Location: 5700 S. Lake Shor e Dr ., Chicago, IL 60637 Fun Facts: You can tour a Ger man submar ine, captur ed dur ing WWII inside the building. U-505, the only such boat in the U.S. was purchased by the museum in 1953 and had to be sailed 3,000 miles through riverways from Portsmouth New Hampshire to Chicago, and then carried over land 800 feet across Lake Shore Drive before docking forever at the museum where an exhibit was built around it!

Midway International Airport Location: 5700 South Cicer o Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60638

Toyota Park â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Chicago Fire - Sports 50

Location: 7000 S. Har lem Ave., Br idgeview, IL 60455 Fun Facts: The Chicago Fir e play soccer (futbol). Opened in J une 2006, Toyota Park is built specifically as a soccer venue. The Chicago Fire is named after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The Fire won the MLS Cup in 1998, in its second season as a team.

23 Gene Gene Siskel Siskel Film Film Center Center -- Cultural Cultural 51

Location: Location: 164 164 N. N. State State St., St., Chicago, Chicago, IL IL 60601 60601 Fun Facts: Gene Siskel was a r espected Fun Facts: Gene Siskel was a r espected film film cr critic itic for for the the Chicago Chicago TTribune ribune and famously co-hosted “Siskel & Ebert” with Roger Ebert of and famously co-hosted “Siskel & Ebert” with Roger Ebert of the the Chicago Chicago SunSun Times. -Times.Over Over1,500 1,500screenings screeningsand and100 100guest guestartist artistappearances appearancesare areheld heldhere here annually, annually, presenting presenting independent, independent, international international and and classic classic cinema. cinema.

Goodman Theatre - Cultural

Location: 170 N. Dear bor n St., Chicago, IL 60601 Fun Facts: The Goodman is a Tony Awar d r ecipient for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Established in 1922, the Goodman’s first season began in 1925, making it Chicago’s oldest and largest theatre. Internationally recognized for producing both classic and contemporary plays and bringing quality artistic talent to Chicago

Lyric Lyric Opera Opera of of Chicago Chicago -- Cultural Cultural 53

Location: Location: 20 20 N. N. Wacker Wacker Dr Dr.,., Chicago, Chicago, IL IL 60606 60606 Fun Fun Facts: Facts: Built Built in in 1929, 1929, the the Civic Civic Oper Operaa House House building building is is one one of of the the great architectural landmarks in Chicago and has hosted artists as diverse great architectural landmarks in Chicago and has hosted artists as diverse as as Placido Placido Domingo Domingo and and Bjork. Bjork. Founded Founded in in 1954, 1954, the the Lyric Lyric Opera Opera of of Chicago Chicago has has been been one one of of the the most most admired admired opera opera companies companies in in the the world. world.

Broadway in Chicago - Cultural 54

Location: Var ious Theatr es in Chicago’s Theatr e Distr ict Fun Facts: Pr ovides ticketing for Br oadway pr oductions being staged in Chicago as well as behind-the-scenes theatre tours.

MillenniumPark Park--Cultural Cultural Millennium 55

Location: 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 Location: 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 Fun Facts: Home of the outdoor concer t venue, the J ay Pr itzker Pavillion, Fun Facts: Home of the outdoor concer t venue, the J ay Pr itzker Pavillion, designed by architect Frank Gehry, as well as the interactive Crown Fountain designed by architect Frank Gehry, as well as the interactive Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa, the Lurie Garden, and Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate “Bean” by Jaume Plensa, the Lurie Garden, and Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate “Bean” sculpture. The park is 24.5 acres and hosts concerts in the summer and ice skatsculpture. The park is 24.5 acres and hosts concerts in the summer and ice skating in the winter. ing in the winter.

24 Art Institute of Chicago - Cultural 56

Location: 111 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL Fun Facts: Cur r ent location opened in 1893 built on the r ubble of the 1871 Chicago Fire. The Modern Wing opened in 2009. Home to the Art Institute Museum and school. Featured in the film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Cultural

Location: 67 E. Adams St., Chicago, IL Fun Facts: Or chestr a Hall was designed in 1904 by famous Chicago ar chitect Daniel Burnham, author of the Chicago Plan which re-designed the city after the Chicago fire of 1871, as well as the architect behind the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, and the architect of New York’s Flatiron Building.

Willis (Sears) Tower Sky Deck- Cultural 58

Location: 233 S. Wacker Dr ., Chicago, IL 60606 Fun Facts: Once the tallest building in the wor ld, still the tallest in America at 412m above ground. “The Ledge” lets you to stand in a glass box that extends out from the side of the building with the city literally beneath your feet.

For even more ideas, please visit Metromix, TimeOut Chicago, Chicagoist, RedEye & the City of Evanston!

GRATUITY/TIPPING PRACTICES IN THE US As you get out and explore Evanston and Chicago, it is important to keep in mind that gratuity, or tipping practices with regard to people you will encounter in the service/hospitality industry, vary widely from country to country. To avoid potentially negative interactions that can result from tipping too low, we thought this advice might help: In the U.S. it is common practice to tip the following amounts/percentages to those who serve you:  Waiters/Servers: Since most waiters in the U.S. are paid very little as an hourly wage, they rely (and their employers expect them to receive) tips from patrons to make up the disparity. Standard practice calls for tipping 15-20% of the amount of your bill.  Bartenders: When ordering food, tip as you would a waiter or server. When ordering only beverages, it is standard to tip $1 per drink if under 5, and 15-20% of the bill if more.  Taxi Drivers: Taxi drivers, like waiters, often rely on tips for the majority of their income. Since your fare will be higher based on how far you are going, it is fair to tip 10-20% of the amount of your fare.  Luggage Carriers: Sometimes when you stay at nicer hotels, they offer bell hop service where employees help you carry your luggage to your room. Protocol here would have you tip $1 per bag they assist you with.

WILDCARD ADVANTAGE To help make exploring the city a bit more economical, your WildCard (Northwestern ID) can get you more than just access to the library. WildCard holders are eligible for:  Discounts at businesses throughout Evanston and near the Chicago campus  Access to the shuttle and Safe Ride Services. To get a WildCard, you must be an active student or staff member at Northwestern. Spouses are eligible for a WildCard also, if you go to the WildCard office with a copy of your marriage certificate (translated into English), a valid photo ID, and pay a $10 fee. For more information on WildCard Advantage: http://www.northwestern.edu/uservices/wildcard/

OVERCOMING THE CULTURE SHOCK

A Few Recommendations            

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Understand symptoms and recognize signs of “culture shock” Realize that some degree of discomfort and stress is normal a crosscultural experience Familiarize yourself and understand cultural differences. Look below the surface and try to see things from a different cultural perspective Take it easy on yourself when things are not going perfectly Don’t be afraid to talk to people, ask for help Be open and make new friends Join student organizations, clubs and activities Attend IO events—these can help you learn new things, have fun and make new friends Relax your grip on your home culture and try to cheerfully adapt to new rules and roles Stay positive—Do not give in to the temptation to criticize what you do not like or understand Identify a support network among host nationals, teachers, fellow students, etc. Seek out new things to do and see. Take tours, visit museums, art galleries, clubs, and sporting events. These can help you break the routine and cope with whatever difficulties you are having Try new foods and explore the local art and music scenes. Keep trying to use the language even if it is difficult Be open to failure. Without failure, nothing risked is nothing gained, especially while abroad Keep a journal to record your experiences and examine your ups and downs as they occur. This kind of record might reveal important issues that are causing you stress and make you more conscious of how to approach those obstacles Have fun and Laugh! Cultivate your sense of humor as you will need to try to be non-judgmental and open to new ideas and experiences. Be flexible without abandoning you core values or compromising your sense of self If you find your self still struggling and depressed contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). They can help you work through emotional difficulties, adjustments, crises, stress management and other challenges

THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE The mission of the International Office is to enrich the academic and cultural experience of Northwestern’s international students, visitors, employees and families. The IO advises and supports the university’s international community; educates and collaborates with campus partners; and liaises with relevant government agencies. We advocate on behalf of our populations to promote global educational exchange in support of the university’s strategic plan. Want to speak with an IO Advisor? Here’s how… Walk-In Advising Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10am-1pm, and 2pm-4pm. You can walk in anytime during Walk-in Hours and see an advisor without an appointment.

@NUIntOff

MEET THE IO STAFF Ravi Shankar - Director Nick Seamons - Associate Director Colleen Seaton - Assistant Director Theresa Johnson - Coordinator Debbie Kaltman - Advisor Stephanie Cisneros - Advisor Emlyn Torres - Advisor Ariana Drule - Advisor Adam Blough - Advisor (Kellogg MBA only) Cara Lawson - Program Assistant Angelica Garcia - Program Assistant

Evanston Campus 630 Dartmouth Place Evanston, IL 60208 Phone: 847-491-5613 Fax: 847-556-6006 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5pm Friday: 10am - 5pm

Chicago Campus—Abbott Hall 710 N. Lakeshore Drive Ste 1012, 10th Floor Chicago, IL 60611 Scholar Office Hours: Tuesday: 9am-1pm and 2-4pm Student Office Hours: Wednesday: 9am-1pm and 2-4pm