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New Students Information

请新生下载《USC Handbook of Students 2010》和《USC Preparation Guide 2010》。

我们谈谈具体接机的问题。最好的情况当然是你在洛杉矶有认识的朋友或者亲戚，他们可以开车去接你。不过大部分同学还是需要帮助的，所以根据情况不同，有以下几种选择：

第一，是找你所在系里的 Director 或 Coordinator 。一般来说， Director 总会找到一个人去机场。别忘了要准确地提供你的班机号，到达日期和时间。万一飞机晚点，不用着急，接机人总会随时和机场联系并等候。当然如果可能应将晚点情况用电话或邮件告知接机人。

第二，南加州大学中国学生学者联谊会（USC-CSSA）提供接机服务。详细信息请见“新生”页面。

LAX和USC之间来回需要30多miles(近50公里)，最近油价偏高，加上停车费用，每次接机志愿者都可能要花费10几美元。CSSA本身经费有限，不可能完全承担这些费用，经过讨论，我们建议：对于每位志愿者每次接机，学生会补贴5美元，新生自己提供15美元，共计20美元。我们感谢接机志愿者的时间和热情，希望大家能理解学生会的决定，共同支持接机工作。

第三，PRIME TIME Shuttle Service。从LAX到USC费用大约15美元（Shared Van service ），比较方便安全。

网页：http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/
Upon arriving at LAX, first collect all of your baggage from Baggage Claim. Exit baggage claim, and look for the Prime Time agent in the familiar red hat and shirt. The Prime Time agent will be located on the outer island under the orange SHARED-RIDE sign. After you cross to the outer island, the Prime Time agent will call your van, which will be waiting for you in the nearby staging area, to the curb for your immediate boarding. If you arrive at LAX after 11:00 PM or before 7:00 AM, call 1-800-RED-VANS, toll-free from any public phone, and press Option 3 when you hear the greeting. A Prime Time agent will then direct you to your van.

第四，公共汽车（Metro）。进入网页 http://www.metro.net/default.asp，输入出发点(From) LAX, 到达地（To） USC, 和你大约到达时间，即可查询公交路线图。费用大约2.5美元，比较经济，但要转多次车，新生一般携带行李较多，不一定方便。

第五，可以在机场叫出租车taxi可以在机场叫出租车 taxi ， cab （黄色的车），注意要在机场出口某个固定的地方叫出租车。从机场到学校一般在 $35 － $40 之间。注意付点小费10-15%. 这个方式和第三种方式其实差不多，只是价格稍贵些。

2. 住

对啦，来到之后，你应该马上找到一份 USC 的校园地图，熟悉环境。有一图在手，就方便多了。地图在任何地方都能找到－－图书馆、 OIS 等，您在开学典礼时拿到的厚厚的 CATOLOG ，最后也有地图。当然网上也有了，在 USC 的主页上用关键词 “MAP” 搜一下就可以了。 http://www.usc.edu/about/visit/upc/ 如何开车到 USC 等信息，都可以在 www.usc.edu/visit 上查到。

如果你是提前来参加暑期的 TA 培训班，只要你按时到达，最开始一周的住宿是没有问题的。 TA 班的课程不是很重。不过，课程结束后可千万不要去睡懒觉哦，应该马上去找住房，否则一周的免费住房后就麻烦了。刚来的新生一般都没有办法去买车，所以只好住学校附近。

USC 周围的治安以北面最好。绝大多数的新生都在北面。你可以在 Vermont Avenue 以东， Figueroa Street 以西， Adams Blvd 以南这一片区域找房(目前延长到23rd street 以南 )。一是治安较好，经常有 USC 的校警巡逻，二是学校的校车（ Tram ，分 A ， B 两条线）经过这一片地区，上学会很方便。三是学校的免费 " 出租车 "Campus Cruiser 可以到达这些地区，因为 Campus Cruiser 行程向北延伸到比 ADAMS 更远点的 23 街。

洛杉矶的房租很贵。 USC 附近的房租每人从 400 － 800 不等。一般来说，对2005新生来说，在house里面一个单独的room价格在550-650左右，Studio在700-800左右，One bedroom 在900-1100左右，2 bedroom在1200-1400左右，都是可以接受的价格范围。当然，租房契约的时间可以是半年，十个月，一年或者没有。时间越长， Discount 应该越多。签 Lease 的时候不要因为害怕说英文就不去b argain 。记住，价格都不是始终不变的。还有要注意的一点，是 TALK IS CHEAP 。如果你发现要租住的房间有损坏，需要修理的，一定在签约之前要房东写一个书面的承诺，写明若干天修好并请房东签字；如果无法修理，一定让写明损坏情况，让房东签字，以免将来被扣押金。如果你遇到自己解决不了的具体情况，请和我们联系。另外，别忘了经常询问老生以及和同来的同学交换信息哦。你到 USC 遇见的第一个新同学，也许就会成为你以后的室友！

有用的住房网站：

(1) USC 学校住房，关键需要提前申请请看 http://housing.usc.edu 或者

USC OIS信息咨询 http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/OIS/NewStud/housing.html

(2) 大部分中国老生，都没有住学校的房子，而是租住在学校附近的私人拥有的房子。老生最常用的方式是用usc.forsale 查询住房信息。即在www.google.com 选择group，然后输入usc.forsale，按Search 按钮，所有的有关买卖的信息（包括房子信息）就全部提供出来了。2005年 CSSA开辟中国学生学者之间的论坛，USC CSSA forum. 你也可以从中找到房子信息。有两种方式可以提供进入：（a）可以先登陆CSSA网站：www.usc.edu/cssa，然后点击BBS论坛进入 (b)或者直接 http://forum.wr.ca/?id=1514 进入
（3）另外一种方式：当你来到USC, 走在街上，看见房子外面写着for Renting 和电话号码，就说明这房子还有空房间，你记下电话号码，回去给房东或manager打电话，询问房子信息。

(4) Property management companies
Listed below are the telephone numbers of some property management companies and apartment complexes around campus. This listing is not exclusive, nor is it all-encompassing. Furthermore, it is not an endorsement of the facilities and practices of the listed entities. It is simply a list of some companies where vacancies may exist.

- Nupac Apartments (213)745-7838
- USC Graduate Row Housing (213)746-4878
- City Park Housing (213)-733-6157 (Housing may not be avaliable until May, 2005)
- Cal Student Housing
- Southern Assets , E-mail: info@sahousing.com ,Tel: (909)606-8778, Fax: (909)606-8998
- MyCollegepost.com

3. 食

刚来吃饭是个大问题，建议大家不管习惯不习惯，先在学校附近的快餐店先对付几天，等租好房子之后就可以考虑自己做饭。快餐店，校园里面有Carl's Junior, 和麦当劳差不多，套餐大概5美元左右。学校北边第一条街Jefferson上有个商业广场叫UV (University Village),上面有很多快餐店，比如Wenndy(美式早餐+正餐), Subway(流行的健康三明治), Yoshinoya(日式盒饭)。虽然西餐大多数中国人一开始都不会太习惯，但是总体来说，USC附近走路范围内没有真正意义上的中餐馆，所以还是吃西餐地道。

找到住房，安顿下来后，你就可以选择是自己做还是吃学校食堂。基本上学校食堂的伙食相对来说比自己做贵，但是节省时间，而且营养丰富，是经济条件比较宽裕的同学的不错选择。如果吃学校食堂，你最好去办学生证的地方加一个Meal Plan .这样平均下来每顿大约是6美元左右(如果不买Meal Plan,直接进去吃，一次大约9-10美元)，你可以选择在校园里面2个大的自助餐厅里面进餐。这两个餐厅一个在校图书馆(LVL)旁边，叫EVK，另外一个在学校西南角，叫Park Side.这两个餐厅各有千秋，同学门可以自己去尝试。

如果你口味比纯，非中国菜不能饱肚子，那你就要自己买菜来做。一般自己买菜会节省不少伙食上的开销，如果和同住的人分摊任务的话，时间上也不会太浪费，不过要注意营养搭配，如果你和你roommate 都只会做蛋炒饭的话，那开始还是去食堂吃好了。买菜，最方便的地方是 UV 中的 32nd Street Market 。 32nd Street Market 的蔬菜是相当便宜的，不过在挑选肉类时要注意保鲜日期。在那里，你还可以买到日常生活的用具。除了 32nd Street Market 外，在 Vermont 和 Adams 交汇口，有一家连锁超市 Ralph's ，是非常不错的地方，东西也很新鲜。另外如果有机会，请老同学开车带你去新旧 Chinatown 逛一逛，聚一聚餐，也是周末一次有趣的活动。

附近的中餐馆，一家是UV里面的竹园餐厅，另外一家在 Ralph's 超市旁边的香港快餐。当然如果要吃更正宗的中餐，还是请师兄师姐，带你们到中国城。

4. 行

住在学校附近，可以暂不用买汽车,但一定要买一辆旧的自行车。如果想买自行车，可以询问老生在什么地方可以买旧的（不好在这里替别人做广告啦），或去超市买新车。大超市如 K-Mart 经常有 On Sale ，请注意广告。在 Internet 上常常有人卖东西，请经常留意一些新闻组，如 usc.forsale, usc.org.ccc ， usc.wanted 上的新闻。你会有意外惊喜的。喜欢步行的同学请千万注意，在天黑以后不要独自行走。在附近地区被人抢劫的事件今年已经发生过好几起，尽管没有什么大的伤害，还是小心为好。按咱们学校的提醒，夜间走路不要东张西望，要始终让看到您的人知道 “ 您知道自己想到那里去。 ” 这里的人基本上不勇斗歹徒，我们也希望大家在遇到歹徒时，别太和他们过不去。歹徒也不容易啊。万一实在晚上才能会家，学校有 Tram ，开学后上午到下午三点是每隔 15 分钟一班。下午三点到 12:50p.m. 是每隔半小时一班（ m:20 和 m:50 发车）。除此之外，学校有免费的Campus cruiser 接送（下午 5:00 到凌晨 3:00 ，时间可能随时有变动）。请拨电话 213 － 740-4911 ，告诉接线生你的 Last Name ，现在地址以及要去地点，和几人搭乘（一次不能超过 4 人）。对方会告诉你几分钟内会去接你。当然 Campus Cruiser 周末一般比较繁忙，偶尔要等半个小时以上。

如果你来LA很久了，有时需要去机场，但又不想麻烦别人，下面介绍你坐公交车如何从USC到LAX和如何从LAX回USC.

1. 从LAX到USC:LAX Shuttle->Green Line->81 路

(1) 从 Terminal 出来，在蓝色（或者绿色）的 "LAX Shuttle" 招牌下等一个 "G Line" 的 Shuttle, 这个车会开到 Green Line 的 Aviation Station 站

(2) 1.25 美元买张轻轨车票，然后坐往东方向去 Harbor Freeway(I-110) 的车，到了 Harbor Freeway 站下来

(3) 走到 Figueroa St 上，然后坐 81 路公共汽车，上车投币 1.25 美元。坐到 USC 附近，比如说 Figueroa 和 Jeffeson/Adams 交界然后下来，每趟的花费都是 2.5 美元，需要倒车，准备好硬币，大概 1 个半小时。公共汽车和轻轨都只推荐白天乘坐，晚上不太安全，还是找别人送或者预定 Shuttle 吧。当然第一次来USC，我们不推荐这种方式，但以后熟悉了就可以做BUS回USC

2. 从USC出发去LAX: 81路->Green Line->LAX Shuttle
(1) 先坐81路汽车沿Figueroa St一直往南，到Figueroa St和Imperial Highway (I-105)相交的站下车，这段需要1.25美元，上车时候投硬币
(2) 然后走到路对面的轻轨(Metro Rail)车站，在自动售票机上投同样1.25美元硬币买一张轻轨 Green Line的单程票，坐往西到Redondo Beach方向的车到Aviation Station站下车
(3) 走下轻轨站，然后凭轻轨车票坐免费的Green Line Shuttle到机场，各个Terminal都会停，到相关的terminal下就成了。
参考网站：

1. 洛杉矶公共汽车网站(downtown之外)：http://www.mta.net，在这上面用trip planner查，它会给出具体的时间安排. 例如，餐厅如果想从学校去 Chinatown 或 Universal studio 去玩或购物 , 大家可以上网看 http://www.mta.net/ ，输入从什么地方去什么地方就可以有一个完整的路线了，还会告诉你如何转车。如果要转车，可以问司机要 “transfer"，这样再转车就不用买票了。还有一个可以坐的是 dash，可以直接坐到老中国城去。 http://www.ladottransit.com/dash/index.html 大约是dash F 转 dash B。

2. Prime Time Shuttle网站：http://www.primetimeshuttle.com/，这家shuttle提供一天24小时的上门接送，每趟加小费后17刀左右，还是比较方便。

3. LAX机场网站：http://www.lawa.org/lax/laxframe.html，在这里查航空公司的terminal和看LAX地形图。

5. 身份、银行

刚来，除了找住房外，有 TA/RA 或其他工作的人，一定要申请社会安全号（ Social Security Number - SSN ，相当于我们的身份证）。请来后，立即于你系里的 Director 联系或直接去 1157 W. Adams Blvd. , Los Angeles 的社会安全局办理。现在美国移民政策收缩，SSN发放也变严格。基本上如果你没有工作收入(TA/RA/On Campus job/Scholarship/J-1)，社安局不会给新学生发放SSN,这样一来你生活就很不方便。不过任何合法收入来源都可以成为申请SSN的理由。对于自费来读Master学位的国际学生来说，申请一份在学校 on campus 的工作是拿社安号的很好理由。不过请注意一定要和国际学生办公室确定你参与的工作是符合美国移民法律和法规的。CSSA没有能力解释这方面的问题。一般来说，申请发出后十天后就会收到 SSN ，把号码一定记住，然后将 SSN 收藏在安全地方。社会安全局的地址图可在 OIS 拿到。

根据加州的法规，很多地方需要用到 California ID 或 California Driver's License 。办理 CA ID 最近的地方是位于 3615 S. Hope Street 的 Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 。步行即可以到。去之前，别忘了带上你所有的证件（ Passport ， I-20 等等），六元零钱和一支笔。美国的官僚机构的办事效率一点儿也不高。 DMV 的地址图也可在 OIS 拿到。在美国，很少有人随身携带大额现钞。请把随身携带的美元尽快存入银行。 Bank of America 和 Citibank在 USC附近均有分行。在 Childs Way (靠近gate 5) ，有 USC Credit Union ，其中的 Saving Account 的利率相比之下是最高的，并且有很多优惠，比如你可以很容易申请到一张信用卡。对于没有信用记录的 New Comer ，第一张信用卡是最难申请的。有了一张后，以后再申请就容易多了。但是， USC Credit Union 只在 Work Days 上班，且自动提款机非常少，外出时如果急用现金会很不方便。 Bank of America 则 ATM 网点多些。开学后，会有很多银行、公司如 Citibank ， American Express 等在校园摆摊兜售申请信用卡。建议你都去试一试，因为不一定申请了就会给你。申请时一定要问清楚有没有年费。最好是申请没有年费的信用卡。

6. 居家、通讯

搬入新居前，要搞清楚房租里包不包括 utilities 。如包括的话，煤气和电就不需要你自己去操心了。如没有，就要费一番周折申请了。

电力公司的电话是： 1-800-342-5397,

煤气公司的华语电话是： 1 － 800 － 427 － 2200

电话公司： 1-800-281-2288 ， 1-888-333-2828 （中文）

找到住房后，希望和父母报个平安、和朋友取得联系，就要申请电话。电话公司会问你要不要公司派人 "Check" 你的电话线。一定不要！否则，你的电话帐单上可能会多出 80 元之多。如果在规定时间内，你的电话线还不通，请找你的房东检查电话线。自然，这是 Free 的。 SBC 的国语服务中心电话是 1-888-333-2828 。

到中国的电话卡现在价钱便宜的很。卖电话卡的网址有 http://www.cmcall.com , www.phonecardonsale.com , www.phonecardforsale.com . 现在大家都有国际信用卡，可以在网上买一张电话卡，来美国就可以用了。现在大家多数在家好像是不申请长途业务，只用电话卡打国际长途。买电话卡，最好买没有 CONNECTION FEE 的，要不然即使对方没有接听电话您也要付钱。有的电话卡价钱便宜但是有 MONTHLY FEE 。不同电话卡的质量实在是天壤之别，具体买哪种，只有您自己试了。别忘了电话卡都是有有效期的，有的从购买之日算起，有的从首次使用算起；您最好记好失效日期，以免浪费银两。除开电话联系之外，你可能急需使用电子邮件。不幸的是你暂时还没有帐号。不过，若想使用网络浏览器如 Netscape, Internet Explorer 就没有问题。 Leavey Library 有全美国做为典范之一的 Computer Lab 。直接去图书馆的地下室，就可以免费使用电脑，探索世界啦。从今年秋季开始，新同学无需去申请，只要注册就有帐号给你设好在那里。如果有任何关于电脑的问题，请去 JEF 141 的 University Computer Center 询问。

7 . 新生报到，选课，注册等事项

终于开学了。令人头痛的是手续繁多的注册。不错，临近开学的那几天，校园里到处是走来走去的新同学。如果你知道该干些什么，该去那些有关部门，就会成竹在胸了。第一个要知道的地方就是 OIS 。 OIS 在 STU 的三楼。穿过迷宫一样的楼梯才能找到 STU 300 号。这也许是 USC 的一个特色罢－－最 Popular 的地方总是最难找到的。在那里，你需要办很多手续，比如 I-20 的 Verification （别忘了收好你的护照），等等。细心的同学会在那里找到一份 list ，上面有所有新生，尤其是国际学生需要办理的一些事情。一定要好好找到那份 " 武林秘辑 " 哦。 OIS 会在开学初安排 ORIENTATION ，介绍各方面的注意事项。 OIS 还会统一安排时间地点，办理 PASSPORT VERIFICATION ， DEGREE VERIFICATION 和 HEALTH 方面的手续 -- 就是交 USC 寄来的那张表。去过 SAS/TRO 后，如果你已经和导师谈过，决定新学期选什么课了，就可以直接打道去 REG 注册选课。办完这些手续后，最后要在规定的时间内去 KOH 交费。如果你已经有银行的 Checking Book ，就可以在花出去 200 多元后，签上你的大名。一般这笔钱要在正式上课以前交上，否则要罚 100 美刀。新学期一到，很多人就可以领到一张支票。如果你觉得每次拿到支票后都要去银行存款很麻烦，告诉你一个简单方法。去 ADM 203 房间找一个叫 Susan 的人，她会帮助直接把你每个月的支票电存入你希望存的帐号。别忘了，去 ADM 203 时要带上一张作废的支票，这样就万无一失了。

注册完后，到 STU 一楼办学生证，要现场照相。注意要穿戴整齐。男生表情要庄重一些，像革命志士一样。女生微笑要温柔一些，像天使一样。可不要像我们这样，至今都不好意思把学生证自豪地拿出来给人看。

具体步骤：（以下步骤不必按照顺序进行，根据自己实际情况选做）

1. 拿护照到 USC Credit Union 或 BOA(Bank of America ，在 UV) 银行开户，存钱。申请支票本或 ATM 卡

2. 领取 Registration 相关资料（到 REG 问，或 Orientation 时可拿到）

3. 到 OIS(STU 三楼 ) 报到，预约护照验证 (Passport Verification) 的时间（需带 I-20 、护照有照片页、签证、 I-94 正反面的复印件（以及正本）、 Admission letter （上面有学号）。如果要复印 Kinko's(BKS 地下室 ) 。这些事情学校可能会集中办理，看学校的 orientation 安排。

4. 交健康检查表、 MMRII 注射证明与 PPD 测试结果 (PS D 一楼， Health Insurance Office) （如有缺的到 SHC 补做）

5. 护照验证完成后，凭单到 COM 一楼学取学生证。

6. 到 SAS 一楼更改邮寄地址（拿 REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS 表格）

7. 如果 TOFEL 低于 600 分（笔试）或 250 分 ( 机试 ) ，需参加 ALI 英文能力测试（ ISE test(THH) ）（如要 waive 掉语言课程，拿 TOEFL 成绩单到 ALI(HSS 一楼 ) 去办）

8. 与 ALI Advisor 讨论英文选课等事宜 - D-Clearance

9. 与系里的 Advisor 讨论选课等事宜 - D-Clearance ( 各系所 )

10. 至少要先缴一门课的钱。到 Registration Center(REG) 注册，列出印出学费明细表 (REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION) 。如果你有 TA/RA/fellowship, 则需缴约 140$

11. 拿学费明细表到 King Hall(KOH) 缴费

12. 到 Leavey Library(LVL) 一楼办图书证

13. 申请 USC 网络帐号 ( http://www.usc.edu/firstlogin/ ) ，一天会变好。

14. 用 OASIS 改剩下的地址 ( http://www.usc.edu/oasis/ )

15. 加退选课（ Web Registration 或到 REG ）

重要的网址：

OASIS(Online Academic Student Information System) http://www.usc.edu/oasis/ （ ID 为十位学号， PIN 第一次默认为你的生日 ( 月日年，共 6 位，如 12/01/1980, 则 PIN 为 120180 ) , 登陆以后，你可以改你的pin密码
选课 https://camel.usc.edu/webreg/Login.asp，ID：十位号码。 pin: 第一次默认为你的生日（如果你是04/01/1980 出生，pin是040180）

USC Web Mail http://email.usc.edu/ （用 USC 帐号和密码）
TOTAL E(Trojan Online Teaching And Learning Environment) http://learn.usc.edu/ （用 USC 帐号与密码）
DEN(Distance Education Network) http://den.usc.edu/ （帐号需要另外注册）
SOC(Schedule of Classes) http://www.usc.edu/soc/
Web Registration http://www.usc.edu/WebRegistration/ （ ID 为学号， PIN 为生日）
已注册课程教材查询 https://camel.usc.edu/books/ （ ID 为学号， PIN 为生日）
ISD(Information Services Division) http://www.usc.edu/isd/
8 . 加入 US C CSSA 电子邮件组，加入方法在 CSSA 主页的加入一栏（ http://www-scf.usc.edu/~usccssa/join.htm ）。这样，你就会加入我们 CSSA 的网上聚会，随时了解我们最新活动的信息了。

1. 现在有一些同学问, 为什么email都发到垃圾邮件去了. 这可能是, 当您作为新生入校的时候, 如果您登记的email是hotmail, ,hotmail的安全设置默认将群发email当作垃圾邮件,因为CSSA email是群发email, 所以cssa的email发到垃圾邮件箱去了.
解决办法:(1) 手工改变hotmail的安全设置的默认选项, cssa的邮件选项 > 防止垃圾邮件, 将CSSA-l@usc.edu 添入
解决办法:(2)加入您常用的USC email进入cssa-l@usc.edu
加入方法: 具体参考CSSA主页的加入一栏（ http://www-scf.usc.edu/~usccssa/join.htm ）; 也可参考如下例子。这样，你就会加入我们CSSA的网上聚会，随时了解我们最新活动的信息了。

for example:
_________________________________

To: listproc@usc.edu

Cc: (blank)

Attach: (blank)

Subject: (blank)

text body:

Subscribe CSSA-L yewei@usc.edu wei ye
_________________________________________

2.为什么有些同学收不到CSSA的email?

这是因为有些同学参加了CSSA活动, 并留下了他/她的Email, 我们帮他/她加入了email list. 有些同学尽管参加了活动, 但没有留给我们email地址, 这样需要你自己主动申请加入CSSA邮件组. 我们建议, 大家自己写email 到listproc@usc.edu , 申请加入. 如果申请成功了, 会有一个申请成功的消息的几分钟后email back 给你. 有时listproc@usc.edu 不稳定,一次不成功, 希望您多提交一次.(但也不要反复提交)

9.BBS 论坛

USC CSSA 拥有自己的BBS论坛，你可以发表自己的高见，也可以发表自己找房的信息，也可以帮房东贴贴广告，贴贴工作信息，你准备搬家，也可以贴准备卖的东西等等。总之，对大家有用信息都可以贴，你也可以从中找到有用的信息。

你有两种方式可以进入：

（1）你可以先登陆CSSA网站：www.usc.edu/cssa，然后点击BBS论坛进入

（2）或者直接 http://usccssa.5d6d.com/bbs.php 进入

10. 其他：

如果你有什么业余爱好，那你来 USC 可对了。 University of Southern China 有各种各样的组织，提供丰富多采的活动。想踢足球？想打篮球？想打网球？上 USC － CSSA 主页，找到 CSSA 各个 CLUB 的 CAPTAIN 的姨妹儿，和他们联系就好了。别忘了参加开学伊始我们 CSSA 的中秋节大型晚会呦！

11 . 联系地址

OK ，说了大半天，可能你还是有许多具体问题，怎么办？您可以直接和 CSSA 的 member 们联系，地址是在 CSSA 的主页上。我们非常欢迎新同学到我们的 Homepage 上去转一转，地址是 http://www.usc.edu/cssa/ 。

非常惭愧，与学校的其他的众多学生组织一样，中国学生学者联谊会到目前为止在学校还没有自己的固定办公场所。所有执委会同学都是义务为大家服务，所有的活动都需要执委会同学四处拿赞助和申请经费来进行。他们没有报酬，只有奉献，只有汗水和心血，他们有他们自己的学习，有自己的生活，但是凭着一颗中国心，用他们的辛勤劳动和无私奉献为大家服务！言而总之，总之言之，希望学弟学妹们一切顺利，万事大吉，仙福永享，寿与天齐。

如果你有什么好的建议或坏的意见，一定要告诉我们。明年，你们也可以为我们这一群在异国追寻人生理想的 " 黎明时分的一群欢乐的孩子 " 的社区尽上一份心力。

A. Welcome

Welcome to Los Angeles! You have made a wise decision in your life and we believe you will have a rewarding experience studying here.

Located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, opening toward the Pacific Rim, Los Angeles is the heart of a mega-region, a crossroads city whose lure is infinite possibility, fueled by the imagination and creativity of its people. Nowhere else on earth has the L.A. mix: great weather, global population and entrepreneurial spirit, cutting-edge research and new industries, and an almost palpable sense that the society and economy of the future are being invented here.

If you are a person who is missing the traditional Chinese experience, you have come to the right place in the US. Los Angeles has more and better Chinese restaurants than any other city in the States, and there are so many authentic Chinese gadgets available here: from the special cooking sauce in the kitchen to the ceramic wok you use to boil the chicken soup. Anything you can ever think of that you need to buy in China for daily life, you can get it in the Chinese supermarket in Los Angeles! (Where? You ask ?Read on!)

You have also wisely selected USC, a private research university founded in 1880. It has a College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, a Graduate School and 16 professional schools with an enrollment of 28,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on two campuses. Among them, there are more than 5,000 international students, making USC one of the top universities in the States, in terms of enrollment of international students. Currently, there are more than 800 graduate and undergraduate students from Mainland China, about 1200 from Taiwan and 200 from Hong Kong.

B. Services at the university

1. Office of International Services (OIS)

OIS is the first station you need to go when you just arrive on campus, and the place you need to visit very often later on. OIS handles all the paperwork related with Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), and they offer a series of workshops and programs to assist you to go through the adjustment period in the beginning and have a better learning experience at USC over all.

When you first arrive on campus, the first thing you need to do is to participate in the orientation program for international students offered by OIS. The orientation is a great chance for you to get familiar with the campus, and find answers to questions such as where is the library, where is the bookstore, etc. You will also go through the passport verification process in the orientation, and only after that are you eligible to register for classes. WE strongly recommend that you take part in all parts of the orientation, because OIS has been doing this for so many years, and they know what the typical needs of international students are. They are the people who know the most up-to-date information in this field, and who can give correct answers to your questions.

As WE said, OIS staff assists you in obtaining and maintaining proper immigration status. If you are thinking of going back home during the holidays or in the summer, you need to go to OIS and get your I-20 endorsed before you leave the United States. Other documents issued by OIS include enrollment verification, expense estimates, invitation letters, etc. Each of them needs about 4-6 business days to process. So it is important to use good time management, and always visit OIS at least two weeks before you need the necessary document.

Besides the legal document, there are other reasons you can go to OIS. If you have a problem in your life, or you have a trouble with your visa status, you should go to OIS to seek help. They have wonderful and experienced counselors there. It is important to know that OIS at USC is not INS. OIS is there to help you, not to put you on the spot. Don't forget that a significant role of OIS is to represent the interests and concerns of international students.

We should also tell you that there are only about 10 full time staff in the OIS, and the population they face at USC to serve is more than 5,000 students. So most of the time there is a long line of students waiting. Be ready to wait for more than 30 minutes to be served (although a long wait is not always the case). Two tips about going to OIS: 1. Make an appointment if possible; 2. Go there in early morning when they just open. Try to avoid going there at noontime, since that is the rush hour. And, be patient.

OIS is located on the 3^rd floor of Student Union, phone number (213) 740-2666. You can always visit the website to learn more:http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/OIS/

2. Offices for language support

Coming to the United States to pursue a graduate degree is not easy. Language difficulty is one of the biggest barriers, both spoken and written. While listening comprehension and fluent spoken English are obviously important to daily life and academic success, advanced writing skills are more important for a graduate student. All these different aspects of language ability are intertwined with each other, and progress in one will help others. If you have a teaching or research assistantship from your department, you may need to take an English placement exam upon arrival. In your first semester, you may be required to take an English class offered by American Language Institute (ALI). This is a good chance to improve your English. Besides this, there are other places you may go:

a. English Language Classes offered by OIS

These classes are originally intended to assist spouses and relatives of international students at USC. But anybody can go, including you. They are free, and are held Monday through Thursday from 9:30 ?11:45 a.m. in the basement of the University Church. It is a great opportunity to improve your oral English, and no reservations are needed. You just go there and enjoy your time. For more information, contact OIS at 213-740 2666.

b. Writing Center

The Writing Center, located in the Taper Hall 310 (down the hall of the computer lab of the Language Center), offers tutoring for writing papers and improving skills for students at all levels and instructional programs and special assistance for international students. To assure a spot, you need to call (213) 740-3691 or go there in person to make appointment. You have 30 minutes to have a face-to-face interaction with an experienced writing consultant. They are trained graduate students from different departments of USC. This is a very good program, and WE strongly recommend that you take advantage of it.

c. Center for Academic Support

The Center for Academic Support, located in STU 301, provides different kinds of help and support for all undergraduate and graduate students at USC, especially for disabled students. There are graduate students available to meet with students to discuss specific study skills as they apply to course work at USC. Topics include time management, test anxiety, note taking, memory techniques and test preparation. There is also a free class of oral English offered there. Not many people go there, so they have very small classes, which is good for improving oral English. If you need help in your coursework, it is also a good place to make an appointment to meet a graduate assistant. You have one hour's time to discuss your assignment. For more information, call (213) 740-0776.

3. The student health center and the Lyon center

Student health insurance and health center fee are mandatory for international students at USC. Since you have paid the fee, it is a waste if you don't use the service. It does not cost anything to go to the student health center and have a general check. So if you are not feeling well, WE strongly suggest that you should go to the health center, instead of staying at home and taking some pills by yourself.

You may go to the student health center directly, or call (213) 740-2778 to make an appointment. Once you have an appointment, it is important that you go there on time. If you need to change the appointment or cancel it, you need to call SHC to reschedule or cancel it. Otherwise you will be charged a ten-dollar fee.

Another place you should go is the Lyon Center, for recreational and workout activities, which is located near the number 5 exit. It is so sad that a lot of students have been studying at USC for so many years, but they have never been at the Lyon center. It is free for all registered USC students! On the first floor there is a big gym, and there are all kinds of facilities for muscle building, or simply exercise. There is also a smaller recreational room, with treadmills in it. That is pretty cool, and WE like to go there very much. On the second floor, there are play fields for basketball, volleyball, and badminton. In the hallway, there are also two ping-pang tables, which are always the most favorable by Chinese students. You can check out the ball or rackets at the counter on the first floor by using your USC ID card. Another great facility of the Lyon Center is the McDonald swimming pool, which remains the constant temperature all over the seasons. Not every university has such great facilities as USC does, and we should appreciate and make the best use of them.

4. Chinese student organizations

There are several Chinese student organizations at USC. One is Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA), which mainly consists of students from Mainland China. Go to the website: http://www-scf.usc.edu/~usccssa/ and check out more information, or email to usccssa@usc.edu to subscribe to the list serve.

Another organization is Chinese Student Association (CSA), which includes mainly students from Taiwan. Their website ishttp://www-scf.usc.edu/~csa/ and email is csa@usc.edu. There is another Southern California Network (SCN), also a student organization of students from Taiwan. All three of them welcome you to join in, and none of them say there is a political boundary of eligibility for joining in them.

C. Some major concerns when first arriving on campus

1. Housing

Housing is one of the biggest issues for international students at USC. If you applied university housing before you arrived here, that is fantastic. If not, be prepared to face some difficulties and be patient and persistent. Students who have no transportation normally live in a region to the north of the campus, and basically the range is: to the east of Vermont Avenue, to the west of Figueroa Street, and to the south of Adams Boulevard. Generally, this region has better security, and it is the area that USC Department of Public Safety patrols. OIS usually has a list of available housing and contact information of some landlords. CSSA and CSA may also provide some help. It doesn't hurt to call the Housing Office of USC (213-740 2546) to check if they still have something available, although the university housing is always full. Other than that, WE would suggest you take some time, walk to the north region of the campus, and check the possible apartment buildings in person. If there is apartment available, the landlord will hang up a post to tell the public. Make sure if the utilities (gas, electric, and water) are included in the rent. Do not hesitate to ask a friend around you when you have questions in how to sign a least, etc.

2. Where to eat

There are several places that you can get food on campus. The first floor of the Student Union (we call it Commons) has a great variety of food you can choose from, so does the basement. Next door to the Commons is Carl’s Junior. To the north of campus, there is the University Village (UV), and there is an international food fair where you can buy food from different countries. If you are not accustomed to eat burger, sandwich, or chicken salad, then eat Chinese food! The basement of Student Union and UV are the two places near campus that have Chinese food available.?

3. Where to shop

The easiest places near campus to buy vegetable and daily necessities will be the 32^nd Street Market and Ralph’s. 32^nd Street market has inexpensive vegetable and fruits, and Ralph’s is famous for its first freshness. Later on, if you have a car, or can get a ride from a friend, you may go to cities of Alhambra, Monterey Park, and San Gabriel, and there are wonderful Chinese supermarkets there. The names of three major Chinese supermarkets are: Ranch 99, Shun Fat, and Hawaii supermarket. You can buy all kinds of Chinese food and gadgets used in kitchen there. Literally for anything that is very Chinese, and that you can think of, you can get it in Los Angeles. Isn't that wonderful?

D. Some suggestions

You have made a major decision in your life to come here to study, so be ready to face the challenge and difficulties! There is a lot more new knowledge you need to know in this new environment, besides what WE have told you in this little brochure. The first 3 months will be the most difficult. After you settle down and get familiar with things around you, WE are sure you will like Los Angeles and USC and enjoy your life here. Remember, you, yourself, are the single most important factor that will affect your success. There are supporting services available and it is your responsibility to make good use of them. Be active in school and on campus. Get involved and know what is going on. Don't always expect others to help you. Be friendly and help others if you can, and help build a supporting community.

WE wish you a happy and successful life at USC!