First of all, on behalf of the Pakistani Students Association, let me welcome you to the University of Texas at Austin.

PSA is a social organization which is dedicated to helping Pakistanis adapt to the fast paced environment at UT. Amidst everyday routine such as class, work and study, over the years, PSA has organized many cultural and social events including variety shows, cricket tournaments and social get-togethers. We sincerely hope that the new students coming to UT get involved in such events and be a part of what has become a wonderful tradition here. From airport pickup to temporary housing to finding an on-campus job, PSA is always there to help our fellow countrymen make the best of their campus life.

First Things First

Attend your Orientation. This is very important. Look for housing.Please see our Housing Information Section. Visit University Health Services ASAP. You must have proof of immunization or get immunized prior to registration else you wont be allowed to do so. You also need TB screening done at least 3 days before registration to allow time to interpret the results. The University Health Services is located in the Student Services Building at 26th Dean Keaton) and University Ave.

Apply for a Social Security Number.

You must go to the local social security office to apply for one. Don't forget to take your passport and I-94 when applying for one. Social Security office is located at 9th and San Jacinto (in downtown Austin). The exact address is 903 San Jacinto, Suite #102. Their hours are 9am-4pm Mon thru Fri. You can call them at 916-5404 or 1-800-772-1213. Dillo Shuttle will take you downtown from campus. Click here for a map showing the location of this office.

Open a Bank Account.

Most banks require a Social Security Number. I recommend Wells Fargo. Take a look at their special package for PSA members.

TASP.

You will have to take this test very soon. For information, call 471-8277 or visit UT TASP Page.

Registration.

Go to your department advisor and prepare an outline of courses that you want to take. Make note of your registration time. This information can be found in the Course Schedule which you will need to purchase from a bookstore or the registrar's office.

International Office.

All new international students should make it a point to see an immigration advisor at the international office.

It costs $10 to make a Texas ID. You can use this instead of carrying around your passport everywhere. It can be made at the Department of Public Safety. The nearest office is located at 6121 North Lamar Blvd (Phone: 424-2076). The North Lamar Capital Metro stops here.

Housing Information

Most international students at UT live in apartments off-campus. Depending on how close the apartment is to campus, and how many people share an apartment, rent can be anywhere from $200 to $350 per month (per person). Add utilities, phone and groceries, and it comes to around $400 to $600 per month (per person). If you decide to live a little away from campus to save some bucks, there are free shuttles that operate around campus so you never have to really worry about getting to campus from home. However, living a little away from campus may not be for you if you plan to be at the campus library studying late nights or if you plan to get involved in social activities.

University of Texas on-campus housing information can be accessed via the UT homepage. It is very hard to get a dorm in your first semester unless you have arranged for it very much in advance. There is a long waiting list for these dorms on campus. Generally, students live in apartments off-campus. For off-campus housing, please visit CollegeStudent.Com and don't forget, PSA too, maintains a page for students seeking housing or roommates for that matter. You can access this by clicking on the Roommate Hunt button on the left. Also, you can always find something in the classifieds of the Daily Texan, UT's very own newspaper. I recommend that you start of by calling these numbers below for off-campus housing.

Apartment Finders Service: 322-9556 Advantage Properties: 451-8888 Properties One: 836-0727 Habitat Hunters: 482-8651 Leaseline: 478-7100 RENT.NET

Groceries,food,etc

As far as eating is concerned, students generally eat out. Hardly will you ever get time to cook. But if you need to cook at home, there are grocery stores near campus, most popular being the HEB at Hancock Center which you can get to by taking Red River Shuttle or the No15 bus. These will have everything you need.If you want Halal meat, it is available in town, but it is nowhere near campus. So you may need to hitch a ride from a friend who owns a car or you may have to take the city bus. Depending on how much you cook and how much you eat out, food costs about $100-$200 a month. You can find Halal Meat at: World Halal Market Madina Market

On-Campus Job Information

Most international students who could use some extra cash here work on-campus. That is the only way one can work 20 hours a week in a student friendly environment. It is most convenient too. However, it is wise to settle in during your first semester and get used to life here before you start working. You would be surprised how fast paced life can get here at UT. For job information, please click on the Job Search button on the left. One important thing to keep in mind is that there are some positions here at UT, which entitle you to be able to waive your out-of-state tuition and you only have to pay what every resident student pays. However, do keep in mind that these jobs are few and applicants, many.

We hope that this information helps you get settled in at UT. Please don't hesistate to contact us for further information.

Lastly, remember that university life is not just about education, it is also about experience and growing up. A lot of times, you will face problems, sometimes financial, sometimes academic and if you are lucky, you wont face any problems (thats not too probable though ;) . But no matter what the case, never lose sight of what you are here for. Make the best of everything and you will see that hard work and your faith in God, will always go a long way. With these words, I hope to inspire you, just the way I was inspired when I first came here. With best wishes and lots of luck to you.

Sincerely

President, and the commitee of PSA.