Buenos Aires Teachers Program January 2014
The Language Connection of St. John’s University
FACT SHEET
Winter 2014
Program Policies
Program Attendance
You are *required* to attend all program classes and activities. The most current 6-week schedule is available on the Buenos Aires wiki. Note that there are special excursions on some Fridays and weekends, soplease do not make plans to travel on any weekend until you have seen the completed schedule, and made sure that you will not miss any required activities.
Time
Punctuality is important in the United States, and it is, therefore, imperative that you are on time for all program activities. Please refer to the program schedule to see the start time of each of your classes and other activities.
Travel
Buenos Aires grantees are required to notify the Host Institution of any overnight travel plans. As part of the program, Buenos Aires grantees will have 2 free weekends. Check the 6-week schedule for weekends with no scheduled events.
Participant Health Insurance
Your health insurance will be provided by IIE. Please note that IIE is not authorized to pay medical providers/insurance companies or reimburse Buenos Aires grantees for any health insurance charges (co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance, etc.) beyond the policy premium. IIE will insomuch as possible try to answer any questions or provide general guidance, but grantees are ultimately responsible for resolving medical issues and/or the payment thereof.
University Holidays
Please note that the university is closed and there are no classes or activities on Monday, February 17th. Limited facilities will be open on campus. You may make plans for these dates, as no activities or classes will be scheduled.
Transportation in New York City
Metro Card—Bus and Subway
You will receive an unlimited ride Metro card to use for public transportation on the subway/bus system in New York City.
Follow this link to print out a subway map.
http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm
How to Use Metro Card on the Subway
From: http://mta.info/metrocard/easyuse.htm#sub
With the Metro Card name facing toward you, quickly swipe your Metro Card through the turnstile in one smooth move. Walk through when the turnstile screen says "GO."
NYC Transit and Staten Island Railway (SIR) have 89 stations that are accessible via elevators or ramps.
If your card does not let you through right away and the turnstile screen says "Please swipe again” do not move to a different turnstile. You may be prevented from entering the subway for 18 minutes with an Unlimited Ride Metro Card.
If a "See Agent” message appears there is probably something wrong with your card and you need to see the station agent.
Weather
January and February are the coldest months in New York, with average temperatures ranging from about 2 to 4 °C. Therefore, it is important that you bring warm clothes, including sweaters, gloves, hats, scarves, and thick jackets. If you don’t own these items, please plan on buying them as soon as you arrive.
Food
**Correction: there is no stipend for incidental expenses as stated in the Welcome Email under the “Meals” heading.
Every two weeks, you will be given $280 to spend on food ($140 per week). You can use this money to eat at restaurants or to buy food at a supermarket and prepare it in the kitchen at your dorm. Please keep in mind that eating in restaurants is expensive, so we recommend that you prepare the majority of your meals in the dorm kitchen. Please keep in mind that you must budget your meal costs carefully.
Campus Information and Services
St. John’s Identification Card (Storm Card)
On the first day of classes, you will receive a St. John’s identification card (ID). This card will allow you to enter St. John’s each morning and access various facilities and services around campus.
Internet
To access campus Wi-Fi, please take your computer to the IT office, which is located on the 4th floor in room 418. It is open Monday-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on campus.
Medical Emergencies
If you have a medical emergency while on campus, please go immediately to public safety on the 1st floor. If you are off campus, the telephone number for medical emergencies anywhere in NYC is 911.
Telephone
There are no public phones on the St John’s campus or in your dorm. You may want to consider a pre-paid cell phone plan or use SKYPE. Please contact Shea Heard if you have any questions about this.
Student Activities
Go to the Office of Student Life on the 4th floor to find out about discount theater tickets and other student activities.
Library
The Library is on the third floor. The hours are as follows:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Computer Lab—Room 240
The computer lab is open 24/7 to all students. You can print color and black and white copies.
Log-in Information:
User Name: daypass
Password: paperclip
Housing Information
As you know, you will be staying in an off-campus dorm. If you haven’t done so already, please read the residence handbook sent in an earlier e-mail. The dormitory address is as follows:
207 West 85th Street (between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway)
New York, NY 10024
Contact Information for the Language Connection
The Language Connection of St. John’s University
101 Murray Street, Suite 132
New York, New York 10007
Telephone: 212-277-5180
Fax: 212-277-5107
Administration
Manhattan Campus
R. Shea Heard – Coordinator, Buenos Aires Teachers Program
212-277-5104
Pamela Fairman – Assistant Vice-President and Director
212-277-5180
Sue Peterson—Assistant Director
212-284-7006
Yuhong Cantarella-Coordinator of Student Services and Recruitment
212-277-5180
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