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English Language Institute
PO Box 117051
315 Norman Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611-7051
Phone: (352) 392-2070
Fax: (352) 392-3744
studyenglish@eli.ufl.edu
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Arrival Instructions
Step 1: Before You Leave
Visa
If you applied to the English Language Institute (ELI) as a non-immigrant student, you must hold an F-1 visa. The ELI will issue you immigration documents upon acceptance of your application. Bring your immigration documents and passport to your local consulate to obtain an F-1 visa.
Travel
Gainesville has no direct international flights, so you will need to book a flight into a nearby city and take a short flight into Gainesville. Most flights to Gainesville are routed through Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Charlotte, or Atlanta. Shuttle service is available from some major airports to Gainesville via RedCoach (877-733-0724), Checker Cab (904/345-3333), or Bestway Cab (352/367-8222). Try to make your travel arrangements as soon as you receive your immigration documents. The ELI office is open during the week and is closed on Saturday and Sunday. Please remember this when making your travel arrangements.
Money
Be sure to bring enough money for your first few days in Gainesville until you can open a bank account. Carry a little of your money in cash to pay for transportation, phone calls, tips, etc., but keep most of your cash in a safer form, like traveler's checks. See the finances section below for information about banking while you're in Gainesville.
What to Expect
- Weather
Florida is famous for its warm weather and water recreation activities. Be sure pack some shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits, especially if you plan to attend a summer session. If you are attending a fall or spring session, be sure to pack some warmer clothes too. Because Gainesville is in North Florida, the temperatures are a little cooler than cities like Miami and Orlando. Temperatures during the Spring and Fall terms may be as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degree Celsius), but these temperatures usually don't last very long. - Entertainment
Though Gainesville is a small town, there a many types of recreation activities available. The nightlife in Gainesville includes professional theater, nightclubs (dancing), bars, and movie theaters, so plan accordingly when you pack clothes to wear at night. During the day, Gainesville offers several parks, springs, and tourist spots, as well as several beaches, Disney World, and Busch Gardens all within 2 hours. The ELI will visit some of these spots during the term, but there are many more that simply can't be packed into one term. - Housewares
At the beginning of the term, the ELI will organize a trip to one of Gainesville's large shopping stores (Walmart, Target). Plan to buy bedding, kitchenware, and study materials at one of these stores. You will also have a chance to shop at a grocery store (Publix) with ELI staff members to help you.
Some Helpful Internet Sites
- Study in the States -- Study in the States provides helpful information to prospective and current students and student visa regulations, applying for the student visa, and arriving in the US.
- EducationUSA -- EducationUSA connects prospective students to a global network of more than 400 advising centers supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State.
Step 2: Arriving in Gainesville
Hotels
While the ELI does not have personalized airport pickup, there are several hotels in the area that have free airport pick-up. The list below shows hotels that may offer airport pick-up. If you make reservations at any of these hotels, be sure to ask for the University of Florida rates. A bus is available from the Gainesville airport to UF campus (McCarty Hall) via downtown Gainesville on Monday through Friday from 7:45 am to 6:35 pm, and costs $1.50 USD to ride. (Bus #25, http://www.go-rts.com/). Google "Taxis Gainesville FL" to get a list of available companies.
Arrival Date
The date on your immigration document or letter of acceptance is the day you must check in at the ELI. You should arrive at the ELI main office at one of the times given in your acceptance letter. Be sure to check in on time, since you will receive valuable information from our friendly office staff on that day. This is also the day for registration and placement tests. For immigration purposes, it is important that you contact the ELI if you are not able to arrive at the ELI on this day. If you are entering the U.S. on an F visa, you can arrive up to thirty days before the program start date listed in part five of your I-20. However, the ELI will not be able to provide housing assistance until the date on your acceptance letter.
Housing
Gainesville is full of student-centered apartment complexes and we are sure you will find somewhere comfortable to live. However, the apartment rental process in the US may be very different from the rental process in your country. To help you with find a comfortable apartment, the ELI emails you information before you arrive, we have a webpage with detailed information, and we also provide information during WISE Week. For information on housing options in Gainesville, click here.
Food
Most students spend between $200-$400 per month on food. The ELI Student Life office organizes a shopping trip at during WISE Week to help you find what you need in the grocery stores. The ELI strongly recommends bringing a lunch, snacks, and water to school to help you concentrate during the day. Preparing meals at home and bringing a lunch can help lower food costs.
Finances
Since cash is not accepted for housing, tuition, and some other expenses, you'll want to open a bank account once you arrive in Gainesville. We recommend Campus USA, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, all of which have branches on or near UF campus. At the bank, you will be able to open a checking account, get an ATM card, and purchase money orders and cashier's checks for $5 to $10, as well as keep your money safe.
Step 3: Welcome to the ELI
Placement Testing
During the check-in week (WISE Week), you will check in and you will also take the CELT placement test. The results of this test will be used to place you in classes with other students who are at the same level as you. Levels are assigned for each skill, so you may have different levels in your grammar, listening/speaking, and reading/writing classes. During the first week of classes, your teachers will double-check to make sure you are in the appropriate level by giving diagnostic tests in class.
WISE Week
WISE means Welcome & Information Seminars Extravaganza! During WISE Week, be sure to attend the ELI's Academic Orientation, Cultural Immersion Program Seminar, Student Life Seminar, and Insurance and Medical Issues Workshop. At these seminars, you will learn important information about life in the US and how to make the most of your time at the ELI.
Medical Insurance
Because of the high cost of medical care in the US, all students must have health insurance. The university offers a student rate that costs approximately $300 per short term and $500 per long term. If you already have health insurance that is valid in the US, you will need to show proof (insurance card or letter) when you check in. You will also need to have someone at your insurance company complete UF's insurance verfication form in order to make sure that your insurance meets UF's requirements. We will give you more insurance information during the Insurance and Medical Issues Workshop.
Immunization
All ELI students are required to get immunizations that are common in the US. You will have the opportunity to get these immunizations at the University Student Health Care Center once you arrive at the ELI. You will get more information about immunizations during the Insurance and Medical Issues Workshop.
Fee Payments
Tuition payment must be made by cashier's check, money order, or credit card. Traveler's checks can only be accepted if you have the exact amount needed, as the ELI office cannot make change. We cannot take personal checks or cash for tuition payment. If you pay by cashier's check, it should be made out to the University of Florida. Please make checks payable only for the amount of your ELI tuition. Housing and insurance must be paid using separate checks. Tuition payment is due 2 days after classes begin. There will be a late fee if tuition is paid after this date.
