FAQ for International Students
ACADEMICS
| QUESTIONS | RESPONSE |
| My course is for 2 years. Is it advisable to buy a one-way ticket as an international student or a round-trip ticket? | For an international student, it's okay to buy a one-way ticket because you'll stay at ND for multiple years, |
| What is the number of credits recommended each semester? | I think it depends on the program, and depends on the semester e.g. summer semester may differ from the Spring/Fall semester. It is more advisable to talk with senior students in the same department. |
| Where can we find the course curriculum or the syllabus? |
The professor in charge shares the course curriculum at the beginning of the semester. The general requirements are displayed on the departmental websites. |
| What duties are given to a PhD TA? Should we come prepared with anything (subject-wise)? |
For TA duties, the department will inform you of the TA duties, if any. You can also consider attending TA training through the Kaneb Center to get ready to serve as a TA. |
| How may I defer the offer for 6 months? | Please reach out to your Advisor/PI, department, and ISSA to make sure you understand the process and to communicate with people who will be able to help you with this. |
| What kind of resources do we have available for research? For example, free O’Reilly subscriptions, IEEE? | That will depend a lot on your department/research group. You might want to reach out to your PI/advisor and ask what resources are available and what you can request. |
| Official transcript submission deadline | If you can upload or mail your official transcript and confirm receipt, that’s best. If not, don’t worry—you can bring the official transcript to campus when school starts and have it verified at the Graduate School office in Bond Hall. |
| What's the average cost of textbooks (and anything else like stationery) for doctoral students per month? Will the stipend cover these costs? | This is based on your needs and varies greatly by discipline. But the cost is usually manageable. The library is a good place to access books if you can't purchase one, and you can use interlibrary loans for books not available on campus. Overall, the cost is relatively low compared to other expenses. |
FINANCIALS
| QUESTIONS | RESPONSE |
| What documents do I need before I can set up a bank account in the US? Should I have an appointment with some bank already booked before I reach the US (say now, a month in advance)? | I think it depends on the bank. From experience at Chase, you could open an account with your ID (probably passport) and I-20, and they require making appointments in busy times (such as the beginning of the semester). It is always safe to call/check their website first before you go. Generally, it has a checking account and a savings account, which are pretty same for students, and some banks have student debit cards. Please inquire with the specialists at the bank for further details |
| What will be the overall tax (including everything) to be cut from the stipend? | An approximate value for some students is 16%, but this might change depending on the student. In order to know for sure, you would have to check with a professional in accountability. |
| How much money should an international student bring with them to cover the expenses for the first few weeks? | This depends on your budget, really, and if you need to get things done immediately. Like first month rent, a car purchase, furniture, etc. At a minimum, you want to plan for your basic move-in expenses, such as rent, housing deposits (and other deposits), transportation, groceries, housewares (trash can, toilet paper, pots & pans, etc.), and utility bills (electricity, gas, internet, water) and we HIGHLY recommend Renter's Insurance! |
| When do we begin receiving the stipend? |
This is dependent on whether you are admitted with a stipend option. If you are, then the biweekly stipend is issued twice a month - on the 15th and the last business day of each month. |
| In which bank do students usually create accounts? Also, where are these banks located? | Any bank works; there are First Source and NDFCU available on campus. However, I would say that the most popular is Chase, which is also close to the school. |
| Can I get support for my air ticket once my travel dates are confirmed? | Different departments have different resources and policies. We suggest reaching out to your department and expressing your need, and they can inform you of any assistance they can provide. For local transportation of bus/train/Uber/Lyft (flights not included), the Graduate School reimburses $70 to transport from the airport to the campus/your apartment. |
HEALTH & WELLNESS
| QUESTIONS | RESPONSE |
| If the Grad School is covering the insurance premium, will there be any additional cost to be paid by students every month? | No, you don’t have to pay any monthly fee if the Grad School is covering your health insurance premium. It’s paid annually (unless you opt out). Keep in mind, however, that the standard Grad Student Health Insurance Plan does not cover dental and vision insurance. US healthcare and insurance can be very complicated. Expenses are categorized as insurance premiums (the monthly cost of carrying insurance), co-pays (small payments often expected at the time of service), deductibles (the amount required before coverage kicks in), and out-of-network (expenses when you use a provider not covered under your insurance network). Most services provided at University Health Services are covered and, therefore, free. And there is no additional cost to be paid by students if all the services they use are covered by insurance. There will be a Breakout Session during Orientation on Healthcare and Health Insurance if you want to hear more. |
| I would like to obtain advice on filling out and submitting the immunization form as an international incoming student | If you’ve already uploaded your vaccine records to the UHS portal, you’re all set. If not, don’t worry—you can still start school without any issues. During the semester, the university will organize a blood test for all students to check vaccination status. You’ll receive an email with details about when and where to go. If you’re missing any vaccines, you can get them at University Health Services (UHS), and the university's student insurance will cover the cost. If you have any questions, feel free to email immunizations@nd.edu. Important: Be sure to check the travel immunization requirements for your home country and any countries you’ll be transiting through. Even with a U.S. visa, you could face delays if you don’t meet those requirements. |
| The university subsidises my health insurance, but what about my significant other? Can they join and profit from the same insurance for an extra fee, or do we need to organize an entirely new one? | We suggest you contact your department administrations for more details, because it may differ from program to program |
| How to see a doctor in the US? I am confused about how health insurance works. | 1. University Health Services (UHS): UHS is your first place to go for most medical needs, like common illnesses, injuries, vaccines, and lab tests. --You can book appointments online (https://uhs.nd.edu) or by phone. --Most basic services at UHS are covered by your student health fee, so there is usually no extra charge. --If you need a specialist or hospital care, UHS will help refer you. 2. Health Insurance: All Notre Dame students are enrolled in the university’s student health insurance plan (Aetna) unless you have other insurance and waive it. --This insurance covers services outside of UHS, such as specialist visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, mental health, and emergency care. --When seeing doctors off-campus, make sure they accept Aetna insurance (“in-network”) to avoid high costs. --You may need to pay a copay (fixed fee) or coinsurance (percentage) for some services. 3. What to Do If You Feel Sick: For non-emergencies, start by visiting UHS. For emergencies, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call 911. If UHS is closed and it’s urgent but not an emergency, visit an urgent care clinic covered by your insurance. For additional insurance questions, email uhsinsurance@nd.edu. |
| Do we need to buy health insurance, or will it be provided to us as a part of the fully funded PhD program? | Please reach out to your department to be sure, but it's a standard among fully funded PhD students to be provided with health insurance. You can also reach out to the University Health Center. |
| As incoming students, are we supposed to do those different health tests as contained in the email sent to everyone, or should we wait until we get to school, even though the email says July 14th is the deadline? | If you can do the tests, then go ahead; if not, that's also fine. After the semester starts, the university will organize a blood test for all students. You will receive an email about that and the procedures. Then you will be emailed the results, and be able to get the vaccines at UHS. The insurance offered by the university will cover all vaccines needed. A side note is to know and fulfill the traveling immunization requirements of your country and check for the transiting airports' requirements so you don't get stranded at the airport, even with a visa. |
HOUSING
| QUESTION | RESPONSE |
| How do I secure on-campus accommodation as a first-year student? | We believe Fischer Graduate Residence is currently full as of June 30. If you’re interested in living there next year, you can email them to ask about availability and policies. In the meantime, you can check https://offcampus.nd.edu for university-vetted apartments that are reliable. You can also try websites like https://apartments.com or do a Google search. We also suggest asking other graduate students about their experiences with different apartments regarding reliability, comfort, and safety. Note: Some apartments may be farther from campus, so having a car might be necessary. |
| I have not managed to get accommodation. Please point me in the right direction. | You could start by visiting the ND's housing website for on/off campus housing information https://residentiallife.nd.edu/graduate/ |
| Please, can I rent a decent room for $400 | For that price, you will need roommates. Look for houses or apartments looking to add new students to available rooms through offcampus.nd.edu |
| I want to connect with Graduate students who will be staying at Overlook Studio | You can use our WhatsApp/WeChat group and Discord channels to easily post messages and connect with people who are already staying in this area. |
TRANSPORTATION
| QUESTION | RESPONSE |
| What is the most common way of reaching South Bend from O'Hare when I am travelling to the US for the first time (with two pieces of luggage)? | 1. Shuttles by ISSA and other groups on certain days; 2. Uber/Lyft/find a ride on Facebook/ 3. Blueline (metro) to Millennium Station, and Southshore Line back to SouthBend (with not too much luggage) 4. Flight from Chicago to South Bend 5. Carpool with other ND students |
| Is there a group we can join to communicate with other ND students to share the ride from O’Hare to Notre Dame? | Kindly utilize the WhatsApp, WeChat, and Facebook groups by reaching out to your country colleagues to confirm their arrival time and see if that matches yours. Then you can share rides. Also, pay attention to the shuttle organized by ISSA, CSSA, AGC, and other associations. Also, utilize the GSG $70 assistance as we have informed via email. |
| I’m considering buying a pre-owned car from a local dealership. Are there any recommended dealerships to go to? Any to avoid? | That depends on the model/made/year/budget, etc. We recommend you start by identifying your need and the type of car (e.g., Sedan/SUV/Track) and then visit the dealer's website or contact them for more information. |
LIFE IN SOUTH BEND
| QUESTION | RESPONSE |
| What's the general structure of the meal plan for Graduate Students? As in, do they cook and pack food to bring to the campus (for lunch), or do they go to outlets on campus? | Meal plans are greatly an individual preference. They are expensive, but convenient and time-saving. You can bring your own lunch to school (there are many microwaves on campus, such as in the Grad Lounge) or have lunch at any of the outlets on or off campus. Lafortune and the Duncan student centers are places you can buy and sit to have lunch. |
| Will a Thomas Cook forex card work in offline stores in South Bend? If not, what forex card must be acquired by students from India? | The standard credit and debit cards accepted in the US are Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. |
| 1. When is the best time to purchase winter wear? 2. Which is the best store for purchasing winter wear in terms of quality and cost? 3. What clothing and footwear stores are available near University Edge housing for women? |
Winter normally comes around November, so you can try to get winter equipment sometime in October, when stores start to stock them up. (ISSA normally organizes a bus trip to Michigan City Outlet Mall during the fall break. ) You could also get equipment in supermarkets like Target, Walmart, etc, and centers like Burlington, Macy's, JCPenney, etc.. You can bring some with you, though we don't recommend a thick winter jacket, as they get heavy. You will know more about it during the orientation. |
| What's the average cost of groceries for a vegetarian Graduate Student per month? | This is very relevant, but a grocery of about $100-$150 should get you through the first few weeks that you would arrive, except maybe you are purchasing kitchen utensils and other things of higher value. |
| I don't have a driver's license, so I would like to know whether I can get one in the USA, and if not, what are the public transportation options that I have to travel to nearby cities? Thank you. | The ISSA website has the most thorough information about driving in the US. You can get a driving license after passing the written and physical tests. Train systems are available for traveling to nearby cities, depending on which city you are going to. |
| What mode of transportation do students usually use? | Students usually use Transpo buses, free provided you can show your student ID, or $1 per ride if you cannot. These buses run on schedule, though. Uber and Lyft also work well in South Bend, even though it is a little expensive. At very cool prices, you can purchase a bike at the South Bend Bike Garage (https://www.sbbikegarage.com). |
OTHERS
| QUESTION | RESPONSE |
| Is it safe to carry cash during air travel? If so, what's the limit? | There's no legal limit to the amount of cash you can carry when traveling to or from the United States. However, if you're carrying more than $10,000 in currency or monetary instruments (like traveler's checks or money orders), you are legally required to declare it to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). As for safety, keeping the cash on your person in a secure place at all times is highly recommended. Here are some additional tips: https://www.global-currency.com/currency-news/~24-10-Tips-for-Travelling-with-Cash |
| What do you suggest bringing for the kitchen, e.g., utensils, or do you suggest buying in South Bend? | It is easier and more advisable to get to South Bend before purchasing utensils. Carrying utensils from your home country will unnecessarily add pounds to your already limited luggage space. And you can find affordable options online (e.g., Amazon), in local stores, or through resale places like Goodwill. |
| Please, I’ve not been able to register for this semester's courses. I used the InsideND link, chose NOVO Schedules, but still can’t find the courses to register. Any help, please? | When you arrive, you will be told the courses to register for from your department and receive the necessary guidance on how to register for your courses. Fall course registration typically runs till a couple of weeks after resumption, giving you enough time to register. But if you have specific questions, your department administrator can be of assistance to you. |
| Are there any recreational places near the school? | Yes, there are a lot of things to do in South Bend, both on and off campus. The off-campus activities can easily be accessed through the Transpo Buses, driving your car, or even through Lyft services. Here are some links: https://www.visitsouthbend.com/things-to-do/, https://www.simon.com/mall/university-park-mall, https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/parks-lakes/potato-creek-state-park/, https://www.facebook.com/groups/southbendadventureclub/discussion/preview/ |
| What kind of foods should international students expect? And how easily can we adapt to the food and culture? | South Bend is home to various local and international restaurants as well as international markets. You can expect a host of classic American restaurants, alongside Asian restaurants, Mediterranean cuisine, African Restaurants, and European restaurants. For those who prefer to cook their food and would like a taste of home, there are quite a few international markets to get the right ingredients to make their local dishes. |
| How can you waive the University Health Insurance if you already have one of your own? | According to the University Health Services website, "Students are not required to enroll in the University-sponsored student health insurance plan. However, all international students and degree-seeking graduate, professional, and law students are automatically enrolled in the plan unless proof of comparable coverage is provided". So, to waive the health insurance, you can choose to opt out when the email from UHS is sent out concerning this. The health insurance is only for Notre Dame students, but their families and dependents can have access to the Notre Dame Wellness Center after filling out the eligibility form. This is the link to the UHS website for more information. https://uhs.nd.edu/insurance-billing/insurance-plans-rates/ |
| How do we obtain proof of insurance for the student health plan | If you plan to waive the university-sponsored insurance, you will need to provide proof of comparable coverage. Information on that can be found at https://studenthealth.nd.edu/university-health-services/insurance-fees-and-billing/student-insurance/ . |
| Hey, what's the situation with taxes in the state of Indiana? How much usually goes to tax from your monthly salary? | The amount of your income that is taxed usually depends on what your department and the tax department calculate, which will be reflected in your W-2 when tax season starts. However, you can typically expect about 12 to 18% of your income to be taxed. To find out more, visit https://controller.nd.edu/our-services/tax/ |
| What flight arrangements are best for international students? | Flight availability and pricing vary greatly, so we cannot recommend a guaranteed best or most affordable airline. Please check multiple alternatives, and consider flying directly into South Bend Regional Airport. Even if it costs more up front, it could cost less in the long run, as transportation from Chicago can be quite expensive and inconvenient. |