Click-n'-go

Below you can find a "click-n'-go" guide to Amherst College specifically for international students. We hope that it will help you navigate college life and access resources offered at Amherst more easily!

Table of Contents

I have questions related to visa and immigration status

A general overview can be found in the Office of Immigration Services website. You can also find information about maintaining your status as an international student, as well as resources for DACA and Undocumented students. 

You can find information on Employment, Taxes, and  getting a Social Security Number through Amherst resources.

Learn how academic changes can impact your status.

Check out the International Student Travel page for information about international travel for F-1 and J-1 international students. Also find information about how to request a graduation invitation letter for your family members' visitor visa application, as well as how to apply for a Massachusetts state ID card or driver's license. 

Now more than ever, it is very important for you to understand the rights you have in the US as an international student. Know your rights.

I have questions about my career and internship search

The Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Planning is a great place to explore career resources. If you do not know yet what you want to do, the Loeb Center can help you discover your career fit. The Loeb Center has how-to-guides to help you with resume/cover letter/interview matters.

You can find resources to help you find an internship, as well as advice for international students regarding internships. Here are some tips on navigating Handshake as an international student, as well as job search strategies and graduate school preparation.

Learn about CPT/OPT & Work Authorization which allows you to work as an international student. 

Take advantage of Amherst’s vast alumni network. Find alumni through the alumni directory. Once you access the link, log in with your Amherst username and password, select affinities in the top right corner, click international alumni, and press search. 

I have questions about Fellowships

The Office of Fellowships is a good place to start learning about opportunities. They also provide an Introduction to Fellowships and application advice. 

Check out international fellowships that give you a chance to work or study abroad, as well as The Meiklejohn Fellows Program. 

I need help finding Academic Resources

Amherst College offers a variety of resources for its students, including Academic Advising for all students. In their website, you can select your class year and learn about faculty and resources dedicated to your academic career.  

The Writing Center offers help to students with their academic writing, but can also help if you have questions about reading and effective strategies for reading and writing at Amherst. Emily T. Merriman is a Writing Associate and Advisor for multilingual students. Make an appointment or check out their vast collection of online resources. The Writing Center also offers coaching for public speaking, and offermany events to strengthen your skills.

Frost Library is not only a great place to study, but also a great place to find research resources. Check out the library page, where you can search for books, media, journals, articles, etc. You can also check out the research guides, and even make an appointment with a Research & Instruction librarian.  

Peer tutoring is available for students that feel they could benefit one-on-one help, by being tutored by other students. 

The Moss Quantitative Center (or ‘Q center’) assists students in quantitative fields. You can find  a list of their complete services here and also set up individual appointments for students of certain courses.

Amherst also has an Office of Accessibility Services that can provide academic accommodations to students to help their academic experience. Check out their introductory pamphlet for an overview of what they can do for you.

Interested in learning or furthering your education in a language that Amherst does not offer? Check out the Five College Center for the Study of World Languages, for information on the less-commonly taught languages they teach, as well as how to register. 

Another resource you might find useful as you undertake different projects at Amherst is the Office of Communications. You can find a brief overview of what they do here.

I need mental health resources

The Counseling Center at Amherst College is a great resource. Learn about their services, or go directly to make an appointment. You can request a single session treatment although there are also group therapy options. You can also take some time to meet the counseling staff.

Please check out their Self-care & Stress Reduction resources, including tips for better time management!

Special Offer: Free Headspace Pro Account until May 2022

With hundreds of guided exercises for meditation, sleep, focus, and movement, Headspace can help you start and end your days. The best part? Amherst College students get it all for free thanks to the AAS and the Mental Health Fund.

Follow these 3 easy steps for full access during this period:

  1. Follow this link: Amherst College Headspace sign-up 
  2. Register for a headspace account using your AC email
  3. Download the app on your prefered device

There are resources available in case of crisis, for when you need immediate help. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call our 24/7 phone number at 413-542-2354.

I have questions about Health Services and/or Health Insurance

Health Services are provided by the Keefe Health Center. They provide many services to students that are covered by tuition. You need to make an appointment for care, so check out their hours of operation and available after-hours care. You can also check out the Patient Portal, where you can message health center staff and fill out forms. They also have instructions for medical emergencies. Alternatively, check out the Emergency Response Handbook, which has information on more emergencies.   

Additionally, the college provides resources for health and wellbeing. Check out this useful resource for emotional and mental health awareness for international students. You can learn more about sexual health education, and get familiar with the Student Health Educators (SHEs)

If you are considering traveling abroad, here are some tips to stay healthy when traveling. 

Regarding health insurance, you can learn more about the college issued insurance, Amherst Student Blue, here. Please reach out to Edward McGlynn at ermcglynn@amherst.edu, if you have any further questions. 

I need help with Financial Aid/Money

The Office of Financial Aid has instructions for renewing financial aid. If you need help applying for financial aid, you can reach out to the Financial Aid Peer Ambassadors, which are students trained to help enrolled and prospective students navigate the financial aid process at Amherst. If you need additional assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the office directly, at finaid@amherst.edu.

For students experiencing financial strain who need supplemental resources due to temporary hardship can apply to the Student Emergency Fund. The funds may cover expenses such as unforeseen medical costs, damage to educational materials and emergency travel, and are designated to support expenses during periods of enrollment.

Student Affairs Case Managers can support students who are dealing with challenges relating to medical health, mental health, financial concerns, family challenges, or social/adjustment issues. 

I have questions about housing and storage

You can find general information about housing and the buildings for students here. 

There are two main options for housing, on-campus housing and off-campus housing. Within on-campus housing, there are theme communities for which sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply to live. Alternatively, learn more about the housing application process.

You can reach out to the Office of Residential Life directly, by calling at (413) 542-2161 during business hours or emailing at reslife@amherst.edu.

Storage: CISE does not provide additional summer storage space for international students. However, the College provides summer storage for students, and international students receive priority. Please feel free to reach out to Housing operations (OSAOps@amherst.edu) for on-campus storage or utilize local storage companies, including Boomerang.

I need transportation

Around campus, ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft can be limited. There are a few options facilitated by Amherst College, as well as public transportation. 

You can reserve AAS Vehicles for certain uses. AAS often provides airport shuttles to Boston, Bradley, and New York.  

Amherst College Student Security Assistants operate an escort service on campus, called Safe Ride, between 7:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. nightly during the academic year. For personal safety, students, staff and faculty are encouraged to use the service by calling 413-542-7433.

Amherst also offers a discount for students who wish to acquire a Zipcar membership, having access to cars parked conveniently around campus. 

Amherst also has collected information on air, bus, train, shuttle, and limousine options, including the PVTA, MegaBus, and Peter Pan bus information. 

I have questions about dining

Learn more about the different student meal plans, including the full meal plan, the lunch and dinner meal plan, and exemptions to the meal plan.

Get familiar with on campus dining options at Amherst! If there is anything else you want to know, check out the dining services website and reach out to them!

I need help with cultural adjustment

Check out the Cultural Adjustment Guide to learn about the different stages of cultural adjustments and tips to adjust to new culture.

CISE offers biweekly International Interactions which provides a space for international students and Racialization of International Students program each semester to process their experience being racialized in the American context. Please sign up for our newsletter to receive information about events. 

You can find a brief introduction to gender pronouns here, including what they are and why they are important. Many students use acronyms to identify buildings and groups on campus. Check out the The Little Book of Amherst Acronyms (LBOAA) if you want to get acquainted with a few.

Additionally, here is a map of Amherst College if you need help locating a building. Google Maps can also be a useful tool to get around town, with walking directions available.

I need help navigating social identities

CISE is just one of the six resource centers of The Office of Identity and Cultural Resources. 

The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC), that welcomes all students from all backgrounds celebrating and promoting the diverse experiences of every student. 

The Women’s and Gender Center (WGC), aids students exploring gender through personal experience, academic inquiry, community organizing, activism and discussion. 

The Queer Resource Center (QRC) sponsors educational and social community-building programs that create an inclusive and safe campus for people of all gender and sexual identities.

The Class and Access Resource Center supports first-generation, low-income, transfer, veteran, and undocumented/DACA students, and cultivates leadership development opportunities for all students.

The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life helps students to live their faith, explore spiritual practices, and make meaning within themselves and the world.

Furthermore, Amherst College is committed to teaching its community about sexual respect through various resources. Check out some sexual respect resources. The Peer Advocates (PA’s) are students who have received intensive training to act as a resource referral group for students who are in need of emotional support. Another useful resource is the pamphlet for sexual assault awareness and safety for international students. 

Student Affairs Case Managers can support students who are dealing with challenges relating to medical health, mental health, financial concerns, family challenges, or social/adjustment issues.

Have You Experienced Identity-Based Harm? Check out Amherst’s Bias Reporting. The first step is to fill out our secure online form, which will be received by the Identity-Based Harm Review Team, who will determine which office is best suited to help, and someone from that office will reach back out to you confidentially. Even if you are unsure whether the incident involved bias, go ahead and fill out the form!

I have questions on Student Organizations

RSOs are Registered Student Organizations. Learn more about them here, including the different categories they cover. You can search for specific clubs and organizations here. Alternatively, check out the frequently asked questions (FAQ) on RSO’s

The International Students Association (ISA) is an RSO that organizes various events catered for international students, but is open to all. 

 

If you have any questions, please contact cise@amherst.edu!