Pre-Arrival

Entering the United States for the First Time

1. Port of Entry: What to Expect
   20. When entering the United States, you must clear customs with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Ensure you arrive no more than 30 days before your program start date as indicated on your I-20; arriving earlier may result in entry denial.
   21. Refer to the “Know Before You Go” section on Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for essential preparation.
       20. If you are in possession of $10,000 or more in cash, you must declare it. Failure to do so will result in confiscation of the funds. We advise you to consult the Prohibited and Restricted Items section on the CBP website to ensure you are not carrying any illegal items. If you are found with prohibited items, you will be denied entry to the United States.
   22. State Your Purpose
       1. Confidence, honesty, and clarity are crucial during entry. Clearly state your full name and your intention to enter as an F-1 student. Inform the CBP officer about Rivier University, its location, and your intended major. Prepare by reviewing your I-20 and the name of your Designated School Official (DSO).
   23. Show Your Documents
       1. Have your passport, I-20 form, financial documents, acceptance letter, and SEVIS fee payment receipt ready for inspection (all documents must be authentic). We recommend carrying physical copies of all documents and keeping them with you; do not pack them in checked luggage.
   24. Secondary Inspection: What To Do
       1. If the CBP officer cannot initially verify your information or if you lack required documents, you may undergo secondary inspection. This involves a thorough SEVIS check by the agent or officer. Remain calm, cooperate fully, and restate your purpose if requested. Failure to comply may lead to entry denial.
   25. After Entering
       94. Upon successful entry, obtain your I-94, generated by CBP. Visit https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home and select “Get Most Recent I-94.”
       95. Attend mandatory International Student Orientation and report to the Office of Global Engagement in Memorial Hall, Room 123. RSVP for orientation in advance.
2. Housing
   1. On-campus accommodation is not available to graduate international students. To secure housing, we recommend joining your cohort’s WhatsApp chat. Use this group to find roommates and search for housingtogether. 
   2. Most of our students live in Nashua (New Hampshire) or neighboring towns in Manchester (New Hampshire), Lowell (Massachusetts), and Dracut (Massachusetts). One can find housing by searching on Craigslist, Facebook groups, apartments.com, or zillow.com.
   3. If you have relatives in the United States, speak to them about co-signing a lease with you.
3.  Transportation
   1. Upon arrival at the airport, you can use several transportation options.
      1. Uber (https://www.uber.com), Flight Line (https://flightlineinc.com), and Boston Express (https://www.bostonexpressbus.com/stop/nashua-nh-exit-8) are options other students have utilized in the past. 
      1. For everyday transportation, use the Nashua Transit System (NTS). Instructions on how to ride and a list of bus routes is available. Use your Rivier identification card to ride the NTS for free.
      2. WhatsApp groups have also been created for students to find rides. To join, please email the Office of Global Engagement at globalengagement@rivier.edu.
4. Health Insurance
   1. Health insurance is mandatory at Rivier. If you experience an unanticipated illness, insurance will assist you in covering the cost of medical treatment. It is very expensive to pay for medical care without insurance in the United States. A list of select insurance agencies are listed below–contact them directly for pricing.
      1. ISO Insurance
      2. Compass Student Insurance
      3. Affinity Travel Insurance
      4. International Student Insurance
5. Driver’s License & Car Insurance
   1. If you plan to drive a motor vehicle, you must obtain a United States driver’s license within 60 days of arrival. If you do not, you will be fined.
   2. To apply, visit the New Hampshire Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You will need a physical copy of your student visa, I-94, I-20, Social Security Number or Social Security Denial Letter, home country driver’s license, and proof of residency. When you have your documents, you can apply at the Concord, New Hampshire location of the DMV.
   3. It is mandatory to purchase car insurance. If you do not have insurance, you will be responsible for all costs following an accident. Car insurance can be purchased by using companies such as Progressive, State Farm, or AllState.
   4. Do not drive without a valid driver’s license, or drive without an adult if you are operating with a learner’s permit. The car you drive must be registered properly.
6. Classroom Readiness
   1. You will need a backpack, pen, and paper, which can all be purchased at a local retail store such as Target or Wal-Mart. Alternatively, you can also use the notepad, pen, and bag that we provide for you during International Student Orientation. You will also need to bring your own laptop computer or buy one in New Hampshire, sales tax free. To be successful at Rivier, you will need your own laptop computer. Rivier students can receive discounts from the following retailers:
      1. Apple
      2. Best Buy
      3. Lenovo
      4. Dell
      5. Microsoft
7. Health and Wellness
   1. There are no specific requirements for vaccinations for international students with an F-1 visa. However, it is highly recommended that you meet with your physician abroad for a full physical checkup and discuss vaccinations, if needed. Bring any medications with you, but store them in the original container to avoid any misunderstanding at the Port of Entry. Examples of vaccinations that may be necessary to protect yourself from illness read as follows.
      1. MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
      2. Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (TDAP)
      3. Varicella (Chickenpox)
      4. Hepatitis B, AHPV
      5. Flu shot
      6. Tuberculosis

Fees and Schedule

Fees are due a week before the beginning of each semester/term. To avoid late fees, please plan to arrange funds for easy access before departure. For more information on tuition and fees and acceptable payments, contact the Office of Global Engagement.

Health Insurance

Your health and safety is a top priority. All international students are required to obtain health insurance. You must show proof of health insurance when you check-in upon arrival. Approach your International Student Advisor about health insurance providers.

Before leaving your country, it is recommended to have the following vaccinations: meningitis vaccine, measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine—series of two Hepatitis B, and tuberculosis screening. It is also advisable to meet with your doctor and have complete medical, vision, and dental examination.

SEVIS Transfer

Students transferring from another educational institution in the United States must obtain SEVIS I-20 from Rivier University.