Information for International Graduate Students

Welcome to Emory! The South Asian Studies program has gathered some helpful hints from current and past graduate students. Please be aware that these tips are based on candid student recommendations. We've also included some important links to Emory's International Student Services Program (ISSP), bus service in and around Emory, and Atlanta links.

Do not hesitate to call our office or the ISSP office if you have any questions or concerns. Good luck!

Taxes

Please be aware that your stipend will most likely be taxed and there may be a substantial margin of difference between a stipend before and after taxes(almost $300 in some cases). Talk with an ISSP official prior to arriving in Atlanta to clarify how much tax you will pay on your stipend. This will make it easier to budget for rent, groceries, and other expenses such as health insurance.

Housing

Emory has on-campus apartments for graduate students on the Clairmont Campus. These can be expensive, but are convenient. The rent includes utilities, but some of these, such as cable television for example, may not be something you wish to pay for. Those students who do find alternative housing can pay between $100 and $250 dollars less than at Clairmont. There are many nearby apartment complexes with affordable rents. Some are directly on the Emory shuttle system (this is a real plus!) and others are accesible by MARTA bus. Always check the MARTA schedule, as buses often run hourly or even less often.

ISSP's housing page

Emory's off-campus housing page

 

Pick-up from Airport

Don't hesitate to contact your department to see if a student may be willing to pick you up from the airport.

Transport:

Atlanta can be difficult to get around in. Check out the MARTA website for information on buses and trains. Students can purchase a monthly MARTA pass at a discount from the Dobbs University Center. There is no train station near Emory. While there are several buses that have stops around Emory the frequency and service varies. For example, the number 6 bus is generally more reliable and more frequent than the number 36. The number 36 bus does not run after around 8 pm (or maybe even earlier), and has no service or very limited service on Sundays, which means you cannot work on campus late or on weekends nor can you stay for a campus event held late in the evening or on weekends. Do note however, that Emory’s Police Department provides a campus escort service which will pick you up from campus and drop you off home if you are on campus at a late hour.

More details can be found at: http://www.emory.edu/EPD/escorts.html

Even if you decide to live on a bus route, choose a location that is not too far from campus so that you can walk it or take a cab if needed. Till you get a car, it is much better to live close to campus, ideally within walking distance. Even if you have to pay more for rent for living close to campus, the convenience and time saved make it worth it.

MARTA Bus Schedules for the Clifton Corridor Area

ISSP (ISSP's website can provide visitors with contact information and answers to many questions.)

 

Initial Expenses

Most landlords will charge a deposit payable at the point of time when one signs the lease, which is also when the first rent check is due. Typically, but not always, the deposit is one month's rent which is refundable when the lease ends. In some cases, the deposit may be a smaller sum (for example, 300 dollars, of which a portion is refundable and the rest non-refundable). International students should budget for this expense when planning their finances before arriving in the US. Service providers such as phone, cell phone, internet, and electricity companies will also charge a connection fee when starting service. Students should budget approximately 150-200 dollars for all these service fees together, if getting phone, electricity, cell phone, and the internet. These are usually added on to the first bill. Winters in Atlanta can get very chilly. Hats, gloves, and warm coats are often necessary! Also, keep in mind that many apartments aren't furnished. So you may need to purchase cooking and eating utensils, bedding, furniture, lighting, and more. There are a number of affordable places to find these items, including Target on N. Druid Hills Rd., the Salvation Army, Finders Keepers (a consignment store), Wal-Mart, and the Goodwill Industries stores.

Loans

You may be able to get a modest loan from the Graduate School for initial expenses, so contact them early if you think you might need one.

Building Credit History: It makes sense to start building credit history as soon as possible in the US. One option is to ask your bank for a credit card, after checking about the rate, policies etc. American Express has an “American Express Blue for Students” card that is a good option. It is also good practice to ask a friend, preferably one who is also an international student, for recommendations for which credit cards to sign up for

Grocery Shopping: There is an excellent shuttle service from Emory's Clairmont campus that goes to Publix (a supermarket) every weekday from 7 (or 7:30?) onwards. On weekends, there is a shuttle service to Kroger's (another supermarket). The Clairmont campus is also connected to the main campus by shuttle. So if you are close to the main campus, you can use the Publix/ Kroger shuttles to do your groceries. It will involve switching shuttles, but may be easier than taking public transport to do your groceries, unless you live on a direct MARTA bus route with a supermarket close by.

Laundry: Try and find housing with a washer and dryer either in the unit, building, or apartment complex. Ideally, you want to find a unit with a washer dryer as that is most convenient. If your particular housing unit does not have a washer dryer, but the apartment complex has a laundry, that is still okay although it involves a little more effort, and the laundry tends to be packed on weekends.

Check back often for more information!