Chinese Guest Teacher

Program Handbook

2011

Chinese Guest Teacher Program Handbook

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 College Board Overview 1 1.2 Guest Teacher Program Overview 1

1.3 Other Programs by CLCI 2 1.3 Guest Teacher Program Goals 2 1.4 Program Terms 3

2. Cultural Issues 2.1 What is Culture? 4

2.2 American Culture 5 2.3 Comparison of Chinese and American Cultures 8 2.4 Culture Shock 9 2.5 Cultural Adjustment 10

3. Living in the US: Practical Matters 3.1 Social Security 14 3.2 Taxes 15 3.3 Money 16 3.4 Housing 17 3.5 Transportation 18 3.6 Communications 20

3.7 Visits from China 23 3.8 Program Health Insurance 24

3.9 International Travel 25 4. Education in the US

4.1 Organization of K-12 and Higher Education 26 4.2 Curriculum 28 4.3 Special Features 28

5. Program Communications 5.1 Progress Reports 29

5.2 Reporting to IIE 30 5.3 If Problems Arise 30 5.4 Leaving the Program Early 31 5.5 Renewal in the Guest Teacher Program 31

6. Program Contacts 6.1 College Board 32

6.2 NCSSFL State Representatives 32 6.3 Institute of International Education (Visa Sponsor) 32

7. Other Useful Facts 33 8. References 42 9. Resources 42

Appendix 44 Check List for Guest Teachers upon Arrival Statement of No J-2 Change of Address Form Travel and Re-Entry Procedures Travel Validation Cover Letter

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Chinese Guest Teacher Program Handbook

1. Introduction

1.1. College Board Overview

The College Board is the largest NGO in the United States for improving high school education as well as preparing and connecting students to colleges and universities. The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association founded in 1900, composed of more than 5,400 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning.

The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns. The best-known College Board programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®).

The SAT® is the country’s major college entrance exam. Each year more than 3 million tests are taken by high school students across the United States and the world.

The PSAT/NMSQT® is a rigorous, national assessment that measures critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills that are important for success in college.

The AP® Program is a rigorous academic program that enables millions of students to take college-level courses and exams, and to earn college credit or placement while still in high school.

1.2. The Chinese Guest Teacher Program Overview

The Chinese Guest Teacher Program is the largest visiting Mandarin teacher program in the U.S., serving hundreds of accredited K-12 schools and districts across the nation. Through the program, schools start or expand Chinese programs by hosting qualified and experienced teachers from China. The teachers, who are chosen in a rigorous selection and interview process, provide authentic language and cultural expertise to the students and school community. Because the teachers’ salaries are partially subsidized by Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban), institutions are able to reduce program operation costs The first group of 37 teachers arrived in the U.S. in January 2007. Since that historic first cohort, over 450 teachers have taught in U.S. schools. In 2011-12, approximately 175 Chinese guest teachers will be teaching in over 30 states. The Guest Teacher Program is made possible through a partnership with Hanban and is part of the Chinese Language & Culture Initiatives at the College Board. The aim of the Chinese Language & Culture Initiatives is to help support the growth of Chinese language and culture education in U.S. schools and to build a solid foundation for Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) in Chinese Language and Culture. The College Board arranges school placements for all the guest teachers and provides pre-service training and ongoing support to teachers and schools throughout the school year, with assistance from the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages (NCSSFL). Hanban provides pre-service training in Beijing, as well as the teachers’ international travel and monthly stipends. The host schools provide the teachers with compensation that, when combined with

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the Hanban stipend, is commensurate to that of a local teacher. The compensation may consist of salary only, or a combination of salary and in-kind housing and/or transportation benefits. In addition, the host schools provide the teachers with health insurance and pay for the J-1 visa fee. The Chinese guest teachers do not pay any fee to participate in this program. The guest teachers travel to the United States on a J-1 exchange visitor visa, which is sponsored and monitored by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The teachers work as guest teachers in the United States initially for one year, and may renew for up to three years total if both teacher and school agree. The program does not sponsor J-2 visas for spouses or dependents of the guest teachers.

1.3. Other Programs Offered by the Chinese Language and Culture Initiatives

Chinese Bridge Delegations to China: Education-focused visits to China, hosted by Hanban, for U.S. school administrators and teachers, to learn about China’s rich history and the importance of Chinese language and culture education.

National Chinese Language Conference (NCLC): Established in 2008 by the College Board and the Asia Society, the NCLC is the only national, large-scale meeting of U.S. and international education leaders to promote Chinese language education and global competencies among U.S. students. The conference has been held annually for the past four years; the 2011 NCLC attracted 1,200 attendees, including dignitaries such as China’s State Councilor Madame Liu Yandong.

AP® Summer Institutes in China: U.S.-based Chinese and World History teachers receive scholarships to attend intensive summer institutes in China, in order to enhance their professional and cultural expertise.

Through its Chinese initiatives, the College Board aims to build a foundation for student success in the Advanced Placement Program® Chinese Language and Culture course and exam, which was launched in 2006-07.

1.4. Chinese Guest Teacher Program Goals

The Chinese Guest Teacher Program helps U.S. schools develop Chinese language and culture study programs and promote international exchange between the United States and China. The benefits to participating schools and students are:

If a school/district does not offer Chinese classes yet, the guest teacher will start a new program by initiating classes in one or more schools.

If a school/district already offers Chinese classes, the guest teacher will expand the program by:

o initiating new classes in other school(s) in the district, or o teaching new classes and levels in the same school(s).

Students will have the opportunity to learn authentic Chinese language and to interact with a native Chinese speaker.

The Chinese guest teacher can serve as a cultural resource in subjects such as social studies, Chinese history, geography, music, art, and physical education.

The school can build a pipeline of students to enroll in AP® Chinese classes in the future.

The host school/district can inaugurate or expand a program at reduced cost for the first few years. Host institutions must, however, fulfill certain obligations and requirements (see Host Institution Responsibilities), one of which is to continue the

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program in the future by hiring a full-time Chinese language teacher when the guest teacher returns to China.

As a guest teacher participating in the program, you have been assigned to teach Chinese language classes at a senior high, middle, and/or or elementary school(s) in the United States. It is possible that you will teach at more than one school and that you will also teach classes on Chinese culture, history and/or literature. By participating in the program, you will have an opportunity to:

learn firsthand about American culture and experience life in the U.S.,

improve your foreign language pedagogy skills and techniques,

improve your English proficiency through immersion in an English-speaking environment, and

collect authentic English language and culture materials to use in teaching English back in China.

1.5. Program Terms

The Chinese Guest Teacher Program will provide you with the following:

Exchange Visitor (J-1) Visa, if you successfully apply for and obtain the visa. You must meet and fulfill all requirements of the J-1 exchange scholar visa program. The visa sponsor is the Institute for International Education (IIE). NOTE: The College Board, IIE, or Hanban cannot guarantee that your visa interview will result in the granting of a J-1 visa by the U.S. government. If the visa is not granted, you will not be eligible to participate in the program.

Monthly stipend of $1,000 USD as living allowance, provided by Hanban as per the terms of your contract with Hanban

One round-trip air ticket between China and the U.S. destination, provided by Hanban.

A compensation package provided by the U.S. host institution, which when combined with the Hanban stipend, is commensurate to a U.S. teacher with similar responsibilities and similar education teaching full-time at the same institution. This compensation package may be in the form of 1) partial salary from the U.S host institution or 2) partial salary and in-kind housing and/or transportation benefits.

Academic and cultural mentors assigned by the host school(s) to guide your work and assist you in adapting to life in the U.S.

Professional development to prepare you for teaching and living in the U.S. This will include the Chinese Guest Teacher Summer Institute upon arrival in the U.S. and additional opportunities to attend Web-based and on-site training during the school year.

In order to serve in the Chinese Guest Teacher program, you have demonstrated that you have more than three years’ teaching experience, expertise in foreign language pedagogy, classroom management skills, and advanced proficiency in English and Mandarin Chinese, and are open to experiencing other cultures.

Chinese Guest Teacher Duties

Comply with all applicable laws, policies, rules and instructions of the program.

Work as a full-time teacher at the host institution on assigned duties.

Serve as a cultural ambassador to promote awareness of Chinese culture to the school and local community, and serve as a resource person to share your knowledge and encourage students' interest in China.

Build positive relationships with students, colleagues, and parents, and participate actively in the school and local community.

Return to China at the end of term of service in the Chinese Guest Teacher Program.

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Report to the College Board any personal and work changes, problems, concerns, and/or any conditions that may affect the Program’s goals and objectives, and/or your ability to remain in the Program.

Host Institution Responsibilities

o The host schools/districts are required to:

Sign a contract with the College Board agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Chinese Guest Teacher Program.

Pay an administrative fee for visa processing and J-1 required health insurance during the contract period (approximately $2,000 for the first year and $1,500 for each subsequent year).

Provide the guest teachers with the following: A full-time K-12 teaching position, with mentoring, professional

development, or job-related training programs commensurate with those provided to full-time staff.

Compensation, that when combined with the Hanban stipend, is commensurate to that of a local teacher with similar background. The compensation may consist of salary only, or a combination of salary and in-kind housing and/or transportation benefits. All Chinese guest teachers receive some salary from their U.S. host institutions.

One month of complimentary housing and transportation upon arrival. If not providing housing or transportation as compensation, assist the

teacher in identifying appropriate housing and transportation after the first month.

Verify the institution’s intent to continue the Chinese program beyond the term of the guest teacher by hiring a full-time Chinese language teacher. Participating schools are required to certify that the teachers will not permanently replace full- or part-time employees, and that the program is not designed to recruit and train aliens for permanent employment in the United States.

In compliance with J-1 exchange visitor regulations, international teachers must work full-time in accredited primary and secondary schools and participate actively in cross-cultural activities with Americans in the school and surrounding communities.

2. Cultural Issues

2.1. What is Culture?

Adapted from Coverdell World Wise Schools, www.peacecorps.gov/wws

Before you look at any culture in particular, you should understand what culture in general is and how it works.

The central focus here is on the relationship between culture in the abstract--the underlying values and assumptions of a society--and culture in the flesh--the specific behaviors that derive from those values. It is important for you to understand that what people do and say in a particular culture, whether it is yours or that of your host country, is not arbitrary and spontaneous, but is consistent with what people in that culture value and believe in. By knowing people's values and beliefs, you can come to expect and predict their behavior. Once you can do that, once host country people are no longer catching you off guard with their actions, you are well on your way to successful cultural adjustment.

Moreover, once you accept that people behave the way they do for a reason, whatever you may think of that reason, you can go beyond simply reacting to that behavior and figure out how to work with it. Knowing where host country behavior is coming from doesn't mean that you

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have to like or accept it, but it should mean that you're no longer surprised by it--and that is a considerable step toward successful cultural interaction.

Everyone has a culture. It shapes how we see the world, ourselves, and others. Culture is like an iceberg. Some aspects are visible, and others are beneath the surface. Invisible aspects influence and cause the visible ones. Beliefs vary from person to person and culture to culture. To understand another culture, you first have to understand your own.

From NAFSA’s International Student Handbook, http://www.atharkhan.net/is/nafsa/

Know What to Expect

Anticipating future events and possibilities makes it easier to deal with them when they happen. For example, it helps to anticipate your initial departure and plan ways to maintain relationships with people at home while you are away. Be sure to allow ample time to say goodbye to all the people who are important to you, and plan how to keep in touch. This assures people that you will continue to care about them.

Planning to stay in touch does not require a promise to write or telephone on a strict schedule, but it does help to establish a realistic interval between communications. You will be extremely busy getting settled and learning about your new environment, so it is essential that long periods between communications not alarm your family and friends at home.

Some surprises always await you when you arrive in a new place. People may walk and talk more quickly, traffic patterns may be confusing, and buildings may look different than expected. Such differences are easy to see and quickly learned. Your housing arrangements, teaching American students, and learning the procedures may seem strange or very confusing. But there are predictable series of stages in adjusting to living abroad.

At first, although the new situation is a bit confusing, most international visitors also find it to be exhilarating, a time of new experiences, sights, sounds, and activities. With so much to learn and absorb in the new culture, the initial period of settling in often seems like an adventure. During this time, you will tend to look for and identify similarities between your home culture and your host culture. You will find that people really are friendly and helpful. The procedures are different, but there are patterns, things that you can learn and depend on. You may classify other aspects of the culture that seem unusual or even unattractive as curious, interesting, or "quaint." There will be many opportunities to meet people outside of your school; such opportunities can be rewarding, but they also present an expanded array of cultural puzzles. Your "cultural comfort level" will vary over time as you move in and out of your home culture.

2.2. American Culture

Adapted, by Deborah Hefferon, from NAFSA’s International Student Handbook and American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States by Gary Althen (1997) and from an article written by Marian Beane, Director, International Student/Scholar Office, UNC Charlotte for www.internationalstudentguidetotheus.com

Living and teaching in the United States of America can be a wonderful learning experience. You will practice the English language and also learn much about American life and its sometimes confusing culture. As you prepare to come to the U.S., it may help to know something about the values that shape U.S. Americans' attitudes and behaviors. As you consider these values, it is important to remember that: 1) U.S. society is made up of a diversity of ethnic groups and cultures that have helped shape American values; 2) some individuals and groups have a set of respected values that are quite different from those of mainstream America; and 3) people's attitudes and behavior are based on their values.

Some Major American Values

Individualism: The most important thing to understand about Americans is probably their devotion to "individualism." They have been trained since very early in their lives to consider

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themselves as separate individuals who are responsible for their own situations in life and their own destinies. They have not been trained to see themselves as members of a close-knit, tightly interdependent family, religious group, tribe, nation, or other collective unit.

Privacy: Closely associated with the value they place on individualism is the importance Americans assign to privacy. Americans assume that people need some time to themselves or some time alone to think about things or recover the psychological energy they expend. Americans have great difficulty understanding foreigners who always want to be with another person, who dislike being alone. Americans like their privacy and enjoy spending time alone. Foreign visitors will find American homes and offices open, but what is inside the American mind is considered to be private. To ask the question "What is on your mind?" may be considered by some to be intrusive.

Equality: Americans uphold the ideal that everyone "is created equal" and has the same rights. This includes women as well as men of all ethnic and cultural groups living in the U.S. There are even laws that protect this "right to equality" in its various forms. The general lack of deference to people in authority is one example of equality. Titles, such as "sir" and "madam" are seldom used. Managers, directors, presidents and even university instructors are often addressed by their first or given name.

Informality: The American lifestyle is generally casual. Americans' notions of equality lead them to be quite informal in their general behavior and in their relationships with other people. People from societies where general behavior is more formal than it is in America are struck by the informality of American speech, dress, and posture. Idiomatic speech (commonly called "slang") is heavily used on most occasions, with formal speech reserved for public events and fairly formal situations. Teachers and students greet each other with "hi", "how are you?‖ and "what's up?" The farewell can be as brief as: "See you", "take it easy" or "come by some time" (although they generally don't really mean it). People of almost all socioeconomic classes can be seen in public wearing jeans, sandals, or other informal attire. People slouch down in chairs or lean on walls or furniture when they talk rather than maintaining an erect posture. Friendships are also casual, as Americans seem to easily develop and end friendships.

Direct & assertive: Americans generally consider themselves to be frank, open, and direct in their dealings with other people. Americans will often speak openly and directly to others about things they dislike. They will try to do so in a manner they call "constructive", that is, in a manner which the other person will not find offensive or unacceptable. If they do not speak openly about what is on their minds, they will often convey their reactions in nonverbal ways (without words, but through facial expressions, body positions, and gestures). But understand that Americans are often less direct and open than they realize. There are, in fact, many restrictions on Americans' willingness to discuss things openly.

Americans are not taught, (as people in many Asian countries are), that they should mask their emotional responses. They do not think it improper to display these feelings, at least within limits. Many Asians feel embarrassed around Americans who are exhibiting a strong emotional response to something. (On the other hand, Latins and Arabs are generally inclined to display their emotions more openly than Americans do, and to view Americans as unemotional and "cold".)

Americans are much less concerned with "face" (that is, avoiding embarrassment to themselves or others) than most Asians are. To them, being "honest" is usually more important than preserving harmony in interpersonal relationships.

Time: For Americans, time is a "resource" that, like water or coal, can be used well or poorly. "Time is money," they say. "You only get so much time in this life; you'd best use it wisely." Americans take pride in making the best use of their time. Being "on time" for class, an

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appointment, or for dinner with your host family is important. Americans apologize if they are late.

The future will only be better than the past or the present, as Americans are trained to see things, if people use their time for constructive, future-oriented activities. Thus, Americans admire a "well-organized" person, one who has a written list of things to do and a schedule for doing them. The ideal person is punctual (that is, arrives at the scheduled time for a meeting or event) and is considerate of other people's time (that is, does not "waste people's time" with conversation or other activity that has no visible, beneficial outcome). One of the more difficult things to which many foreign businesspeople, teachers and students must adjust in the U.S. is the notion that time must be saved whenever possible and used wisely every day.

Achievement & hard work/play: The foreign visitor is often impressed at how achievement oriented Americans are and how hard they both work and play. A competitive spirit is often the motivating factor to work harder. Americans often compete with themselves as well as others. They feel good when they "beat their own record" in an athletic event or other types of competition. Americans seem to always be "on the go", because sitting quietly doing nothing seems like a waste of time.

Looking to the future and to change: Children are often asked what they want to be "when they grow up"; college students are asked what they will do when they graduate; and teachers and professors plan what they will do when they retire. Change is often equated with progress and holding on to traditions seems to imply old and outdated ways. Even though Americans are recycling more than before many purchased products are designed to have a short life and then be thrown away.

Adjustment & Culture Shock

You may notice that these American values are, in some instances, quite different from your own. When you come to the U.S. the reality of these differences will be more evident. You will likely experience culture "shock" as you learn to adjust to the new culture and way of living. This is very normal and requires both time and patience. (see section 2.4)

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2.3. Comparison of Chinese and American Cultures

Adapted from Li Qing 1995. "Face, Guanxi, Houmen(r) & Elastic Rules: Insight into the Chinese Culture.‖ Presentation at conference of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Some General Differences Between Chinese and American Cultures

Chinese cultural values American cultural values

Self-concept Collectivist: Higher value placed on group cooperation and individual modesty.

Individualist: Higher value placed on self-reliance. Self-promotion is more accepted. High value placed on "freedom" from externally imposed constraints.

Social Relationships

Formal, hierarchical. People most comfortable in the presence of a hierarchy in which they know their position and the customs/rules for behavior in the situation.

Informal, egalitarian. People most comfortable with their social equals; importance of social rankings minimized.

Friendship

Small number of close, lifelong friends who feel deeply obligated to give each other whatever help might seem required.

Large collection of "friends" and acquaintances which changes over time and may involve only limited mutual obligations.

Obligation Relationships with other people involve reciprocal obligations.

People avoid interdependent relationships and situations that might entail long-term obligations.

Task vs. Relationship Orientation

Relationship-oriented: Maintaining a harmonious relationship has priority over accomplishing tasks.

Task-oriented. Relationships are less important than getting the work done.

Harmony vs. "Truth"

Avoid direct confrontation, open criticism, and controversial topics. Concern maintaining harmony and with "face."

Willing to confront directly, criticize, discuss controversial topics, press personal opinions about what they consider "the truth. Little concern with "face."

Role of laws, rules, and regulations

More faith in personal relationships than in written rules and procedures for structuring interactions.

Written rules presumably apply to everyone and are assumed to produce fair, reasonable procedures and decisions.

Time Consciousness

Relatively more attention to the past and to the longer-term future.

Less interested in the past; eye on near-term future.

Ascribed vs. Achieved Status

Traditionally, a person's status in the society was based importantly on inherited characteristics such as age, gender, and family. This is changing.

People's status is based mainly on their own achievements, including education obtained and level of success realized in their line of work.

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2.4. Culture Shock

From NAFSA’s International Student Handbook, http://www.atharkhan.net/is/nafsa/

Culture shock is not quite as shocking or as sudden as most people expect. It is part of the process of learning a new culture that is called "cultural adaptation." You may experience some discomfort before you are able to function well in a new setting. This discomfort is the "culture shock" stage of the adaptation process. The main thing to remember is that this is a very normal process that nearly everyone goes through.

Just as you will bring with you to the United States clothes and other personal items, you will also carry invisible "cultural baggage" when you travel. That baggage is not as obvious as the items in your suitcases, but it will play a major role in your adaptation abroad. Cultural baggage contains the values that are important to you and the patterns of behavior that are customary in your culture. The more you know about your personal values and how they are derived from your culture, the better prepared you will be to see and understand the cultural differences you will encounter abroad.

Emerging Differences

Gradually, as you become more involved in activities and get to know the people around you, differences--rather than similarities--will become increasingly apparent to you. Those differences may begin to seem more irritating than interesting or quaint. Small incidents and difficulties may make you anxious and concerned about how best to carry on with academic and social life. As these differences emerge, they can be troubling and sometimes shocking. But culture shock does not happen all at once. It is a feeling that grows little by little as you interact with other students, faculty, and people in the community.

For many this gradual process culminates in an emotional state known as "culture shock," although it is seldom as dramatic as the term implies. The common symptoms of culture shock are:

Extreme homesickness Desire to avoid social settings which seem threatening or unpleasant Physical complaints and sleep disturbances Depression and feelings of helplessness Difficulty with coursework and concentration Loss of your sense of humor Boredom or fatigue Hostility towards the host culture

International visitors are sometimes unaware of the fact that they are experiencing culture shock when these symptoms occur. There are ways to deal with this period of culture shock, so it helps to recognize that culture shock may lie behind physical symptoms and irritability.

Coping with Culture Shock

The most effective way to combat culture shock is to step back from a given event that has bothered you, assess it, and search for an appropriate explanation and response. Try the following:

Observe how others are acting in the same situation Describe the situation, what it means to you, and your response to it Ask a local resident or someone with extensive experience how they would have

handled the situation and what it means in the host culture Plan how you might act in this or similar situations in the future Test the new behavior and evaluate how well it works Decide how you can apply what you have learned the next time you find yourself in a

similar situation

Throughout the period of cultural adaptation, take good care of yourself. Read a book or rent a

video in your home language, take a short trip if possible, exercise and get plenty of rest, write a

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letter or telephone home, eat good food, and do things you enjoy with friends. Take special

notice of things you enjoy about living in the host culture.

Although it can be disconcerting and a little scary, the "shock" gradually eases as you begin to understand the new culture. It is useful to realize that often the reactions and perceptions of others toward you--and you toward them--are not personal evaluations but are based on a clash of cultural values. The more skilled you become in recognizing how and when cultural values and behaviors are likely to come in conflict, the easier it becomes to make adjustments that can help you avoid serious difficulties.

"Will I Lose My Own Culture?"

Sometimes international visitors worry about "losing their culture" if they become too well adapted to the host culture. Don't worry: it is virtually impossible to lose the culture in which you were raised. In fact, learning about the new culture often increases your appreciation for and understanding of your own culture. Don't resist the opportunity to become bicultural, able to function competently in two cultural environments.

Just as culture shock derives from the accumulation of cultural clashes, so an accumulation of small successes can lead to more effective interactions within the new culture. As you increase your abilities to manage and understand the new social system, practices that recently seemed so strange will become less puzzling. Eventually you will adapt sufficiently to do your best in your studies and social life and to relax and fully enjoy the experience. And you will recover your sense of humor!

2.5. Cultural Adjustment

Adapted from Coverdell World Wise Schools, www.peacecorps.gov/wws

The Cycle and Stages of Adjustment

Most people living in a new culture will go through somewhat distinct stages as they adjust to their host country, the host culture, and their job. Together, these comprise the cycle of adjustment, during which time one’s awareness of and attitudes towards cultural differences change and evolve. While the sequence of stages presented here seems to be true for most people, no one's experience is quite like another's. You may not have all the feelings and reactions described here, and the time frame will vary, but you need to be aware of what might happen to you as you move through your experience.

Stage I. ENTHUSIASM (THE HONEYMOON)

Time frame:

First few weeks in host country

Note: Time will vary with each person.

Characteristics:

Exposure to country and culture is limited. Excitement and enthusiasm abound. Everything is exotic and quaint. Attitude toward host country is generally positive. Little is expected of you.

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Stage II. COUNTRY & CULTURE SHOCK

Time frame:

Usually in month 2-4; sometime during first half of stay.

Note: Time will vary with each person and will occur in lesser degrees throughout first half of stay.

Characteristics:

Wider exposure to country and culture means more realistic and more mixed reactions. Enthusiasm is tempered with frustration. Feelings of vulnerability and dependence are common. Homesickness is frequent. Nothing is routine. Limited language ability undermines confidence. Close bonds are formed with other trainees.

Stage III. ADJUSTMENT

Time frame:

Usually at mid-point of stay.

Note: Time will vary with each person.

Characteristics:

Routines are reestablished. Some aspects of the country & culture are now seen as normal. Adjustment to the physical aspects of the host country is better. Somewhat more self-reliant. More positive about their ability to function in country.

Stage IV. ADAPTATION

Time frame:

Usually after first few months after training or in second half of stay.

Note: Time will vary with each person.

Characteristics:

You may still experience withdrawal symptoms. You're adjusting to being on your own in country. It's your first experience taking care of yourself in country. You're having your first encounters with the work-related aspects of culture, with initial surprises and frustrations. You miss daily contact with Chinese family and friends who understand you and your language. You're surprised at still having culture shock to go through. You're getting used to being on your own. You're better able to take care of yourself. You're making friends in the community.

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You speak the language better. You're more effective at work because you understand the culture better.

Coping Strategies

Living and working in another country, especially in the beginning, is a series of stressful events, interspersed with occasional periods of calm. For the most part, this stress is the result of the myriad adjustments you have to make, from the trivial to the profound, as you do the following:

learn new ways of doing things; learn to do things you've never done before; stop doing things you can no longer do; adjust to an entirely new set of people; learn to live and work in an environment where you speak a foreign language; get used to various new and unusual phenomena; and learn to live without all kinds of familiar phenomena.

Everyone has experienced stress before and has developed strategies for coping with it. Here, for your reference, is a list of coping strategies that others have suggested.

THINGS I CAN DO ON MY OWN

Read Play cards

Listen to music Cook a meal

Take a walk Meditate

Go to a movie Write in my journal

Go to a restaurant or cafe Go shopping

Exercise Listen to the radio

Garden Take some pictures

Call/email home Look at photos

Write letters Make a tape to send home

Play an instrument Take a ride

Solve puzzles Watch birds

Practice a craft Take a trip

Watch television Watch people

Study language Call other Chinese teachers

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THINGS I CAN DO WITH OTHER PEOPLE

Invite people over

Go and visit someone

Telephone someone

Go to a movie, cafe, etc. with someone

Play a game with someone

Participate in a team sport

Volunteer my services to a needy cause

THINGS I CAN REMIND MYSELF OF

This will pass.

It's not the end of the world.

I came here to experience a challenge.

I've been through worse than this.

It's natural to feel down from time to time.

No pain, no gain.

It's not just me.

Things didn't always go well back home either.

I have taken on a lot; I should expect to feel overwhelmed from time to time.

WAYS I CAN IMPROVE MY ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS

Talk to children

Talk to older people (who have more time and patience!)

Go to a cafe and eavesdrop

Listen to the radio or TV

Join a club or sports team

Participate in some other kind of group activity

Study a language textbook

Do exercises in a language textbook

Listen to language tapes

Ask a host country informant to tape-record key languages phrases that I can practice

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3. Living in the U.S.: Practical Matters

3.1. Social Security

Obtaining a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

Every person who receives income in the U.S. is identified by either a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). These are unique personal identification numbers, widely used in the U.S. If you receive funds from your host school or district (or any another U.S. source), you must obtain an SSN.

You should obtain an SSN after arriving in the U.S.; however, your school must first report your arrival to IIE by email. Please wait at least 10 business days after your school report’s of your arrival before applying for an SSN. If you have been issued an SSN during a previous stay in the U.S., bring it with you as it will still be valid.

Applying for your Social Security Number

To apply for an SSN, you must appear in person at the office of the Social Security Administration nearest your host institution.

Take the following documents with you:

A completed Form SS-5 and Application for a Social Security Card (available online at http://www.ssa.gov).

Your passport and one other document that establishes your age and identity.

Your I-94 Form.

Your SEVIS DS-2019 Form.

As some Social Security Administration Offices may require a letter stating that you are authorized to work in the U.S., your ITP Program Officer has included a Letter of Support in your Welcome Packet. NOTE: It is extremely important that your name on the application for an SSN be spelled exactly the same way it is spelled on your passport and on your SEVIS DS-2019 Form.

The Social Security Administration verifies your immigration documents and status though the DHS Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program. SAVE is populated by data collected by the DHS at the time you were admitted to the U.S. DHS estimates that this data will become available in the SAVE system within 10 calendar days of your admission into the U.S.

Employment Authorization

Before any changes to any Site of Activity can be made, such changes must first be approved by IIE and College Board. You are only allowed to work for your host school or district, as specified in the Terms of Appointment. IIE and College Board must be notified within five (5) days of any changes or additions to the school sites. You may not accept employment outside the school or district at any time without prior IIE and College Board approval.

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3.2. Taxes

Important U.S. Income Tax Information

If you receive income from U.S. sources, you will be required to pay income taxes to the U.S. tax authorities on the income you receive unless you are exempt (excused) under a tax treaty or special rulings of the U.S. taxing authority, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). U.S. source income includes, but is not limited to, funds provided to you by any U.S. institutions, organizations, or agencies as well as wages paid by any U.S. employers.

Social Security Taxes

Social Security is the U.S. national retirement plan. A portion of every U.S. wage earner’s paycheck is automatically deducted for Social Security taxes. Services performed by holders of J-1 visas are currently not subject to Social Security taxes if the services are performed in accordance with the purposes for which the exchange visitor was admitted to the U.S. If you receive salary and/or stipends from a school or district, you should be aware of this exemption and bring it to the attention of school officials immediately in case Social Security taxes (sometimes identified as FICA on paycheck stubs) are withheld by mistake. Please visit the Internal Revenue Service’s website or contact local Taxpayer Assistance Centers for detailed instructions on taxes.

http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html

Federal Income Tax Reporting and Withholding on Wages Paid to Aliens

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=129245,00.html

Social Security Tax / Medicare Tax

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=104936,00.html

Each year in late January you will receive various tax-related documents summarizing your U.S. source income from the previous year. Your school district will send these documents to you. Most likely this will be the form 1042-S. In some instances you may receive the form 1099-Misc.

Tax forms and tax terms you may encounter are explained below.

Tax Terms and Tax Forms You May Encounter

1042-S (Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding) This form is used to summarize U.S. source income paid to a nonresident alien. Income summarized on this form includes:

Compensation payments made to employees for whom an exemption from tax withholding is claimed based on a tax treaty.

All non-employee compensation payments made to nonresident aliens such as bank interest, dividends, awards, etc. Many U.S. financial institutions issue form 1099 to report non-compensation income such as bank interest and dividends.

W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) This form is used to summarize your U.S. income from employment regardless of your U.S. residency status. Your employer reports gross income you earned during the year as well as income taxes they withheld from your wages and submitted to tax authorities.

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1099 (Miscellaneous Income) This form is used to report income that is not reported in the previously mentioned forms (1042-S or W-2):, bank interest, dividends, etc.

W-4 (Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate) Since you will be working in the U.S., your employer will ask you to fill in this form prior to the commencement of your employment. This form will determine the withholding tax amount from your wage.

FICA Tax (Social Security Tax) This tax is imposed on all earned wages in the U.S. This tax is to finance the old age/survivors/disability insurance and the medical insurance for such eligible individuals provided under the Social Security Act. Even though you have or have applied for a Social Security Number, you are most likely exempt from paying this tax, which represents 7.65% of your gross wage. Unfortunately, many U.S. employers are not aware of this fact and they withhold this tax from your wages. Please see your employers if you notice this error on your statement of earnings.

3.3. Money

Transferring Money from Home

If you require regular or emergency financial support from someone at home, Money Transfer services, such as Western Union, can be used to transfer cash from many countries. A bank account or credit card is not necessary. A family member, friend or sponsor may bring the cash they wish to send to any Western Union location, where they fill out a simple form and pay a service charge based upon the amount to be sent. You can withdraw that money in local currency minutes later at any Western Union location.

Each country has its own central telephone number that gives callers detailed information regarding locations and service hours. Check your local telephone directory under Western Union Money Transfer or in the U.S. call 1-800-325-6000, or visit the following website: http://www.westernunion.com.

Banking

As soon as you arrive at your school/district and get your SSN, you should open an account at a local bank. If you have transferred funds from your home bank, you will probably choose its correspondent bank in the U.S. if it is conveniently located. If not, ask your school contact to suggest an appropriate institution.

Although the bank you select will offer you many different kinds of accounts, they will generally fall into two categories: (a) savings accounts, which pay interest at a modest rate but limit the number of withdrawals per month and often require your presence at the bank to handle the transaction, and (b) checking accounts, which will be most useful to you because they are designed to help depositors pay their bills on the Internet, or by writing checks that can be sent safely through the mail (to pay rent or utility bills, for example) or handed to cashiers in local stores. Some checking accounts are offered without a fee but require that you maintain a minimum balance; others require no balance but debit the account a monthly service charge as well as a small fee for each check cashed. The bank customer service staff will list the options for you.

ATM and Checks

Most banks issue an ATM (automatic teller machine) or debit card that allows bank customers to access funds in their accounts through machines that are open 24 hours a day. These are

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located outside the bank. Increasingly, grocery stores, gas stations and other stores have installed machines that allow you to pay for your purchases at the check-out counter or gas pump using your ATM or credit card. Remember to take your receipt with you. It is important to note that checks drawn on out-of-town banks will take approximately 5 business days to clear, (i.e., the time required for the money to be transferred from one bank to the other before it will be available to you). If you do transfer your base from one city to another during the period of your sponsorship, you can move your funds to a new bank in one of two ways: (a) you can write a check drawn on your original bank for deposit in the new account (which must then clear), or (b) you can purchase traveler’s checks with the balance of your funds.

Credit Cards

Credit/charge cards are widely used in the U.S. The most popular cards are those issued by American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, but there are many others available from credit companies with a local focus and from individual shops and department stores. Ordinarily, cards are issued only to applicants with a substantial income and proof of past credit worthiness. The safest place to apply for a credit card is at your bank. Given the complexity of credit checking outside the U.S., it can be difficult for visiting teachers to qualify for cards once they are in the U.S. However, if you can obtain one before you leave home, you will find it useful, especially if you should wish to rent a car. Credit cards with MasterCard or Visa logos from China should be valid for use in the U.S.,Credit companies bill monthly and charge interest at very high rates (12–21 percent annual rate) on any unpaid balance from the previous month. Some companies, such as American Express, require payment in full at the end of the month. Although no interest is charged on the current month’s bills, there are sometimes hidden costs for the convenience of credit.

3.4. Housing

Guest teachers’ may have a variety of living accommodations: you may live with a host family, in a private or shared apartment, or in campus housing.

a). If you receive a salary from the host institution and no other benefits, you need to plan to use a substantial portion of the salary on housing and will need to make and pay for your own housing arrangements. You will be provided complimentary housing and transportation for the first month of your stay. The host institution will provide guidance to you on how to locate appropriate housing after the first month. Please note that many rental apartments require a deposit when signing the lease. You will also need to pay for utilities and services for your housing, such as electricity, gas, water, telephone, Internet, cable TV, etc.

b.) If housing is provided to you as part of the benefits in your compensation package, you may live with a host family in a separate bedroom, or in a private apartment, or in a private bedroom in a shared apartment with another teacher, or a private bedroom on school property.

A few reminders:

Host families and host schools are NOT required to provide you with regular meals unless it is specified in a pre-signed agreement. You will be provided with an itemization of your housing and/or transportation benefits (if applicable) and that itemization should specify what is provided in your benefits. You may ask your program contact for further clarification if you have any questions. Some schools will offer you free or discounted breakfast and/or lunch on campus, and some host families may not ask you to contribute money toward the monthly groceries. However, as a responsible adult, you should be prepared to cover your meal expenses from your salary or stipend, and should plan accordingly. If you live with a host family and your food is not included as part of your compensation, it is a good idea to either go grocery shopping with them to buy your own food or agree on a reasonable contribution that you will make each month to the host family. If meals are not part of the housing benefits provided and the host family is kind enough to invite you to join them for meals, you should ask whether they

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expect you to give a monthly contribution for food as a token of appreciation. The contribution amount can vary from place to place, depending on the cost of living in the area and the host family’s financial situation. When interacting with your host family, remember that they have opened their home and their hearts to you, and you should always treat them with respect. A few ways to repay their kindness and generosity are: cooking dinner or inviting them to a restaurant once in a while, making small Chinese cultural gifts to show your appreciation, spending time with them, etc.

Be sure to ask about any house rules or regulations. In a host family, this may include things such as bedtime (or ―quiet‖) hours, or use of the TV, telephone, or computer, and rules regarding using the bathroom and the kitchen. Try to let them know your preferences, but also be sensitive and respectful of their rules. It is important also to keep your things clean and neat, especially in any shared spaces in the house such as bathroom or living room. If you are in an apartment or campus housing, it is very important that you find out and follow all housing rules and regulations.

Americans tend to be more independent in their living style, which means that your neighbors or host family may not include or invite you to all activities. If you are interested, you can certainly let them know that you hope to join future activities. They may not be comfortable inviting you to all events and activities, so do not take offense if you are not invited.

Many Americans are very conscious of the health hazards of smoking, or are allergic to cigarette smoke. If you are a smoker, be sure to ask your host family where you can smoke. If you live in an apartment or campus housing, be aware that public and residential buildings in the U.S. have very strict non-smoking policies.

If you are uncomfortable with the living situation provided by the host institution, first bring your concerns to the attention of your local school contact to see if the situation can be improved or adjusted. If that is not successful, please notify the College Board program contact of the issues, and together we will try to develop a solution. In the meantime, please also try to adjust to the situation, be flexible and positive. Since you are now living in a culture and a country other than your own, it is to be expected that you will encounter a different lifestyle and living arrangements.

3.5. Transportation

a). If you receive a salary from the host institution and no other benefits, you need to use the salary and make your own transportation arrangements.

b). If transportation is provided to you as part of the benefits in your compensation package, it may take different forms: rides to/from school, public or school bus transportation, private car, or walking (if you live close to campus). If your colleague or host family will give you rides to/from school, they may also be willing to take you other places, for example, shopping on the weekend or attending social events. You should ask him/her whether this is possible, and if not, whether they can suggest alternative rides or other transportation. NOTE: You will need to ask for rides when needed; Americans will not necessarily think of it as their responsibility to offer you a ride all the time. Whenever you need a ride to go somewhere, please communicate with the host family ahead of time, and be considerate of their schedule. Due to the increasing price of gasoline, many Americans are trying not to drive as much. Therefore, you should try to run as many errands as possible on the same trip.

Bicycles may be offered in some cases. If you ride a bicycle, you should purchase a helmet and a lock. The helmet is required by law in most places, and the lock is essential if you don’t want to lose the bike. Host schools/districts are not required to offer you a private car for your use, and most will not be able to do so. Remember that every school/district in the country has a different financial situation. While a few teachers may be provided with a car, most will not be.

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Each teacher’s circumstances are unique, and you cannot compare the arrangements made by your host institutions to those made by others.

c). If you wish to drive in the U.S. and purchase your own car, please read the following section.

Driving in the U.S.

Not only is an automobile expensive to maintain, but it also carries with it certain liabilities and responsibilities. If you find it necessary to purchase an automobile or other motor vehicle, please note that you must abide by state regulations and you must secure adequate insurance coverage. This is extremely important, since neither your school, IIE, the College Board nor Hanban can assume responsibility in case of accident or loss. You should seek the advice of your school contact in securing adequate coverage and in informing yourself of the liability insurance laws of the state in which your academic institution is located. Only tourists may use the driver’s licenses of their own country for up to one year; exchange visitors are expected to apply for a license in the state in which they reside. You may not be issued automobile insurance if you do not have a valid United States driver’s license.

To obtain a license, visit the local office of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Even if you have a valid license from home, you may be required to take a driving test; this depends on the state in where you will be residing. In almost all cases you will also be required to take a written test proving that you understand U.S. road rules. The DMV will give you a book outlining these rules.

There are many car rental agencies all over the country, and they can be found at all major airports. Cars can be rented by the day, week, month, or year; usually the fee is based on the duration of the rental and, in some cases, there is a mileage charge. Gasoline is sometimes included in the fee; sometimes it costs extra. You must present the agency with a valid driver’s license to rent a car. Most agencies demand a credit card before they will rent out a vehicle; those that accept cash usually ask for a substantial deposit and return any excess when the final bill is settled.

If you need to purchase an automobile, whether new or used, it is a good idea to ask an American colleague or friend to accompany you to the car dealership. There is a great art to buying cars in the U.S., and you will be glad to have an experienced guide. This is one occasion where bargaining is the rule. You will be offered many options regarding equipment, services, and financing, which can be confusing. Before you sign the purchase papers, you should always ask to test drive the car and, if it is used, have it checked by an independent mechanic. In addition to the vehicle’s purchase price, you must expect to pay a local or state sales tax, a registration fee, personal property tax, and insurance premiums. Public liability and property damage insurance is compulsory in most states and advisable everywhere and it can be a costly item. The insurance protects you financially in the event that you injure someone or damage property with your vehicle. It is also wise to insure yourself against fire, theft, or damage to the vehicle. Costs of these items vary so widely from area to area that it is advisable for you to discuss them with colleagues when you arrive at your school/district.

Gasoline is sold by the gallon (slightly less than four liters) and is usually available in three unleaded grades, each designed for different-sized engines. (Environmental laws require cars in the U.S. to use unleaded gas.) Diesel fuel is also available but less frequently. Gas stations (also called service stations) also provide restroom facilities as a convenience to the traveler. Driving laws are strictly enforced, and ignorance of them is not considered an excuse. Parking rules are clearly posted on the roadsides, and fines are imposed (or cars towed away) if they are not observed. Moving violations (such as passing in a no-passing zone, speeding, driving through a red light) are considered the most serious and carry the heaviest fines. Speed limits are also posted; the maximum speed limit permitted on highways varies by state and type of road. There are laws in the U.S. to prevent driving under the influence of alcohol, and the penalties for doing so are severe.

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To protect yourself and your property, never pick up hitchhikers you do not know, never leave the keys in the ignition, never leave packages visible in the car, and be sure to close all windows and lock car doors whenever you park. When driving you should be aware that pedestrians always have the right of way. You should also note that making a right turn against a red light may be illegal in some urban areas.

3.6. Communications

Understanding the US Mail System and Multiple Addresses

Individuals in the U.S. often use a variety of addresses. It is common for an individual to reside at one location and receive mail at another. For instance, one may choose to pay for a private mail box even though a mail box is provided at the place of residence. Throughout this handbook you will have read references made to both mailing address and the address where you physically reside. In any event you are responsible for notifying within 10 days of making a change to either address at any time during your period of sponsorship. It is also recommended that whenever you move, you leave a forwarding address at your place of residence and complete a change-of-address form at your local post office or at http://www.usps.com.

Also, if traveling for an extended period of time you can ask the post office to hold your mail and deliver it upon your return.

The United States Postal Service, a government-owned corporation, provides mail service. Post offices are usually open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and until noon on Saturday, although some have extended hours. Blue mailboxes are located on many street corners and in public buildings; each carries a sign on which collection times are indicated. In most areas of the country, mail is delivered to individual residences, Monday through Saturday.

As of July 2010, postage for first-class mail for standard-sized letters within the U.S. is $0.44 per ounce. The cost of mailing a postcard to most foreign countries, including China, is $0.98. The cost of postage depends on the size, weight and destination of your letter or package. To calculate postage, please visit: http://postcalc.usps.gov/

Use of the ZIP code that follows the city and state names is required for delivery. The first five digits are in common use; the final four are part of a system designed to direct mail to specific addresses more quickly, but they are not required. ―USA‖ needs to be added as a final line to the address if the letter is to cross an international boundary.

Telephones

The telephone system in the United States is composed of many privately owned but cooperating companies. The system is effective, and a good deal of business is conducted over the telephone. One can reserve hotel rooms, make travel reservations, buy theater tickets, and shop for any item one might want without leaving home.

Telephone numbers in the U.S. contain 10 digits: a 3-digit area code, a 3-digit number for the local exchange (occasionally 2 letters and 1 digit), and a 4-digit number for the individual subscriber. Under the system, the United States is divided into many small regions or areas, each reached by an area code that must be dialed whenever you are calling outside your local area. Usually when you call a local number, only the exchange and individual subscriber number must be dialed. In some large metropolitan areas that span more than one area code, it may be necessary to dial the area code, as well, even if it is within the same area code. In most locations it is necessary to dial ―1‖ before the area code if calling outside your local area. Be careful not to confuse the letter ―I‖ with the numeral ―1‖ or the letter ―O‖ with the numeral ―0‖ (zero).

When calling outside your local area, or ―long distance,‖ it is least expensive if you dial direct at night without using an operator. Calls from hotels often include a substantial service charge. All numbers in the United States can be dialed directly (i.e., without operator assistance), and overseas calls can also be dialed from many local exchanges. To ask an operator for

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assistance, dial ―0.‖ He or she will be able to give you the area/international code for the city/country you wish to call and place ―collect‖ calls (which are billed to the person called) and ―person-to-person‖ calls (which incur a charge only if the person you wish to speak to is present, even if the phone is answered). It is also useful to remember that you can save about 35 percent of the cost if you dial domestic long-distance calls after 5 p.m. and 60 percent if you call between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays, all day on Saturday, and before 5 p.m. on Sundays or holidays. (This may vary, however, according to the long-distance provider you choose.) Some businesses in the United States have ―800‖ or ―888‖ as an area code; such numbers can be dialed (preceded by ―1‖) without charge to the caller from anywhere in the United States. You can obtain a local number by calling ―Information‖ (dial ―411‖) and a long-distance number by dialing the area code followed by 555-1212. The services usually carry a small charge.

Telephone calls to numbers with ―900‖ area codes cost more than normal long-distance calls—sometimes as much as $50 for a 1-minute call! By dialing 900 numbers, you can order products, get financial tips, talk with a willing stranger, and much more. Although some legitimate services are provided through 900 numbers, it is vital to be aware that ALL of them cost money. Some companies are starting to send bills for calls placed to 800 numbers, as well. In case of emergency, call the operator (dial ―0‖), and ask for the police, fire department, or an ambulance. In many cities, there is a special number (usually ―911‖) to use in the event of an emergency. It can be dialed from a pay phone without the use of coins.

Public coin-operated telephones can be found on the street and in railroad and bus stations, airports, hotels, restaurants, drugstores, and other public buildings. Prepaid telephone debit cards are available almost everywhere in the United States. With them, you may place local, long-distance, and international calls from any location without the necessity of coins for a pay phone or a long-distance account with a U.S. telephone company. You may purchase these cards in $5 and $10 increments at convenience stores, supermarkets, drug stores and post offices or through your local telephone company.

NOTE: These debit cards often offer the most economical rates for calling overseas and you avoid the various taxes and charges that will accompany your home phone calling plans. To have a telephone installed in your home, dial the telephone company’s business office (see a telephone directory). Ordinarily, service can be provided within a week. The company charges for initial installation of the line and a monthly fee for local service and rental of equipment (or you may purchase your own phone), with extra charges for long-distance calls. A deposit of approximately $50 will usually be required of new subscribers. Although there will be only one company providing basic, landlinetelephone service in a given area, there are now many companies offering Internet-based telephone service that you can consider as well. It is a good idea to research several companies’ rates and service options and ask local contacts for recommendations. If you have a long-distance account with a U.S. telephone company and plan to place international long-distance calls frequently, you may wish to enroll in your company’s international calling plan. These plans offer special discounts for international calls and can save you a lot of money.

Phone Cards to Call China International phone cards offer discounted rates on phone calls to China and areavailable for purchase on the Internet. You need to register and create your user name and password, and use a credit card to make the purchase. . If you do not have a credit card yet, you can ask your host family, colleagues, or friends to buy one for you and you just pay them back in cash. When you select the phone cards, confirm that it has a local access number in your area/state. In that way, you can dial the access number from any local phone(school or home etc.) and usually it's free to call a local number. Normally, a $20 phone card can be used for several hours’ of phone calls.

Telephone Answering Machines and Voice Mail

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Telephone answering machines or voice mail are in frequent use in many U.S. homes and offices. Although this may seem impersonal at first, you will soon become accustomed to this practice and learn to leave comprehensive messages. When leaving a voice message, please remember to provide your name, the time of your call, a brief explanation of why you are calling, mention whether you expect a return call, and if so, state your call-back number clearly.

Cellular/Mobile Telephones

―Cell Phones‖ are very popular and you can find very competitive prices or package deals. There are also many styles of telephones at different prices that offer a variety of tools beyond cell phone use. Unlike in other countries, where prepaid cell phone cards are popular, in the U.S. the most popular option is to purchase a service plan. Many systems in the U.S. require a 2-year service agreement to get the best price; however, terminating the contract early carries a high penalty that may actually make the contract more expensive. Service Agreements carry a number of minutes of services you agree to purchase per month. If you go over your agreed allotment you will be charged by the minute at a much higher rate. Be sure to purchase the amount of minutes that will serve your usage needs. You will need to read the contract carefully and sign up only for services that you will need.

Some cell phone companies, such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Virgin Mobile, offer pre-paid cell phones or pay-as-you-go plans, where you can enjoy the convenience of a cell phone without having to commit to a long-term contract. This is a good option if you do not use your cell phone very often and want to be in total control of your cell phone bill.

Internet Access

You may choose to have a computer at home and will need to have access to the Internet. Most telephone companies offer some form of DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) access for an increased price to your telephone bill. You may also purchase a high speed online connection through a television cable company. If high speed Internet connections are beyond your price range, most Internet service providers (ISPs) still offer traditional dial-up connections for lower prices. There is a large variety of Internet providers available and you should shop around first before deciding.

The cheapest way to video conference and call your friends in China and other countries is to use the Internet. One of the most popular programs in the U.S. is Skype (www.skype.com). Skype allows users to make voice calls and video conferencing via the Internet. Using your computer and a headset, you may call or video conference another Skype user for free (anywhere in the world), or may call mobile phones or landlines anywhere in the world for a fee. As of July 2011, you may make unlimited international calls through Skype for $13.99/month, or pay-as-you-go for $0.02.3/minute.

E- Mail,Text messaging, and FAX

Americans frequently communicate with others by electronic mail (e-mail). It is also becoming increasingly popular to communicate with others bycell phone text messages, especially among youth. (This will be something you will need to control in your classrooms; consult your school’s policy.) Ask your host institution about acquiring and using a school-provided Internet account. Sending information by FAX (facisimile) is used primarily for business purposes that required printed and/or signed copies of documents. Fax machines are available in most schools. Some stores, such as Kinko’s, also provide fax services for a modest fee.

The Media (Newspapers, Radio, Television)

The press in the United States is independent and free of governmental control. The editorial policy of each TV or radio station or newspaper is determined by its owners. Most are supported financially by advertisers, although there are ―public‖ TV and radio stations that do

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not broadcast commercials and are supported by contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Public TV usually features more educational and cultural programs than the commercial stations.

Local newspapers, daily and weekly, abound, but it is also possible to purchase or subscribe to daily papers of regional or national stature. Among the latter, The New York Times is best known for general news coverage; The Wall Street Journal, for financial and business news.

There are four nationwide TV/radio networks (NBC, CBS, ABC, and Fox), each with affiliated local stations that carry almost all the networks’ programs. These are in addition to independent local commercial and public stations. In most areas, therefore, one can choose from among 6 to 10 stations. There is no fee for TV or radio usage unless one subscribes to a ―cable service,‖ which offers such special programming as recent movies and CNN and requires the installation of special equipment. CNN and the public access stations in your area often broadcast news in a variety of foreign languages. They may provide more information about current events in your home country than is available in the local newspapers.

3.7. Family and Friend Visits from China

Expectations for Visits by Guest Teachers’ Families & Friends (adapted from Ohio Department of Education recommendations to their school districts participating in the Guest Teacher Program): 1) Guest teachers’ families can only come to the U.S. on tourist visas as the program does

not sponsor J-2 dependent visas. Host instutitutions should not be asked to provide a ―support letter‖ for teachers to help family or friends secure a visa. Please see Appendix A for a statement regarding no J-2 visas, which your family may present to the U.S. Embassy at the time of the visa interview.

2) Visiting families and friends can only stay in the U.S. for the time allowed by their visa, which is up to six months. After that, the visa holder would need to return to China to re-apply for a new visa.

3) The districts and the visiting teachers’ host families have no obligation to provide

housing, meals, insurance or transportation to the guest teachers’ families or friends. Guest teachers are required to pay for all expenses related to their visitors’ food, housing and transportation. They also need to pay for their family members’ health insurance coverage, medical evacuation insurance and child care.

4) The guest teachers’ host families should not be expected to accommodate additional

visitors in their homes, especially not for extended periods of time. Guest teachers should plan to stay with their families in a hotel at their own expense if they come to visit. If a host family does offer voluntarily to accommodate its guest teacher’s visitors for a short stay, the guest teacher should compensate the host family for any additional expenses related to meals, utilities, etc.

5) The guest teacher must agree to continue his/her good teaching performance throughout any visit and not allow the presence of visitors to adversely affect his or her work in the program. Aside from using available personal days, guest teachers are not permitted to request additional time off work to spend with their visitors. Guest teachers who desire to travel with their families or other visitors should plan their visits to coincide with planned academic recesses, like winter break or spring break, or they should maximize the use of weekends.

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6) Schools and districts are not under any obligation to enroll the children of guest teachers in the local school district. Proper childcare arrangements must be made during work days and times when the guest teacher has work obligations.

3.8. Health Insurance NOTE: The information below is a summary of your health insurance in the U.S. For details about coverage and procedures, please contact Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) directly: www.culturalinsurance.com.

Teachers on J-1 visas are required to have health insurance coverage while in the U.S. The administrative fee for the Program (in 2011-12, $2,020 for new teachers and $1,520 for renewing teachers) is used to cover the guest teacher's visa processing and health insurance costs. The health insurance provided through the Program meets the requirements of the J-1 visa. You are covered through the time period on your Terms of Appointment, which for new teachers in 2011-12 is July 18, 2011 to July 17, 2012. If you renew in the Program for following years, the health insurance coverage continues and will end on the end date for the TOA. Host institutions may choose to provide medical insurance directly to the guest teacher and/or to provide additional benefits, such as dental care. If your school is providing you with additional health or dental insurance, please know that you should be given a choice to opt out of such coverage if there is any additional charge to you. If that is the case, please sit down with your school to make sure you understand the choice. The program health insurance in 2011-12 is provided by Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). It is basic health insurance for needed medical events but generally does not cover preventative care such as a yearly ―check-up.‖ It has a few special provisions for international visitors, such as ―emergency medical reunion‖ for family members of hospitalized policy holders, and return tickets to China in the event of death or life-threatening illnesses of family members of the policy holder. You will receive information on your health insurance policy at the Guest Teacher Summer Institute. Due to the complicated nature of the U.S. insurance system, we encourage you to review the health insurance policy with your cultural mentor and/or colleagues upon arrival in your community, and to visit the website to search for in-network doctors and treatment centers using the U.S. Provider Search link at www.culturalinsurance.com. The doctors and treatment centers that are considered in-network are a part of the First Health/Hygeia network.

A few key notes on your health insurance:

1) Carry your insurance card with you at all times, in case of emergency. If you need health care and do not have your insurance card, the payment process will be much more complicated. You will likely be billed by the health care provider and will need to then submit a claim form to request that the insurance company pay for the medical care.

2) ―Check-ups‖ are not covered.

3) It is highly recommended that you see ―in-network‖ doctors when a medical event arises. . If you see a doctor in your insurance company’s network, you are typically only responsible for the deductible and/or co-pay, a fee of $50 per visit. If you see a doctor outside of the network, you will likely be responsible for all the medical fees at the time of service. You may submit paperwork to your insurance company for reimbursement of these fees; however, it is possible the insurance company may only cover a portion of the bill. Fees for a doctor visit can be as much as several hundred dollars for a standard visit, with much greater fees associated with any special procedures, such as an X-ray. We strongly encourage you to visit www.culturalinsurance.com to identify a few local doctors and health centers in advance, before you get sick.

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4) If you have questions about your insurance coverage or need help locating an in-network doctor, you may call the Insurance company at 1-800-303-8120, extension 5130 (9-5 PM EST), or email claimhelp@culturalinsurance.com. Outside of regular business hours, you can contact 1-877-577-9504 for assistance.

5) Carefully review Appendix B, ―Emergency Rooms vs. Other Medical Care Options.‖ If you have a life-threatening illness or injury, go to the closest Emergency Room immediately. If you have an illness or injury that is not serious, but do need immediate attention, you may get the quickest treatment at a local ―Urgent Care Center.‖ You can search for Urgent Care Centers that accept your insurance at www.culturalinsurance.com.

6) Your insurance will reimburse up to $2,500 for a round-trip ticket to China in the unfortunate event of death or life-threatening illnesses of your immediate family members in China. Contact the College Board immediately if you are considering returning to China under such circumstances, and we will assist you in the process.

7) If you are hospitalized for more than three days in the U.S., the insurance will reimburse up to $2,500 the cost of round-trip airfare from China for one individual of your choice to visit you.

8) Dental treatment is not covered, except in the case of injury to healthy teeth.

3.9. International Travel

The following is some important information for you if you plan to travel internationally (i.e. outside of the 50 U.S. States and territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.) Please note that ALL Guest Teachers need travel authorization to leave the country. If you are a renewing guest teacher, you will need new travel authorization for 2011-2, as you now have a new DS-2019. Please see Appendix C for the Travel Validation Cover Letter you will need to fill out and mail to IIE. Travel Around Some of you are planning to travel during the holidays. If you want to travel outside of the U.S., please make sure you send your original DS 2019 to IIE for travel validation before you leave the country. You will not be able to return to the U.S. without IIE’s validation.

Chinese citizens have to get a visa to visit many countries. Even if you travel to Canada and Mexico (the closest two neighbors of the U.S.), you still need to get a visa to enter their territory. Please find and contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate to apply for your visa to Canada or Mexico.

Visiting Canada: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp

Visiting Mexico: http://portal.sre.gob.mx/usa/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=111&op=page&SubMenu

If you want to travel within the U.S, you don’t need to get your DS 2019 validated. Please keep in mind that the country Puerto Rico is considered U.S. territory. If you go there, you don’t need a visa. Puerto Rico is a tropical island located in the Caribbean.

http://welcome.topuertorico.org/index.shtml

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One of the most inexpensive ways of traveling within the U.S. is to join a tour organized by Chinese travel agencies. They always have good deals and their tour guides speak fluent Chinese and English. The website below may help you find more Chinese travel agencies.

http://yp.worldjournal.com/

1. choose a region, e.g. Chicago or New York; 2. choose a category, e.g. travel and transportation; 3. choose ―travel agencies‖; 4. you will see a list of travel agencies in the area and their contact information. 5. contact the travel agencies in your area, ask for website if they have, request quotes by

fax or email, and call them back to book the trip when you make your decision.

If you are going on a cruise, be sure to get your DS-2019 authorized just in case. Many countries that you would visit on a cruise do not require visas for cruise passengers, but before you go on the trip, please be sure to visit the official tourist websites of any destination country.

4. Education in the U.S.

4.1. Organization of K-12 and Higher Education

Decentralization

The United States has a decentralized system of education; there is no national school system. The authority to create and administer education policy rests with the 50 states, and most states have delegated authority to operate schools to local governments. There are no national laws addressing a prescribed curriculum, the establishment and recognition of institutions, the recognition of degrees or professions, the governance of institutions, or the legal status of students or faculty. The federal government plays a limited but important role in ensuring equity, supporting state and local educational improvement efforts, providing financial support for postsecondary education, gathering statistics and conducting research, and helping to make education a national priority.

National associations - which are non-governmental and usually non-profit - also play a significant role in formulating policy and supporting education. These associations, of which the College Board is one example, are generally formed by groups of professionals holding similar positions and interests (e.g. teachers, administrators, professors) to further common goals. The associations foster communication and collaboration among localities and individuals and represent members' interests at local, state, and national levels.

Organization and Administration

Elementary and secondary education in the United States generally spans 12 academic years, or grades. Elementary school includes kindergarten through the fifth grade (K-5). Secondary school, typically comprises grades six through twelve, and is divided into middle school (grades 6 – 8) or junior high school (grades 7 – 9) and senior high school (grades 9 – 12 or 10 – 12).

The academic year generally lasts approximately 9 months, or 180 days. Classes normally are in session September to June; however, some districts are now experimenting with year-round schooling as well. The school day for all but the youngest children lasts from about 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Ages for compulsory schooling in the United States vary by state, but all jurisdictions require school attendance. In general, school attendance is required between the ages of 7 and 16.

Early childhood education refers to education for children 3 – 6 years old. They may enroll in preschool, nursery school, and/or kindergarten, and many states now require some attendance.

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In elementary school, classes are generally organized under a single teacher who is responsible for teaching all subject areas. For secondary school students, the school day usually consists of several scheduled periods of instruction, each devoted to a single subject or activity. There are usually 5 or 6 periods during a typical school day and students go to a different classroom for each period. Some schools have a ―block‖ schedule, which means that the school schedule has three or four longer periods each day, instead of 5 or 6 shorter periods.

Over 60 percent of graduating secondary students enroll in some form of postsecondary education each year, or approximately 1.8 million students. Twenty per cent enroll on a part-time basis, and 43 percent enroll in associate degree and short programs as compared with undergraduate, bachelor's degree programs.

Undergraduate studies in the United States are generally divided into two phases: a set of distributed course requirements that must be completed involving basic study in several subjects; and a concentrated program of study in one or more ―major‖ subjects. In American parlance, a college is a four-year institution of higher learning that offers courses in related subjects; the word "college" is often used as shorthand for either a college or a university.

Graduate education is the term used in the United States for studies undertaken after the award of a bachelor's degree. It corresponds to what is called post-graduate or advanced education in some other systems.

Map of the U.S. Education System

Public and Private Schools: The great majority of U.S. elementary and secondary students attend public schools; however, 11% attend private institutions. Private schools receive the bulk of their funding from student tuition and donations. There are approximately 85,000 public schools and 26,000 private schools in the United States.

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Religion and Education: According to the U.S. Constitution, there is a separation between church and state (public government). Therefore, no public school can have a religious affiliation, teach religious doctrine, or mandate religious coursework. Many private schools, however, are affiliated with a religious group.

Magnet Schools: are public schools that offer a special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of students from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Typically, enrollment at magnet schools is competitive and programs emphasize particular themes such as the fine arts, science and technology, or foreign languages.

Charter schools: are alternative public schools operated by local communities. These schools follow their own educational approaches and are largely free from compliance with standard regulations. However, they also generally face significant pressure to meet key educational goals.

School Choice

School choice is an educational reform initiative that seeks to permit parents greater flexibility in placing their children in the school of their choice (as opposed to a local school district assigning children to schools based solely on their area of residency). Vouchers are government payments to households that are used as tuition payments to the private/public schools of choice. There is also a small but growing number of parents who educate their children themselves, a practice known as home schooling.

Finance

The funding of public elementary and secondary schools in the United States is also highly decentralized. The federal government provides approximately 7% of total funding, while 47% and 46% of funding comes from the state and the local governments, respectively. The federal government provides grants to states and school districts to support improved educational quality and reforms. Some schools and districts hosting guest teachers have received special grants to support the creation of a Chinese program.

School districts also receive a significant portion of their budget from local government funds, including local property taxes. This situation has often resulted in funding discrepancies between wealthy and poor districts.

4.2. Curriculum

Curriculum

There is no standard national curriculum set by law. States establish their own guidelines and policies for the curriculum while considerable freedom is often left to local and school authorities. Primary and secondary school curricula are designed to integrate across grade levels and provide a coherent and comprehensive educational experience for each student who undertakes and completes all grade levels. Curricula also accommodate necessary differences in learning styles and abilities, as well as different interests and aptitudes.

Although there is no national curriculum in the United States, certain subjects are taught in virtually all elementary and secondary schools throughout the country. Almost every elementary school, for example, teaches mathematics; language arts (including reading, grammar, writing, and literature); penmanship; science; social studies (including history, geography, citizenship, and economics); and physical education. In addition to required courses -- for example, a year of American history, two years of literature, etc. -- secondary schools, like colleges, typically offer electives. Foreign language courses are sometimes electives, along with arts and music. This may present a challenge for the teachers, as students are sometimes less serious and willing to work hard in elective courses. However, it is also often the case that students who

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enroll in an elective do so because they do want to study the subject, and therefore may be willing to work very hard.

4.3. Special Features

Student Diversity and Limited English Proficiency: Students in U.S. schools represent nearly every country on Earth and bring over 100 languages to the classroom. African-Americans represent the largest minority group in elementary and secondary schools, while the fastest growing group comprises Spanish-speaking students of Latin American origin.

Parental and Community Involvement: Direct parental involvement in the schools and in the education of their children is actively encouraged. Not only are local school districts governed by elected citizens who are often parents of local students, but organizations such as Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) are available to increase the involvement of families in the educational progress of their children. In addition, civic organizations, businesses, religious congregations, charities, and social service organizations all cooperate with schools in the education of children and adults. These activities range from informal relations to highly structured partnerships and contracts.

Students with Disabilities: All students with disabilities, including children with cognitive, sensory or physical impairments, are entitled to receive a free public education that includes special education programs designed to meet their needs. Children with disabilities participate in classes and programs with their non-disabled peers to the extent possible, and are provided related services such as transportation, occupational or speech therapy, and counseling if necessary.

Gifted and Talented Students: Gifted and talented students are served via special programs in regular school settings and, when necessary, special schools and learning opportunities.

Extra-curricular Activities: American students are often involved with many activities outside of their academic classes. The most popular activities include: sports, art, music, interest clubs, school newspapers, and more. It is quite common for high school students to take a part-time job. Many of these activities take place directly after school, but some happen on evenings and weekends. With all these other activities, sometimes you will find your students complaining, if you assign too much homework.

Certification and Licensure: Initial and continuing licensure requirements are different for each state. However, teachers generally must have at least a bachelor's degree, pass one or more exams, and complete coursework in special areas designated by the state. Some states provide emergency or shortage-driven licensure to address serious teacher shortages, and some states have special licensing for international visiting teachers. Guest teachers may be asked to follow certain procedures (such as submitting credential documents, taking a language proficiency exam, and even enrolling in teacher training courses) as part of the requirements of the state in which they are teaching. The host school or district should advise guest teachers about such procedures, but teachers may notify the College Board if additional assistance is needed. Schools should bear responsibility for any fees involved in certificiation procedures.

Accountability and No Child Left Behind: In recent years, U.S. education reform has emphasized accountability, including the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which was signed into law in January 2002. The law promotes four main principles: accountability based on results; increased flexibility and local control for state use of federal funding; more choice for parents; targeted funding for education methods proven to work.

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5. Program Communication

5.1. Progress Reports

You are required to submit at least two reports per year to the College Board: a mid-term progress report and a final program report. In the report, you will be asked to provide specific information of your teaching assignments, cultural activities, and other duties to assess the developing Chinese language program at the host institution, to give feedback on the program arrangements (orientation, support, professional development), and living arrangements (only if housing and transportation are provided by the host institution). The report will also provide an opportunity for you to reflect on your own experience in the U.S. and to provide feedback to the school and program staff. Your host school/district will also submit semi-annual reports with your teaching evaluation to the College Board.

5.2. Reporting to IIE

Changes in your Status

You and your host school/district are required to notify the College Board and the visa sponsor, IIE, of any changes in your personal and legal status, including but not limited to change of address of residence or school teaching sites. The College Board and IIE must be notified of such changes in writing within five (5) days of the change. Failure to notify the College Board and IIE of changes in your status may jeopardize your J-1 visa status. Please make sure that you and your host school/district are aware of this obligation.

Reporting to IIE

Change of Address: You are expected to keep College Board and IIE informed of your current local and email address. The local address you provide must be the actual physical location where you reside. In no case may the address of the host school/district be used as your residence address, unless your host school/district is a boarding school and you are living on campus. If your mailing address is different from the address where you physically reside, let your IIE representative know that as well. If either of your addresses change, you must notify IIE within 10 days of moving. An Internet-based system is used to enable J-1 visa sponsors and the United States Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP) to exchange information on the immigration and program status of Exchange visitors nationwide. This program, called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), is also used by the U.S. government to track the arrivals and departures of international exchange visitors, as well as your address and other important program-related activities.

Travel outside of the country: See Appendix C, the Travel Validation Cover Letter. You may not leave the U.S. and re-enter without a DS-2019 that has been validated for international travel by IIE. Please plan ahead and send the required forms in Appendix C at least two weeks in advance. Also, see section 3.9 in this Handbook for more detail on this subject.

5.3. If Problems Arise

Over the course of the program’s term, issues and problems will inevitably arise. Most will be minor issues, often caused by cultural misunderstandings or miscommunication. However, sometimes problems arise that can seriously interfere with your ability to perform your duties effectively. In such cases, here are some steps you can take:

i) Talk privately with your mentor, the school’s contact person or a colleague. Try to suggest a

solution to your problem and ask for help. Americans are comfortable discussing problems directly in most cases, but it is very important for you to bring issues to your contact or

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mentor’s attention. If you have a problem or concern, do not keep it to yourself; ask a mentor, colleague, or friend for help.

ii) If you are unable to resolve the problem by discussing it with the school, please contact the College Board. College Board staff will try to assistwith the situation and contact the others involved to try and find a solution together. We will always seek to approach the situation objectively and with a cultural sensitivity to both sides.

iii) If the school has continued concerns regarding your teaching performance, the College

Board recommends that the school implement an intervention plan with you (if such plan aligns with the host school’s applicable employment laws, practices, policies and collective bargaining agreements.) Such plan may include the following steps:

The school will design a detailed intervention plan, outlining the specific issues that need to be addressed, and clearly explaining the expected outcomes in a face-to-face meeting.

The teacher should sign the intervention and should be aware of the severity of the situation, if applicable. A copy of this plan should be sent to the College Board, and we can reinforce the expectations with the teacher if appropriate.

If the difficulties are teaching-related, we encourage you to provide even more designated time for the teacher to observe other classes and to receive constructive mentor feedback on his/her classes. College Board teaching experts will also give advice to the teacher.

The school should meet regularly with the teacher to discuss the teacher’s progress in addressing these issues. The College Board should be notified of the outcomes of these meetings.

5.4. Leaving the Program Early

If you will need to resign your position or leave the program early for personal or health reasons, please contact the College Board as soon as possible and as early in advance of the action. This decision will have a significant impact on your students and the host school’s Chinese program, so it should not be a decision taken lightly and requires as much advance notice as possible. The College Board and Hanban will jointly discuss the next steps per your individual circumstances.

In the unlikely event that your school is unable to meet its responsibilities to the Program and/or J-1 visa (e.g. provide commensurate compensation, provide a full-time teaching assignment, or maintain status as an accredited K-12 school), your position at the school may end either by the school’s determination or by the visa sponsor determining that the placement does not meet J-1 visa requirements. In that case, the College Board will attempt to identify a suitable replacement position for you at an alternate school, if available. Alternatively, if you and your school cannot establish an effective working relationship, even after an intervention plan has been implemented, the school may determine to end your position. Once a teacher no longer has a teaching position, his/her visa will immediately end and the teacher will have 30 days to leave the United States.

5.5. Chinese Guest Teacher Program Renewal Procedures

The term of your contract with the school is for the 2011-12 school year, as is your host institution’s contract with the Program. Typically, all host institutions and guest teachers are asked to decide in January if they intend to apply for renewal in the Program for the next school year. Renewal should be considered very carefully since it is an important decision for both institutions and teachers, and your decision whether to renew with the Program may be

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impacted by the host institution’s plans, and vice versa. The College Board will notify you in late fall of the specific timeline and instructions for renewal. General Timeline for Renewal: Step 1: Schools and teachers meet to discuss plans for the following school year. Schools and teachers submit separate renewal applications. Teachers may only apply to renew at their current school. Schools indicate on the renewal application whether they would like the teacher to return. Step 2: The College Board reviews school and teachers’ renewal applications. If both the host institution and teacher wish to renew the position, the College Board passes on the teacher’s renewal application to Hanban. Hanban checks with the teachers’ home school in China to request permission that the teacher continue in the Program for another school year. Step 3: The College Board sends program renewal notifications to schools and teachers. Schools create new offer letters and TOAs for renewing teachers. Renewing teachers will renew their visas in China over the summer break.

6. Program Contacts

6.1. College Board Chinese Language and Culture Initiatives College Board 45 Columbus Avenue New York, NY 10023 General e-mail inbox: guestteacher@collegeboard.org General phone: 212-520-8650 Fax: 347-649-2026 Selena Cantor, Director Phone: 212-713-8038 E-mail: scantor@collegeboard.org

Lisa Huang Healy, Associate Director Phone: 212-713-8102 E-mail: lhealy@collegeboard.org Michaela Kabat, Coordinator Phone: 212-520-8583 E-mail: mkabat@collegeboard.org Lauren Moffett, Program Associate Phone: 212-520-8657 E-mail: lmoffett@collegeboard.org

6.2. NCSSFL State Representatives (by state names) Jacque Van Houten, Kentucky DoE Jacqueline.VanHouten@education.ky.us Don Reutershan, Maine DoE Don.Reutershan@maine.gov Vickie Scow, Nebraska DoE vickie.scow@nde.ne.gov Helga Fasciano, North Carolina DPI hfascian@dpi.state.nc.us Deborah Robinson, Ohio DoE Debbie.Robinson@ode.state.oh.us Ryan Wertz, Ohio DoE Ryan.Wertz@ode.state.oh.us Ruta Couet, South Carolina Office of Education rcouet@ed.sc.gov

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Robert Austin, Utah State Office of Education Robert.Austin@schools.utah.gov Gregg Roberts, Utah State Office of Education Gregg.Roberts@schools.utah.gov Michele Anciaux Aoki, Washington State Michele.Aoki@k12.wa.us Deborah Nichols, West Virginia DoE dlnichols@access.k12.wv.us Robert Crawford, West Virginia DoE rcrawford@access.k12.wv.us

6.3. Institute of International Education (Visa Sponsor) Hadija Wilson, Program Officer, International Teachers Program Institute of International Education 809 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017-3580 Phone: (212) 984-5587 Fax: (212) 984-5484 E-mail: InternationalTeachers@iie.org

7. Other Useful Facts

Holiday Periods during the Academic Year

Most elementary and secondary schools are closed for two weeks or more during the Christmas and New Year holidays in late December, as well as for two to three months during the summertime (e.g. June, July and August). As you will note from your Terms of Appointment, you are expected to pay any extra expenses during vacations from your own funds or from the regular maintenance stipend you are receiving.

Official Holidays

Official holidays are those days of celebration recognized by the U.S. government and usually include the closing of government offices and private businesses and banks.

New Years (January 1) New Year’s Eve, December 31, is more important to Americans than New Year’s Day itself. Everyone gathers with friends and family to ―ring out the old and ring in the new,‖ an expression that reflects the old custom of ringing church bells at midnight to greet the New Year.

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday (Third Monday in January) Martin Luther King, Jr., a distinguished African American, organized and led the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1960s in his capacity as the leader of the Southern Leadership Conference. During the 1963 March on Washington, he delivered the stirring and memorable ―I have a dream‖ speech to a quarter million people gathered before the Lincoln Memorial. Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 in recognition of his message of change through nonviolence to promote freedom, equality and dignity of all races and people.

Presidents’ Day (Third Monday in February) This holiday commemorates the birthdays of George Washington, the first President of the United States, and Abraham Lincoln, President during the Civil War (1861–65).

Memorial Day (Last Monday in May) Memorial Day is the day on which people in the United States honor those who died in the service of their country. Many families visit their loved ones’ graves and decorate them with flowers. The day is also marked with patriotic parades. This holiday is considered the beginning of the summer season.

Independence Day (July 4) Independence Day commemorates the day the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. Independence Day is celebrated all over the country with picnics, political speeches, parades, and community get-togethers that culminate in firework displays.

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Labor Day (First Monday in September) This holiday was established in recognition of the labor movement’s contribution to the productivity of the country. This day marks the end of the summer season and is celebrated with picnics and other outings.

Columbus Day (Second Monday in October) Official holiday in many states By popular tradition, Columbus ―discovered‖ America in 1492, although the continent was already populated by Native Americans and had been visited earlier by other seafarers. The holiday, originally and still occasionally celebrated on October 12, is chiefly observed by Americans of Italian descent with parades and festivals. In the Northeast, the long weekend is the high point of the season for viewing the brilliantly colored fall leaves.

Veterans Day (November 11) Official holiday in many states Originally established to commemorate Armistice Day—the end of the First World War—and celebrated on November 11, the date still observed in some areas, the holiday was changed after World War II to serve as an occasion to pay tribute to veterans of all wars. It is marked by parades, speeches, and the laying of wreaths at military cemeteries and war memorials.

Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November) The first Thanksgiving Day was observed by the pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1621 to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and their ability to survive in the wilderness. Today, it is a time when Americans give thanks for the good life they enjoy. They celebrate by getting together with family and friends to eat traditional foods such as turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

Christmas (December 25) Many people regard this as the most celebrated holiday of the year, with the Christmas season extending from a few days before December 25 to January 1, New Year’s Day. Although originally a Christian holiday, commemorating the birth of Christ, people of many faiths join in the secular festivities common during this period. These include gift exchanges, the singing of holiday carols, visits to Santa Claus at the local shopping mall, and the decoration of a Christmas tree. Family members travel great distances to be together for Christmas, a day on which gifts are exchanged and a traditional dinner is shared.

Cultural Holidays

Cultural holidays are those days of public celebration where businesses and/or schools are not necessarily closed.

Valentine’s Day (February 14) A holiday celebrated by sending cards and giving candy in heart-shaped boxes and flowers to loved ones.

Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17) Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, and this holiday was brought to the United States by Irish immigrants. People mark this day by wearing green clothing and getting together with friends to celebrate. Some U.S. cities with large Irish American populations, like Boston and New York, also hold Saint Patrick’s Day parades.

Passover (8 days, usually in April) The Jewish holiday of Passover commemorates the liberation of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt in 1200 B.C. A highlight of the festival is the Seder, a ceremonial dinner attended by family and friends, during which the memory of the exodus is recounted through readings, singing, and the consumption of symbolic foods. Unleavened bread or matzoh is eaten during this time.

Easter (The first Sunday after the Paschal full moon)

Easter is an important religious holiday for Christians, who believe that Christ rose from the dead on this day. Many folk traditions are now connected with Easter, including the decoration of brightly colored eggs and the presentation of baskets of candy to children. If you are in the

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United States around the time of this holiday, you may also see the Easter Bunny, who is often available at shopping malls to have his picture taken with children.

Mother’s Day (Second Sunday in May) On this day, Americans honor their mothers by sending them flowers, buying them small gifts, and taking them out to eat.

Father’s Day (Third Sunday in June) Fathers are honored on this day with cards and gifts from their family members.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (3 days in September and October) Not official holidays The holidays of Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and the 10-day interval between them comprise the most sacred period in the Jewish calendar. Known as the High Holy Days, this period combines the welcoming of the New Year with reflective examination of the course of one’s life during the past year. Rosh Hashanah is characterized by prayer, family feasts, and the sending of New Year’s greetings. Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish year, is a time of fasting and prayer.

Halloween (October 31) In the United States, this day, the eve of a Christian holiday—All Hallowed’s or All Saints’ Day, which falls on November 1—has lost its original religious character. Today, it is largely celebrated as a children’s day. Traditions include carving out pumpkins with funny faces (jack-o’-lanterns), telling scary stories, and going door to door in costume to receive candy and treats from neighbors. When a door opens after they knock, the children say ―trick or treat,‖ meaning, ―if you don’t give me a treat, I will trick you.‖ Many children and adults also attend costume parties and decorate their homes to celebrate Halloween.

Hanukkah (8 days, usually in December) This Jewish holiday commemorates the successful uprising of a small band of Jews known as the Maccabees against their Hellenistic Syrian conqueror in 164 B.C. As part of the re-consecration of the Temple in Jerusalem, the victors lit a menorah or candelabrum with a small flask of holy oil that miraculously burned for 8 days. Hanukkah thus came to be known as the Festival of Lights and is celebrated today by the lighting of a menorah for 8 days. It is a time of conviviality and is marked by the gathering of family and friends and gift giving. Kwanza (7 days, December 26 through January 1) African-American nonreligious celebration of family and community patterned after African harvest festivals. Each day is dedicated to one of seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Each evening, family members gather to light one of the candles in the kinara, seven-branched candelabra; often gifts are exchanged.

Ramadan (9th month of the Muslim Calendar)

The Month of Ramadan is when it is believed the Holy Quran was sent down from heaven. This celebration lasts a whole month during which Muslims fast during daylight hours and indulgence of any sort is forbidden. It is a time to worship, contemplate and concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives.

The United States is very culturally diverse and there are many communities with large immigrant populations. Such ethnic communities also celebrate their ethnic and religious holidays, such as: Chinese New Year, Devali the Hindu Celebration of lights, Cinco de Mayo and the Independence Day of several different countries. Different months are also designated to the celebration of different populations in the United States, such as: Black History Month (February), Women’s History Month (March), Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) and Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month (May).

Time Zones

The continental United States is divided into four time zones, as shown on the map below. The relative times for the outlying states are also indicated. Eastern Standard Time is five hours

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earlier than Greenwich Mean Time. Most states observe daylight saving time during the summer months. This means that clocks are advanced one hour on a given date in April and restored to standard time in October. (They ―spring forward‖ in the spring, ―fall back‖ in the fall.) Exceptions to this rule are made in Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and most of Indiana. Arrival and departure times of planes and trains are usually given in the current time of the arrival or departure point.

The following web site is a good resource for checking the time zone and weather for different parts of the country: http://www.timetemperature.com/tzus/time_zone.shtml.

Hours of Business

Offices are usually open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with employees taking an hour for lunch sometime between noon and 2 p.m. Banks are generally open to the public only until 2 or 4 p.m. and most have automatic teller machines that dispense cash from your account or accept deposits 24 hours per day. Shops open about 9:30 a.m. and remain open continuously until 5:30 or 6 p.m., often until 9 p.m. one evening per week. All are open Monday through Saturday. Most shops in suburban malls are open until 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and usually from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Drugstores, supermarkets, and smaller food shops usually remain open until late in the evening and on Sundays.

Shopping

The best time to buy is often during a "sale," when a store lowers prices on certain items. Sales are advertised on television, radio, and in newspapers, or the store itself may have signs showing which items are "on sale."

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Coupons are small pieces of paper or advertisements that can be found in newspapers or newspaper inserts, in the mail, in magazines, on food labels, and even at the grocery store. If you have coupons for items you're purchasing, present them to the cashier before making your purchase. The amount listed on the coupon is then deducted from the purchase price of that item.

In grocery stores, buying "generic" products is another way to save. In a store you will see several different brands, or kinds, of the same item. Some stores also offer these items in plain white containers with black writing on them. These are called "generic" brands. The store may also have its own brand of the product.

Chinese Food

Most cities in the U.S. have at least one Chinese restaurant; however, the food served may be quite different than what you are accustomed to in China. (Sometimes it is ―OK‖ or even ―good‖, but sometimes it is of poor quality!) Nevertheless, when you are missing food from home, these restaurants certainly provide a chance to get a small ―taste of home‖.

Major metropolitan areas often have Chinese grocery stores, where you can stock up on Chinese cooking supplies and items such as tofu, soy sauce, rice, and Chinese vegetables, which may not be readily available in your local grocery store. There are also other Asian grocery stores that may stock Vietnamese, Japanese, or other Asian foods, but these stores typically also sell quite a few Chinese foods. Ask your local contacts for information on whether there is such a store in your area.

Electricity

Electrical current in the United States is produced at 110 volts, 60 cycles. Appliances manufactured for other voltages can be operated only with a transformer. Even so equipped, appliances with clocks or timers will not function properly, nor will television sets not built for the U.S. color system (N.T.S.C.).

Climate

Because of its size and geographical diversity, the climate in different parts of the United States varies widely. To a certain extent, Americans are insulated from weather extremes. Homes, offices, cars, and buses are routinely air conditioned in the warmer parts of the country, and central heating is the rule everywhere. Indoor temperatures are thus maintained at 20–22 ºC (68–72 ºF).

The Northeastern States or New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont): Winters can be very cold and long with lots of snow, and the summers are warm. In the north, winters can be very severe. Fall and spring are usually cool and crisp. You will find cooling fog along the coasts during winter and summer.

The Mid-Atlantic Region (Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington, DC): Summers tend to be hot and humid, and late afternoon or early evening thunderstorms are common. Winters, while milder and a little shorter than in New England, can still produce a lot of snow. Spring and fall are very pleasant with relatively low humidity.

The Southeastern States (Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia): The southeastern states have long, hot, and humid summers and warm winters. Summertime, with its high humidity, can bring frequent but short-lived thunderstorms. Along the Atlantic coast, the hurricane season lasts from July to October. Southern Florida has an almost tropical climate where freezing temperatures are uncommon. In the mountains of West Virginia, the winters are similar to those in New England.

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The Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin): This region occupies the Great Plains, a vast, flat expanse located in the center of the country. Winters in the northern section of this region can be severe with blizzards and much snow, while summers in the southern section can be quite hot with frequent heat waves and drought.

The Southern Interior and Gulf States (Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas): Summers are hot and frequently humid, especially along the Gulf of Mexico. Average winter temperatures rarely fall below freezing, but there are occasional cold spells.

The Rocky Mountain Region (Arizona, Colorado, Southern Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming): Because of the range of altitudes in this mountainous region, there is considerable variety in local temperature and precipitation. Winters are very cold in the mountains and bring heavy snowfalls. Large areas of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada are desert, where even winters can be extremely hot and dry.

The Pacific Northwest (Northern Idaho, Oregon, Washington): The region enjoys mild winters and moderately warm summers. The Pacific Ocean helps keep the weather mild and wet along the coast, with a number of rainy days.

California: Southern California, including Los Angeles and San Diego, enjoys warm to very hot but dry summers, while the winters are mild and moderately rainy. Smog (fog and pollution) is a problem in Los Angeles. Northern California, including Berkeley and San Francisco, has a cooler, milder climate year round. San Francisco is known for its morning fog.

Alaska: Alaska is the most northwestern state of the United States and borders northwest Canada. It has long, snowy, frigid winters and short, mild summers. Days during mid-winter will only have 3 to 4 hours of daylight, and in mid-summer, only 3 to 4 hours of darkness.

Hawaii: A chain of tropical islands in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is situated approximately 6,900 miles from the west coast of the United States by airplane. The weather is low in humidity and comfortable year round.

Source: Pearce, E.A., and Gordon Smith. World Weather Guide. Time Books/Random House, 1990.

Dress code

For work:

Public schools: business casual for teachers. Usually teachers do not wear jeans, shorts or T-shirts in class, except in some southern states.

Private schools: formal clothing in class: suit & tie for male teachers, professional dress for female teachers, with the exception of sport events. Most private schools require students to wear uniforms.

For professional and social events:

Professional conferences: formal clothing or business casual.

Community events: It depends on the occasion. If it’s a welcoming party for you, you should dress nicely. If you are presenting or giving a speech at the event, you should dress formally. If it’s a community social event, please ask the host about appropriate dress code.

For leisure: Wear casual and comfortable clothing.

Weights and Measures

Few Americans speak of weights and measures in metric terms. Temperature is the principal exception; these days, temperature is frequently quoted in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

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Temperature

Fahrenheit (ºF)* Celsius (ºC) 23 -5 32 (freezing) 0 41 5 50 10 59 15 68 20 77 25 86 30 95 35 104 40 212 (boiling) 100 *(ºF=9/5 ºC + 32)

Weight

Unit Equivalent Metric pound (lb) 16 oz 0.454 kilogram(kg) ounce (oz) 1.0 oz 28.35 gram (g) ton 2,000 lbs 0.907 metric ton 0.04 oz 1 g 2.20 lb 1 kg

Area

Unit Equivalent Metric Acre 4,840 square yards 0.405 hectares Square mile 640 acres 2.590 square km

Clothing

Children’s clothing is sized according to the child’s age from infancy through approximately 6 years. Infants’ clothing is sized according to months of age, from newborn (NB) through 18 months. It is always wise to consider the child’s height and weight when buying clothing. It is not uncommon for infants and toddlers to wear much larger sizes than what their age indicates. It is a good idea to ask a salesperson for assistance until you are familiar with children’s clothing sizes.

Adult clothing sizes vary somewhat from one manufacturer to another. It is wise to ―try on‖ clothing before making a purchase.

Sales Tax

You should also be aware that state and local sales taxes—ranging up to 9 percent of the price, depending on the area—are added to the marked price of many items at the time of purchase. Thus, a $10 item with a 9 percent sales tax will actually cost $10.90.

U.S. Currency

The American Monetary system follows the decimal system. The basic unit of the U.S. monetary system is the dollar, which can be divided into 100 cents. The ―$‖ is the dollar symbol and a ―¢‖ or ―.‖ may appear to denote cents. Bills in denominations of $1, $5, $10 and $20 are the most widely used. There are also $50 and $100 bills. Please note that most bills are the same size and color, although more colorful bills of $5 and $20 denominations have been introduced in recent years. Coins may be used for self-service machines available in many public building to purchase soft drinks, coffee, or candy. Some forms of public transportation such as buses also allow you to use coins. You may also need coins to use public telephones,

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parking meters, and washing and drying machines in some dormitories or apartment buildings. You should note that most machines do not accept pennies (1 cent coins).

Tipping for Service

There are a number of circumstances in the United States when tipping is expected and, in fact, where tips make up a substantial portion of the wage of the person involved. Although tipping should be based on the quality of the service rendered, most people tip as follows:

to porters at airports and train or bus stations, $1 per piece of luggage (unless a set fee is posted in the terminal);

to bellboys who show you to your room and carry your baggage in hotels, a minimum of $1;

to waiters or waitresses in restaurants, 15-20 percent of the bill (for large groups, a service charge may already be included in the bill);

to taxi drivers, 10-15 percent of the fare;

to barbers or hairdressers, 10–20 percent of the bill.

Unless they perform some unusual service for you, you need not tip hotel clerks, doormen, or chambermaids, nor is it customary to tip gas station attendants, theater ushers, bus drivers, or airline personnel. If you do not wish the services of a porter or bellboy, you can simply indicate your preference to handle your baggage yourself. Under no circumstances should you offer a tip to public officials, including police officers; this may be looked upon as an attempt to bribe the official and could have serious consequences.

Transportation

Local Public Transportation

Without question, the private automobile is the most widely used form of transportation in the United States. There is one car on the road for every two people. Americans jump into their cars for errands even a few blocks from home and view them as an important source of recreation. Because of the prevalence of automobiles, public transportation is less common in the United States than in many other parts of the world; in some rural areas of the United States, it is virtually nonexistent.

Cities are served by both public and private bus systems (some of the larger ones have subways, as well). Buses frequently require exact change unless the passenger holds a monthly or weekly pass purchased earlier, while subways are entered with tickets or tokens that can be purchased at the time of travel. It is convenient to purchase a supply to avoid waiting in line each time you travel. There is less need for a private car in these areas unless you intend to travel outside the city with some frequency. Indeed, they can often be more trouble then they are worth, given the scarcity of parking spaces in urban environments.

Long-Distance Travel (Planes, Trains, Buses)

The United States is covered with a network of air routes, and service is frequent to most destinations. Because distances are great, and because of the value placed on time, Americans frequently choose air travel, despite its relatively high cost. You can easily obtain information on flights and costs by telephone or on the Internet and even reserve a seat that can be paid for when you arrive at the airport to board your flight. Some of the most popular websites for purchasing inexpensive tickets include www.kayak.com, www.travelocity.com, www.orbitz.com, and www.expedia.com. Most planes have both first-class and coach- or economy-seating areas. Special low-cost fares, known as ―super savers,‖ are sometimes offered, although they may carry some restrictions as to the length of stay and the days of travel. The lowest fares usually must be purchased at least 7 to 21 days in advance and require that you stay over a Saturday night. Bus transportation from the airport to the city center is usually available and less expensive than taxis.

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Many suburban areas are served by commuter rail lines that reach 50 to 60 miles outside major cities. The use of trains for more extensive trips had declined until a decade or so ago, but the railroad is making a comeback to some extent. The passenger service is provided by AMTRAK, which runs trains across the country but to a limited number of cities. A few of the trains travel through particularly impressive scenery and are popular with tourists. Most trains offer two classes of service, first class and coach, and some provide sleeping accommodations. AMTRAK also offers a Eurail-style pass especially for international travelers. A 15- or 30-day USA Rail Pass is available for regional or nationwide travel. This pass is only available for non-U.S. and non-Canadian citizens. Rates are higher for summertime travel. USA Rail Passes may be purchased at any AMTRAK station. Be sure to bring your passport with you when you reserve the tickets. The AMTRAK telephone number is 1-800-872-7245.

The least expensive mode of transportation is the bus, and those that provide long-distance service can be remarkably comfortable—with reclining seats, air conditioning, and rest rooms. Greyhound is the largest bus passenger service provider in the U.S. (www.greyhound.com).

Airlines, train, and bus companies sell passes that permit extensive travel within a given time period well below the usual cost and permit those with limited funds to see a good deal of the country. The companies themselves (see the telephone directory) or travel agents can tell you current prices and conditions, but some of these passes must be purchased before you leave home.

If you find yourself in an airport with any kind of problem, you should seek a representative of the Travelers’ Aid Society. This organization has desks in airports (and some railroad stations and bus terminals) across the country, operated by staff ready to assist with emergencies of all kinds, including illness, lost tickets, lack of funds, and language problems.

Religion

Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United State, which also mandates a separation of church and state. The practice of religion is considered a private matter and a person’s religious preference may not be asked by employers, school, clubs, etc.

The United States is a country that accommodates a large number of different religions and belief systems. It is often cited as the most openly religious country among the industrialized nations, with less than 10% of Americans selecting ―None‖ as their religion in the 2000 U.S. population census. A large majority of Americans identify themselves as Christian (55% Protestant, 28% Catholic). Over 6 million Americans (2.3% of the population) identify themselves as Jewish, with the largest populations residing in New York, California and Florida. The U.S. is also home to a growing number of Muslims (2% of the population) both due to the growing Arab and African immigrant populations (which grew 38% in the 1990s) and a growing number of converts to Islam, especially in the African American community. Some Muslim organizations put the number of converts to Islam as high 135,000 per year.

One of the most important ongoing debates for Americans is the role of religion in public life. While the separation of church and state is a cornerstone of U.S. government structure, it has been an issue for discussion among Americans as far back as Thomas Jefferson. The debate continues today and is prominent both in national and local politics. Some of the more controversial issues involving religion today include prayer in public schools and the role of public funding in religious social services (e.g. homeless shelters, drug rehabilitation centers). As American religious diversity grows, this debate promises to become even more interesting and should continue to play an important role in American discourse.

In large cities, even relatively obscure branches of the main religions have established their own churches, mosques, synagogues, or temples. A list of such groups can be found in the yellow pages of the telephone directory, and many of these organizations also place notices in weekend newspapers announcing the hours of religious services. You will always be welcome to attend the services without invitation, and you may also wish to take part in the social activities many such groups sponsor.

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Leisure

Whatever your leisure interests, you will find a great many pursuits to choose from. Those who prefer the spectator’s role can look locally for concerts, plays, sporting events, ethnic festivals, and, of course, movies, the favored entertainment of young Americans. There are also small museums all over the country, with a number of distinguished institutions in the major cities that house outstanding collections of fine and applied art or objects of historical or scientific interest. Local newspapers regularly list upcoming events. City hotels distribute free booklets to visitors listing current cultural events as well as nearby points of interest with their hours of operation.

If you prefer a more active role, you will find it easy to join groups that make music, produce plays, or organize baseball, soccer, or basketball games. There are golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, skating rinks, and bowling alleys open to the public for a modest fee. Again, colleagues and neighbors will often be glad to point you in the right direction.

Safety

Many visitors to the United States are concerned about public order and safety, and it is true that certain precautions should be taken, especially in urban areas. It is best to ask a colleague for advice about which areas are safe if you will be residing in a large city, but a few general rules should be observed at all times: Do not leave a room, house, or car with doors or windows unlocked; do not carry valuables or large sums of cash with you; do not frequent parks or deserted public places after dark; do not attempt to arm yourself since any weapon you carry can be used against you; do not resist a robber or mugger; do not pick up hitchhikers; avoid using bank automatic teller machines (ATMs) alone after dark.

These suggestions are not made to frighten you, for it is very unlikely that you will experience any problems. You can be most certain of avoiding difficulties, however, if you follow these simple rules of safety.

8. References

FULBRIGHT Foreign Fellows Handbook 2006-2007 For IIE Administered Grants -Sponsored by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs - Guide to Living and Studying in the United States

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/PES/int_over.html#intro

http://www.britishcouncil.org/usa-education-policy-us-overview.htm

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/factover/ch6.htm

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-gradposted.html

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-struc-geninfo.html

http://www.leaderu.com/isr/lifeinamerica/howtosurvive/tableofcontents_all_linked.html

http://www.china.nafsa.org/culture/culture.htm

9. Resources

US Education

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/PES/int_over.html#intro (Overview of Education in the United States)

http://www.britishcouncil.org/usa-education-policy-us-overview.htm (Brief overview of current issues in U.S. Education)

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http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/factover/ch6.htm (Portrait of the USA Educational system)

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-gradposted.html (Information about Graduate Postsecondary Education)

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-struc-geninfo.html (General Information - structure of U.S. Education)

Classroom strategies and tips

http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/archives/classmanagement.shtml (Articles for educators, Classroom management tips and ides)

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/teaching-methods/teacher-training/6495.html?detoured=1 (Behavior management tips from veteran teachers)

http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/classroommanage.htm (Games and ideas for classroom management and organization)

http://www.fvsd.ab.ca/stm/classroom_management_tips_and_be.htm#classroom%20management (Classroom strategies and ideas for elementary school)

Language Resources

http://newton.uor.edu/Departments&Programs/AsianStudiesDept/china-language.html (Directory of Chinese language Internet resources)

http://chinalinks.osu.edu/ (Links to search engines, teaching strategies, games, software and more)

On-line Dictionaries

o Chinese-English and English-Chinese Dictionaries

http://www.chinalanguage.com/ (Chinese character and pinyin dictionaries)

http://classes.yale.edu/chns130/Dictionary/index.html (Chinese picture dictionary)

http://www.yellowbridge.com/chinese/chinese-dictionary.php (Chinese-English Learner’s Dictionary)

http://www.longdage.com/chinesepinyin/Translate.asp (Chinese character to Pinyin translator)

o English-English Dictionaries

www.dictionary.com (explains English words in English)

http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/glossary/index.asp (Explains education-related terms)

www.thesaurus.com (Provides words with similar meanings)

Living in the U.S.

http://www.leaderu.com/isr/lifeinamerica/howtosurvive/tableofcontents_all_linked.html (useful tips and information about shopping, transportation and much more)

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Appendix A

Check List for Guest Teachers upon Arrival

Ensure that your program contact or another supervisor from your host institution sends the following email ASAP to guestteacher@collegeboard.org and international teachers@iie.org:

Please accept this e-mail as our confirmation that _______ (guest teacher name):

1. Has physically arrived at _________________ (school district/city, state).

2. Is currently undertaking his/her assignment at _______________ (the site of activity/school name(s).

3. Is residing at the following address___________________(address, city, state, zip)

This email is an essential step to getting you into the SEVIS system, which allows you to be able to apply for a Social Security Number shortly afterwards (see next bullet).

Wait at least 10 business days after sending the arrival email, and then apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) at a local SSN office.

Keep in touch with your guest teacher family at your online home, Ning.

Complete the Arrival Information Online Form, emailed to you from guestteacher@collegeboard.org.

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Appendix B

Chinese Guest Teacher Program Notification Regarding J-2 Visas

July 15, 2011 This letter is to confirm that J-2 visa sponsorship is not available to the spouses or children of teachers participating in the College Board Chinese Guest Teacher program. In no event shall the College Board, the visa sponsor IIE (Institute of International Education), or the teacher’s school/district sponsor J-2 visas. Participating teachers with spouses and children who would like to visit should contact the U.S. Embassy for further information and apply for other appropriate categories for entry visas. Sincerely, Selena Cantor Director Chinese Language and Culture Initiatives The College Board

CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM

If you change your physical presence address at any time during your program you are REQUIRED BY LAW to inform IIE of your new address. Please fill out this form and submit one copy via fax to 212-984-5484, or as a PDF attachment to internationalteachers@iie.org or via mail to: Attn: Hadija Wilson Institute of International Education International Teachers Program 809 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017

NAME: ________________________________________ ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ CITY STATE ZIP CODE IMPORTANT REMINDER: A Post Office Box (“P.O. Box”) and School address are not acceptable; please provide a complete street address (Example: 123 House Street Apt. 1, Anytown, Any state, 12345). If your mailing address is different than your physical residence/presence address, then write your mailing address on a separate sheet of paper and fax it along with this form.

INSTITUTE OF

INTERNATIONAL OPENING MINDS TO THE WORLD EDUCATION

TRAVEL AND RE-ENTRY RE-ENTRY PROCEDURES In order to re-enter the United States after travel to another country you will need:

A passport that is valid for at least six (6) months beyond the End Date of your DS-2019 Form A DS-2019 Form, signed for travel by an IIE Alternate Responsible Officer A valid US J-1 Visa (except for visits of less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean). If your visa

has expired, follow the J-1 Visa renewal instructions on the reverse side of this sheet.

If the US Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) officer at the port-of-entry cannot verify your information or you do not have all the required documents, you may be directed to an interview known as secondary inspection. This will allow the official to conduct additional research in order to verify your information, without causing delays for other arriving individuals. For comprehensive information on procedures for traveling and arriving in the US go to: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm OBTAINING A TRAVEL SIGNATURE (TRAVEL VALIDATION) When you entered the United States for the first time, a US CBP officer at your port-of-entry stamped your DS-2019 Form in Box 6, validating your first entry into the US. For subsequent travel outside of the United States, you should have the Alternate Responsible Officer at IIE’s Division of Enrichment and Professional Development sign in the box located in the lower right-hand corner of your DS-2019 Form (“Travel Validation by Responsible Officer”) during your program. The signature indicates that you are maintaining your J-1 status. The travel signature issued by the IIE Alternate Responsible Officer is valid for twelve (12) months after the date of issue, or until the end date of your DS-2019 Form, whichever comes first. Only an IIE Alternate Responsible Officer can sign the DS-2019 Form. Please mail your DS-2019 via certified mail or an express courier service (FedEx, DHL, etc.) to:

Institute of International Education International Teachers Program, Attn: Hadija Wilson Division of Enrichment and Professional Development 809 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017

And include an address to where your form should be returned, your dates of travel, and your contact details while you are abroad. SHORT TRIPS TO CANADA, MEXICO OR THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

If you will visit Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands for less than 30 days and the J-1 visa in your passport has expired, you do not need to obtain a new visa for re-entry into the US. This process is called Automatic Revalidation. As you leave the US, do not surrender your I-94 Form (Arrival-Departure Record), which is stapled inside your passport. Instead:

If you are flying: Make a photocopy of your I-94 Form before your departure. Present the photocopy of your I-94 Form and show your round-trip ticket to the airline attendant.

If you are driving: Present your documents and explain to the port-of-entry official that you are visiting for less than 30 days and that you need to keep your I-94 Form. At your port of re-entry to the US, present your passport, your DS-2019 Form, and I-94 Form.

Note: If during your short visit of less than 30 days to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean you choose to apply to renew your J-1 visa and your application is denied, the denial will be reflected in your passport and you will NOT be permitted to re-enter the US. If during your visit you have not applied to renew your J-1 visa, you may still re-enter the US using your expired visa, along with the supporting documents mentioned above. Exceptions to Automatic Revalidation:

Citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria Libya, Sudan, North Korea and Cuba are not eligible to use the automatic revalidation process and must have a valid J-1 visa to enter the US.

If you will visit Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands for more than 30 days, you must have a valid J-1 visa for re-entry into the US

J-1 VISA RENEWAL If you need to renew your J-1 visa, contact the US Embassy or Consulate in the country you are visiting. Application procedures for US visas vary across US Embassies, and some US Embassies or Consulates will serve only nationals of the country in which the US Embassy or Consulate is located. You should consult the Department of State website at http://www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov and click on Locate a Consular Office to get specific information. Along with your application for the J-1 visa, you will be required to submit:

A passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the end date of your DS-2019 Form A DS-2019 Form signed for travel by an IIE Alternate Responsible Officer Evidence of participation in the International Teachers Program, such as the contract and/or Terms of

Appointment Evidence of financial support, such as pay stubs from the school/school district where you are employed

Please note that you may also be required to attend an in-person interview at the US Embassy or Consulate. The US Embassy or Consulate will outline these procedures for you. To find out typical wait times to obtain an exchange visitor visa go to: http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php APPLYING FOR A VISA IN A THIRD COUNTRY If you are planning to travel to a country that is not your home country (referred to as a "third" country), and your J-1 visa has expired, you will need a new J-1 visa to return to the US. It is very difficult for students and scholars to renew their visas at a US Embassy or Consulate in a third country. If you choose to renew your visa in a third country and you are denied the visa, you will need to return to your home country and apply for the visa there. As there is no guarantee that you will be issued a visa in either case, please consider your travel plans carefully before departing. US-VISIT PROGRAM

When you enter the United States after traveling abroad, the US CBP official processing your entry will use an inkless fingerprint scanner to read your index finger print. The official will also take a digital photograph of you. Together with the standard information gathered about your identity and travel, US-VISIT will verify your identity and compliance with visa and immigration policies. Race, national origin and religion are not factors in the US-VISIT program, as it applies to ALL non-immigrant visa holders. Only some Canadian nationals (except those entering in E or K status) are not subject to US-VISIT. For more information about US-VISIT, please go to www.dhs.gov/us-visit.

TRAVEL VALIDATION COVER LETTER

If you are planning to travel outside of the United States AFTER your initial arrival, you must have the Alternate Responsible Officer (“ARO”) at IIE’s Division of Enrichment and Professional Development sign the box located in the lower right-hand corner of your DS-2019 Form (“Travel Validation By Responsible Officer”). The signature indicates that you are maintaining your J-1 status. The travel signature issued by the IIE ARO is valid for twelve (12) months after the date of issue, or until the end date of your DS-2019 Form, whichever comes first. Only an IIE ARO can sign the DS-2019 Form. Please fill out this form in its entirety and return it along with your original DS-2019 via certified mail or an express courier service (FedEx, DHL, etc.) to:

Institute of International Education International Teachers Program, Attn: Ms. Hadija Wilson Division of Enrichment and Professional Development 809 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Name of school where you currently teach: ______________________________________________ Travel Destination(s): ______________________________________________________________ Expected Dates of Travel: ______________________________ Return Address where you would like the DS-2019 sent to: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ City State Zip E- mail: _________________________ Phone number: ___________________

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO LEAVE ENOUGH TIME FOR YOUR DS-2019 FORM TO BE RETURNED BEFORE YOUR TRIP!!!