J-1 Scholars Orientation Guide

The University of North Florida (UNF) International Center (IC) welcomes you to the United States of America! We are thrilled to be your sponsor and to help guide you through a great experience here in Jacksonville, Florida. The IC will be your point of contact for the duration of your J-1 Visa for any and all questions.

Sponsor
University of North Florida

International Center

Mailing Address
University of North Florida
International Center
1 UNF Drive
Building 58E, Room 2300
Jacksonville, Florida 32224
USA

Physical Location
Student Union
Building 58 East
Room 2300

Contact Information
Telephone: +1 (904) 620-2657
Facsimile: +1 (904) 620-3925
Email International Center UNF
UNF International Center Website

Responsible Officers

Responsible Officer
Ruth Y. Lopez
(904) 620-2600

Alternate Responsible Officer
Adianez Garcia Campos
(904) 620-2657

Alternate Responsible Officer
Brigid Fitzpatrick 
(904) 620-2657

The U.S. Department of State administers the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended. The Act promotes mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange. The Exchange Visitor Program provides foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in exchange programs in the U.S. and then return home to share their experiences.
You must understand and abide by the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, U.S. laws, and sponsor rules. Regular contact with your International Scholar Advisor will help you keep current of any changes, which may affect your J status.

USA

• Population estimate (2013) = 316,497,531
• Land area in square miles (2010) = 3,531,905.43
• 3rd largest country in the world (population and area)
• Contains 50 states
• Washington, DC is the capital city
• Over 80% of the U.S. population identify as Christians
• Although there is no official language, the majority of business is conducted in English
  
  

 FLORIDA

• Population estimate (2013) = 19,600,311
• Land area in square miles (2010) = 53,624.76
• 4th most populated state
• Tallahassee is the capital city
• Nicknamed the Sunshine State
• Coastline extends over 1,800 miles

JACKSONVILLE

• Population estimate (2013) = 842,583
• Land area in square miles (2010) = 747
• The largest city in the continental U.S. based on land area
• Including Jacksonville’s metropolitan area, the population is currently over 1 million
• Jacksonville has several professional sports teams
• The PGA tour headquarters are located in Ponte Vedra Beach
• The St. Johns River is one of two rivers in North America that flows North instead of South.
• Jacksonville has the country’s largest urban park system 

Business

• Introductions – It is polite to introduce yourself and those in your party to all individuals/parties involved. A hand shake is the most common and appropriate business greeting.
• Language – Although the U.S. does not have an official language, English is the most common language used.
• Eye Contact – It is considered respectful to make eye contact with the individual who is speaking.
• Appointments/Meetings – Always be on time. In the U.S. people generally plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Everyday Life

• Tipping – Common practice in restaurants. Usually an additional 10-20% on top of the total bill.
• Alcohol Laws – Generally not allowed to have alcohol open in public outside of designated events and restaurants.
• Conversation Topics to Avoid – Personal income, religion, political views.
• Personal Space – People in the U.S. general want to be given privacy and 2-3 feet of personal space.
• Greetings – An informal greeting may involve a wave, saying “hello/hi,” or can even take the form of a handshake.
• Table Manners – Most meals are eaten with utensils.
• Common Gestures – Wave, peace sign, smile.
• Driving – The driver’s seat is on the left side of the car and traffic is on the right side of the road.
• Personal Hygiene – it is common to bathe one or two times a day as personal cleanliness is highly valued in the U.S.

• New Year’s Day - January 1 
• Martin Luther King Day (observed) - January 15 
• President’s Day - Third Monday in February 
• Memorial Day - Last Monday in May 
• Independence Day - July 4
• Labor Day - First Monday in September
• Columbus Day (observed) - Second Monday in October
• Thanksgiving - Fourth Thursday in November
• Christmas Day - December 25

Depending on your lifestyle, living expenses in Jacksonville range from $1,200 to $1,800 per month or higher. The estimate of $1,200 per month is for a single visitor with a very frugal lifestyle. Visitors with dependents should be prepared for increased living expenses - at least $500 per month for your spouse and $400 per month more for each child. In addition, exchange visitors should plan on spending a minimum of $250 per month on food. It is also important to include the cost of transportation which is approximately $318 per month for one adult.

• Sun Trust Bank (904) 564-9021
• Bank of America (904) 223-6959
• Wells Fargo Bank (904) 620-0368
• JP Morgan Chase (904) 380-6156

• Apartment Finder
• Zillow
• Apartments
• Rent
• Craigslist
• For Rent

On campus transportation and parking
The UNF “Osprey Connector” is the university’s shuttle system that provides convenient transportation around campus and to the St. Johns Town Center when UNF classes are in session. This service is available to all students, faculty and staff, and campus visitors. Take advantage of this opportunity, it is fast, safe, clean and free!

For more information about on-campus transportation and parking permits please visit the UNF Parking and Transportation Services. 

Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has specific routes for UNF. To view these routes and obtain more information please visit the website below.

City of Jacksonville transportation
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is the public transportation provider in the city of Jacksonville. The services provided by JTA include: Beaches Trolley, Buses, Paratransit, Skyway, and the Stadium Shuttle. For visit their JTA website for more information on how to purchase a JTA pass and to look at an interactive map of schedules and routes.

JTA Transportation at UNF: For routes specifically to and from the university.

Bus R5 Route from UNF: Points of interests include St. Johns Town Center, FSCJ South campus, Regency Mall, St. Vincent Hospital and FSCJ Kent campus. (Weekday frequency: 60 minutes, Weekend frequency: 66 minutes)

Bus SS6 Route from UNF: Points of interests include St. Johns Town Center, Tinseltown, San Marco Square and downtown. (Weekday frequency: 35 minutes, Weekend frequency: 75 minutes)

Taxi cab contact information
Checker Cab of JAX (904) 345-5333
A-Team Taxi (904) 443-7100
Coastal Cab (904) 246-9999

Rental cars
Instead of using public transportation or purchasing your own vehicle, you may choose to rent a car. UNF has discounts on car rentals through Avis and Enterprise. Please use the contact information provided below if you are interested in this option.

• Avis (904) 733-5850
• Enterprise (904) 363-3192

Alternative transportation
Two alternative transportation companies are Uber and Lyft. Both of these companies employ drivers using their personal vehicles in a similar manner to taxi cabs. The rides can be ordered and paid for with a credit card through their respective cell phone applications. Please visit their company websites for more information.

Obtaining a driver's license
As a J-1 Exchange Visitor, we recommend that you obtain a driver’s license if you plan on using personal transportation while in Jacksonville. Please see the section Forms of Identification for more information.

Medical centers
When choosing a medical center for treatment, please ensure the hospital is on the list provided by your medical insurance company.

Urgent Care clinics

• Care Spot (904) 468-7913
• Erned Primary Care & Walk-in-Clinic (904) 513-3240
• Coastal Care (904) 642-3304 
• Crucial Care (904) 854-7911
• Doctors Express (904) 221-9110

Pharmacies

• CVS
• Walgreens
• Walmart Pharmacy
• Target Pharmacy
• Publix Pharmacy

UNF Health Services

Visiting scholars may use the University Health Services on-campus clinic for a fee of $30.00 per visit by showing their UNF ID card. If you do not hold the University Student Health Insurance Plan, you will need to pay University Health Services up front, then file a claim for reimbursement from your insurance company. First aid care, Acute Appointments, Travel Health and flu shots are available at the clinic. University Health Services is only available to the J-1 Exchange Visitor and not to J-2 Dependent family members.

• Intramurals
• Eco Adventure
• Student Wellness Complex
• Club Sports
• Osprey Challenge Course

• Art on Campus
• Gallery of Art
• Lufrano Intercultural Gallery

• Publix
• Winn-Dixie
• Walmart
• Target

• St. Johns Town Center
• The Avenues Mall
• St. Augustine Premium Outlets

• Jacksonville Beach
• Neptune Beach
• Atlantic Beach

• State Parks
• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens 
• Museum of Contemporary Art
• The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
• Jacksonville Public Library
• See upcoming events in the Jacksonville area 

As a J-1 Exchange Visitor you must inform the UNF IC within ten days of any changes to your telephone number, email address, and/or physical U.S. address.

If you wish to transfer to another J-1 program, please contact the UNF IC as soon as possible to discuss your options and complete the necessary paperwork.

At the completion of your J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, there is a 30-day grace period for you and your J-2 dependents to depart from the U.S. It is extremely important that your departure from the U.S. is before the end of the 30-day grace period. Travel outside of the U.S. is not permitted for you and/or your dependents during the grace period. You and/or your dependents may not work during the grace period.

While traveling within the city of Jacksonville you should carry copies of your passport (biographical page, expiration page), your DS-2019 and your I-94 record. If your travel extends beyond Jacksonville, it is recommended that you carry your actual passport, DS-2019 and I-94 record.

Before planning your trip abroad it is very important that you ensure you have received a travel signature from the IC and that your J visa will not expire during your travels. If your visa is expired, you will have to get a new one before re-entering the U.S. In addition, before leaving the U.S. we suggest that you consult the consulate of the country you will be traveling to in order to determine what will be necessary for entry into their country. Visit the Foreign consulates in the U.S. Lastly, we also recommend that you look into current travel restrictions and bulletins before you leave.

• Valid Passport (valid for at least 6 months upon entry)
• DS-2019 (with travel signature within the last 12 months)
• Valid J-1 visa (Canadian citizens are visa-exempt)

Travel with an expired visa using Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) is permitted for an Exchange Visitor with an expired visa when traveling to contiguous territory including Canada, Mexico, and certain Caribbean Islands. This is valid for travel of 30 days or less when a U.S. visa is not applied for during that time. When using AVR, it is crucial to keep your original I-94 record when you depart the U.S. because it will be a requirement for your re-entry. In addition to the I-94 you will also need to present the following documents in order to re-enter the U.S. using AVR:

• J-1 visa stamp (expired)
• Passport
• DS-2019 (With valid signature in the last 12 months)

The J-2 Visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by a consular official at a U.S. embassy or consulate for dependents who accompany or later join the J-1 holder in the United States. Those eligible for a J-2 Visa include a spouse and/or unmarried children under the age of 21

Please contact the IC in order to request a DS-2019 for a dependent planning on applying for a J-2 Visa. After making an appointment, please bring a copy of the biographical page from the passport of each dependent applying for the visa. While applying for the J-2 visa(s) you will also need to provide proof of financial support to cover all living expenses for the dependent(s).

Status as a J-2 dependent is determined entirely by the status of your J-1 Visa. If you leave the U.S. for an extended period of time, your dependent(s) must also leave. Once your J-1 program is complete, any related J-2 Visas will also be terminated.

J-2 dependents can also enroll for full-time or part-time study, they may engage in research, and/or volunteer for the duration of your J-1 Exchange Visitor status. Authorized employment is a requirement if your dependent(s) will be paid for their activity.

If you are employed by UNF, you must obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA) office in order to receive payment.

How To Obtain a SSN: 

1. You must wait for your immigration information to appear in the government database (approximately 10 days after arrival and after attending your orientation with the IC).
2. Take the following documents to present in person at the SSA Office:
   • Completed SSN Application
   • Passport
   • I-94 Record
   • DS-2019
   • Appointment or Visiting Scholar Letter from your hosting department
   • SSN Letter from the IC
3. After completing the application you will be given a receipt. Approximately 14 days after your application you should receive your Social Security Card by mail. The SSN issued to you will never change and is valid indefinitely.

UNF N-number
Your UNF ID is also called your “N” Number and uniquely identifies you for administrative and other purposes at UNF. You can find it on your Osprey1Card. It is also listed on the ITS Self Service page. The format is an 'n' followed by an 8 digit number.

University Identification Card (UNF ID)
The Osprey 1Card is the official identification card at UNF and is required for access to essential campus services. Your Osprey 1Card also offers Ozzie Bucks -- a convenient account for making purchases on and off campus. Your Osprey 1Card is the most important card that you will have at UNF. Please protect your card and carry it with you at all times. Visit their website to learn more.

UNF Library Access
UNF’s Thomas G. Carpenter Library has a wealth of resources both online and in the library. Your UNF Osprey 1 Card will serve as your library card and your N-Number will give you online access to library materials. To learn more about the electronic information resources and general services offered at the library please visit the library website.

Florida photo ID card
Exchange Visitors and dependents who will not be driving in Jacksonville can still apply for a Florida Photo ID Card. This can be done by visiting a DMV office and presenting a passport, DS-2019 and I-94 record. Please keep in mind this card does not allow you to drive and can only be used for local identification purposes.

Obtaining a driver's license
As a J-1 Exchange Visitor, we recommend that you apply for a Florida Driver’s License if you plan on using personal transportation while in Jacksonville. In order to obtain a Florida Driver’s License, you need to go to the Florida Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with the following documents:

• Passport/Visa
• DS-2019
• I-94
• Utility bill/rental agreement
• Two address Documents (one of these will be a Driver’s License Letter from the IC)

 The closest DMV office is the Duval County Tax Collector 12220 Atlantic Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32225.

• Current and prior passport(s)
• Current and prior visa(s)
• Current DS-2019
• I-94
• Social Security Card or receipt from your SSN application
• Department offer letter
• Copy of the document, if the immigration status has changed

As a J-1 Exchange Visitor, it is your responsibility to be aware of the program end date of your DS-2019. This date is extremely important because it indicates the period of time you are authorized to stay in the U.S. If you need additional time past the date indicated on your DS-2019 to complete program objectives, you will need to request an extension. Prior to the program end date on your DS-2019, please contact the IC and schedule an appointment to discuss your request for an extension.

• A written letter from the host department requesting an extension. The letter must include the dates of the extension, the salary (if any) and a verification of UNF employee insurance benefits (if applicable).
• Verification of funding (if you are not going to be supported by a UNF department)
• Verification of required insurance for yourself and any dependents under a J-2 visa status

• Research Scholar and Professor – 5 years
• Student Intern – 12 months
• Short-term Scholar – 6 months

• Contact the IC if you are leaving the U.S. more than 30 days before the end date on your Form DS-2019.
• Update your forwarding address at the University and ensure your host department has your updated address.
• If applicable, pay any withstanding UNF fees including those pertaining to your UNF ID, printing, parking, and University Health Services.
• Save all the immigration documents you received while you were a J-1 Exchange Visitor at UNF including: your DS-2019s, passports, I-94 records, and visas. Please keep these documents even after they expire as they may be helpful for future trips to the U.S. It is also recommended that you keep your Social Security Card, Florida Driver’s License and UNF ID.
• File your tax return.
• If you were renting an apartment during your J-1 program you may try to request to receive a return of your apartment deposit from your apartment complex or landlord. Please contact your apartment complex manager or landlord to see if you are eligible for a refund.
• If you and/or your dependents filed any medical insurance claims during your time in the U.S., make sure you have been reimbursed for them. It is also important to update your forwarding address with the insurance company for any reimbursements that may still be owed to you.
• If you do not plan on returning to the U.S. it is suggested that you close your bank account.