Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Austin?
What should I bring with me?
When should I arrive in Austin?
When will I get my Visa?
How much money do I really need for a semester?
What about Health Insurance?
What do I have to pay at UT? And when?
When and where can I register for classes?
What do I have to do before I can register?
How do I know what courses will be offered? Can you send me course descriptions?
What if the Web says that the class I want is closed or Restricted?
Can I register early or reserve space in classes?
Can I participate in sports at UT?
What about other extracurricular opportunities?
How can I see what the UT campus and the city of Austin look like?
If I have other questions, whom do I ask?
Answers
What is the weather like in Austin?
Officially, Austin has a temperate climate with 300 days of sunshine a year and an average rainfall of 81 cm. Average temperatures range between 5-16 degrees Celsius (41 - 60 Fahrenheit) in winter and 24-35 degrees Celsius (75 - 95 Fahrenheit) in summer. However, in reality, you can experience daytime temperatures in the high 37 degrees Celsius (98 Fahrenheit), and sunny days around 24 degrees Celsius (75 Fahrenheit) in January and February. Snow is rare, but winter temperatures can plummet suddenly to the low 4 degrees Celsius (40 Fahrenheit) for a few days at a time. Spring and late autumn weather is usually mild. Click here for current weather.
You should bring clothing for both warm and cold weather. You will quickly observe that UT students dress very casually!
You should also pack a set of sheets and towels for the first few nights, until you have time to go shopping. Dorms, co-ops, and apartments do not furnish linens. Don’t forget a blanket or bedspread. Both air conditioning and winter temperatures make rooms surprisingly cool.
When should I arrive in Austin?
You can get everything done and be able to register for classes at the earliest possible time if you arrive by the dates below, especially if you already have a place to live reserved. If not, allow more time to look for accommodations.
Arrive a few days before the orientation day which will be around August 15 (Fall semester) or first week in January (Spring semester). This will give you time to clear health requirements (such as immunizations) of University Health Services, meet your academic advisor, participate in a variety of orientation activities designed to help students become acclimated to UT, meet other students, and prepare to begin your studies efficiently.
Exchange students will receive a DS-2019 form from UT which they will take to the nearest US embassy or consulate to obtain a J-1 visa. We are aware that students are having a longer wait to get visas. We will process applications as quickly as possible. Remember that missing or incomplete application information will cause a delay. Your DS-2019 form, acceptance letter, and related information will be express mailed to your study abroad office, unless other arrangements are necessary. If you have a unique situation let us know.
How much money do I really need for a semester?
$4,700 per semester is considered the minimum amount and assumes student is paying $2200 or less per semester for housing and meals. To plan a realistic budget, begin with the cost of housing you select. For example, if the cost of your dorm or co-op includes meals, most of your basic living needs will be covered in that expense. Allow from $150 to $400 per semester for textbooks and supplies (varies according to field of study). Estimate personal expenses such as entertainment, laundry, long distance phone calls. Count on extra expenses when you first arrive. Add the cost of medical insurance, whether you buy it at home or at UT. If you plan to travel between semesters or spring break, budget an amount for that. Ask your study abroad advisor for e-mail addresses of students who have studied at University of Texas or are here now. They can provide helpful information based on their experiences.
All international exchange students entering the United States on J-1 visas are required by US Immigration regulations to maintain full health insurance coverage. UT offers full health insurance coverage to all international students (approximately $1300 annually in 2007/08).
Students who possess a health insurance policy that meets or exceeds UT requirements can present that policy in lieu of the mandatory UT policy. To receive a waiver, you will be required to certify that the health insurance you possess meets or exceeds each and all of the following requirements: 1) Major medical coverage: $50,000 per accident or illness, 2) Repatriation of remains: $7,500, 3) Medical evacuation: $10,000 and 4)Maximum deductible per year $500. NOTE: Be sure to have health insurance coverage for the entire length of your stay (i.e. not just semester dates) for travel outside of the U.S., etc. Flight/transit insurance is also advisable.
What do I have to pay at UT? And when?
You have to pay the following amounts:
$51.50 International Student Services fee
$10.00 student ID
+ health insurance (approximately $500 per semester) if it hasn't been waived
You have to pay it (in person at the Main Building or online) after you have registered for classes. There’s no possibility to pay the fee bill before registration.
When and where can I register for classes?
Registration take place on certain days only, usually the week before classes start. You have to register online at http://www.registrar.utexas.edu/students/registration/. There is no possibility to register prior to your arrival at Austin.
What do I have to do before I can register?
Once you have arrived here you automatically will get "bars" which prevent you from registering. This means before you can register you have to clear the following bars:
1) International Office Bar
You have to attend the IBC (Immigration Briefing and Check-in) at the International Office. Please make your appointment online at:
http://instant-scheduling.com/sch.php?kn=26886&typId=2879&step=2.
In this 75-minute session you will get information about immigration issues, work authorization etc.
2)Health Bar
You have to do the TB test. You also have to get the immunizations if you haven't got them at home. Please note that the TB test can only be performed in the US. It takes 48 hours to get the result. Not having the result prevents students from registering. So you should make sure to arrive on time.
3) Academic Advising Bar
You have to meet with an academic advisor. You will get a chart with the names of the different advisors. If you want to get in touch with your academic advisor before, you're welcome to do so.
How do I know what courses will be offered? Can you send me course descriptions?
Check http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/ for UT Course Schedules and Catalogs. Course Schedules list courses offered each semester. Fall schedule will be on the week of April 1; spring schedule, around October 15. Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs have brief course descriptions and prerequisites. Be aware that some courses listed in catalogs are not taught every semester. Departments have additional information available on the Web - http://www.utexas.edu/depts
If your academic advisor wants you to have detailed course descriptions, the information above is all that is available until registration week or the first day of class, when instructors are required to distribute detailed course syllabi to students. We cannot send you additional course information because it isn’t available.
What if the Web says that the class I want is closed or restricted?
Courses are listed “closed” when they fill up in the early registration period for continuing students. Not all classes are permanently closed. During registration in August and January, departments may open up more spaces, students drop courses, and professors sometimes permit exchange students to enroll beyond the posted enrollment limit for the class. Of course, there are some departments (Computer Science, Studio Art, Radio-TV-Film, Economics, for example) that have difficulty accommodating their own degree seeking students in certain required courses. There are no easy solutions to this, except ask your department at home to be flexible in the courses you are allowed to take at UT.
Courses designated “restricted” require students to obtain permission to take those classes from the department advisor or course instructor. A visit with the appropriate academic advisor during registration week is necessary in order to register for restricted courses.
Can I register early or reserve space in classes?
No. Nor can we reserve a seat for you. When certain courses are not available, this can be disappointing. However, exchange students who will continue for the spring semester can participate in early registration in November.
Can I participate in sports at UT?
Absolutely! Our Recreational Sports division is one of the best in the U. S. in terms of facilities, recreational and instructional activities, team sports, and sports clubs. Also very popular with exchange students are their weekend outdoor adventures. Trips include backpacking, canoeing, snorkeling, and camping.
Exchange students can also register for physical education classes. These “for credit” courses are listed in the Course Schedule under physical education.
What about other extracurricular opportunities?
Students at UT have an organization for just about every interest you can think of. Registered student organizations include academic, international, political, professional, recreational, musical, religious, service, and special interest groups. Several international student groups maintain web sites, including the following.
* European Student Association
* Mexican Student Association
* Turkish University Students Association
* Association of Latin American Students
* Austin Japan Association
* Korean Students Association
Major cultural events come to Austin throughout the year. Austin supports a professional ballet company, symphony, and opera, in addition to cultural activities and programs at UT. Dormitories often have social activities and sports teams for their residents. The International Office sponsors out-of-town day trips to places of interest during the semester.
How can I see what the UT campus and the city of Austin look like?
Take tours of the campus via UT’s web site: http://www.utexas.edu/tours/vrc/
Information and photos of Austin can be found at http://www.Austintexas.org.
If I have other questions, whom do I ask?
First, check with your study abroad advisor or coordinator. Most have experience sending students to UT and will know the answers to your questions. They can also give you names of students who have studied at UT. You can also e-mail Kirsten Koster, UT reciprocal exchange coordinator, if you need further assistance. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a while to get an answer, due to the large number of e-mails received. We will do our best. Before you e-mail us, re-read this information guide again. Perhaps the answer to your question is here!