Information for newcomers
We are pleased that you are planning to study at WVU which is a home to students and scholars from more than 90 countries around the world. Here is some information that might be helpful when you make your travel plans:
Travel to Morgantown, WV:
There are 2 ways to get Morgantown, WV:
1. Select arrival point as Pittsburgh.
This is the most popular way. When you book your flight ticket, please select arrival point as Pittsburgh International Airport. Pittsburgh is approximately 80 min away from Morgantown. In order to get Morgantown, you can either take the bus (www.busride.org Grey Line) or Airport Limousine Service (www.wheelinglimo.com) Please do not forget to reserve your seat for bus or limo one week prior to your travel.
2. Select arrival point as Morgantown.
Morgantown Airport has recently started flying to Washington DC. Therefore, you may book your flight ticket directly to Morgantown. However, please keep in mind that you will need to make at least 2 connections; one in Europe and one in Washington DC.
Accommodation:
For on-campus housing: http://admissions.wvu.edu/undergraduate/housing/
For off-campus housing: http://studentlife.wvu.edu/offcampushousing/
Please also check the classified page of university newspaper: www.da.wvu.edu
Culture Shock:
Culture shock is the term used to describe the more pronounced reactions to the psychological disorientation most people experience when they move for an extended period of time into a culture different from their own. Culture shock is not a result from a specific circumstance or event. Rather, it is derived from the experience of encountering ways of doing, organizing, perceiving, or valuing things that are different from your culture. Things that are not the same as in your culture can be perceived as a threat to your basic, unconscious belief in your customs, assumptions, and values. Culture shock does not strike suddenly. Rather, it builds up slowly over time from a series of events that on their own are difficult to identify.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help you cope with culture shock. You can take these positive steps to minimize the impact of adjusting to your new host culture:
– Get to know the host culture.
– Look for logical reasons behind all things that seem “foreign” to your rationale.
– Make friends with someone in the host culture who can sympathize with your dilemma.
– Communicate with home and those you love when you get sad and homesick.
– Get out and do something active. Exercise releases tension.
– Maintain a positive attitude about your experience.
Resource: www.wvu.edu/~intlprog
Communication with home:
Here are a few ways to keep in touch with your family and friends in Turkey:
– Buy a calling card: Several companies offer calling cards. You may select the one that fits your needs the most. Mezun.com calling card is a popular one with Turks in the States.
– Download software to your computer such as Voipbuster or Skype and make a call via the internet.
– Messenger programs such as MSN, AIM, GoogleTalk are also quite common.
