Social Media

Social Media

Another way to inform yourself about St. Edward's and to get a first impression about the life on campus is via social media.
St. Edward's is represented on almost every social media platform.
Here is a list of the most important:

1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3. YouTube
4. Instagram
• General Information
• Sports Related
• TopperTips

I strongly recommend the Instagram TopperTips account, because it gives you good update about all different kind of stuff that is happening on campus.

There are also two Apps called "StEdwards" and "SEU Guide", which may help you.

In case you are not only interested in the campus, but also in Austin I recommend these accounts and websites in addition, that provide pictures and information of Austin and its wonderful places.

• 365ThingsAustin - Instagram Account
• 365ThingsAustin - Website
• visitaustintx  - Instagram Account

Of course there are many more channels! If you found other interesting accounts, feel free to share them here in the comments!

First Week Part 1

First Week Part 1

The first week after the arrival is stuffed with events.
There are a lot of welcome sessions, dinners and introductions to campus and staff. 

The first session started on Monday, August 22 and is called “Transfer Orientation Session”.

All International and Exchange Students meet at Ragsdale in a big auditorium and
have breakfast together. If not happened before, you are going to meet new people here. 

After the breakfast we sat together in front of the presentation stage and were introduced to many different people. 

For example the president of the University and mostly persons in charge for the departments that are going to help you with any problems. 

There we were also thought about the guidelines and restrictions on campus.

After that we had lunch and started a tour across the campus and were introduced to all the buildings on campus. 

Finally after that we all received our ID cards at the campus Main Building and the session ended.

The rest of the day is for personal use. 

The second session started on Thursday, August 23 and was kind of the
"International Student check-in" session. 

This time we met up at Moody Hall and again had a short breakfast.
At this session we submitted our immigration paperwork, adjusted our courses and completed an information sheet about ourselves. But you are also free to change your courses during the whole week and can even drop courses until October if you want to.

Followed by the paperwork we were introduced to all members of the International Office. The International Office is there for you and answers your questions concerning VISA and travelling as well as general questions. 

Just a quick note: Every single person that you meet on campus is Mister or Misses Supportive in person, you won’t be left alone with your problem!

The next station of the day was lunch. Furthermore, every person who needs to get something from Walmart will have the chance to take a shuttle bus from campus after lunch.

The day ends with the “International Student Welcome Dinner”. 

To be continued…

1st day. D-Day.

1^st day. D-Day.

When you are an International or Exchange Student you are supposed to check in at St. Edward’s one week before the actual semester begins. Same rules for Spring and Fall Semester. For me as an International Student in the Fall Semester the date of check-in was Sunday the 21th of August.
“Regular” students arrive on the following weekend.

I decided to arrive in Austin on Saturday 20^th, to get along with the time difference. 
After my 15 hour flight which started at 7.25am in Frankfurt, Germany, I arrived in Austin at 4.30pm and took the next taxi to the “Best Western Plus Austin Airport Inn & Suites”, which I can recommend if you want to do the same. My first night in the United States was great and after I had breakfast I took a taxi to St. Edward’s, where I arrived at 10am.
 

First things first! You have free Wi-Fi on campus! So for everyone without an US sim card, you will have access to the internet through the guest Wi-Fi.
After that you have to check-in for housing at your residence hall. Make sure that you check the map on google maps or the map that is provided in the mails of the University before you arrive. 
I am living at Casa (green circle), so I had to check-in at the Basil-Mareau Hall (red circle), which is located here:

There are some exceptions depending on where you live on campus, but the exact hall where you have to check-in will be stated in the email you’ll receive before the semester. 

Also all International Students will most likely NOT have their student ID’s by their day of arrival.
Without them you are not able to enter the halls and you have to wait until somebody from inside the building opens the door for you. 
But don’t worry, you will receive your ID the next day.

So at the check-in I received my keys for my room, for my mailbox and someone showed me where I will find my room.

IMPORTANT message for all international students! Make sure you have your beddings with you (covers, blanket, sheets, pillow) or that you have reserved your bedding in time at this website. 

For the ones who still don’t have/forgot bedding (like me) your able to buy it at the Walmart center which is easy to arrive by cab, or a 15-20 minute foot march.
More shopping possibilities will be discussed in upcoming blog posts.

After I made myself comfortable in my room and set the furniture up the way I wanted, I was hungry.
There are many spots around campus where you can eat something, but on the first day you may want to eat on campus. 
In general there are three dining halls on campus but the only dining hall which is open one week before the semester is Ragsdale, which is located here:

At the dining hall you are able to pay with your ID card, in cash or with a debit card. I was not having my ID card so on the first day I had to pay with debit card. 

The rest of the day I spent with meeting new people, getting my bedding and another very important thing, getting some rest.
But the day is up to you! Make yourself comfortable!