PrincetonUniversity

A Guide for International Students, 2000-2002

 

Miscellaneous Information

	Money As mentioned before, students are strongly urged to bring traveler’s checks and not to carry cash. However, students should have $300 to $350 available to cover immediate expenses, such as transportation and tips. This amount easily can be exchanged for United States currency at the airport. Princeton is an expensive community in which to live. We advise students to come with about $1,500 in traveler’s checks to cover onetime expenses such as textbooks for the semester, to subscribe to newspapers or magazines, to purchase additional room furniture, and to buy miscellaneous items, including toiletries and other personal articles. Students who arrive the week before classes begin may wish to purchase a special meal contract for the week or, alternatively, to patronize the restaurants in town. Also, a number of student agencies use orientation week as a time to display and sell their various wares, and students often make unanticipated purchases at this time. Graduate students should be aware that their salary/stipend is paid to them on the last working day of the month, beginning September 30. Banking Communities in the United States have local banks, as opposed to branches of national banks found in most countries. Moreover, there is a distinction between checking and savings accounts: Checking accounts may or may not pay interest, while savings accounts always do. Differences between various banks are minor, but their services and policies change from time to time. For general information, here are a few examples of the 1999 services in some of the Princeton area banks
	Bank PNC Bank (497-6700) 76 Nassau Street Summit Bank (987-3586) 90 Nassau Street First Union (921-6000) 194 Nassau Street Sovereign Bank of Princeton (924-4498) 188 Nassau Street Princeton University Federal Credit Union (258-5038) Armory Bldg., Washington Rd.			Minimum Amount for Basic Checking* Percent Interest Earned Minimum Amount for Savings* Percent Interest Earned $1,000 -- $300 1.6% $99 -- $99 1.7% --- --- $500 1.49% --- --- $100 2.1% $5.00 1.5% $5.00 3.5%
	* These are minimum amounts for basic accounts. If the balance drops below the minimum, a service charge, often minimal, is imposed.
	Climate, Clothing, and Shopping Students should come prepared for variable weather: very cold winters, hot summers, and pleasant days in between. The temperature frequently drops to between 5 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 to -15 degrees Celsius) in the winter, with high temperatures (80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity in summer. Students should plan to have warm clothing for the winter months (November through April), including sweaters, a heavy overcoat (preferably a lined storm coat or jacket), and good shoes; a raincoat is also recommended. Most students do not dress formally for classes. On campus, informal wear such as slacks, zippered jackets, blouses, blue jeans, and shirts are acceptable for women as well as for men. In general, it is advisable to bring adequate clothing for at least the first year (longer if possible). Prices in Princeton are high, and choices are rather limited. Shopping in Trenton, Philadelphia, and New York City is more advisable, but students should not rely on shopping in these place until becoming familiar with the area. For those who will not be living in dormitories and who will be buying groceries, here are some current food prices in dollars and cents. 1 quart (approximately 1 liter) milk 1.00 1 dozen eggs 1.50 1 lb. (.454 kg.) chicken 2.40 to 3.00 1 lb. (.454 kg.) butter 2.00 to 2.70 1 lb. (.454 kg.) pork 2.50 to 4.50 1 lb. (.454 kg.) rice 1.00 1 lb. (.454 kg.) flour 1.00 1 lb. (.454 kg.) sugar 1.00 1 lb. (.454 kg.) coffee 4.00 to 6.00 10 oz. jar instant coffee 7.00 1 lb. (.454 kg.) tea 4.00 to 6.00 1/2 lb. (100 bags) tea 3.00 to 4.50
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