International Student & Scholar Services

International Programs

International Student & Scholar Handbook

Campus Basics

Getting a Penn Identification Card
Applying for a Social Security Number
Electronic Mail
Banking
Shopping
Housing
Eating on Campus
Transportation

Almost everything you need can be found on Penn's webpage. If you know the office you need, use Penn A to Z.

Getting a Penn Identification Card

All students and scholars must have a University identification card, called a PennCard. The card permits access to University buildings and allows you to use the library, recreational facilities and other University services, such as the Shuttle, Escort. You should carry your PennCard with you at all times.

Some students may arrange for their PennCard before arrival through Campus Express. Students and scholars can also arrange for their PennCard upon arrival on campus at the PennCard Center.

PennCard Center
150 Franklin Bldg.
3451 Walnut St.
Tel: 215-417-CARD
Web: http://www.upenn.edu/penncard/

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Applying for a Social Security Number

All international students and scholars who have secured legitimate employment are eligible to apply for a US Social Security Number (SSN). You will need this number to file your annual tax return, to be employed, and for a variety of other purposes, including signing up for utilities and applying for a credit card. The number assigned to you by the University (e.g., 949-00-9999) is not a Social Security Number; it is a Penn ID number, used only for university-related business.

For Social Security Number application instructions, please contact ISSS. For additional information, visit the US Social Security Administration (SSA) web site: http://www.ssa.gov/.

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Electronic Mail

Most Penn students, faculty, and staff have electronic mail (email) access. Email is the most commonly used communication system on campus. For this reason, it is very important for you to have an email account and check it regularly. Email accounts are arranged by the individual schools. To set up your account, please consult with your academic department or visit the Penn Computing web site at http://www.upenn.edu/computing/email/email.html

ISSS uses both email and its web site to inform you about various programs, immigration updates, and other timely information. Please read the email messages sent out by ISSS carefully and check the ISSS homepage at least once a month.

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Banking

One of the first things you should do after arriving in Philadelphia is open an account at a local bank. Investigate various banks before choosing which one you wish to use, as all banks have different charges and fees for services, such as ATM access, checking, overdraft protection. You should read the small print carefully before signing up with any bank.

To open an account, you must present two forms of identification, such as your passport and your PennCard. Some banks may require you to provide your Social Security number.

See United States Banking Services for more information about local banks and locations.

Checking Accounts

Opening a checking account will assure safe and quick deposit of foreign checks and free you from carrying large amounts of cash. A checking account will also provide you with an accurate, monthly record of your finances.

Checks can be used to pay monthly bills like rent, telephone, and electricity. You can also write a check for some purchases if you provide two types of identification to the merchant. The checks you write are returned to you after being cashed and cleared by the bank, and serve as proof of payment. You must keep an accurate record of your account to make sure you have enough money in your account for each check you write.

It is a serious matter to write a check without having sufficient funds in your checking account. In addition to various fees your bank will charge, you may suffer serious financial consequences and will be vulnerable to legal action.

Savings Accounts

If you have money that you don't plan to use immediately, you can open a savings or investment account. Depending on how much you deposit, this account will pay you interest. You will receive a monthly statement showing your balance. Be sure to keep these statements as the interest earned on savings accounts may be taxable.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATM)

Basic banking, such as deposits, transfers and withdrawals, is available 24 hours a day at computerized banking machines (ATM or MAC machines) at most banks. These machines can be found throughout the city. You should only use those located in a safe and secure place indoors, and avoid making withdrawals after dark. You may be charged a fee each time you use your ATM card. Check with your bank for details.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are popular in the US, but are sometimes difficult to obtain for international students and scholars who have not yet established good credit in the US. You may want to apply for a credit card in your home country rather than in the US.

Major credit cards in the US are Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, but businesses do not always accept all cards. Credit cards issued by department stores or oil companies are usually easier to obtain and can be used to establish credit.

Use caution in using credit cards as a means of postponing payment for purchases. Almost all credit cards charge interest, which may range from 12% to 22% per year. If your credit card is lost or stolen, file a report with the police and notify the company that issued the card immediately.

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Shopping

Prices in American stores and supermarkets are fixed and not negotiable. Bargaining for a lower price for your items is not an option unless you are at yard sales, some secondhand stores, or street markets at the end of the day when food sellers are anxious to sell their fresh produce. Find directions from your location to these stores by entering the address on MapQuest: http://www.mapquest.com/.

Food Shopping: Area Supermarkets

Fresh Grocer
40th and Walnut St.

South Square Market
2221 South St.

ALDI
46th and Market St.

Thriftway Supermarket
4301 Walnut St.

Pathmark
3021 Gray's Ferry Ave.

Food Shopping: Convenience Stores Close to Campus

7-Eleven
42nd and Walnut Sts.

Wawa Food Markets
2000 Chestnut St.
3604 Chestnut St.
3417 Spruce St.
3744 Spruce St.
226 W. Rittenhouse Square St. (20th & Locust Streets)

Food Shopping: Selected International Stores

Asian American Market
4421 Chestnut St.
Tel: 215-386-1254

Bayon Oriental and American Food
4612 Walnut St.
Predominately Korean

Chinatown
Between Market and Vine Sts. and 8th and 11th Sts.

Dong Dae Moon Oriental Supermarket
4734-40 Spruce St.
Predominately Korean and Japanese

El Nayarit
610 S. Union St.
Kennett Square, PA
Tel: 610-444-3412
Predominately Mexican

El Sombrero
422 Gap Newport Pike (Route 41)
Arondale, PA
Tel: 610-268-3553

Italian Market
9th St. between
Wharton and Christian Sts.

International Store
4203 Walnut St.
Predominately Indian

Makkah Market
4249 Walnut St.
Predominately Middle Eastern
Tel: 215-382-0909

Midori Mart
2104 Chestnut St.
Predominately Japanese and Korean
Tel: 215-569-3381

P & P Grocery
4307 Locust
Predominately Thai
Tel: 215-387-3509

Reading Terminal Market
12th and Arch St.
Web: http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/
Fresh farm produce and prepared food

Discount Stores

Kmart
424 Oregon Ave.
The Gallery at Market East, 10th and Market Sts.
Web: http://www.bluelight.com/home/index.jsp

Wal-Mart
1601 S. Columbus Blvd.
Web: http://www.walmart.com/

Secondhand Stores

Second Mile Center
414 S. 45th St. (between Walnut and Locust Sts.)
Sells books, clothing, furniture, cookware, jewelry, shoes, and much more.

Uhuru
Spruce Street between 12th and 13th Sts.
Sells used furniture

Shopping Centers

Franklin Mills Mall (Discount Stores)
1455 Franklin Mills Circle
Tel: 800-336-MALL
Web: http://www.franklin-mills-mall.com/
Take SEPTA bus #20, #67, or #84

The Gallery at Market East
9th and Market Sts.
Web: http://www.galleryatmarketeast.com
Take SEPTA Subway Market St. Line

The Plaza and the Court at King of Prussia
160 N. Gulph Rd. King of Prussia, PA
Tel: 610-265-5727-Plaza or 610-337-1210-Court
Web: http://www.kingofprussiamall.com/
Take SEPTA bus #124 or #125

The Shops at Liberty Place
16th and Chestnut Sts.
Web: http://www.shopsatliberty.com/

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Housing

International students and scholars have several options with respect to permanent accommodations. Most undergraduate, and almost all first-year students, live in university residences. Some graduate students and scholars live on campus in graduate residence halls, while others rent apartments off campus. See our section on Housing.

Eating On Campus

The University Dining Service offers several meal plans at five different locations. See their web site at http://www.upenn.edu/dining/. A wide variety of hot and cold foods, including vegetarian, are served and a nutrition specialist is available to discuss your particular dietary needs. A Kosher dining hall is also available.

You do not have to sign up for a meal plan to eat well on campus. There are many excellent food trucks and restaurants around campus which offer nutritious meals from around the world at reasonable prices. Be sure to check these out and compare prices.

Campus Dining Services
220 South 40th Street Suite 200A
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tel: 215-898-7585
Fax: 215-898-2469
Web: http://www.upenn.edu/dining/
Email: dining@pobox.upenn.edu

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Transportation

Penn Transit Services

The Penn Transit Services provide a comprehensive transportation system on and around campus within specific boundaries.

Transportation Services
Suite 447 A
3401 Walnut Street Phila, PA 19104-6228
Tel: 215-898-8667
Email: transit@pobox.upenn.edu
Web: http://www.upenn.edu/transportation/

See the Transportation section of our web site for links on getting around Philadelphia and traveling in the US.

Visit the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) web site at http://www.septa.org for information on commuter rail trains, buses, subways, and LUCY (the Loop through University City).

Taxi

Taxi companies are listed in the Yellow Pages phone book. A trip from campus to Center City by taxi costs between $7 to $12, and you should tip the driver l5%. It is a good idea to take a taxi if you must travel late at night and your route does not fall within the boundaries of Penn Transit Services. See http://www.upenn.edu/transportation/ for more information.

Pennsylvania Driver's License/State ID Card

If you plan to be in Philadelphia for a longer stay (over a year, for example), you may consider applying for a Pennsylvania Driver's License or State ID card. Both documents are good alternatives to carrying your passport for identification purposes and the Driver's License will also allow you to drive in the United States.

The state of Pennsylvania honors a valid foreign driver's license with an International Driving Permit for a period of up to one year. When the foreign license or International Permit expires, you must apply to PennDOT for a Pennsylvania license in order to continue to drive. If you have moved from another state in the US, even if you hold a valid driver's license from that state, you must get a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days after moving to Pennsylvania.

Visit the Pennsylvania Driver & Vehicle Services section of the PennDOT web site for information about driving in Pennsylvania: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/.

All cars in Pennsylvania must be insured, and car insurance can be extremely expensive. Be sure to explore the options for car insurance before buying a car. Annual car insurance rates in the city are a minimum of $2,000 to $3,000. Car thefts and thefts from cars are common in the University City and Center City areas. If you own a car, buy a steering wheel lock (also known as a "club") and never leave valuables in a parked car.

If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you must bring the following documentation to the Driver License Center in order to obtain a PA driver's license or state ID card:

Passport
I-94 card
Visa stamp
I-20 (for F-1) or DS-2019 (for J-1) with a program end date that is at least one year away
Letter of denial/indecision from the US Social Security Administration (SSA)
Driver's license letter verifying attendance at the school listed on the I-20/DS-2019 (obtain from ISSS)
2 proofs of residency

Please see Obtaining a Pennsylvania Driver's License and ID Card (PDF) for more information.

Renting a Car

See the section Exploring Philadelphia and Beyond for information about renting a car.

Return to Handbook for International Students and Scholars

	International Programs Penn Abroad \| ISSS \| IA@Penn
International Student & Scholar Services New Arrivals Orientation International Student & Scholar Handbook Visas & Immigration Information for Penn Departments Instructions & Forms International Student Advisory Board International Partners Outreach Group Intercultural Leadership Program ISSS Staff Events & Announcements Online Appointment Scheduler International Programs Penn Abroad International Student & Scholar Services International Affairs @Penn Staff Directory	International Student & Scholar Handbook Campus Basics Getting a Penn Identification Card Applying for a Social Security Number Electronic Mail Banking Shopping Housing Eating on Campus Transportation Almost everything you need can be found on Penn's webpage. If you know the office you need, use Penn A to Z. Getting a Penn Identification Card All students and scholars must have a University identification card, called a PennCard. The card permits access to University buildings and allows you to use the library, recreational facilities and other University services, such as the Shuttle, Escort. You should carry your PennCard with you at all times. Some students may arrange for their PennCard before arrival through Campus Express. Students and scholars can also arrange for their PennCard upon arrival on campus at the PennCard Center. PennCard Center 150 Franklin Bldg. 3451 Walnut St. Tel: 215-417-CARD Web: http://www.upenn.edu/penncard/ Top Applying for a Social Security Number All international students and scholars who have secured legitimate employment are eligible to apply for a US Social Security Number (SSN). You will need this number to file your annual tax return, to be employed, and for a variety of other purposes, including signing up for utilities and applying for a credit card. The number assigned to you by the University (e.g., 949-00-9999) is not a Social Security Number; it is a Penn ID number, used only for university-related business. For Social Security Number application instructions, please contact ISSS. For additional information, visit the US Social Security Administration (SSA) web site: http://www.ssa.gov/. Top Electronic Mail Most Penn students, faculty, and staff have electronic mail (email) access. Email is the most commonly used communication system on campus. For this reason, it is very important for you to have an email account and check it regularly. Email accounts are arranged by the individual schools. To set up your account, please consult with your academic department or visit the Penn Computing web site at http://www.upenn.edu/computing/email/email.html ISSS uses both email and its web site to inform you about various programs, immigration updates, and other timely information. Please read the email messages sent out by ISSS carefully and check the ISSS homepage at least once a month. Top Banking One of the first things you should do after arriving in Philadelphia is open an account at a local bank. Investigate various banks before choosing which one you wish to use, as all banks have different charges and fees for services, such as ATM access, checking, overdraft protection. You should read the small print carefully before signing up with any bank. To open an account, you must present two forms of identification, such as your passport and your PennCard. Some banks may require you to provide your Social Security number. See United States Banking Services for more information about local banks and locations. Checking Accounts Opening a checking account will assure safe and quick deposit of foreign checks and free you from carrying large amounts of cash. A checking account will also provide you with an accurate, monthly record of your finances. Checks can be used to pay monthly bills like rent, telephone, and electricity. You can also write a check for some purchases if you provide two types of identification to the merchant. The checks you write are returned to you after being cashed and cleared by the bank, and serve as proof of payment. You must keep an accurate record of your account to make sure you have enough money in your account for each check you write. It is a serious matter to write a check without having sufficient funds in your checking account. In addition to various fees your bank will charge, you may suffer serious financial consequences and will be vulnerable to legal action. Savings Accounts If you have money that you don't plan to use immediately, you can open a savings or investment account. Depending on how much you deposit, this account will pay you interest. You will receive a monthly statement showing your balance. Be sure to keep these statements as the interest earned on savings accounts may be taxable. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) Basic banking, such as deposits, transfers and withdrawals, is available 24 hours a day at computerized banking machines (ATM or MAC machines) at most banks. These machines can be found throughout the city. You should only use those located in a safe and secure place indoors, and avoid making withdrawals after dark. You may be charged a fee each time you use your ATM card. Check with your bank for details. Credit Cards Credit cards are popular in the US, but are sometimes difficult to obtain for international students and scholars who have not yet established good credit in the US. You may want to apply for a credit card in your home country rather than in the US. Major credit cards in the US are Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover, but businesses do not always accept all cards. Credit cards issued by department stores or oil companies are usually easier to obtain and can be used to establish credit. Use caution in using credit cards as a means of postponing payment for purchases. Almost all credit cards charge interest, which may range from 12% to 22% per year. If your credit card is lost or stolen, file a report with the police and notify the company that issued the card immediately. Top Shopping Prices in American stores and supermarkets are fixed and not negotiable. Bargaining for a lower price for your items is not an option unless you are at yard sales, some secondhand stores, or street markets at the end of the day when food sellers are anxious to sell their fresh produce. Find directions from your location to these stores by entering the address on MapQuest: http://www.mapquest.com/. Food Shopping: Area Supermarkets Fresh Grocer 40th and Walnut St. South Square Market 2221 South St. ALDI 46th and Market St. Thriftway Supermarket 4301 Walnut St. Pathmark 3021 Gray's Ferry Ave. Food Shopping: Convenience Stores Close to Campus 7-Eleven 42nd and Walnut Sts. Wawa Food Markets 2000 Chestnut St. 3604 Chestnut St. 3417 Spruce St. 3744 Spruce St. 226 W. Rittenhouse Square St. (20th & Locust Streets) Food Shopping: Selected International Stores Asian American Market 4421 Chestnut St. Tel: 215-386-1254 Bayon Oriental and American Food 4612 Walnut St. Predominately Korean Chinatown Between Market and Vine Sts. and 8th and 11th Sts. Dong Dae Moon Oriental Supermarket 4734-40 Spruce St. Predominately Korean and Japanese El Nayarit 610 S. Union St. Kennett Square, PA Tel: 610-444-3412 Predominately Mexican El Sombrero 422 Gap Newport Pike (Route 41) Arondale, PA Tel: 610-268-3553 Italian Market 9th St. between Wharton and Christian Sts. International Store 4203 Walnut St. Predominately Indian Makkah Market 4249 Walnut St. Predominately Middle Eastern Tel: 215-382-0909 Midori Mart 2104 Chestnut St. Predominately Japanese and Korean Tel: 215-569-3381 P & P Grocery 4307 Locust Predominately Thai Tel: 215-387-3509 Reading Terminal Market 12th and Arch St. Web: http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/ Fresh farm produce and prepared food Discount Stores Kmart 424 Oregon Ave. The Gallery at Market East, 10th and Market Sts. Web: http://www.bluelight.com/home/index.jsp Wal-Mart 1601 S. Columbus Blvd. Web: http://www.walmart.com/ Secondhand Stores Second Mile Center 414 S. 45th St. (between Walnut and Locust Sts.) Sells books, clothing, furniture, cookware, jewelry, shoes, and much more. Uhuru Spruce Street between 12th and 13th Sts. Sells used furniture Shopping Centers Franklin Mills Mall (Discount Stores) 1455 Franklin Mills Circle Tel: 800-336-MALL Web: http://www.franklin-mills-mall.com/ Take SEPTA bus #20, #67, or #84 The Gallery at Market East 9th and Market Sts. Web: http://www.galleryatmarketeast.com Take SEPTA Subway Market St. Line The Plaza and the Court at King of Prussia 160 N. Gulph Rd. King of Prussia, PA Tel: 610-265-5727-Plaza or 610-337-1210-Court Web: http://www.kingofprussiamall.com/ Take SEPTA bus #124 or #125 The Shops at Liberty Place 16th and Chestnut Sts. Web: http://www.shopsatliberty.com/ Top Housing International students and scholars have several options with respect to permanent accommodations. Most undergraduate, and almost all first-year students, live in university residences. Some graduate students and scholars live on campus in graduate residence halls, while others rent apartments off campus. See our section on Housing. Eating On Campus The University Dining Service offers several meal plans at five different locations. See their web site at http://www.upenn.edu/dining/. A wide variety of hot and cold foods, including vegetarian, are served and a nutrition specialist is available to discuss your particular dietary needs. A Kosher dining hall is also available. You do not have to sign up for a meal plan to eat well on campus. There are many excellent food trucks and restaurants around campus which offer nutritious meals from around the world at reasonable prices. Be sure to check these out and compare prices. Campus Dining Services 220 South 40th Street Suite 200A Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tel: 215-898-7585 Fax: 215-898-2469 Web: http://www.upenn.edu/dining/ Email: dining@pobox.upenn.edu Top Transportation Penn Transit Services The Penn Transit Services provide a comprehensive transportation system on and around campus within specific boundaries. Transportation Services Suite 447 A 3401 Walnut Street Phila, PA 19104-6228 Tel: 215-898-8667 Email: transit@pobox.upenn.edu Web: http://www.upenn.edu/transportation/ See the Transportation section of our web site for links on getting around Philadelphia and traveling in the US. Visit the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) web site at http://www.septa.org for information on commuter rail trains, buses, subways, and LUCY (the Loop through University City). Taxi Taxi companies are listed in the Yellow Pages phone book. A trip from campus to Center City by taxi costs between $7 to $12, and you should tip the driver l5%. It is a good idea to take a taxi if you must travel late at night and your route does not fall within the boundaries of Penn Transit Services. See http://www.upenn.edu/transportation/ for more information. Pennsylvania Driver's License/State ID Card If you plan to be in Philadelphia for a longer stay (over a year, for example), you may consider applying for a Pennsylvania Driver's License or State ID card. Both documents are good alternatives to carrying your passport for identification purposes and the Driver's License will also allow you to drive in the United States. The state of Pennsylvania honors a valid foreign driver's license with an International Driving Permit for a period of up to one year. When the foreign license or International Permit expires, you must apply to PennDOT for a Pennsylvania license in order to continue to drive. If you have moved from another state in the US, even if you hold a valid driver's license from that state, you must get a Pennsylvania driver's license within 60 days after moving to Pennsylvania. Visit the Pennsylvania Driver & Vehicle Services section of the PennDOT web site for information about driving in Pennsylvania: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/. All cars in Pennsylvania must be insured, and car insurance can be extremely expensive. Be sure to explore the options for car insurance before buying a car. Annual car insurance rates in the city are a minimum of $2,000 to $3,000. Car thefts and thefts from cars are common in the University City and Center City areas. If you own a car, buy a steering wheel lock (also known as a "club") and never leave valuables in a parked car. If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you must bring the following documentation to the Driver License Center in order to obtain a PA driver's license or state ID card: Passport I-94 card Visa stamp I-20 (for F-1) or DS-2019 (for J-1) with a program end date that is at least one year away Letter of denial/indecision from the US Social Security Administration (SSA) Driver's license letter verifying attendance at the school listed on the I-20/DS-2019 (obtain from ISSS) 2 proofs of residency Please see Obtaining a Pennsylvania Driver's License and ID Card (PDF) for more information. Renting a Car See the section Exploring Philadelphia and Beyond for information about renting a car. Return to Handbook for International Students and Scholars
	International Programs Penn Abroad \| ISSS \| IA@Penn