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Welcome!

Welcome to the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions! We hope this information will help you navigate through life in the United States. You can use the sidebar to locate a specific topic..

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Upon your Arrival...

1. Check in with your department and academic advisor: They will have your paperwork, including health insurance information, Hopkins rules & regulations, identification (ID) badge procedures and forms, and any other items necessary for you to begin your work. If your department does NOT have this information, you must go to the Registrar's office in your school (i.e. Nursing, Medicine, Public Health).
2. Check in with the JHMI International Student, Faculty & Staff Services (OIS): The staff of OIS will handle your visa needs and matters related to immigration throughout your stay at Hopkins. The office is located on the 1st floor of Reed Hall. The phone number is (410) 955-3371 and their website can be found at http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/intlsvcs/.
3. Visit the Johns Hopkins International Society: The International Society can help answer questions about housing, transportation, schooling for children, cultural opportunities, social activities, and life in Baltimore and the U.S. Activities include a welcome reception and orientation programs, programs for spouses, discussion groups, cultural awareness programs, social gatherings, tours, international dinners and holiday celebrations. For interested individuals, referrals are made to English language classes and other ESL resources in the Baltimore area. JHIS publishes a bi-monthly newsletter to keep members informed about upcoming programs and activities at Hopkins and in the Baltimore area, as well as information regarding immigration issues from the Office of International Services (available online at http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/intlsvcs/jhis/). The International Society office is located in Reed Hall, Room 1126. The JHIS Coordinator, Dacia Gauer, can be reached at (410) 955-3371 or dgauer1@jhmi.edu.
4. Visit the JHMI Office of Student and Housestaff Services: This office offers many services, such as providing information about on- and off-campus housing, and coordinating social activities for students and housestaff. This office is located on the 1st floor of Reed Hall. For more information, call 410-955-6378.

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Banking

When choosing a bank in the US, there are several things toconsider:
o Bank Locations and ATM services (those listed below are mostaccessible to Hopkins)
o International Services (for wiring money)
o Banking fees (check cashing, ATM fees, other services)
o Customer services

 

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Gas and Electric Service

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company is the power company for Baltimore residents. To arrange to have service connected, or for inquiries about billing, contact them directly. A security deposit, refundable, may be required to initiate service.
http://www.bge.com (410) 685-0123 or 1 (800) 685-0123

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Water

Generally, only those who own property need to pay for the water. However, many apartment complexes have started requiring tenants to pay for their own water. Talk to your landlord. Should you need to contact your local Department of Public Works, please call The Johns Hopkins International Society at 410.955.3370 or refer to the Yellow Pages - see the section for your county or city government offices.

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Telephone Service and Area Codes

AREA CODES: Common Maryland area codes are 410, 443, 301, & 240. You must dial the area code followed by the 7-digit telephone number in order to make a call. All ten digits must be dialed (i.e. 410-955-3370). For long distance telephone calls, you must dial "1" followed by the area code and phone number (i.e. 202-555-9999).

TELEPHONE SERVICES: When preparing to have your phone service installed, expect to spend some time on the phone. Generally, there are numerous questions you must answer while speaking to a representative. Try to be patient. If you have trouble understanding the representative, you may patient. If you have trouble understanding the representative, you may wish to ask if there are any available employees who speak your native language. For those who speak Spanish, there is a special number listed below which handles the needs of the Spanish-speaking customer.

 

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U.S. Postal Services

The Johns Hopkins University and The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions have post offices on both campuses. The post office at The Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus is located in the basement of Gilman Hall. The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions has two post offices. One is located on the 1st floor of the Hampton House Building, and the other is located in the basement of the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Baltimore's main post office is located at 900 East Fayette Street, which is close to JHMI. For general information, call 410.347.4430.
Hours are generally 8 am - 4 pm Monday - Friday and 8 am - 12 noon on Saturdays. They are closed on Sundays and all federal holidays.
For more information, visit http://www.usps.com

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Bookstores at Hopkins

Both The Johns Hopkins University and The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions have bookstores. Barnes & Noble, a national bookstore chain, runs the bookstore at the University. This store has excellent Hopkins items and a nice selection of books, cards, school supplies and snacks. The bookstore is located at 3300 Saint Paul St. Their telephone number is 410.662.5850.
The Johns Hopkins Medical Book Center, located at 1830 East Monument Street, 1st floor, sells a variety of medical and public health texts and other Hopkins items. They also sell phone cards and interesting gift items for young, budding scientists. Their telephone number is 410.955.3931.
For more information, visit http://student.med.jhmi.edu/content/bookstores.html.

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Emergencies

If you or your family members ever experience an emergency and are in need of an ambulance, the fire department, or the police department, please call 911 immediately. Be prepared to provide the 911 operator with your specific location or address. Speak slowly and clearly so the operator will be able to direct help to you quickly.

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Health services and insurance

Services are available to those with the appropriate health insurance coverage. Please call The Johns Hopkins University Health Service (UHS) at 410.955.3250.
 
It is mandatory that all students, fellows, their spouses and any dependent children purchase health insurance, available through the School of Medicine or the School of Hygiene and Public Health. Individuals can provide proof of equivalent insurance coverage. Please note that insurance based outside the U.S. is generally not accepted.The International Society has information about insurance companies that provide health coverage. If you have a question about your health insurance, please contact your benefits coordinator.

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Housing Needs or Problems

The Office of Student and Housetaff Services is located on the 1st floor of Reed Hall (phone number: 410.955.3905). The office assists JHMI affiliates with housing and other accommodations by providing apartment listings, public transportation information, maps of the Baltimore area, free phone service for your use, and information on tenant and landlord relations. If you have any questions, needs or concerns, please call this office. If you wish to reside in Reed Hall and purchase a parking space, make your reservation early by calling the office.
In addition, all JHMI affiliates with a proper Johns Hopkins identification badge can use the Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus Off-campus Housing Office facilities. The Homewood office number is 410.516.7961.
For more information, visit http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/housing/.

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Immigration / Visa Information

If you have questions concerning U.S. immigration law and the rules/regulations which govern your stay in the United States, please call The JHMI Office of International Student, Faculty, & Staff Services at 410.955.3371. The office is located in Reed Hall, 1st Floor. Since U.S. immigration law is constantly changing, you are strongly urged to stay in close communication with the office for up-to-date information.
Their website is located at http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/intlsvcs/.

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Legal Assistance

Both The Johns Hopkins University and The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions have a General Counsel. For the office on the Homewood campus, please call 410.516.8128. For the office at the Medical Institutions, please call 410.614.3322.
 
For additional legal assistance:

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Tax Information

If you have any questions pertaining to U.S. taxes, you may call the following phone numbers for assistance. In addition, the Milton S. Eisenhower Library, located on the Homewood campus in basement of the New Engineering Building, has numerous publications and information on various treaties.

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Getting a Driver's License

You can get a driver's license or an identification (I.D.) card (but not both) from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The I.D. card is cheaper, but you cannot use it to drive. To obtain your Maryland driver's license, you must do the following:

For holders of international driver's licenses:
To obtain a Maryland driver's license, you will need to take the following steps:

1. Complete a 3 hour alcohol and drug education course - You must do this BEFORE going to the MVA. After you receive your certificate of completion, you can proceed to the MVA to continue the process.
2. Fill out the application form
3. Pass an eye exam
4. Present the following documents:
   - a national, international, or out of state license.
   - proof of residence in Maryland (i.e. lease, telephone bill, etc.).
   - passport and visa or a birth certificate.
   - Social security card (if you have one)
5. Complete and pass a law exam (computer / paper test)
6. Pass a driving test
7. Pay a fee: $45

For new drivers:
You will first need to complete a drivers education course. Please see the list of driving schools below.You will then need to go to the MVA to get a Learner's Permit, and then return after four months to take the driver's exam and receive your provisional license.

All information is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit the MVA's website at http://www.mva.state.md.us/.

Driving schools:

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Renting or Buying a Car

Renting a Car
There are many car rental companies in the Baltimore area. You will want to check with several companies to find out their rates and to determine which company best meets your needs. You can also check the Yellow Pages.

Buying a Car
A helpful tool to guide you in through the process of buying a new or used vehicle is the current Consumer Reports Annual Buying Guide. This publication provides important information on purchasing and maintaining new and used cars.
The following websites may also be useful:

Car Insurance
Insurance is MANDATORY for automobile owners in Maryland. Insurance can be difficult for internationals because the U.S. companies do not recognize previous driving records in other countries (except Canada). Therefore, your first 6 months to 1 year of car insurance will be more expensive.

Below please find a listing of car insurance companies. We advise you to call the insurance companies you are interested in and compare their rates and coverage. We cannot recommend any specific company.

If you are denied by two private insurance companies, you can contact the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund as a last resort. They may be able to set up a policy for you. 410.269.1680 or http://www.maif.state.md.us.

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Public transportation

Local and commuter public transportation in the Baltimore area is run by the Mass Transit Authority (MTA). Their website is located at http://www.mtamaryland.com and has information on fares and schedules. The JHMI Housing Office also has a variety of printed bus, metro, light rail, and train schedules.
Johns Hopkins Shuttle Buses: Hopkins operates buses between many of its campuses. For information and a complete schedule, visit http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/security/transportation/shuttles.htm.
Local Buses: The MTA operates a large network of buses in the Baltimore area. Refer to their website for more information.
Metro: The Baltimore Metro runs from the JHMI campus to Owings Mills, Maryland.
Light Rail: The Baltimore Light Rail runs from Hunt Valley south to BWI Airport.
MARC Commuter Trains: MARC train service runs between Baltimore and Washington. It is much less expensive than Amtrak, but its schedule is more limited. There are two lines, leaving Baltimore from Penn Station and Camden Station.
AMTRAK Trains: AMTRAK trains depart from Penn Station in Baltimore to points across the US. Visit http://www.amtrak.com for more information.
Long-distance Buses: Baltimore is served by both Greyhound (http://www.greyhound.com) and Trailways (http://www.trailways.com) buses. Bus stations are located at the Baltimore Travel Plaza in East Baltimore (5625 O'Donnell Street), and the Downtown Bus Station (Fayette Street & Park Avenue).

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Safety at Johns Hopkins

This handout is designed to familiarize you with safety precautions in order to improve the quality of your visit to the U.S. and to Baltimore. We want you to enjoy Baltimore and to embrace what this city has to offer. We also want you to be able to enjoy your stay and be safe.

To protect yourself at home:

To protect yourself while out and about:

To protect yourself while driving:

To avoid theft of property:
Most of the crimes reported on the Johns Hopkins medical campus involve theft of property. Be aware of your possessions and do not give someone the opportunity to steal your books, your passport, your wallet, your backpack, or your purse. You can help avoid theft by doing the following:

To help others:
If you do become a victim of a crime, you can help others by reporting the incident to local law enforcement officers or to campus security officers.

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Children at Johns Hopkins

International children are a delightful addition to US communities. They bring diversity to playgrounds and classrooms and enrich the worldview of America's children. There are good resources for children in Baltimore to learn English, dance, art and music in the classroom and other places. Our museums and art galleries are child-friendly, and often offer classes for various ages.

Schools
In the US, public schools are free for your child. In general, the schools will welcome your participation as a volunteer. You are welcome also to talk with the school's administration and your child's teachers about your concerns.
To enroll your child in a public school, you must:

Several schools in Baltimore County are well-known for their ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programs. One that is attended by many JHMI affiliate-children is the Wellwood International School, Smith Avenue, Baltimore, 21209, near Bonnie Ridge Apartments. The student body (grades k-6) is composed of children who speak 26 different languages. The school has before/after school programs as well.

Baltimore City Public Schools: 410-396-8700 / ESOL 410-396-8600 / http://www.bcps.k12.md.us/
Baltimore County Public Schools: 410-887-4554 / ESOL 410-887-2043 / http://www.bcps.org/
Howard County Public Schools: 410-313-6600 / http://www.howard.k12.md.us/

Child Care
An excellent resource for arriving international parents is the publication, The Parents' Pages, a listing of many resources for children and parents in Baltimore. It is available in local libraries and grocery stores at no charge. For a monthly listing of activities of interest to families with children, get a copy of Baltimore's Child, also available at no charge throughout the metropolitan area. Baltimore's Child and The Parents' Pages are also excellent resources for investigating day care opportunities for working parents.

For younger children and their parents or caregivers, there is an International Play Group: Children of the World Co-Op, Inc. which meets near JHU Monday-Friday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. There are activities for the children and free English as a Second Language classes are available for the adults, as well as social events for the whole family (hayrides, parties, holiday gatherings and international dinners). For more information, call 410-377-5900 or visit the website at http://www.cotwcoop.org .

For additional information on child care, you may wish to contact the Johns Hopkins WorkLife Program. They provide information on nanny and au pair referrals, financial assistance, summer camps, parent education, discussion groups, tuition discount programs at day care centers, private, parochial and preschool information, sick, emergency & back up care programs, as well as other services. To contact WorkLife, visit http://www.hopkinsworklife.org, call 443-997-6605, or stop by their office located at the Johns Hopkins Eastern Campus (1101 East 33rd Street, Suite C100).

Child Health
Johns Hopkins' Children's Medical and Surgical Center (CMSC) leads the world in the health care of sick children. 410-955-5680

To arrange for well-baby care, there are many excellent pediatricians in Baltimore. To locate a pediatrician, you must consider the type of medical insurance coverage you have, as well as the location of the doctor's office and the hospitals where the physician can admit patients. Contact the Baltimore Medical Society's Physician Referral Service at 410-625-0022.

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International Grocery Stores

There are many international/ethnic food stores in Baltimore and surrounding areas. Below are a few that visitors have recommended. Consult the Yellow Pages/ Phone Book for other options. Please let us know if you find a market that you think others would like to know about!

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U.S. Weights and Measures

In the U.S. the metric system is not the usual way of measurement. We use inches, feet, and yards, as well as ounces, pounds, and tons instead of the system of measurement used by most of the rest of the world. Understanding the U.S. system will help you when you put gasoline in your car or when you follow an American cooking recipe.

A complete guide to the U.S. Customary System can be found at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._customary_units.

The search engine Google can also be used to make quick conversions by typing "convert" followed by the quantity to convert and the unit to convert it to. For instance, "convert 12 pounds to kilograms" will return 5.4431 kilograms.