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International Student Service Organizations

International Student Service Organizations

The organizations described below offer a variety of programs, activities, services and publications especially for the international student community. International student associations, national clubs, and many campus-based organizations also sponsor film festivals, concerts, sporting events and social activities throughout the year. Your school’s international student office is a good source of information on activities that are open to you. You should also make a note of the following nonprofit organizations that can help you make the most of your time in the New York City area.

International Center in New York
50 West 23rd Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10010
Tel: (212) 255-9555
www.intlcenter.org

Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m., the International Center serves foreign students, exchange scholars, and other internationals. Services include one-on-one English tutoring, conversation discussion groups, social and cultural activities, workshops on New York life skills, and trips and tours to areas of interest in the New York area. Programs are run by American volunteers. The annual registration fee is $350 ($300 for six months or $200 for three months). An optional twelve hours of one-on-one English language tutoring is also available for an additional $80.

International House
500 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027
Tel: (212) 316-8400
www.ihouse-nyc.org

International House is a residence and program center for 700 graduate students, interns and trainees from over 100 countries. Activities include guest speakers, seminars, films, trips, festivals, music recitals and social events. Facilities include study rooms and music practice rooms, a computer lab, cafeteria, pub, fitness center, and gymnasium. Scholarships are available for residents. Non-resident memberships are available to full-time graduate students, interns and trainees of 21 years and older for $150 per year or $75 per semester. For information on non-resident memberships call (212) 316-8436.

YMCA International
5 West 63rd Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10023
Tel: (212) 727-8800
Toll Free: (888) 477-9622
www.ymcainternational.org

The International Branch of the YMCA sponsors inexpensive educational travel programs to different areas of interest in the U.S. These usually happen in the summer and can be arranged from your home country. Their office is open from Monday to Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and they can provide you with a listing of Y hostels in the U.S. and abroad for student travelers. Their International Career Advancement Program arranges visas for students interested in participating in training programs with U.S. employers. Check www.ymcaicap.org for more information.

English Conversation Programs
Most colleges and universities in the U.S. have English conversation programs on campus. If you would like to find a program outside your school, the organizations listed below offer one-on-one English conversation practice. Registration fees and tutoring hours vary from program to program. Call for specific information.

International Center in New York
50 West 23rd Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10010
Tel: (212) 255-9555
www.intlcenter.org

English-Speaking Union of the United States
144 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 818-1200
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www.esuus.org

Riverside Church
490 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10027
Tel: (212) 870-6735

Volunteering

Donating your time and talent can be a great way to meet people, learn more about your new community and American life, and give something back. Volunteer opportunities abound in New York City—the websites below can help you figure out what kind of volunteer work you’d like to do and where to find it.


Metro International
www.metrointl.org

Consider volunteering at Metro International. There are often opportunities to help in the Metro office. Through the Global Classroom volunteer program, you can teach New York City public school students about your country and culture.

Volunteer Match
www.volunteermatch.org

Search for long-term or event based volunteer opportunities available in your area from a wide array of organizations.

Idealist
www.idealist.org

Access listings of volunteer positions with NGO’s and other non-profit organizations in your community and around the world, and in a variety of fields. Sign up to receive personal email updates matching your volunteer interests.

New York Cares
www.nycares.org
Learn about hands-on, team-based and flexible volunteer projects in New York City. Volunteer fields include work with the homeless, children, fighting hunger, urban renewal and the environment.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Services

The following list of resources can help you get involved in the LGBT community, find health and support services and learn about special opportunities for LGBT students. Your school may also have an LGBT office or student group, or offer LGBT services—ask your international student advisor for information.


Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center
208 West 13th Street
New York, NY 10011
Tel: (212) 620-7310
www.gaycenter.org

Comprehensive and up-to-date information on events, group meetings, educational programs and other resources for the LGBT community.

The Audre Lorde Project
85 South Oxford Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Tel: (718) 596-0342
www.alp.org/index.html

New York’s center for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people of color (racial minorities).

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
356 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
Tel: (212) 271-7200
www.callen-lorde.org/index.html

A New York medical facility dedicated to meeting the health care needs of the LGBT community and people living with HIV/AIDS—regardless of any patient’s ability to pay.

LGBT Student Scholarships
www.american.edu/ocl/glbta/resources/info_scholarships.html

List of scholarships available specifically for LGBT students, compiled by the American University Office of Financial Aid.

Gay and Lesbian National Hotline
Toll Free: (888) 843-4564
www.glnh.org

Offers free and anonymous counseling services over its toll-free telephone number. Callers can speak directly with a trained volunteer who has access to a national database of referrals specific to the gay and lesbian community. Open Monday through Friday 4 p.m.–midnight and Saturday noon–5 p.m.

Students with Disabilities

An array of services and organizations exist to serve people with disabilities in New York City. The resources below can help you figure out how to navigate the city and to find support. Contact your international student advisor to learn more about your school’s services and offerings for disabled students.


The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
100 Gold St, 2nd Floo
New York, NY 10038
Tel: (212) 788-2830
www.nyc.gov/html/mopd/

Offers information on community resources and city resources accessible to people with disabilities. Publishes Access New York: A Guide to Accessible Travel In and Around New York City, a free practical guide with detailed information about transport, dining out, attractions, museums, theaters, movie theaters, sightseeing, sports venues and more.

Big Apple Greeters
1 Centre Street, Suite 2035
New York, NY 10007
Tel: (212) 669 8159
www.bigapplegreeter.org

Organizes volunteer-led visits to New York City neighborhoods for disabled out-of-town visitors. Volunteer guides are disabled or have done disability-sensibility training. Visits require 4 weeks’ notice. The online visit request form is the preferred way of signing up.

Mobility International USA/National Clearing House on Disability and Exchange (NCDE)
www.miusa.org

A non-profit organization focusing on ensuring successful international experiences for people with disabilities. Provides a free information and referral service, including contacts for disability-related organizations worldwide.

Travel in the U.S.

Transport
Amtrak
Toll Free: (800) USA-RAIL (Automated service; say “agent” to speak to a person) www.amtrak.com

The national railroad company. A 15% student discount is available on most rail fares (coach class) with a Student Advantage Card. Rail passes for non-U.S. passport holders that allow unlimited regional or nation-wide travel within a specific period of time (5, 15 or 30 days) are also obtainable at Amtrak ticket offices or online. Prices for these passes vary from $149 to $550. Some travel agencies also offer 3- and 7-day passes ($99–$175) for specific regions (www.usbyrail.com ).

Greyhound Bus
Toll Free: (800) 229-9424
www.greyhound.com

The largest provider of intercity bus service. 15% student discount is available online and for walk-up tickets (NOT on phone-bookings) with a Student Advantage Card. Greyhound buses are usually cheaper than trains, but are less comfortable and not as convenient if you want to enjoy the scenery along the way.
      
Peter Pan Bus Lines
Toll Free: (800) 237-8747
www.peterpanbus.com
      
Bonanza Bus
Toll Free: (888) 751-8800
www.bonanzabus.com

Two bus services run by the same company serving the Northeastern region of the U.S. Fares are similar to Greyhound, and a 15% student discount is available with a Student Advantage Card on selected walk-up fares.
Travel and Tour Agencies
Student Universe
Toll Free: (800) 272-9676
www.studentuniverse.com

Online travel service for students, specializing in discount student airfares. A resource for researching destinations and purchasing discount travel products.

STA Travel
(Multiple Locations in the New York Area)
Toll Free: (800) 781-4040
www.statravel.com

Travel company for students and young people. Offers discount airfares, hostels, hotels, rail and bus passes. Student discounts available with the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).

Travel CUTS New York
124 MacDougal Street,
New York, NY 10012
Tel: (212) 674-CUTS (212-674-2887)
Toll Free: (800) 592-CUTS (800-592-2887) (U.S. National Reservation Center)
www.travelcuts.com

Specializes in student budget travel. Offers discount airfares, tours, youth hostels, budget hotels, rail passes, and bus passes. Student discounts available with the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).

Green Tortoise
Toll Free: (800) TOR-TOISE (800-867-8674)
www.greentortoise.com

Offers affordable adventure travel off the beaten track. Groups travel on buses that are outfitted with beds, and the drivers and passengers cook as a group. While most tours operate out of San Francisco, coast-to-coast trips can pick you up in New York.

TrekAmerica
Tel: (973) 983-1144
Toll Free: (800) 221-0596
www.trekamerica.com

Offers small group adventure travel in North America covering the USA, Canada, Alaska & Mexico. Trips offer a combination of sightseeing and activities that will take you to big cities, national parks, remote beaches and other places off the tourist routes.

American International Tours
Toll Free: (800) 552-3932
www.tourquest.com

Specializes in student travel to popular destinations in the Northeastern U.S. and Canada. Tours are designed as weekend getaways for college students and other young adults.
Travel Guides and Other Resources:
Lonely Planet - www.lonelyplanet.com
Rough Guides - www.roughguides.com

Both websites are “portals” to the guidebooks they sell, but also contain up-to-date and useful information, including comments from other travelers.

International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
www.isiccard.com

ID card that allows full-time students to avail of discounted airfares and other deals.

Student Advantage Card
www.studentadvantage.com/discountcard

Student discount card necessary to qualify for certain discounts with Amtrak and Greyhound; also good for discounts at a variety of other places. Available for full-time students or young travelers under 26.

U.S. National Park Service
www.nps.gov

Helps you plan a successful visit to a national park; the website contains information on opening hours, activities, weather, and more. Most national parks charge entry fees, usually $20 (sometimes less) per vehicle. If you plan on visiting several parks within one year, the “National Parks Pass” ($50, admits purchaser and others in the same vehicle) can be a smart purchase.

American Automobile Association (AAA)
Tel: (212) 468-2600
www.aaa.com

AAA-membership helps you get emergency roadside assistance nationwide, including towing, fuel, and locksmith services. Membership also includes discounts at many museums, selected motels and on Amtrak rail fares.