Arrival Date

A student visa will allow students to arrive up to 30 days before the start date on their I-20.  It is recommended that students arrive at least two weeks before the beginning of classes so that they can take the placement test, register for classes, get over jet-lag, and settle into their new living situation.

Airport: BWI

The closest airport to Howard Community College (HCC) and Columbia Maryland is Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI).  Other airports in the area include Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport; however, they are both about an hour away by car.  There are several options to get from the airports to Columbia, Maryland.

• The Airport Shuttle, Inc. (from BWI) about $35
• Howard Transit (only from BWI) about $5 to Columbia Mall then switch to the green or orange routes to HCC
• Taxi: about $60 from BWI Howard County depending on the student's destination and amount of luggage
• Go Airport Shuttle from Dulles
• Super Shuttle from Dulles

Needed documents

Students should carry with them the documents below (do not pack these in luggage). These documents should be kept in a secure place so they are ready when needed:

• Passport with visa
• I-20
• ELI admission letter

Customs & Port of Entry

Please be aware that there are very specific rules about what is allowed on the plane and also into the United States. Students should check with thier airline about security regulations for flying into the U.S. We suggest students read more about these regulations at the following link: http://educationusa.state.gov/predeparture/travel/customs.htm

Students should also visit the following website to learn more about what they can expect at the US Port of Entry: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm

Area Hotels

Below are some area hotels for students who do not have a place to stay before arrival:

• Sheraton Columbia Hotel: 10207 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD
• Marriot Courtyard: 8910 Stanford Blvd, Columbia, MD
• Extended Stay America?: 8870 Columbia 100 Pkwy, Columbia, MD

Emergency Information

In case of an emergency, students should contact 410-772-4740 during business hours (Monday-Thursday 8:30am-8:00pm, and Friday 8:30am-5:00pm).  Outside of business hours, students should contact campus security at 410-772-4882 and leave their contact phone number; an ELI staff member will contact the student directly.

Checking in & Health Insurance

We advise students to come to the ELI office within 24 hours of arriving in the United States. Our office is located in room 200 (2nd floor) of the Hickory Ridge building at Howard Community College. Students should bring their visa, stamped I-20 and I-94 card. Students can buy health insurance at this time if they have not yet done so.  The staff cannot register students for classes until they have valid health insurance that covers them for the entire semester.

Placement Test and Registration

Students will need to take the placement test on the day of, or soon after, checking in.  It is best that students register for classes as soon as they arrive because classes fill quickly, especially close to the beginning of the semester.

Orientation
There will be a mandatory orientation sometime during the week before classes start.  During orientation, students will get important information about their visa status as well as have the chance to meet their teachers and other new students.