Resources for International Graduate Students
TUGSA has compiled this list of resources that can be helpful in the transition to life in the United States and throughout your graduate career at Temple. We are always looking for new resources and materials to add to this page, so if there is any information you’d like to see on this page, or that you would like to share with us, contact us at union@tugsa.org so we can get it up on the site!
Your Rights as International Grad Students
International graduate student workers should be aware of their specific rights. In terms of union membership and involvement, international graduate students have the same rights as citizens, in that they can fully join, participate, organize, and lead in our union and its committees.
We also encourage all international graduate student workers to become familiar with their immigrant employee rights under the National Labor Relations Act, in addition to Temple University’s policy on discrimination and harassment. If you have questions regarding your rights as an international graduate student, or if you think your rights have been violated or infringed upon, contact us right away at union@tugsa.org.
Temple University Resources
Center for Advancement of Teaching: Temple's Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT) promotes the value and practice of excellent teaching, teaching that facilitates student learning and growth. Every August, CAT provides TA Orientations and Workshops to help TAs prepare to teach at Temple.
Cherry Pantry: The Howard Gittis Student Center houses Temple's food pantry, the Cherry Pantry. Their mission is to combat hunger in the Temple community by supplying nutritious emergency food while providing equal treatment to all who visit the pantry.
International Student Affairs: The Office of International Affairs leads Temple's international initiatives, promoting globalization as one of Temple's core values. The office brings together various constituencies and units, working to integrate a global perspective throughout Temple's academic and co-curricular programs. You can find the ISA's student page here.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS): Temple's ISSS provides expert help with legal documentation and advice and counseling on next steps for all immigration-related issues. You can visit during walk-in hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 1:30 to 4 p.m. ET; Tuesday and Thursday, 9 to 11:30 a.m. ET), or schedule an appointment.
Housing Office: In addition to apartments in and around Philadelphia, Temple’s Housing Office offers housing for graduate students.
Student Health Services: Temple's Student Health Services is located on the fourth floor of 1700 North Broad Street on Main Campus (see Locations & Hours for other campuses). Student Health Services is staffed with Board Certified Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, RNs and Medical Assistants to meet your healthcare needs. They offer services ranging from dental care, to immunizations, to STD testing.
Further Resources
DMV: The Department of Motor Vehicles is a state-level government agency (a division of PennDOT) that administers numerous services, including administration of state IDs, vehicle registration, and driver licensing. Their website also contains information for new residents, including non-U.S. citizens.
PennDOT: PennDOT is a government agency that oversees programs and policies affecting highways, urban and rural public transportation, airports, railroads, ports, and waterways. Their website contains useful information on travel in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania as a whole.
SEPTA: The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is a regional public transportation authority that operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolleybus services in and around Philadelphia.
You can purchase a SEPTA key (a chip card) in order to get around with SEPTA’s public transportation systems. The SEPTA key can be used both on transit within Philadelphia (bus, trolley, trackless trolley, Broad Street Line, Broad Ridge Spur Line, Market Frankford Line, Norristown High Speed Line), and also on the Regional Rail.
Social Security Number & Card: In the United States, a Social Security number is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents. The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent agency of the United States government. Although the original purpose for the number was for the Social Security Administration to track individuals, the Social Security number has become a de facto national identification number for taxation and other purposes. A Social Security number is important because you need it in order to work and receive some other government services. You should keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers and avoid giving it out unnecessarily. You should not carry your Social Security card on your person.
Here is a guide to the documents you need in order to get a Social Security Card. You must visit the Social Security office in person in order to obtain your Social Security number and card. You can locate your local Social Security office by entering your zip code here.
Be careful of scams involving your Social Security number. Find more information about Social Security scams here.
Taxes: Find answers to top questions about filing federal income tax, paying, getting refunds, and more.
U.S. Department of State: The State Department is a federal executive department responsible for carrying out international relations. Their website contains information on U.S. visas (information on student visas here).
Looking for something we haven’t listed? Contact us and we’ll get it up on the site!