International Students Information

Congratulations and welcome to The Sage Colleges

By now you are probably becoming increasingly excited about your travel abroad and are beginning to make of the list of items you will be taking with you. Below is a list of important information. We hope this list will be helpful, but please remember it is only a suggestion:

Arrival to the United States - While most international students will arrive to the United States at a major airport, The Sage Colleges is not near these locations. If you are traveling to The Sage Colleges directly from your home country, you will need to be sure to make your finals destination Albany International Airport in Albany, New York. This is the central airport for both Russell Sage College in Troy and Sage College at Albany. If you will be arriving to the Albany International Airport, then a member of the Cultural Enrichment staff will arrange transportation to campus.

However, if you do not fly into Albany International Airport, you will need to make your own transportation arrangements to campus. John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark International Airport and La Guardia Airport are all 3 hours away from campus. If you do not get a connecting flight from these airports to Albany, you should consider either a bus through Greyhound or a train through Amtrak to arrive into Albany. You will be financially responsible for these arrangements and transportation.

Please contact the Office of Cultural Enrichment with your flight and arrival information.

Books - Books in the United States can be extremely expensive. To save money on the cost of book, most American students purchase their books used. Once you are aware of your course schedule including the course number and section you may order your books before arriving to the Unites States. You will need to purchase these with a credit card, when you place the order, but then you will not need to worry about the cost upon your arrival to the U.S. For students taking classes on the Troy campus click here for the bookstore and for students taking classes on the Albany campus click here for the bookstore. If you are taking classes on both campuses, you will need to order your books from the two campuses where the classes are held.

Medications - If you take any medication, make sure that you will have packed a sufficient supply. Please know that New York State will not fill any prescriptions written from outside of New York State. Have your physician specify whatever medications (including generic names) you are on and the reasons for this prescription on your health form, which you should have received with your admittance package. Be sure to pack some of your prescription in your carry on bag, in case your luggage is delayed in its transport to the United States.

Clothing The weather in Central New York State will change significantly while you are on campus for a full semester. From August until December (fall semester) the weather can range from sunny and warn near 80 Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) to 20 Fahrenheit (-7 Celsius). In the spring semester, January until May, the weather generally will range from 10 Fahrenheit (-12 Celsius) to 75 Fahrenheit (24 Celsius). So you will need a wide range of clothing options.

Students (men and women) typically wear casual clothing to class. Students generally wear jeans/pants (shorts in warm weather) and sweaters/sweatshirts (t-shirts in warm weather) and sneakers (tennis or running shoes). There are a few occasions (plays, art exhibits or concerts) for students to dress more formally, a skirt or dress is appropriate for women, blazer or suit jacket for men. A heavy coat, gloves or mittens, hat and scarf are recommended for winter temperatures.

Bedding The Sage College will provide each exchange student a set of bedding for their rooms. Each residence hall room is equipped with a twin size bed, a desk with bookshelf and desk lamp, 5 drawer dresser and a closet or wardrobe for each student. However, there will be an opportunity during orientation for you to shop for what ever you may want or need for your room. You will be expected to launder your bedding throughout the semester.

Currency/Money Be sure to discuss with your family how to transfer money to you in Troy/Albany, New York from your home if needed. You will need to meet all financial obligations regarding tuition, room and board before your arrival to campus. You will need to have enough money to purchase your books and any personal items you might need. Any traveling you plan to do while living at Sage will require additional funds and you should plan accordingly.

* Never pack large amounts of money in your luggage, due to security reasons.

Shipping Items Prior to Arrival You may ship boxes or other items to yourself prior to your arrival on campus. Packages should be addressed as follows:

For Russell Sage College:

Your name
c/o The Office of Cultural Enrichment and Diversity
45 Ferry Street
Troy, New York 12180
U.S.A.

For Sage College of Albany:

Your name
c/o The Office of Cultural Enrichment and Diversity
140 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, New York 12208
U.S.A.

Please be sure to mark each package International Student and your expected arrival date. The Office will hold these items until your arrival. Please contact the Director of Cultural Enrichment and Diversity via email to let him/her know the number of boxes you are shipping.

Electrical Items Please note that the Unites States uses 110-112 volt currents (60 cycles) for all electrical items. If you are bringing electrical items with you (hair dryers, computers, and radios) you will need to have the appropriate electrical converter. Please note that the outlets require two flat-pronged and one circular pronged plug.

Personal Items Please be sure to bring those items which will help you make your room feel like home: photographs of family and friends, addresses and telephone numbers for letters and postcards, music from home, games, musical instruments, spices and other items to help you feel more comfortable. Be sure to bring a few family recipes to cook, share or give to the dinning hall to be made for the entire community.