International Student Guide to the United States of America

EnglishSpanish

 
Plan Your EducationFind a School / ProgramLive in the USA Request Info Now!
   

Resources for International Students


Student-Related Organizations | Consumer Info | Travel Info

PLEASE NOTE: All telephone numbers in the United States have ten digits. The first three (called the area code) indicate the geographical area where the phone is located. The next seven numbers constitute the specific line to the organization or household you are calling. Numbers with an area code of 800 or 888 are toll-free.

Student-Related Organizations

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
2101 Wilson Blvd. #302
Arlington, VA 22201
703-247-4212 • fax 703-247-4533
Web site: www.accsct.org

American Association of Community Colleges
One Dupont Circle, NW, Ste. 410
Washington, DC 20036
202-728-0200 • fax 202-833-2467
Web site: www.aacc.nche.edu

American Society for Engineering Education
1818 N Street NW #600
Washington, DC 20036
202-331-3500 • fax 202-265-8504
Web site: www.asee.org

AMIDEAST, Information Services
1730 M St. NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20036-4505
202-776-9600 • fax: 202-776-7000
Web site: www.amideast.org
AMIDEAST is the largest U.S. non-profit educational organization operating in the Middle East and North Africa. Their mission is to encourage the understanding between the peoples of the United States and the Arab world.

The Asia Foundation
465 California St., 14th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
415-982-4640 • fax: 415-392-8863
Web site: www.asiafoundation.org

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
PO Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
414-289-3400 • fax: 414-289-3411
Web site: www.ece.org
A private, non-profit organization identifying the U.S. equivalents of foreign educational credentials.

Educational Testing Services (ETS®)
Corporate Headquarters
609-921-9000 • fax 609-734-5410
Web site: www.ets.org
Information on the achievement tests used by colleges and universities.

Institute of International Education (IIE)
809 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017-3580
212-984-5400
Web site: www.iie.org
IIE has a reference library with information about scholarships and study in the United States.

International House
Berkeley: 510-642-9470
Chicago: 312-753-2280
New York City: 212-316-8400
Philadelphia: 215-387-5125
Web sites: www.ihworld.com
A multi-cultural community residence for U.S. and international students from universities and professional training programs.

International Schools Services (ISS)
PO Box 5910
15 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08543-5910
609-452-0990 • fax: 609-452-2690
Web site: www.iss.edu
ISS provides a variety of services for international schools and offers extensive consulting services for companies with operations throughout the world.

International Student House
1825 R Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-387-6445 • fax: 202-387-4115
Web site: www.ishdc.org
Has an extensive program of academic, cultural, social, and recreational activities.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators
1307 New York Ave NW, 8th FL
Washington, DC 20005-4701
202-737-3699 • fax: 202-737-3657
Web site: www.nafsa.org
NASFA: Association of International Educators is the largest membership association concerned with the advancement of international educational exchange.

National Council for International Visitors (NCIV)
1420 K Street, N.W., Ste. 800
Washington, DC 20005-2401
202-842-1414 • fax: 202-289-4625
Web site: www.nciv.org
NCIV is a network of community and national non-government organizations and institutions. Network services include professional appointments, home hospitality, seminars, speaking engagements, city tours, hotel bookings, and translation services.

National Society of Professional Engineers
1420 King Street
Alexandria VA 22314-2794
703-684-2800
Web site: www.nspe.org

Partners for International Education & Training (PIET)
2000 M. St. N.W. Ste. 650
Washington, DC 20036
202-429-0810 • fax: 202-429-8764
PIET is a USAID contractor placing and monitoring participant training programs in the U.S. (both academic & technical) for USAID funded participants from developing countries. PIET does not provide funding for participants.

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary Int’l
One Rotary Center
1560 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
847-866-3000
Web site: www.rotary.org
Scholarships for foreign students worldwide.

School for International Training
Kipling Rd., P.O. Box 676
Brattleboro, VT 05302-0676
802-257-7751 • fax: 802-258-3248
Web site: www.sit.edu
Undergraduate and Graduate levels as well as Intensive English Language training.

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
700 S Washington St., Ste 200
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-836-0774 • fax 703-836-7864
Web site: www.tesol.edu

U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS)
Formerly U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
800-375-5283
Web site: www.bcis.gov

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
202-647-4000
Web Site: www.state.gov

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: 202-203-5118

Academic Exchange Division: 202-619-4360

Office of Global Education Programs: 202-619-5434

Office of Academic Programs: 202-619-6409

Office of International Visitors: 202-619-5217

YMCA International
71 W. 23rd Street #1904
New York, NY 10010
212-727-8800 • fax: 212-727-8814
Web Site: www.ymcanyc.org
Year round airport arrival service for sponsored students; International Camp Counselor Program; Multinational Trainee Program; Group Educational Travel. Places students in summer jobs; trains in internships; and assists YMCA branches to internationalize their efforts and develop world-minded citizens. There are homestay tour programs; professional interest group tours also available in such areas as medicine, social welfare, environment, agriculture, and business.

Consumer Information

American Automobile Association (AAA)
phone: 1-800-AAA-HELP
This is an auto club which provides road service, route planning and hotel discounts.

Consumer Credit Counseling Services
1275 K Street NW #885
Washington, DC 20005
phone: 202-682-1500

Consumer Reports Auto Price Service
Box 8005
Novi, MI 48376
Send a check or money order for $11.00 along with the make, model and style of a car to receive the list price and dealer cost of the car, including the price of options.

Driver's License Application
Check the state government listing in the local area phone book for the driver's license examination locations. Costs vary by state.

Encyclopedia of Associations - The Gale Group
Detroit, MI 48226-9990
1-800-877-4253 or 313-961-2242

Web site: www.gale.com
A guide to over 23,000 national and international associations and organizations.

Health Insurance Association of America
phone: 202-824-1600
Information on health insurance.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
phone: 1-800-829-3676
U.S. tax-related information.

National Automobile Dealers Association
8400 Westpark Dr.
McLean, VA 22101-9985
phone: 1-800-544-6232 • fax: 703-821-7269
Web site: www.nadanet.com
Useful information when buying a car.

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information
phone: 800-729-6686

National Automobile Insurance Helpline
phone: 800-942-4242
This service provides cost-cutting tips such as raising the deductible, dropping duplicate coverage and low-mileage provisions.

National Health Information Center
phone: 800-336-4797
Provides health information and referral services for all of your health concerns.

Shell Answer Books
Shell Oil Company
Box 4681
Houston, TX 77210
Information on car care, being a smart driver, helping injured drivers and more.

United States Health and Human Services
phone: 202-619-0257
AIDS Hotline: 800-342-AIDS

United States Social Security Hotline
phone: 800-772-1213

Travel Information

Airlines

Air Canada: 800-776-3000 — www.aircanada.ca
Air France - 800-237-2747 — www.airfrance.com
Air India - 800-223-7776 — www.airindia.com
Alitalia - 800-223-5730 — www.alitalia.it
American - 800-433-7300 — www.aa.com
British Airways - 800-247-9297 — www.british-airways.com
Continental - 800-525-0280 — www.continental.com
Delta - 800-221-1212 — www.delta.com
Gulf Air - 800-223-1740 — www.gulfairco.com
Iberia - 800-772-4642 — www.iberia.com
Japan - 800-525-3663 — www.jal.com
KLM Royal Dutch - 800-374-7747 — www.klm.com
Kuwait Airways - 800-458-9248 — www.travelfirst.com/sub/kuwaitair.html
Lufthansa German - 800-645-3880 — www.lufthansa.com
Northwest - 800-225-2525 — www.nwa.com
Qantas - 800-227-4500 — www.qantas.com
Royal Jordanian - 800-223-0470 — www.rja.com.jo
Saudi Arabian - 800-472-8342 — www.saudiairlines.com
Singapore - 800-742-3333 — www.singaporeair.com
United - 800-241-6522 — www.ual.com
US Airways - 800-428-4322 — www.usairways.com

Car Rental Systems

Alamo Rent-a-Car: 800-462-5266— www.alamo.com
Auto Europe: 888-223-5555— www.auto-europe.com
Avis Rent-a-Car: 800-230-4898— www.avis.com
Budget Rent-a-Car: 800-527-0700 — www.budget.com
Dollar Rent-a-Car: 800-800-3665— www.dollarcar.com
Enterprise Rent-a-Car: 800-736-8222— www.enterprise.com
Hertz System Inc.: 800-654-3131 — www.hertz.com
National Car Rental: 800-227-7368— www.nationalcar.com
Payless Car Rental: 800-729-5377 — www.paylesscar.com
Rent-a-Wreck:
800-472-8353— www.rentawreck.com
Thrifty Car Rental: 800-367-2277 — www.thrifty.com

Hotel & Motel Chains

Best Western International: 800-528-1234 — www.bestwestern.com
Doral Hotels: 800-223-6725
Econo Lodges: 800-424-6423 — www.hotelchoice.com
Hilton Hotels: 800-445-8667 — www.hilton.com
Holiday Inn: 800-462-4329 — www.holiday-inn.com
Howard Johnson's: 800-446-4656 — www.hojo.com
Hyatt Hotels: 800-233-1234 — www.hyatt.com
Inter-Continental: 800-327-0200 — www.interconti.com/interconti
La Quinta Motor Inns: 800-257-5473
Marriott Hotels: 800-228-9290 — www.marriott.com
Quality Inns: 800-424-6423 — www.hotelchoice.com
Radisson Hotels: 800-333-3333 — www.radisson.com
Ramada Inns: 800-228-2828 — www.ramada.com
Red Roof Inns: 800-843-7663 — www.redroof.com
Rodeway Inns: 800-424-6423 — www.hotelchoice.com
Sheraton Hotels: 800-325-3535 — www.sheraton.com
Stouffer Hotels: 800-872-6338
Super 8 Motels: 800-843-1991 — www.super8motels.com
Travelodge International: 800-255-3050 — www.travelodge.com
Westin Hotels: 800-228-3000 — www.westin.com

Discount Hotel Programs/Hostels

Entertainment Publications
phone: 1-800-477-3234

Great American Travelers--Access Development Corporation
phone: 1-800-548-2812
Membership in the program entitles you to discounts in thousands of U.S. hotels.

Hosteling International—American Youth Hostels
733 15th St., NW, Ste. 840
Washington, DC 20005
phone: 202-783-6161 • fax: 202-783-6171
Web site: www.hiayh.org
Offers travelers a real alternative to expensive lodging. Each hostel offers safe, comfortable dormitory style accommodations for travelers of all ages.

National Park Service
phone: 800-365-2267
Information on America's national parks.

Bus Lines

Greyhound - phone: 800-231-2222

Railway

Amtrak - phone: 800-523-8720

Vacation/Travel Information by State

Alabama: 800-ALA-BAMA — www.touralabama.org
Alaska: 907-465-2012 — www.travelalaska.com
Arizona: 602-230-7733 — www.carizona.com
Arkansas: 800-643-8383 — www.state.ar.us
California: 800-862-2543 — gocalif.ca.gov
Colorado: 800-433-2656 — www.colorado.com
Connecticut: 800-CT-BOUND — www.state.ct.us/tourism
Delaware: 800-441-8846 — www.state.de.us
Florida: 888-7FLA-USA — www.florida.com
Georgia: 800-VISIT-GA — www.gomm.com
Hawaii: 808-923-1871 www.hawaiiguide.com
Idaho: 800-635-7820 — www.IDOC.state.id.us
Illinois: 800-223-0121 — www.enjoyillinois.com
Indiana: 800-289-6646 — www.ai.org/tourism
Iowa: 800-345-IOWA — www.icvba.org
Kansas: 913-296-2009
Kentucky: 800-225-8747 — www.state.ky.us/tour/tour.htm
Louisiana: 800-334-8626 — www.crt.state.la.us
Maine: 800-533-9595 — www.visitmaine.com
Maryland: 800-543-1036 — www.mdisfun.org
Massachusetts: 800-447-MASS — www.mass-vacation.com
Michigan: 800-543-2YES — www.michigan.org
Minnesota: 800-657-3700 — www.exploreminnesota.com
Mississippi: (601) 359-3297 — www.mississippi.org
Missouri: 573-751-4133 — www.ecodev.state.mo.us/tourism
Montana: 800-541-1447 — http://travel.mt.gov
Nebraska: 800-228-4307 — www.ded.state.ne.us/tourism
Nevada: 800-NEVADA-8 www.nevadaweb.com
New Hampshire: 603-271-2666 — www.visitnh.gov
New Jersey: 800-JERSEY7 — www.state.nj.us
New Mexico: 800-545-2040 — www.nets.com/newmextourism
New York: 800-CALL-NYS — http://iloveny.state.ny.us
North Carolina: 800-VISIT-NC — http://visit.nc.org
North Dakota: 800-437-2077 — www.glness.com/tourism
Ohio: 800-BUCKEYE — www.ohiotourism.com
Oklahoma: 800-652-6552 — www.otrd.state.ok.us
Oregon: 800-547-7842 — www.traveloregon.com
Pennsylvania: 800-VISIT-PA — www.pavisnet.com
Puerto Rico: 800-223-6530
Rhode Island: 800-556-2484 — www.ritourism.com
South Carolina: 803-734-0235 — www.sccsi.com/sc
South Dakota: www.state.sd.us
Tennessee: 615-741-2159 — www.gotennessee.com
Texas: 800-888-8TEX — www.tourtexas.com
Utah: 801-538-1020 — www.state.ut.us/html/travel.htm
Vermont: 802-828-3236 — www.visit-vermont.com
Virginia: 800-VISIT-VA — www.virginia.org
Virgin Islands: 809-774-8784 — www.usvi.net
Washington: 800-544-1800 — www.tourism.wa.gov
Washington, D.C.: 202-789-7000 — www.dchomepage.net
West Virginia: 800-225-5982 — www.state.wv.us/tourism
Wisconsin: 800-432-TRIP — http://tourism.state.wi.us/agencies/tourism
Wyoming: 800-225-5996 — www.state.wy.us/state/tourism/tourism.html

toolbox

Search for Colleges by State
to review state profile and a list of featured colleges and universities within that state.

to find colleges and careers based on specific words or phrases.

 

International Student Guide to the United States of America
a Spindle Publising Company publication
  HOME   SEARCH   ABOUT US   CONTACT US