About the United States

You should come prepared for changes in the weather; very cold winters, hot summers, and pleasant days in between. The temperature frequently drops to 30°F (-7°C) in winter and rises to 90°F (32°C) with high humidity in summer. Plan to wear warm clothing during the winter months (November-March). An overcoat is a necessity. Clothing for rainy weather is also needed.

Most students do not dress formally for class except on special occasions. On campus and in the classroom, informal attire such as t-shirts, jeans, slacks, and shirts are acceptable for women as well as men. Several clothing stores are located right next to the TCNJ campus; many more clothing stores are also a short commute away from campus by bus. When deciding which kind of clothing to pack for your move to the US, you may also find it helpful to bring national costumes to wear to certain campus events and international celebrations or to speaking engagements around the city, but this is a matter of personal choice.

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TRANSPORTATION:

Train:

Two major cities in the area can easily be reached by train from The College of New Jersey:

• New Jersey Transit provides rail service to Princeton Junction and New York City (Penn Station) and the surrounding area from Hamilton and Trenton train stations.

• SEPTA provides service from Trenton and West Trenton to Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

If you have time, buy your ticket from a ticket booth or ticket machine before boarding in order to avoid a surcharge for buying your ticket on the train. Trenton train station can be reached by the 601 bus service from The College of New Jersey while the Hamilton train station is a 10-minute drive by car from the TCNJ campus. Train schedules can be found at the Information Booth in the Brower Student Center upon your arrival to TCNJ.

Bus:

The College of New Jersey is a stop on the 601 bus service line.

Many students at TCNJ also take the LOOP BUS, a service provided specifically for TCNJ students, to and from TCNJ to such sites as the AMC Movie Theater, Quakerbridge shopping center, Trenton train station and more. The schedule for the LOOP BUS can be found at the Information Booth in the Brower Student Center upon your arrival to TCNJ.

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PERSONAL SAFETY:

When you arrive in any US city, do not be passive about your personal safety. Common crimes, such as robbery and theft, are unfortunate aspects of today's society. While certain situations cannot be prevented no matter what precautions are taken, there are a few things you can do to decrease your chances of becoming a victim of crime in the US:

• When traveling, do not carry or display large amounts of money or jewelry. Instead, carry traveler's checks, redeemable for cash at most banks and stores, or use major credit cards, such as VISA, Mastercard, and American Express.

 

• Be careful with your personal belongings. Always keep money, jewelry, and valuable documents in your possession. Do not leave them in your luggage, in a "storage locker," or in a locked car.

 

• Do not go out alone at night. If you must go out alone at night it is better to take a taxi to and from your destination.

 

• If approached by someone demanding to take your money, do not resist. It is better to lose your money than to risk your safety. In the case of such an incident, notify the police as soon as possible. Throughout the United States, the emergency number for the police (as well as to contact the fire department or an ambulance) is 911.

 

• Be careful when accepting help from strangers; they may not be trustworthy. Ask a police officer or other person of authority for information.

 

• Beware of "con artists" - these are individuals who offer you money or the opportunity to make money in exchange for some small service or assistance from you. Never, under any circumstance, give money to such a person.

 

• Identity theft has become a growing problem in the United States. It is important that you guard all of your personal identity documents such as your passport and visa, I-20 or DS-2019 documents, as well as credit card and bank account information. If you obtain a Social Security Number while in the US you must also guard this information carefully. Before discarding, it is recommended that you shred any documents containing your personal information such as those mentioned above, as well as any credit card solicitations you may receive in the mail. Finally, refrain from carrying any of your important personal documents unless absolutely necessary and keep these documents safely stored in your home or in a security account at a local bank.
  

When you arrive at the Office of International and Off-Campus Programs and the Summer School, part of the orientation program for new students will focus on living safely in Ewing. However, please keep the above precautions in mind as you arrive in the US and travel to the College. Following these suggestions can help protect you and your property.