Transportation
Subway:
Considering the cost of parking and its lack of availability, the subway is the fastest and most convenient way to commute in New York City. To use the subway, you need to purchase a MetroCard. The subway rates are:
Single ride $2.50; 7-day unlimited pass $30; Monthly unlimited pass $112
Bus:
The site www.mta.info has detailed information about bus routes and its fares. To get on a bus, you will need to have the exact amount of the fare (coins only). When you get on the bus, put the coins into the machine near the driver. It is also important to know that the bus does not always make all its stops: press the "stop request" or look for a label – usually yellow - that says something like "to request a stop, please press here".
New Jersey Transit:
This train is more expensive than the subway or bus, but it is a very convenient and fast mode of transportation in New Jersey and connecting with Manhattan. NJT also runs buses into Manhattan.
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) trains from Queens come into Penn Station, located in midtown Manhattan.
MetroNorth trains come into Grand Central Terminal from New York’s northern suburbs and from Connecticut.
Cell phone
If you plan to be in New York for several months, it is better to buy a phone from a local mobile phone store. The most popular in New York are AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
- Verizon: 125 W 42nd St, New York, NY. (212) 382-3746
- T-Mobile (Metro PCS): 521 8th Ave, New York, NY. (212) 564-4293
- AT&T: 247 8th Ave, New York, NY. (212) 929-6898
Bank Account
In order to open a bank account, you will need to provide your passport, visa, and current I-20. Some banks usually require an initial deposit. You may also want to consider opening a student account that can give you many advantages, such as discounts and lower fees. You can fill out an application either online or in person. The most popular banks in New York City are Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, TD Bank, and Capital One.
Tourist Information
New York City is one of the world’s most popular tourist places. And it is not surprising because there are so many interesting places to see, such as Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, etc. There are many websites where you can search for events in New York City. Here are some of them:
Health Insurance
New York English Academy does not require students to have health insurance; however, it is extremely important for you to have some type of independent insurance, since American insurance plans can be very costly. Here are two websites where you can apply for international student insurance:
