Practical Information
Identification Cards
UST ID : You will need your ID card for several purposes on campus to find more information on how to obtain your UST click here.
TEXAS ID card & : Driver’s License : You may apply for a Texas ID by visiting the closest Department of Public Safety office. You can visit the DPS website at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us to find the closest location to where you live.
What to have when you apply:
TEXAS ID card: Passport (with visa and I-94), I-20, your address in Houston
Driver’s License : Passport (with visa and I-94), I-20, current address in Houston and letter from the International Student Advisor.
Note: You do NOT need a social security number to apply for a Driver’s License. You may ask to speak with a supervisor at the DPS office if you are denied a driver’s license because of failure to provide a social security number.
Closest office to UST:
12220 South Gessner
HOUSTON, TX 77071-2831
713-219-4100
Social Security Card
You cannot apply for Social Security unless you have an on-campus job offer (or if you have been approved for CPT or OPT.) If there is a department on campus that will hire you, you must obtain a formal letter from the department and take it to the International Student Office to begin the process of applying for social security card. You will not be given a social security card if you are not currently registered for classes. You can visit the social security website at http://www.ssa.gov to find the closest location to where you live.
Closest office to the UST:
3100 SMITH
HOUSTON, TX 77006 1.800.772.1213
MONDAY - FRIDAY: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Except Federal Holidays Tax ID Number: If you are not eligible for a Social Security number you may apply for a Tax ID number. This number may be used when opening a bank account or leasing an apartment. Take your passport and I-20 to the closest social security office to apply for the Tax ID number.
Important Numbers
- Emergency Contact Number- 911
- UST Department of Security -713.525.3888
- Constable Precinct 1 -713.755.7628
- Houston Police Department-Non-Emergency – 713.884.3131
Helpful websites:
Weather
Average annual High/Low temperatures in Fahrenheit per month
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January: 62/41 °F
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May: 86/66 °F
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September: 89/68 °F
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February: 67/44 °F
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June: 91/72 °F
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October: 82/59 °F
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March: 73/51 °F
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July: 94/74 °F
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November: 72/50 °F
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April : 79/57 °F
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August: 94/73 °F
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December: 65/43 °F
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Houston Transportation
Metro: A combination of services, including bus, train, and vanpool. This is the transportation authority for the Houston area. www.ridemetro.org.
Taxis: Taxi fare is registered on a meter, and fares are fixed according to distance traveled. An additional charge may apply for heavy luggage such as trunks. There is no charge for a regular suitcase. Taxi drivers are customarily tipped about 15% of the fare.
Houston Highway System
Houston is the crossroads for Interstates 10 and 45. Other major highways serving Houston are Loop 610, U.S. 59, U.S. 290, U.S. 90, Texas 288, Texas 225, Hardy Toll Road and Sam Houston Toll way.
Freeway Names: More than a Number: Every freeway in the city has at least two names, some as many as seven, so it's quite likely that visitors will be baffled by this phenomenon.
- Beltway 8: Sam Houston Toll way
- Interstate 10 West: Katy Freeway, West Freeway
- Interstate 10 East: East Freeway
- Interstate 45 North: North Freeway
- Interstate 45 South: Gulf Freeway
- Interstate 45 through Downtown: Pierce Elevated
- Interstate 610: The Loop, often preceded by North, South, East or West
- U.S. 59 North: Eastex Freeway
- U.S. 59 South: Southwest Freeway, Sen. Lloyd Bentson Highway, Future Interstate Corridor
International Drivers License: Anyone between 18 to 75 years of age, with a valid out-of-country driver license, can drive in the State of Texas for up to one year from the date of entry into the United States if their home country has a reciprocity agreement with the U.S. To check for reciprocity agreement status, please visit www.txdps.state.tx.us.
Banking Services
Because it is not wise or practical for people to carry large amounts of money with them or keep it in their homes, the money is usually deposited in a bank. In Houston, there are several banks that offer checking and savings account services, as well as other services such as wire transfers and dollar exchange, which are important for international students. The closest bank to UST is IBC bank located at the corner of Montrose and Richmond (3939 Montrose).
Automatic Teller Machines (or ATM's): The automatic teller is a computerized device through which bank customers can make deposits or withdrawals at any time of the day, any day of the week. To operate an automatic teller, you need a particular plastic card that the bank provides. Instructions for operating the automatic teller are given on the teller itself.
Savings Accounts: Money that is not used for routine living expenses is normally kept in a savings account. You may usually withdraw any amount from a regular savings account whenever it is necessary.
Checking Accounts: Banks offer different types of checking accounts. Some banks charge a fee for each check written, while others will not charge per check if the customer maintains a minimum balance of $500. Select a bank whose checking account policies and services best meet your needs.
Cash: Cash is the easiest way to pay for purchases, but because it can be stolen so easily, most people carry only small amounts of cash with them. People who need cash withdraw it from the bank. Some supermarkets will also cash checks if you hold a check-cashing card for that store. It is important to always obtain a receipt for large purchases when you pay in cash. Unlike paying with checks or credit cards, if you pay with cash, you receive no receipt unless you ask for it.
Traveler's Checks: If someone is traveling outside of Houston, their personal checks will often not be honored by businesses in other cities. Traveler's checks are a safe alternative to carrying cash. These may be purchased at banks for a small charge, and can be used at restaurants, stores, and hotels around the world.
Wire Transfers: Wire transfers are immediate transfers of funds from one bank to another. Wire transfers to the University are done through Chase Bank of Texas. Please contact the International Student Office for more information.
Cultural Guide
UST has many activities designed to foster friendships. During the first week of classes, you may notice many tables set up representing different organizations. Explore which ones may suit you best!
Cultural differences you may experience:
- Friendship: Most people you will come in contact with will be friendly. They will talk about current events, politics, hobbies, and sports. However, personal matters are often not spoken about such as financial or family problems.
- Dress: The attire worn is usually informal, unless otherwise told to wear formal clothing. It is not necessary to wear Western-style clothing. Clothing you have brought from home is acceptable.
- Greetings: When Americans greet each other, whether male or female, a handshake is gender-ally the custom. Spatial distance is a very important aspect of nonverbal communication. Most Americans stand 3 feet apart when talking.
- Schedules: Americans place a high priority on being punctual. You will be expected to be on time to events that have specific starting times, such as class, dinner arrangements, appointments, etc.
- Professors: The relationship between student and professor is usually open and informal. Most professors want their students to talk directly to them about any questions they have, in order to resolve them quickly.
- Walking on the Correct Side of the Street: For safety reasons, when walking on a street without a sidewalk pedestrians are expected to walk facing traffic, on the left side of the street.
Adjusting to a New Culture : Some new students experience "culture shock" when they first arrive. "Culture shock" is the name given to the feeling of disorientation and confusion that often occurs when a person leaves a familiar setting and moves to an unfamiliar place. Here are some helpful suggestions in dealing with culture shock.
- Remember that it is natural for you to experience culture shock.
- Get plenty of rest to deal with the stress and jet lag that you may experience.
- Try to relax. Take a nap.
- Take time to think and/or talk through your own feelings.
- Put little things that bother you in perspective. Is the problem really so bad?
- Make an effort to be optimistic, but not to the point of avoiding negatives that should be expressed.
- Make your new home environment as comfortable as possible.
- Make friends as quickly as possible. If there are others of your nationality on campus, get acquainted. It will give you a support system.
- Get in touch with a friend or family member at home.
- Find someone whom you can talk with in your native language.
- Try not to compare and search out "things like home." Things are different! Enjoy and explore those differences.
- Always, always keep an open mind and a sense of humor!
U.S. Currency: The American currency is based on the decimal system, where 100 cents are equal to one dollar, $1.00. Currency is issued in the forms of bills and coins. Coins are metal and are either silver or copper-colored. They come in six different sizes: 1 cent, a penny, is made of copper; 5 cents, a nickel, is silver colored, and larger than a penny; 10 cents, a dime, is the smallest silver coin; 25 cents, a quarter, is silver-colored and larger than a nickel. Bills are paper money. All U.S. paper money bills are the same size and the same green color. Denominations include $1 (commonly called a dollar), $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, and larger amounts.
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