A post for new international students

I understand a bit how challenging it can be to come overseas and start a new life for school. The lack of income and everything else stacks up. Here are some tips in order to get you on track.

1. You have no credit history.
This affects more than you would think. First off, getting a phone plan will be harder as you will most likely be hit with a deposit charge. This is usually around $500 dollars, which will be returned to you after 1 year. Likewise, any other purchase that involve contracts may also require you to put a deposit. You will not be able to sign up for a credit card because you will likely have no income while in school.

Short term solution: Pay the deposits and get your phone and other essentials. This is a cost that will be returned to you after 1 year.

Long term solution: Start building credit. When you sign up for a local bank account, ask if there are any secured credit cards. This is a credit card that has a deposit that is held for one year. This way, banks are okay with lending to you because it is backed by collateral. Note that these credit cards usually involve around a $50 annual fee ($45 for Bank of America). You will be able to switch to no annual fee credit cards after one year.

2. Social Security Number
Get a social security number as soon as possible. This will allow you to more easily slide into an internship. They might ask you to provide a SSN when you get the internship. It is not the end of the world if you don't have one, it just makes the exchange a little bit more awkward. In order to get a SSN, you need a job. The only jobs that are available to first-year F-1 students are campus jobs. There are several ways to get it, including working in career services, marketing, research assistants and teaching assistants.

3. Asian Food Options
This is more noticeable for Asian students from more global cities. There are only a few restaurants in Baltimore that has Asian food, but all are mediocre at best. There is a small Chinese market (I wouldn't call it a supermarket) called Potung Trading in downtown Baltimore. Students get 10% discount if you show your Hopkins card. In Baltimore, the state of the differents types of cuisine that can be found in Baltimore:

Chinese: Bad - Mostly American Chinese
Vietnam: Bad - Only one
Korean: Good - two restaurants within Baltimore near Penn Station. Not too safe at night
Thai: Excellent - readily accessible. Stang of Siam, Thai Arroy and My Thai are the best three.
Japanese: Good - but expensive
India: Good - a number of selections but they are mediocre.
Others: Hard to find.

Most of restaurants and supermarkets are outside Baltimore in the suburbs. You will need a car or a friend with a car to get there. I will list them in another post for your google pleasure.

4. Ask for help
Reach out to alumni, especially GMBA alumni, as they know exactly where you've been. Do not be afraid. If they have trouble fulfilling your request, they will let you know. If you wish to ask a question, send a message to KingYip@jhu.edu.

A list of restaurants in Baltimore

Elicott City
Hmart (*****) - A supermarket specializing in Korean food, but has some other East Asia food. It is the go-to place for Asian groceries
Honey Pig (****) - A 24 hour Korean BBQ joint that is a favourite of Carey GMBAs
Hunan Taste (****) - Decent Chinese food, mostly Hunan food.
Pho Saigon (****) - Best Pho place outside of Arlington/DC.

East Baltimore
Haha Food Market (***) - A supermarket specializing in Chinese foodstuffs. A bit dirtier than Hmart. Has a small Roast Duck/Pork shop.

Glen Burnie/Odenton
Grace Garden (*****) - A darling of the chowhound/online review sites, it is an excellent restaurant, if a bit out of the way.

Rockville
AJ Restaurant (*****)- Northern Chinese food and beef noodle soup. Affordable and good. Best bargain restaurant.
Bob's Noodle (****)- a Taiwanese restaurant that is affordable
Great Wall Supermarket (*****)- One of the many supermarkets in Rockville, this is the biggest and cleanest one. Specializes in Chinese foodstuffs

Dim Sum Places
There are so few Dim Sum places that are decent I list it all here. They are good, but most major city will be better.
Oriental East - Silver Spring - The closest one, but frequently super busy. Opens at 11:00am on weekends, and you have to line up before 10:40 to get a seat in the first seating.
China Garden - Rosslyn - Located in Rosslyn. Food is good, but service is usually overworked and always busy. More Cantonese than Oriental East.
Hong Kong Pearl Seafood Restaurant - Falls Church - Decor not as nice as other places. Food was better than other places. Food has a more Hong Kong/ Cantonese flavor.
Mark's Duck House - Falls Church - Another darling of the Internet review boards, the Roast Duck is the major attraction here.