Living In The USA

NYIT's New York campuses are located in Manhattan and Old Westbury, in the northeast United States. If you have never spent time in the United States, or in the New York metropolitan area, here is some basic information:

Weather

The climate in the area changes with the four seasons--fall, winter, spring, and summer. You will need to plan your clothing and activities around a variety of temperatures during the academic year. Bring a heavy coat, warm sweaters, and heavy socks for cold weather, and t-shirts, shorts, and a light jacket for warmer months. You'll also need clothing for transitional temperatures. For specific information about temperatures, rainfall amounts, and weather in New York, visit www.weather.com.

Transportation 

Driving
To find out what you need to know to legally drive in the United States, go to www.nydmv.state.ny.us.

Public Transportation
New York City has an extensive public transportation system, including subways, trains, and buses. Some bus lines extend to the suburbs, as does a commuter railroad that originates in the city and travels to Long Island. In addition, there are bus lines that run exclusively throughout Long Island.

Depending on which campus you choose to attend, you will find a variety of transportation options to the Old Westbury and Manhattan campuses.

Money

The United States uses the U.S. dollar as its exclusive currency. You will need to convert an appropriate amount of your country's currency to U.S. dollars when you arrive. If you hold a major credit card--Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover-you should be able to make purchases with that credit card.

Cash dispensing machines (known as ATMs) are found throughout the New York metropolitan area, so you should have little trouble obtaining cash. Check with the bank in your country to see if your cash card will work in U.S. ATMs. If not, you can open an account with a U.S. bank, which will issue you an ATM card.

While some stores and merchants in the New York area accept personal checks, many do not. Traveler's checks are widely accepted, so it is advised that you use them during your first days in the United States.