Frequently Asked Questions
What are the baggage specifications for traveling to the U.S.A.?
What are the procedures for Immigration & Customs at the Port of Entry?
What to bring when coming to the United States?
How can I call Turkey from the United States?
For further questions please e-mail us at tstip2009@gmail.com
What are the baggage specifications for traveling to the U.S.A.?
Check-in
For a long international flight, like the one from Turkey to the U.S.A. (or the other way around), they allow passenger to check two large bags. At check-in they will take these bags and give you a baggage claim ticket. Put it somewhere safe because if your luggage gets lost you will need to show that ticket to track your bags and get them back. They usually check your luggage on your first flight and return it to you at the final destination. However, you will have to claim it at the fist airport you land in the United States (Chicago – ORD, New York – JFK, or Atlanta -ATL) then you will check it again for final destination (Des Moines – DSM). If you are going to buy new bags for this trip do not go for the fancy ones because they do not handle the bags with care and they are often damaged. Also, mark your baggage with a ribbon or sticker so that you can easily identify them at the baggage reclaim.Size and Weight: Please check with your specific airline regarding the size and weight of your luggage.
Carry-on
Each passenger can have one piece of carry-on luggage and a laptop case or purse. You should have all the important Visa documents and your Passport in your carry-on and have them ready at any time. It is also a good idea to keep your medicine (if you need to take it regularly), one set of clothing, and toothbrush, etc. with you in case you miss a flight and need to stay a night at a hotel. However, you should never take any sharp items (like scissors - even very small ones, and knives) with you on board.Here is the complete list of permitted and prohibited carry on and checked items.
Please read the information on the following page to Make Your Trip Better Using 3-1-1.
Size and Weight: Carry-on luggage must fit underneath the passenger seat or in an overhead compartment. Maximum carry-on dimension is 22" x 14" x 9" (56cm x 36cm x 23cm) (carry-on must fit in carry-on sizing box located at check-in counters), and maximum carry-on weight is 40 pounds (18 kg.). If it does not fit, they may require you to check it or refuse to let you board the plane.What are the procedures for Immigration & Customs at the Port of Entry?
Towards the end of your flight, flight attendants will hand out two forms to fill out. One of them is called I-94 and you need to provide contact information and some details regarding passport, visa, and your trip. The second one – Customs Form - will ask you to indicate if you are bringing anything that you need to declare at the Customs: like chemicals, food (except for snacks), or money more than $ 10,000. Most probably you will not have anything to declare. Make sure that all the information you provide for both documents is accurate.
Once you have landed at the first airport in the United States, you need to go to immigration desk. Get in line and move forward immediately when the custom officer calls you. They will ask for your passport, I-94, and DS-2019 form and ask you some questions about your journey and purpose. Your answers should match what you have written on the form and try to keep them as simple as possible and to the point. For the purpose of your trip, you can say it is for education and that you will be staying in the United States for 2 months for a teacher internship program funded by U.S. Department of State. The lower part of the I-94 form will be given back to you. You must keep it in your Passport and do not lose it because you will need it when leaving the United States.Next, you will go through customs check. You should be able to go directly to the door saying Nothing to Declare since you would have just clothes and personal belongings. They will ask for the Customs form. They may also ask you to open your luggage. If they do, politely open your bags and watch as they search through your belongings.
Since you will have a connection flight (or maybe two) you need to find the counter for the airline – American Airline, United Airways, etc. – with which you will be flying to Des Moines (DSM). You just need to follow the signs to find the counter where you will need to check-in your baggage and get your boarding pass for the connection flight. Then you need to go to the gate where your connection flight will board. You may need to take an airport shuttle (bus) or train service (which is free) to go to the gate.
On arrival at the Des Moines International Airport (DSM), we will be there to GREET you!
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) web site has very useful travel tips for those who travel by air.
Dress
Layering: Since you are coming in the winter, you should take warm clothes with you – a coat, couple of jumpers and/or sweater, and a pair of snow boots. However, buildings are quite warm even though it is freezing cold outside so do not go for a big super-warm jacket or sweater because it will be heavy and inconvenient. It is a good idea to wear several layers of thin clothes. For example, you may want to wear an under shirt, jumper, sweater, and winter coat. Then, if you are too warm you can take off one or more so you do not overheat. Following is the list of clothes you may want to bring when coming to the United States during the winter:
Essential winter clothes to bring
Insulated snow boots
Warm socks
Gloves
Warm hat
Scarf
Winter coat
Jumper
Sweater
Professional: You will be going to the schools and student teaching so it will be necessary to have several professional outfits so that you can change your clothes often and wear freshly washed ones everyday.Casual: You will also be going to some field trips and hanging out with friends so casual clothes will be very useful.
Pills: If you need to take a certain medicine regularly, it’s a good idea to bring a 2 months supply in case you will not be able to find it here. Food: You do not need to bring any food except for “Turkish Delight” :) Actually, even that can be found here.Electronics: If you have electronic devices that work with batteries you can bring them, however, electric voltage is different here so most of the devices, like a hair dryer will not work. Some other devices that use adaptors like laptop computers can also be used since you can buy adaptor to convert voltages if you choose to bring one.
What is the cost of shipping?
For the pricing please visit the following website:
http://ircalc.usps.gov/default.aspx?Mode=Intl_Single&CID=10432Here is the link for the complete conditions (prohibitions, restrictions, and rates) for mailing to Turkey:
What to expect different?
Food: Although you may not be able to find all of your favorite food that you are used to, you can still find some familiar tastes, like pasta, pizza, burger, etc. There are restaurants that you can have Chinese, Italian, or Mexican food. You can also buy fresh fruits and vegetables at the food stores. The apartments you will be staying in have full kitchens and utensils so you can cook your own food. There is also a food store called Pammel Grocery that has some Turkish and Mediterranean food products.
Weather: Weather in Ames, Iowa is not very much different than in Ankara only a bit colder sometimes. The following web site gives detailed information on the weather in Ames.Time: There is 8 hours time difference between the United States (Iowa, Central Time) and Turkey. Since Turkey is 8 hours ahead, you need to do the math to call home at a convenient time for your family and friends.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms and showers might be slightly different than what are used to. So here is a web site that gives some useful information regarding American Bathrooms.
How can I call Turkey from the United States?
You can buy phone cards either at stores or online. Generally they are quite cheap (about 20 cents a minute) considering that you are calling long distance. Once you have purchased a phone card, to use it you need to dial the company’s 1-800 phone number and then enter the pin number you are given. Then you need to dial: 011+90+City code+ Phone number to call Turkey.Here are some web sites that you can buy phone cards online using your credit card:
http://www.mezun.com/telefon/cc/default.cfm >> You need to register first to be able to buy a phone (calling) card through this web site but it does not take long to register and the web site is quite reliable. The quality of the card is good and the price is reasonable.http://cards2phone.pushline.com/calling-cards/Turkey>> This web site has several different phone (calling) cards listed.How does my health insurance work?
Your health insurance has several rules and limitations you need to be aware of. Below, you will find an outline of the most important ones. If you have questions that are not answered here, please refer to your insurance brochure or ask one of your team leaders.
a. What is the coverage limit?Your coverage is limited to $50,000 per injury or sickness. This is more than enough for all regular sicknesses, injuries and minor surgeries.
Each time you go to see a doctor, you will need to pay $25 yourself. This is called a deductible, and helps to keep the cost of the insurance down. Most doctors accept cash, checks from (local) American banks, and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.).
Seeing a doctor, however, certainly costs more than $25 and your insurance will pay the rest. All you have to remember is to bring your insurance identification card and your passport and show it to the secretary. If you call to set up an appointment yourself, the secretary might also ask you for some information about your insurance.
b. What are the exclusions?Your health insurance has several limitations you should be aware of. You can look over the list in your insurance brochure. Below are some of the most relevant medical problems or diseases not covered:
-- Contraceptives
-- Insulin and diabetic supplies
-- Routine health examinations
-- Treatment of disease that you already had before leaving Turkey.
-- Dental work
c. What about dental coverage?Regular dental examinations and work is not covered by your insurance. However, if you have an accident that the insurance normally covers, they will also cover any damage to your teeth. In addition, if you have severe pain due to a dental problem, the insurance will cover up to $500 in expenses to alleviate this pain. It is important, however, that you try to document that your treatment was really necessary, otherwise the insurance might refuse to cover the cost. The dentist might be able to help you with this documentation if you describe to him how the insurance works.
Tips and Advice:-- Remember to always bring your Insurance Identification Card with you in case of emergencies and accidents.
-- Consider carrying a small card or note in your wallet or purse that describe any medical conditions you have. For example, you might be a diabetic or be allergic to penicillin. It is important for doctors to have this information about you in case you have an accident and are unable to inform them of this yourself. Consider making the card or note out of brightly colored paper, and put it where it is easy to see.
-- Don’t do anything that is obviously dangerous or foolish: If you hurt yourself while doing this, the insurance company might refuse to pay. For example, extreme sports such as bungee jumping and rock climbing are not covered. You are also not covered if you are the passenger of a car and the driver does not have a valid driver’s license. Likewise, if you get sick or hurt yourself because of alcohol or drug use, you are not covered.
-- If you feel you are getting sick just before your trip to the US, make sure to see a doctor before you leave Turkey, and bring with you any medicine that he prescribes.
-- If you regularly use any kind of medicine, such as strong painkillers, make sure to bring enough for your stay in the US, so you won’t need to see a doctor in Ames to get a prescription.
-- Bring all medicine in clearly labeled medical bottles. If you, for example, bring pills in a plastic bag, the customs officers might think they are drugs.
How can I see a doctor?
If you feel you need to see a doctor, Ames has two general practitioner’s clinics that work with your health insurance.
1. McFarland Clinic PC, 3600 Lincoln Way (515) 663-4892
2. Mc Farland Clinic East, 1018 Duff Ave. (515) 663-8621a. Regular sicknesses – flu, cold, etc.
Set up a time by calling one of the clinics. Explain to the secretary that you are a new patient who hasn’t seen any of their doctors before, tell him/her the name of your health Insurance on your Insurance Identification Card, and describe to him/her how you feel (for example, sore throat, stomach ache, etc.) If you prefer, you may also call one of your team leaders so he or she can help you set up an appointment.
To get to the clinics you may either take the bus, or call one of the team leaders who will help find someone who can take you to the doctor.
b. Where are the doctors?Below this information about your health insurance you will find the addresses of the medical clinics as well as maps of how to get there.
c. What if it is an emergency?If you have a serious accident or feel so sick that you need to see a doctor immediately, you can go to the emergency room at a hospital such as the Mary Greeley Medical Center, 1111 Duff Ave - 239-2011 (see map below). You can either try to call the team leaders to see if they can take you, or dial 911 on your telephone and request an ambulance.
You should not, however, go to an emergency room if it is a minor problem such as the flu or a cold. In general, you should think about what you would do in Turkey: If you wouldn’t go to the emergency room for this problem in Turkey, you probably don’t need to go here either. Instead, call a team leader and let us help you set up a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible.
Where do I find my medicine?
Pharmacies
You may buy your medicine at any pharmacy you want. However, there are several pharmacies in Ames that accept you health insurance identification card for discounts on medicine. The ones closest to University Village are the Wal-mart and Walgreen pharmacies, which are both in the North Grand Mall. Another pharmacy is the Hy-Vee Pharmacy which you can find in the Hy-Vee supermarkets on Lincoln Way.