This page on the website of International Student Services has information on a variety of topics including:

• Arrival, Housing, Transportation, Safety
• Health: Physical & Mental Wellness
• Getting Involved & Cultural Adjustment  
• Academic Success & Course Registration
• Immigration & ISS Information

This page on the website of International Student Services has information on American culture, UofSC culture & traditions, and popular local areas.

Center for Health and Wellbeing

The Center for Health and Wellbeing (University Health Center) provides comprehensive medical and mental health care services for students and well-being services for faculty and staff right on campus. EPI students should use the University Health Center for their basic health care needs. The University Health Center is open from 8am - 5pm Monday through Friday and offers a variety of medical services including:

• Primary Care
• Lab tests and screenings
• Immunizations
• Pharmacy services
• Women's Health Services
• Physical Therapy

Other Health Services

• Counseling and Psychiatry Services provides students a safe place to speak privately and confidentially with a trained counselor or psychiatrist about a variety of concerns. These may include stress, anxiety, loneliness, depression, relationship difficulties, questions about identity, eating concerns, substance use, sexuality, managing an existing mental health condition or any other issue. All counseling and psychiatric visits are confidential. Mental and physical health care records are completely separate from all other university records.
• Campus Wellness and Prevention offers programs and services that support and encourage students to strive for good health by maintaining healthy behaviors in daily life.
• Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention (SAVIP) offers support and services to students, faculty and staff who are survivors of interpersonal violence (sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, intimate partner violence and/or stalking). SAVIP also provides violence awareness and prevention education throughout the academic year.

Emergency Health Care

No on-campus medical services are provided by the University of South Carolina when the University Health Center is closed.

• During Fall and Spring semesters, the University Health Center has someone on call that help assist you in emergencies. 
• Students who are injured or who become acutely ill when the University Heath Center is closed may seek care at their own expense from local hospital emergency rooms or other community health care providers.

WHEN THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER IS OPEN:

• IF PATIENT IS CONSCIOUS AND ABLE TO WALK- Escort the patient to the Health Center for evaluation, treatment and possible transport to a local health care facility. 
• IF PATIENT IS UNCONSCIOUS OR NOT ABLE TO WALK - Call 911 and request assistance from Emergency Medical Service (EMS). The dispatcher will also send a Health Center First Responder to provide assistance before the arrival of an EMS ambulance.

WHEN THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER IS CLOSED:

• IF PATIENT IS CONSCIOUS AND ABLE TO WALK AND IN NEED OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: If you have a vehicle, you can transport the patient to the nearest emergency room. If you do not have a vehicle, call 911 and request assistance from Emergency Medical Service (EMS).
• IF PATIENT IS UNCONSCIOUS OR NOT ABLE TO WALK: Call 911 and request assistance from Emergency Medical Service (EMS).

Finding Clinics and Hospitals

There are numerous hospitals located within a few miles of the USC campus. In case of emergencies, medical assistance is just minutes away.

• Prisma Health Baptist 
• Prisma Health Richland Hospital
• MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown

If you need to a doctor or specialist outside of the University Health Center, you will want to make sure you see a provider that accepts your insurance. This will save you both time and money.

For any student that needs help with finding a doctor, please come to EPI Student Services. Staff will be happy to help you locate available providers.

Paying for Health Services

Medical care in the U.S. can be very expensive. A single visit to a hospital emergency room for a simple medical problem can cost several thousand dollars, and hospitalization can cost thousands more.

In the United States, People often have to paya fee even if they have health insurance. THIS IS CALLED A CO-PAY. Be prepared to pay whenever you visit a doctor.

Below are a list of situations regarding payment for health services:

At the University Health Center

• Physician services are provided at no charge to EPI students.
• All students are charged for laboratory, X-ray, and other services, including medicine. If you have the EPI insurance, the Health Center will file a claim for your charges. If you have other insurance, you may be expected tp pay the Health Center and they will help you file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement.

At Hospitals and Doctors’ Offices

• Students are responsible for payment of all charges for medical care provided by local hospitals, private doctors, or other off-campus health care providers.
• It is recommended students discuss charges and fees with the hospital or doctor before agreeing to undergo treatment or have tests or procedures performed.

For Emergency Services

• The student is responsible for payment of charges of ambulances, other transportation, and medical care provided by local hospital emergency rooms or other off-campus health care providers. Your medical insurance will likely pay for some of these expenses, but not all.

Always keep receipts and paperwork you receive from the doctor. If you do have insurance, you may need to submit a claim for reimbursement. EPI Student Services staff will be happy to help you file a claim with your insurance company.

Mandatory Health Insurance

The cost of medical care in the United States is very expensive. Even a short visit to a doctor for a minor illness can cost a few hundred dollars. For this reason, all international students studying in the US must have health insurance.

You may get health insurance in one of two ways: 

1. Purchase EPI Insurance: EPI student may purchase the university’s insurance plan term by term. Unless students have another comparable insurance policy and can provide proof of coverage, an EPI student is automatically enrolled in the university plan. This expense will be added to your bill and must be paid at the time of your tuition payment.
2. Provide Proof of Insurance from Another Company: Many students already have insurance policies, either purchased privately or provided by their sponsoring agency. If you choose to use another insurance policy, you must have the plan approved through the waiver process.

NOTE: Not all insurance policies meet the requirements set by the university, so just because a student has insurance in their home country does not guarantee that their insurance satisfies the university’s insurance requirement.

Two popular alternative insurance plans:

• ISO Insurance
• PSI Insurance

Safety Tips

Columbia is a safe city, but you should still be smart about living here. Here are some safety guidelines to remember:

1. Do not walk alone at night.
2. Do not carry a lot of cash around with you.
3. Do not tell strangers where you live.
4. There are emergency call boxes all around campus. Each emergency call box has a blue light on top. If you push the red button on this box it will call the USC police. If you are ever in danger, push the red button and a USC policeman will come immediately.
5. Fire alarms are in buildings to protect you. If an alarm goes off you must leave the building. You must remain outside until a fireman says you can go inside.
6. Smoke detectors are in apartments to alert occupants of a fire.  Do not tamper with fire alarms or cover them so that they will not make a sound.  It is illegal to tamper with a smoke detector.
7. If you have an emergency, you can call 911 for on-campus, or if you dial 911 from your cell phone tell the dispatcher you need USC Police and stay on the line until you are connected.
8. There are several shuttle services that are available to you to help you get home safely at night.
9. When entering parking lots and garages, have your keys ready in your hand. Look around to make it difficult for anyone to sneak up on you. Lock your vehicles and do not leave any valuables in plain view. Put items in your car trunk if necessary.
10. If approached by a stranger with a weapon demanding your wallet or purse, give it to them, go to a safe place, and contact the police immediately.
11. To prevent identity theft or fraud, do not give out your personal information to others unless you have a reason to trust them. Check your financial information regularly and keep careful records of your banking and financial accounts.
12. Immediately report suspicious activity; you may be helping to prevent a crime.
13. When using  Uber or Lyft, make sure that the vehicle that arrives to pick you up matches the information you are given in the app. Ask the driver to state their name and check the license plate number before you get in the car.

Campus Safety has a lot of useful information.

Campus Police

USC Division of Law Enforcement and Safety takes great pride in protecting and serving the Carolina Community and is committed to the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. Their values — human life, integrity, excellence and accountability — are your assurance of their commitment to provide a safe and secure environment. 

Emergencies: 911
Police Dispatch: 803-777-4215

1415 Henderson St. (1600 Hampton St. Annex)
Columbia, SC 29208
www.les.sc.edu

Important Telephone Numbers

• City Police (emergency) : 911 
• USC Police (General) : 803-777-4215
• USC Police (Emergency): 911
• On-Demand Shuttle Campus Service : 803-777-1080

Download the RAVE Guardian Safety App

Download the University's safety app to connect with university police in an emergency and have access to key information in an instant. The Rave Guardian App is a mobile app that turns any cell phone into a personalized protection network. It connects you directly with USCPD during an emergency and provides important information instantly. 

Register Your Property

We offer a few ways to help you protect your valuables and property from theft. You may register laptops, phones, tablets, bicycles, mopeds and other valuable property. Be sure to have handy any relevant serial numbers, make and model information, photos and S.T.O.P. tag numbers. You can learn more here.

There are many free (or very cheap) activities and events for EPI students happening on USC’s campus. Join a club, attend a concert, see a new movie, or go for a weekend trip to the mountains with other students.

Entertainment

Carolina Productions offers free activities for all EPI students throughout each term. Carolina Productions offer game nights, comedy shows, and other special events free of charge for students. Attending these events is a great way to have fun and meet American students. https://www.sa.sc.edu/cp/events/

Thursday After Dark offers fun events such as skate nights, disco parties, and bowling.

For a full list of public events on campus, visit the university's calendar.

Student Organizations

EPI students can join student organizations. There are over 200 organizations to choose from, ranging from sports clubs, organizations around a particular interest, or groups of people of the same nationality. Learn more about the organizations here. or visit the clubs and organizations page.

Campus Athletics

• EPI students are able to join intramural sports teams. (We are sorry, but EPI students cannot join a team with USC students playing against other university students.) Click here to learn more about intramurals or to register for a team.
• EPI students can also join sports clubs on campus. Find the whole list here.
• USC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation offers many off-campus trips. (These trips do have fees to participate.) Learn more here.

Fitness and Wellness Centers

There are two fitness centers on campus, the Strom Thurmond Fitness and Wellness Center (“the Strom”) and the Blatt P.E. Center (“Blatt”). EPI students are able to use both centers. Each center has weight rooms, volleyball courts, badminton courts, swimming pools, exercise classes, sports fields, dance studios, and much, much more. Learn more at https://campusrec.sc.edu/ NOTE: You will need your Carolina Card to enter both the Blatt and the Strom. 

• Reserving Fields, Courts, and Equipment: You may reserve a field or court for you and your friends to use. If you want to reserve a gym or field for a specific time for a group of students from EPI to play basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, you will need to go to the following websites.
• To reserve space at STWFC click here.
• To reserve space at Blatt, click here.
• Make sure you fill out the reservation form completely. If you have any problems with the form, feel free to ask for help with EPI Student Services.
• NOTE: You should make your request at least two days before the date you wish to use the gym or field.

If you need equipment like racquets, you can check them out at the Equipment Issue department located in each fitness center.  They sell balls for tennis, racquetball, squash or handball or you may bring your own. You will need your Carolina Card to check out equipment.

Entertainment Districts

• Five Points is an area with many restaurants, shops, and clubs. It is only about a ten-minute walk from the USC campus. Five Points is a favorite entertainment area for USC students. There are often free outdoor concerts at the fountain.
• The Vista is an area near the river with many nice restaurants. It is only about a ten-minute walk from the USC campus. The Vista is a favorite entertainment area for young professionals in the Columbia area. The State Museum is also located in the Vista area.
• The Main Street District offers many restaurants, bars, and stores. The Columbia Museum of Art is located at the corner of Main and Hampton Streets. There are also movies shown at the Nickelodeon Theater located at 1607 Main St in the heart of downtown Columbia. Every Saturday morning Main Street hosts the Soda City Market, offering food, handcrafts, and other interesting items for sale.

Columbia has lots of activities for people to do:

• Columbia has numerous annual festivals and events throughout the year. To learn more about these events, visit the Columbia Visitors Bureau website.
• The Free Times newspaper has a list of events and activities happening each week.
• Free Times also lists music shows around the city.

Shopping

Whether you are buying groceries, items for your apartment, or a new outfit, there are many different stores near campus and around Columbia where students can shop.

• Publix - This is a large grocery store/supermarket. There are two located near campus. One is located on Rosewood Drive. The other is located in the Vista at 501 Gervais Street.
• CVS – This is a pharmacy located at the corner of College St. and Assembly St. You can buy many other items that you need in addition to medicine.
• Walgreens – This is a pharmacy located at the corner of Blossom St. and Devine St.
• Family Dollar - This is a discount store, which has many household items. It is located near the intersection of Pickens Street and Rosewood Drive.
• Food Lion - This is a grocery store in Five Points on Harden Street, very close to campus.

There are five shopping malls in the Columbia area.

• Columbia Place
• Columbiana Mall
• Dutch Square Mall
• Village at Sandhill

Eating

There are hundreds of restaurants, diners, bars, fast food joints, and coffee shops across Columbia. You will find Indian, Thai, Chinese, Tex Mex, Ethiopian, and many more options from which to choose. Many restaurants are located within walking distance of the USC campus.

• The Columbia Visitors Bureau has a searchable website listing hundreds of local restaurants:
• The Free Times weekly newspaper has the Bites and Sights publication listing many restaurant options. 
• Go here to read about the many dining options on campus. There is something for almost every taste.

Supermarkets and International Grocery Stores

Many students want to prepare meals from their home countries. Below are a few local grocery stores that offer international food items:

• Oriental Market (1221 Bakersfield Road)
• Gourmet Shop  (724 Saluda Avenue)
• Indian Supermarket (2009 Broad River Road)
• Rosewood Market (2803 Rosewood Drive)
• Hyundai Oriental Grocery (1807 Decker Boulevard)
• Earth Fare (331 Devine Street)
• Halal International (1601 A Broad River Road)

This page has information for spouses & dependents, but also has additional information on a variety of topics including:

• Schools and Childcare
• Health and Safety
• Transportation in Columbia
• Shopping in Columbia
• Things to Do in Columbia

In the US, there are very strong laws about what you cannot say or do to someone else. These laws are harassment laws. The behavior is harassment if uninvited and unwelcome. You can be arrested or sent to jail for these actions.  

There are different kinds of harassment: 

1. Bullying is laughing or mocking (making fun of) the way another person looks, dresses or acts. This can be about anything if it makes the person feel different. Examples:
   • Trying to make someone do anything they do not want to do.
   • Making threats to harm another person for any reason.
   • Provoking another person to a fight. 
2. Stalking is defined as following someone without them asking you to.
   • Calling (by phone or email or text) someone repeatedly if they did not ask you to or want you to.
   • Waiting for someone after class if they do not want you to.
   • Waiting for another person so you can harm them. 
3. Sexual Harassment is making unwanted or uninvited sexual statements towards another person, whether the person is the opposite or same sex.   Examples:
   • Yelling sexual statements to people as they walk by.  Ex.  “I like what I see.”  “Nice butt.” “Hey, baby.”
   • If a teacher or boss makes comments that make a student or worker feel uncomfortable. Ex. “I can make sure that you get an “A” on this test, if you ….”
   • Touching someone when the touching is not wanted. 

Remember: 

• Someone coming to your apartment or allowing you to come to their apartment does not mean that they want sex. 
• The legal age for adults in the US is 18. Sex with someone under 18 by an adult is considered rape even if the other person agreed to sex.
• Sex with someone who said “NO” is rape even if that person is being very friendly.
• Sex with a drunken person is considered rape. The person could not make a decision because of the alcohol.
• Saying or doing anything after someone asks you to stop.
• The style of dress does not mean that a person wants sex. People can dress in whatever way they want and expect that someone will not say sexual things about them or do sexual acts toward them.
• Remember that women are equal to men in all ways in the United States. 

If you say or do any of these or similar things, you could be arrested. If the words or actions could be offensive to the other person, don’t say or do it. 

If you are a victim, Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention (SAVIP) can help. SAVIP advocates offer support and a variety of services to students, faculty and staff who are survivors of interpersonal violence (sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, intimate partner violence and/or stalking). SAVIP also provides violence awareness and prevention education throughout the academic year. 

The cost of medical care in the United States is very expensive. Even a short visit to a doctor for a minor illness can cost a few hundred dollars. For this reason, all international students studying in the US must have health insurance. Failure to provide proof of insurance coverage or to enroll in an insurance plan will result in a student’s removal from the EPI program. 

You may get health insurance in one of two ways:  

1. Purchase EPI Insurance: EPI currently offers insurance from a company called AIG. Unless students have another comparable insurance policy and can provide proof of coverage, an EPI student is automatically enrolled in the AIG plan. This expense will be added to your bill and must be paid at the time of your tuition payment. 
   • A summary of the AIG plan can be found in your orientation folder. If you would like a complete policy document, please speak with someone in EPI Student Services and they will be happy to provide you with one. 
2. Provide Proof of Insurance from Another Company: Many students already have insurance policies, either purchased privately or provided by their sponsoring agency. If you choose to use another insurance policy, you must file a waiver with AIG and be approved through the waiver process.  
   • To file a waiver, you must submit the waiver request before Wednesday of the first week of classes. EPI staff will help you to complete the necessary steps to file a waiver during the registration day. 

NOTE: Not all insurance policies meet the requirements set by the University, so just because a student has insurance in their home country does not guarantee that their insurance satisfies the University’s insurance requirement. If you do not receive the approved waiver by Monday of the second week of classes, you must purchase the EPI insurance or you will not be allowed to attend class.  

Here are two popular alternative insurance plans: 

• ISO Insurance 
• PSI Insurance 

Paying for Health Services 

Medical care in the U.S. can be very expensive. A single visit to a hospital emergency room for a simple medical problem can cost several thousand dollars, and hospitalization can cost thousands more. 

In the United States, people sometimes have to pay a fee even if they have insurance. This is called a co-payment or co-pay. Be prepared to pay whenever you visit a doctor.  

Always keep receipts and paperwork you receive from the doctor. If you do have insurance, you may need to submit a claim for reimbursement. EPI Student Services staff will be happy to help you file a claim with your insurance company.  

At the Student Health Center 

• Physician services are provided at no charge to EPI students. 
• All students are charged for laboratory, X-ray, and other services, including medicine. If you have the EPI insurance, the Health Center will file a claim for your charges. If you have other insurance, you must pay the Health Center and they will help you file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. 

At Hospitals and Doctors’ Offices 

• Students are responsible for payment of all charges for medical care provided by local hospitals, private doctors, or other off-campus health care providers. 
• It is recommended students discuss charges and fees with the hospital or doctor before agreeing to undergo treatment or have tests or procedures performed. 
• EPI students have medical insurance that will pay for a portion of the off-campus medical expenses. 

For Emergency Services 

• The student is responsible for payment of charges of ambulances, other transportation, and medical care provided by local hospital emergency rooms or other off-campus health care providers. Your EPI medical insurance will pay for some of these expenses, but not all.