The International Center's Ambassador
Program is designed to provide a helping hand to families relocating
to the Upstate. It is especially tailored to the needs of families
coming to the Upstate from international locations.
Newcomers are given a brief questionnaire to identify those areas in
which they expect to need assistance. Orientations are tailored to
the individual family's needs. The extent of the assistance varies
from a few hours to several sessions, depending on the family's
needs.
Whenever possible, the ICU provides
knowledgeable Ambassadors who speak the native language of the
newcomer. Bi-lingual Ambassadors are available who speak French, German, and Spanish; other languages such as
Italian and Japanese are available by special arrangement.
Ambassadors frequently remain available by phone for additional
questions at no cost to the newcomer. Other
assistance is available
by phone from the ICU office.
Subjects typically included in an orientation:
-
Obtaining a Social Security Number
-
Obtaining a driver's license
-
Selecting a bank and establishing an
account
-
Obtaining an Internal Revenue
Service identification number (ITIN)
-
Locating urgent medical treatment
facilities
Other tasks that can be facilitated by
an Ambassador:
-
Finding housing
-
Purchasing an automobile
-
Licensing and insuring an automobile
-
Learning about schools and the
educational system
-
Accessing the Internet from public
facilities
In addition, the Ambassador also can
take the newcomer on a tour of the local area, pointing out shopping
locations, specialty stores, recreational facilities, museums and
libraries, parks, post offices, entertainment venues, adult
educational facilities, and other governmental offices.
COST
The Ambassador Program is available both to businesses and to
individuals, and is usually provided in half- or full-day sessions.
The minimum service is three hours.
The basic cost is $45 per hour, plus mileage if the Ambassador
provides transportation. Special rates are available for half- and
full-day orientations and for larger groups.
CONTACT US
To arrange for an Ambassador for yourself or for an
incoming employee, please
contact the ICU.
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