The International Center's Relocation 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 consultants who speak the native language of the newcomer. Bi-lingual consultants are available who speak Chinese, French, German, and Spanish; other languages such as Italian and Japanese are available by special arrangement.
International Relocation consultants 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 International Relocation consultant:

• 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 consultant 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 International Relocation 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 consultant provides transportation. Special rates are available for half- and full-day orientations and for larger groups.

CONTACT US
To arrange for an International Relocation consultant for yourself or for an incoming employee, please contact the ICU.

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to the ICU via the Internet.