Living in the US
Adjusting to the US
It can be exciting to go to a new place that is culturally different from your home. However, living in a new country for a long period of time can take some getting used to.
Here are some tips as you adjust to life in the US and at RISD:
- Learn about Providence before you travel. Knowing more about the history, social norms, customs, politics and geography of the US, Rhode Island, Providence and RISD will help you to understand your experiences while living here.
- Expect to make mistakes. Even after learning about a new culture, living there can present some challenges. Don’t be afraid to take risks and learn from them.
- Keep in touch with your family and friends at home.
- Tell people about how you are feeling. You are not alone in your discomfort. RISD’s student body is comprised of 37% international students from around the world.
- Do not isolate yourself. Meeting new people can be scary sometimes, but well worth the risk.
- Keep a journal so you can reflect on your experiences.
- Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, familiar foods, stay hydrated, get adequate sleep and exercise regularly.
- Make a routine and stay with it.
- Get involved on campus. The more you take part in campus life, the more RISD will feel like home—and you’ll make new friends.
- Know your resources. In addition to our office, we have many campus partners (listed below) with staff members ready to help you.
Banks and phones
We have prepared some considerations for you when choosing your bank or phone service provider. Please note that we cannot endorse any specific bank or phone service provider, but may suggest local providers for you.
Banks
To decide what bank is best for you, you may consider asking yourself:
- What are your international wire transfer fees?
- What are your ATM fees?
- How many ATMs are locally nearby?
- Are your checking and savings accounts free?
- Do you offer discounted student accounts?
The following banks are located within walking distance to campus and may have services or account options that are available to international students and scholars while at RISD.
Bank of America
215 Atwells Avenue
Providence, RI 02903
401-228-0172
Chase
234 Thayer Street
Providence, RI 02906
401-824-0706
Citizens Bank
30 Kennedy Plaza, Suite 101
Providence, RI 02903
401-456-7010
Santander
One Financial Plaza
Providence, RI 02903
401-752-1900
TD Bank
180 Westminster Street, Suite 7
Providence, RI 02903
401-455-2900
Phones
To decide which phone company is best for you, you may consider asking yourself:
- Can I keep my current phone by equipping it with a SIM card?
- Is there an upfront fee to start a plan?
- What price/minutes options are available to me?
- Do I need to sign a contract? What is the charge if I break the contract?
The following phone and service providers are located in the Providence Place Mall at 1 Providence Place, Providence, RI 02903
AT&T (passport required)
401-270-4903
T-Mobile (ID required for postpaid accounts; no documents required for prepaid services)
401-383-3112
Verizon
401-270-4330
Legal documents and procedures
Social Security Numbers (SSN)
A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique number issued by the US government in order to track an individual’s financial and earnings information. In order to earn an income in the US, you must have an SSN.
F-1 international students must have an employment offer in the US in order to be eligible for an SSN. You can find more information about international student employment, including a checklist, from the Student Employment Office.
As part of the process, you will be required to complete a Social Security Letter request via the Terra Dotta Student Portal.
Notice: International students must receive work authorization from our office in order to accept off-campus employment. If you do not receive prior work authorization, you cannot legally accept employment off campus. Please email us at issa@risd.edu for more information.
Taxes
The US tax filing season typically runs from late January to April 15 every year. International students, scholars, and their dependents who were physically present in the US during the tax year are required to file tax documents with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), even if you did not work or receive income in the US. If you did not work or receive income in the US, you are still required to file Form 8843 with the IRS. Those who earned income must file a tax return.
When it is time to file, you will find the information you need to file on tax forms labeled with the previous year. (For example, you will file your 2026 tax information during the 2027 tax filing window.)
International students can use Sprintax, a tax filing software, for tax filing while enrolled at RISD. Federal tax filings are free when you use the Sprintax code provided by our office. You are responsible for the cost of filing for your state taxes. We email all students once a discount code becomes available each spring semester during tax season.
Please note that we are not trained to answer questions about income taxes, tax treaties, or filing taxes in the US. Some helpful resources for income tax guidance are:
Driver’s license and state IDs
While in the US you may decide to apply for a US driver’s license or state ID. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the source for both documents. More information can be found on the Rhode Island DMV Licenses & IDs page.
Scams
Scams are common in the US, and international students can be targeted based on immigration status. Most scammers will contact you by phone or email to pressure and scare you into sending money or information, and some will make their phone number appear as a legitimate call from your school or a government agency.
Please note: US agencies will not contact you by phone to threaten or harass you into providing information, money, or gift cards.
Some tips to protect yourself from scams:
- Do not respond to threats or pressure to provide money over the phone. Hang up and report the scam.
- Do not provide information about yourself to unknown callers.
- If you are uncertain about the legitimacy of a call, ask for the caller’s name or contact information. Hang up and search for the agency or school’s official phone number, call the verified number, and verify the details of the original caller. If you can visit the office in person, do that instead.
- Do not provide money or bank details to anyone over the phone or to anyone that you do not know. This includes wire transfer information, gift card information, or app and web-based payment methods.
If you receive a phone call demanding money from someone claiming to be with a federal agency, hang up immediately. It is a scam.
If you receive an unexpected email claiming to be from a federal agency, please forward it to us via email, issa@risd.edu, for verification.
Scam reporting
The following resources may be helpful in learning how to identify and protect yourself from scams.
Contact us
Hours
Mon–Fri: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
Advising hours:
Mon–Tues, Thurs–Fri: 12–1 pm
Contact
Carr House, 3rd floor, Room 303
210 Benefit Street
Providence, RI 02903