US Culture

On-Campus Physical Address

First Name Last Name
2501 4th Ave
Dorm Name and Number
Canyon, TX 79016-0001

On-Campus Mailing Address (to receive packages and mail)

First Name Last Name
2403 Russell Long Blvd
WTAMU Box number
Canyon, TX 79016-0001

Off-Campus Addresses

First Name Last Name
Street Address
Apartment Number
Canyon, TX 79015

In the US, we use Month/Day/Year as the date format.

Example: May 7, 2024 can be wrriten as 5/7/2024; 05/07/2024; 5/7/24

In the US, your first name comes first, then your last name, second

It is super important that you use your legal name (as it appears on your passport) when...

• Communicating with staff and faculty at WT
• Setting up bank accounts - make sure the name on the account matches the name on your passport, including name order
• For all legal documents (driver's license, Texas ID, social security, etc.) - make sure the name on all legal documents matches the name on your passport, including name order

In the United States, when we say to be somewhere at 6pm or that an event starts at 8am, it is expected that you will be there at or before the listed time.

If you will be late to an appointment by more than 5-10 minutes, (doctor's, with a professor, with a staff member, etc.), it is expected that you will call to notify whoever you are meeting with that you will be late

If you cannot make it to a scheduled appointment it is expected that you call or notify whoever you are meeting with as soon as you know that you cannot make it. At least an hour's notice is expected. Some businesses, such as doctor's offices, require at least 24-hours' notice for appointment cancellations.

Notifying who you are meeting with if you will be late or need to cancel shows that you respect the other person's time

Deadlines are enforced and are expected to be met.

This is especially true with immigration matters. Immigration deadlines are federal deadlines and are not flexible. The US federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security, are not flexible with deadlines and will not accept any kind of excuse for not meeting them

It is best practice to treat all deadlines like this.

We understand that life as a student can be extremely busy and there can be conflicting priorities. Some strategies that can help you manage your time include:

• Use of calendars and reminders
• Use of alarms
• Plan ahead and do not procrastinate or wait until the last minute
• Make lists
• Prioritize
  • Immigration should always be your top priority. If you lose your immigration status, nothing else will matter because you'll have to go home
  • Keep in mind important immigration dates, such as the end date of your I-20, your passport and visa stamp expiration dates, and the official beginning and end date of each semester. Plan accordingly, and do not wait until the end dates.
• Use other strategies - apps on your phone, come ask a staff member for ideas, etc.

Treat People Like you Would Treat a Visa Official

• Be respectful and polite
• Don't lie
• Don't blame someone or something else for your actions
• Don't try to manipulate people or the situation

Age Does Not Matter in Terms of Respect and Communication Etiquette

• In the US, it is expected that everyone is treated the same, regardless of age

When Someone Crosses a Boundary or Says Something You Do Not Agree With...

• Be respectful in your response
• Do not make it into a confrontation
• Focus on the facts; do not make it personal
• Do not attack the other person - address the problem or issue

It's Okay to Admit You Did Something Wrong

• We all make mistakes and it is okay to admit it
• If you have done something wrong, do not lie, do not blame, and do not try to manipulate the other person or the situation

Research Your Question Before Reaching Out for Help

• Did you know that doing your own research before asking questions makes you look good? It shows that you are knowledgable, that you made an effort, and it shows respect for the people you are asking questions to.
• Top Tip! If you come to the Office of Admissions - International with a question that is answered on our website, our first question will be "did you check our website?"

Listen to Understand, Not to Talk or Respond

• There are many benefits to this!
  • It shows that you respect and care about the other person
  • You may learn something new
  • You build more meaningful relationships this way
• The point in this is not necessarily to change your mind, but to broaden your perspective and show empathy for the other person

The Other Person Cannot Read Your Mind

• Please keep in mind that no one except you can read your mind. Please express yourself in a respectful manner if you have something to say

Always State Your Full Legal Name and Student (BUFF) ID when communicating with WT staff and faculty.

The official form of business communication in the US is email.

Be Careful When Emailing

• It's super easy to come across as being rude or agressive in an email
• Be careful with your wording and choose your words and wording very carefully
• Always assume that your email could be published on social media or other public entity. Do not write something that you don't want to end up on social media

Read Thoroughly

• We understand that reading in today's world takes time and can take time away from other things. However, not reading could result in missing important information.
• Be sure to read every word of written communications, especially when it has to do with immigration or other important matters.

Reply to Emails

• Do not start a new email thread if you are responding to an email. Reply to the existing email thread.
• This helps both you and who you are replying to to keep track of your situation and what has already been said.

Reply All to Emails

• In general, when replying to emails, Reply All. This ensures that everyone involved has the most up-to-date information on your situation

Standard Email Response Times

• In the US, standard email response times from businesses is 5-8 business days.

Business Days in the US for most companies/institutions, including WT Monday through Friday and do not include holidays.

Business Hours at WT are Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

Before visiting other companies, be sure to check their business hours.

There are 11 major holidays in the US. These are federal, or public holidays, where most businesses will be closed. If the holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday is generally observed on the Friday before or Monday after.

• New Year's Day - January 1st
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day - 3rd Monday in January
• President's Day/Washington's Birthday - 3rd Monday in February
• Memorial Day - last Monday in May
• Juneteenth - June 19th
• Independence Day - July 4th
• Labor Day - 1st Monday in September
• Columbus Day - 2nd Monday in October
• Veterans Day - November 11th
• Thanksgiving - 4th Thursday in November
• Christmas Day - December 25th

Most businesses will be closed on federal holidays. All federal agencies, including the post office, USCIS, banks, and others will be closed and do not conduct business on these days.

Businesses will not respond to phone calls, emails, or other business communications on these days.

At WT, when the university is closed, there will be no faculty or staff available on-campus, and emails, phone calls, and other communications will not be responded to until the university reopens.

Emergency services are available at all times, including holidays, weekends, and evenings. This includes UPD, local police, fire, and emergency medical services (emergency rooms and hospitals)

If you have an immigration emergency (e.g. you are stuck at the Port of Entry, are in jail, hospital, or other emergency), please call UPD at 806-651-2300 for assistance. If it is an immigration emergency, they will be able to contact WT's PDSO (Primary Designated School Official).

To be able to open a US Bank Account, you will need all of the following:

• Passport
• Visa Stamp
• I-20
• Most Recent I-94
• Local address verification (signed lease, utility bills, or a letter from Residential Living verifying your residence in the dorms)
• Home country address
• Money

List of Banks in Canyon:

• Amarillo National Bank
• Education Credit Union
• First United Bank
• Happy State Bank
• Wells Fargo

While not required, it is strongly recommended that you have a US phone number. This allows WT, other businesses, and American friends/family to be in contact with you.

There are many ways to obtain a US phone number:

• Purchase a US cell phone/SIM card with a US cell phone carrier
• Purchase a pre-paid cell phone and/or plan
• There are some phone apps that allow you to have a US phone number
  • Note: these generally require an internet connection to work
• Ask the International Office for assistance

Places in Amarillo and Canyon to Get a Phone/SIM Card

• Best Buy - Amarillo
• Walmart - Canyon, multiple locations in Amarillo
• T-Mobile - Canyon, next to United Supermarket
• AT&T - Amarillo
• Verizon - Amarillo

Canyon and Amarillo do not have public transportation options. Canyon is a walkable city, however, many places are not within walking distance.

Transportation options include:

• Making friends who have cars who are willing to drive you places
• Getting a car
• Uber/Lyft or other similar options
• Taxi services
• Weekly shuttle, from WT to the Canyon Walmart

Transportation within Canyon:

• WT and Canyon offer electric scooters for pay
  • Please note: scooters have a very limited range. For example, the Walmart is not within the range of the scooters
• Bicycle (electric or "manual")

WT offers shuttle services to locations on-campus when school is in session during the Fall and Spring semesters.

The shuttles also services the Legends and Torres Evolution apartments, and makes a weekly trip to Walmart.

More information on WT's shuttle services can be found on the WT Shuttle website.

Food Locations

• United Supermarkets
• Feldman's Wrong Way Diner
• Subway
• Taco Villa
• Domino's Pizza
• McDonalds
• Wendy's
• Buff's
• Restaurants on The Square
• Others

Clothing Locations

• Palo Duro Canyon Outfitters
• The Rack
• ReuZe It Again
• Blessed Buffalo Boutique
• The Sport Zone
• Luxe Lane
• West Texas Western Store

Haircut Locations

• Buffalo Barber Shop
• Platinum Cuts Barbershop
• La Bella Salon
• Bliss Beauty Boutique
• Roots Hair Salon

Banks

• Wells Fargo
• Happy State Bank
• Education Credit Union
• Amarillo National Bank
• First United Bank
• Wellington State Bank

Other Locations

• Dollar General
• Toot n' Totum (gas station, with a store)
• Shops on The Square