Q. What business courses are available?
A. Both graduate and undergraduate courses are available. See the SUNY New Paltz School of Business web site for information about courses being offered in upcoming semesters. (Please note that not all of these courses are offered to IIB students each semester.) IIB students join regular SUNY New Paltz students in their regular business courses. Many IIB students qualify for the graduate courses.

Q. What kind of students attend IIB?
A. IIB students come from all over the world. They are preparing themselves to enter the global marketplace with business and language skills that will help them get the jobs they want. To qualify for admission, they should have at least two years of university education, and should have some on-the-job experience. In addition, they should be able to demonstrate ability in English with 550 on the TOEFL or an equivalent test of English.

Q. What kinds of qualifications do the IIB instructors have?
A. The faculty, who teach business, public relations, business English, and American culture, bring with them a wide range of experience. Many of them have doctoral degrees in their field of expertise in addition to many years of on-the-job experience. You will have access to business and public relations professors and practitioners, business English teachers, and people who have been introducing American culture to international students for many years.

Q. Do IIB graduates receive credit or a certificate?
A. IIB confers both continuing education units and a certificate of completion, awarded in the graduation ceremony in New York City at the end of the program.

Q. What is the village of New Paltz like?
A. New Paltz is a small college town with many shops and restaurants that cater to the college community within walking distance of the college. It has a long history that goes back to the seventeenth century when the French Huguenots settled here after living in Germany for a number of years. Some of the original houses built by the Huguenots are available for touring, again within walking distance of the college. Many of the local inhabitants are descendants of the Huguenots, and bear the names of their ancestors.

Q. What is there to do in the fall and spring semesters while I am there?
A. Here is a sampling of events that occur in both semesters: Year-Round Events

Q. What kind of visa is required to attend the IIB?
A. SUNY New Paltz will issue you the required DS-2019 to obtain a J-1 trainee visa at your local consulate or embassy. Visit the visa information page for more details.

Q. Do I need health insurance?
A. Health insurance is mandatory and is included in the program fee.

Q. What kind of health care is available?
A. There is a health center on campus which will take care of routine health problems. In more serious cases, local doctors can be used. If a student needs hospitalization, a local hospital will be used. The health insurance covers all these types of care, although copayments may be required. If a student needs to see a dentist, a local dentist will be recommended, but the SUNY health insurance does not include dental benefits.

Q. What kind of immunizations must I have to enter the United States?
A. You must show proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella. A combination of one measles and one combined MMR OR two measles and one mumps and one rubella immunization will fulfill this requirement. The immunizations must have occurred after your first birthday.

Q. Will there be an orientation to SUNY New Paltz after I arrive?
A. Yes, you will arrive several days before classes start so that you can receive an orientation which will help you to deal with emergencies, choose clubs or athletic programs, and learn about the college facilities.

Q. What kind of roommate will I have?
A. Your roommate in New Paltz will be a regular SUNY New Paltz student. Since most SUNY New Paltz students are undergraduates and most IIB students are older than the average undergraduate, you will probably find yourself with a student who is younger than you are. However, many lasting friendships are made between IIB students and their roommates. In New York City, you will share a room with an IIB student.

Q. What are the deadlines for applying?
A. The deadline for the fall semester is June 1, and the deadline for the spring semester is December 1.

Q. What kind of local transportation is available?
A. Most of your needs will be met on campus or within walking distance of campus. If you want to travel to New York City, frequent bus service from New Paltz is available. Round-trip bus fare to New York City is $25 - $30.

Q. Can I exchange money in New Paltz?
A. It is difficult to change foreign currencies into US dollars in New Paltz, so you should plan on bringing about $200 with you. Your bank card can be used most places while you are in the United States, as can most credit cards.

Q. How much will books cost, and where will I buy them?
A. All the textbooks and other materials you may need are available in the college bookstore. Textbooks are very expensive. You may need as much as $200 or more for textbooks. Some students agree to share books, while other buy used books. It is sometimes possible to sell your books after you have used them.

Q. Should I bring my laptop computer with me?
A. We advise that you do not bring a computer with you. Computers with Internet access are available to students at many places throughout the campus, and IIB students may use them at no charge.

Q. Will my internship be arranged before I arrive in New Paltz?
A. Internships are usually arranged during the eight weeks that you are studying in New Paltz. This is because most employers require a face-to-face interview with potential interns. Shortly after you arrive, the SUNY New Paltz Career Advising Center will help you with your resume, and you will do a videotaped mock interview to help you hone your interviewing skills. Some students will interview with two or even three organizations before they are offered and accept an internship. Your transportation to New York City for these interviews is covered in the cost of the program.

Q. Can I continue to work in my internship after the program has officially ended?
A. The J-1 trainee visa may be extended for one month. You should check with the international student advisor while you are here if you think you would like to stay past the end of the program. It is highly unlikely that you will be offered a job by your internship sponsor, especially since your employer would have to arrange for another visa for you. Also, if you stay beyond the end of the program, you will have to pay for housing and all other expenses.

Q. Are scholarships available?
A. Unfortunately, scholarships are not available through the IIB. However, many students come on scholarships from the governments of their own countries or are sponsored by their employers.

Q. Where can I find more information about SUNY New Paltz?
A. See this page

Q. What business courses are available?
A. Both graduate and undergraduate courses are available. Follow this link to learn more about courses being offered in upcoming semesters. (Please note that not all of these courses are offered to IIB students each semester.) IIB students join regular SUNY New Paltz students in their regular business courses. (Another option would be to Link to a pdf of courses that will be available for IIB students)