FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
+ What do some international students love about Boise?
"It's big enough to have lots of activities to do. It's small enough to be peaceful and safe."
"The friendliness of the people. Anywhere I go here, I don't ever feel unwelcome."
"You don't have to go far outside the city to enjoy nature."
+ What should I see in Boise, Idaho, and the US?
In Boise, try to see Lucky Peak, The Capitol Building, The Depot, The Oregon Trail, Farmer's market, and Bogus Basin, to name a few! (Our group goes to many of these.)
In Idaho, be sure to go to McCall or Redfish Lake. Craters of the Moon National Monument is an area with extinct volcanoes and is nice to visit in the spring or fall.
In America, New York City and Washington DC are two cities you shouldn't miss. For natural beauty, The Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park are incredible! (We do a trip to Yellowstone every other May after Finals, going to a different national park on the other years.) There are many great place to visit in America, but each of those are amazing, and so big you can't see everything in a week!
+ Which bank should I use?
Every international student we have talked with has recommended US Bank. US Bank is all over town, and very convenient.
+ Credit cards: how do I use them well?
A credit card lets you purchase things and later pay back the credit card company (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express). You want to pay them back for everything as soon as you get a bill, because they will charge large fees for late payment!
+What's a debit card, and how do I use it?
A debit card-also known as a check card-is linked with your checking account at the bank. You can use these anywhere credit cards are accepted, but keep in mind that the money is coming right out of your checking account. If you try to spend more than you have in your account, most banks will penalize you.
+ How do I use Flex Dollars at Boise State University?
Bronco Bucks and Flex Dollars are prepaid accounts that are connected to your Boise State ID card and are accepted as payment almost all places on campus when you swipe your ID card.
+ Cell phone plans: what are my best options?
Everyone agrees that T-Mobile is the cheapest, but some students have had problems with their coverage not being great, especially outside of town or in concrete buildings.
Verizon and ATT have much better coverage, but are more expensive. If you will be on wifi most of the time at your apartment or on campus, a prepaid plan could save you a lot of money (usually the minutes and texts are free, and you're really paying for the data).
+ Are there good ethnic markets?
Diana Market has very good Korean items.
Babylon Market on Vista St. has lots of Middle Eastern items.
India foods on Fairview
Asia market on Fairview
+ What are the best ethnic restaurants in Boise?
Chinese food: Yen Ching (but not all Chinese love it)
Japanese sushi: Shigae (one dollar sushi!), and Yoitomo.
Indian food: Madhuban Indian Cuisine on State St. is the favorite.
Korean food: Mr. Wok.
Ethiopian restaurant on State and 35th.
Middle Eastern: some, but not all, students like Mazzah's Mediterranean Grill, and the Babylon Market makes shawarma in the back.
+ What is "tipping" in restaurants, when should I tip, and how much?
In America, waiters and waitresses are often not paid much by the restaurant, but receive most of their pay as a "tip" from the customer. This is to make sure they are working to keep the customers happy.
You should tip when the waiter or waitress takes your order, brings you your food, and refills your drinks. If they're refilling your drinks, they're spending a lot of time taking care of you and deserve a tip. Occasionally, coffee shops or other small places will have a "tip jar" This is a jar for tips to the employees, and is optional.
A normal restaurant tip is 15% of the total bill. A lower percentage tip tells the server that you think they did a bad job, so do not do this unless their service was terrible!
+ Where are the best places to get food and groceries near Boise State?
Winco is a large store near downtown, and walkable from campus. They are cheaper, and do not accept credit cards, only debit or cash. They are also open 24 hours a day!
Albertsons is a large grocery store closer to the stadium side of campus, but is more expensive than Winco.
+ Where are good stores for electronics?
There are several good options:
Boise has an Apple Store in the Boise Town Square Mall for new products and repairs.
Near that mall is a Best Buy, with almost anything you could want.
Walmart on Overland Rd. often has cheaper prices, but a much smaller selection.
+ What is a thrift store, and what can I find there?
Thrift stores like Idaho Youth Ranch, Savers, and Goodwill are a good way to buy basic items for cheap. Everything in a thrift store is used, but normally in good condition (usually donated to the thrift store by someone who is no longer using it). You can find jackets, clothes, bikes, kitchen items, furniture, and sporting equipment.
+ What is Craigslist and how do I use it?
Craislist is a website to connect buyers and sellers for items, housing, and services. It's a good way to find a deal, or an unusual item or different housing. You can sell your items on Craislist too!
You should be careful: some people will try to cheat people with Craisglist sales that are frauds. If someone wants payment before you receive the item, do not do it. Also, do not give your personal information (Passport numbers, Social Security, Credit card information) online! Often, these people are not in Idaho: see if their phone number starts with a 208 or 986 area code to know if they're local.
Always do the sale in a public place where both of you can be seen. That will help keep you and your money safe.
+ Bikes: where can I buy, how can I register and repair them?
Bikes can be purchased in many location, including Walmart on Overland Rd or on Craigslist.
If you are a BSU student, you can also rent a bicycle for a semester from Boise State's Cycle Learning Center (with a discount for first year students), which will include helmet, lights (required for nighttime cycling), bike lock, and more. They also do repairs.
The Boise Bicycle Project has cheap parts and accessories, and a shop you can pay to use to fix your bike.
You will want to have a good bicycle lock to lock your bike up everywhere you go, since bikes are targets for theft.
You can register your bike with the police, which increases the chance that you can get it back if it is ever stolen:
https://police.cityofboise.
+ Bus system: how can I use it?
Students can ride the Valleyride buses for free with a valid ID card sticker (CWI students, get yours at One-Stop Student Services, Boise State students, get yours at the Student ID Office.)
Information about routes and times can be found here: www.valleyride.org/bus-
You should be aware that bus systems in America are usually not as frequent as they are in other countries. If the bus comes every 45 minutes, you don't want to be late: be sure to check the schedule! Also, some buses stop running at 6:30pm or so. Be sure that you don't miss the last bus home.
+ How do I get a Driver's License in Boise?
Applying for an Idaho Driver's License must be done in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. You will need to pass vision, written, and driving tests and pay the required fees.
You will also need to provide documents to prove your identity, date of birth, that you live in Idaho, and that you have a current visa.
If you have a valid driver's license from Germany, Korea, or Taiwan, your driver's test will be waived as long as you turn in your driver's license from your home country.
+ What should I think about when buying a car?
If you're going to buy a car, consider how much money you have and how many years you'll be here. How long does it need to last? Is it only for in town, or are you planning on driving to other states every break? Don't buy more car than you need. Used cars are usualy a better deal than new cars. Leasing a car is almost always more expensive than buying (you pay a lot of money, but can't keep or sell the car later). A car that is 4-5 years old has a lot of life left in it, but will be a lot cheaper.
We recommend that you have a mechanic inspect your car before you buy it. This will help you know if it has any major issues before you buy it and then are badly surprised. You should choose the mechanic, not the person who is selling the car. Personally, I would go to the dealer for that manufacturer: it'll cost a little bit more (about $100), but their inspection will be best because they see them all the time and know them well.
All cars in Idaho MUST have car insurance before driving and be registered with the state within 30 days. You will also need to pay 6% tax on the price of the car.
+ How can I rent a car?
The best place to rent a car is from the locations at the Boise airport. Reserve your car online, and then pick it up there.
You will need a driver's license and usually need to be 21 years old to rent a car. You should probably pay the extra $10-15 per day for extra insurance for the car. That will protect you from large expenses if something happens to the car.
+ How do I use American health care?
American health care is different than most international students are used to, especially if your government covers all medical care through taxes.
You are required to have health insurance by your university. This health insurance gives you much cheaper rates for medical help and pays for some of it, but does not cover everything! Before you get any health care, call ahead and be sure that they are "In Network" with your insurance, which means that you'll get the cheaper rate.
There are three kinds of places you can go if you have a health problem:
*The Emergency Room (ER) at a hospital is for big emergencies. They can handle any problem you have. They are also very expensive, so most Americans don't go there unless it's a big health problem.
*Urgent Care is usually a smaller office that handles smaller problems: sickness and medicine for colds, non-major illness, cuts, etc... They are much more affordable than a hospital ER. If Urgent Care cannot help with your problem, they will send you to the Emergency Room anyways: if you have a health problem that needs to be seen soon, Urgent Care is usually your best choice! Urgent Care offices are usually open about 8am-6pm, but you should call before going, just to be sure.
*The Doctor's Office may not have openings to see you today or tomorrow, so they are best if you have a health concern that is not urgent. They are cheaper than Urgent Care, so if you can wait, they are often the best option.
+ What is "recycling" and how do I use it in America?
Recycling is putting items into special garbage cans so that they can easily be made into new ones. It saves resources or energy.
The special garbage cans are usually blue in color, and usually have labels on them for what can be put in them. Cans, plastic, and paper are especially recyclable!
In America, the recycable materials are often put into the same can at first, and then sorted into the different types after they are taken away.
+ What do I do if a fire alarm goes off?
Most American businesses, apartments, homes, and campuses have fire alarms that will go off if there is smoke or fire.
If one goes off in a building where you are, immediately walk towards the nearest exit that is clear of smoke and heat and leave the building.
Most campuses are required to occasionally practice a fire alarm to see how prepared they are. If you treat it like a real alarm and walk (don't panic or run) out of the building, that will always be best.
+ What about smoking in America?
Smoking is not illegal for people over the age of 18, but is not permitted in many places in America. Almost all public buildings no longer allow smoking inside.
If you are visiting someone's house and need to smoke a cigarette, it is considered polite to step outside for a minute.
+ What should I know about American police officers?
In some countries, the police are corrupt and not to be trusted by honest people. This is not true in the United States, especially in Boise!
The police want you to protect everyone, including you. Not being a US citizen does not affect their treatment of you, except that they may ask a few extra questions to find out why you are here.
If you answer their questions and are polite, they will treat you well. If you are confused about what is happening, ask them questions politely, and they will explain.
In some countries is it OK to give money to the police to make them not give you a ticket. In the United States, this is worse than whatever you are getting a ticket for, so do not ever do this.
In case of a crime against you, call 911 and police will come to help you.
You will not lose your visa status for talking with the police or even getting a ticket while driving. Relax, be polite, and do what the police officer asks you. If you're feeling nervous, just say "I'm a Boise State student, and I've never talked with American police before, so I'm feeling a little nervous." That will help them know you're here legally, and that they need to communicate more information to you.
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for international students
This page offers advice so that international students on doing well in America in areas that are often confusing. Our advice isn't perfect, so you should also ask for someone else's opinion before making a major decision. "Wisdom is found in many advisors."
We hope that it helps you! Let us know if you have a question you'd like to see added, or if you want to improve the answer to one of the questions!