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Cornell Tech / Main Campus (Ithaca)

Cornell Health Requires Vaccinations – Do I Really Have to Get Vaccinated?

Yes, you do! Please make sure to visit a travel clinic at any major hospital to get your vaccines (usually, the national health insurance does not cover the cost, so remember to bring your credit/debit card to withdraw money, as it can be quite expensive)!

How Do I Prove I’ve Been Vaccinated?

You can print out the Cornell Health form, bring it with you when you get vaccinated and ask the doctor to fill it out, and have the hospital stamp it at the end (all hospitals are professional – they know many people are going abroad for studies; I originally wanted to use National Taiwan University Hospital, but the appointments were fully booked, so I went to Mackay Memorial Hospital). Alternatively, ask your doctor to upload your vaccination record to the “National Immunization Information Management System,” then apply for an “Immunization Certificate” from the health department, scan it, and upload it to Cornell Health.

What is BRB?

BRB stands for Big Red Bucks, a form of currency that you can use for purchases at on-campus restaurants, campus supermarkets, the Dairy Bar, and the Big Red Barn. One BRB is equivalent to one U.S. dollar. The advantage is that it is tax-free and can sometimes receive a 5% discount at certain locations.

What is a CornellCard?

This is a platform that allows you to pay using your student or staff ID. While the BRB focuses on food, the CornellCard lets you pay in more places, such as the Cornell Store or for event tickets.

Food

Are There Any Foods You Should Eat Up in Taiwan?

Generally speaking, the Asian supermarkets here do carry the familiar Taiwanese food items, such as dumplings, xiaolongbao, satay sauce, fermented tofu, etc., though they tend to be a bit pricier. However, snacks like popcorn chicken, braised foods, and soy milk are best enjoyed while you still can – otherwise, you might have to cook them yourself!

Mangoes, wax apples, dragon fruits, sugar apples, and sugarcane are best enjoyed in Taiwan in abundance. Although they can be found here, they are either very expensive or simply not as tasty.

Seafood is also quite expensive here; fresh seafood typically costs over $10 per pound.

The variety of vegetables here is limited, or they include many kinds that are not commonly consumed. Personally, what I miss the most is cabbage – the cabbages in American supermarkets are as hard and unpalatable as rocks.

Are There Any Foods You Can Skip?

Watermelon and pineapple might be better enjoyed in the U.S. because the significant day-to-night temperature variations here make these fruits particularly delicious and reasonably priced. Other common fruits include grapes, apples, melons, and berries.

Sweets are extremely common in the U.S. and can be overwhelmingly sugary – almost as if you’re consuming nothing but cream and sugar. Even Oreos come with a double-thick cream filling.

Of course, there is no shortage of potato chips and corn chips here. Dairy products such as milk are incredibly cheap in the U.S. (less than $1 per liter), and eggs are also reasonably priced (Extra-large egg at $4 per 36 count).

What If I Don’t Know How to Cook or Simply Don’t Want to?

There’s the well-known Trader Joe’s, which offers a variety of tasty frozen meals. The student cafeterias (usually set up as buffets) are also pretty decent – check out the daily menu. For staff (including postdocs, who are considered staff), sometimes there are trips to Chinese restaurants where you can have a meal for just $7.50, with the option to take leftovers home for dinner.

Renting

Haven’t Found a Place Yet? Where Can I Look?

The school has set up an official off-campus housing website for verified landlords to post listings. Additionally, there is a Facebook group, Cornell University Housing, Sublets & Roommates, where many Cornell students post about subletting, roommate searches, or even renting out their space during the summer when they’re not in Ithaca. Of course, there are also large housing websites like Apartments.com that you can consider.

Telecommunications

Should I Buy a Prepaid U.S. Phone/Internet SIM Card?

If I had the chance to choose again, I would not buy a prepaid card. Instead, I would opt for a telecom provider that offers eSIM services (like the one I am currently using, Google Fi). Set it up in Taiwan with all the necessary configurations, and then provide your school contact details. When you open a bank account in the U.S. during your first week, you can register that phone number without having to change it later.

Are Family Plans Cheaper?

They can be/is usually cheaper, but sometimes they are not! It’s best to compare various options. For reference, our Google Fi family plan offers unlimited usage at $25 per month.

What Should I Look For When Choosing a Telecom Provider?

Look at the price, plan details, and coverage. Many first-time international students hear that AT&T has the strongest signal. However, the reality is that the best coverage in the U.S. is provided by Verizon (you can refer to the Coverage Map).

Cash

How Do I Exchange Currency to U.S. Dollars?

Naturally, using banks or post offices is the way to go – nothing out of the ordinary there. Many of you may already be premium banking clients, which often come with favorable exchange rates, cash withdrawal benefits, and fee-free international wire transfers. Exchange your currency online ahead of time and make full use of your bank’s premium member benefits!

How Much U.S. Cash Should I Bring to School?

To be honest, I only brought $50 (if you’re as brave as I was, feel free to follow my example?!). Almost everywhere here accepts credit cards, with very few places cash-only. So how do you get by in the first month until your first paycheck or scholarship comes in? First, opt for a dual-currency card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, or a credit card that offers over 1.5% cash back on overseas spending. Also, call your bank customer service before you leave to inform them that you’re heading to New York so they don’t block your transactions.

Is There a Better Way to Carry U.S. Dollars?

Absolutely! With Citibank having exited Taiwan’s retail banking scene, HSBC remains the only local physical bank option (although you need to have a substantial balance to avoid account maintenance fees). Unfortunately, I didn’t have that much money, so I researched a more complicated route. If you are an undergraduate or master’s student without a scholarship, I personally suggest applying for an International Account with Charles Schwab while still in Taiwan (sometimes they even offer account opening promotions).

If I Have a Small Savings, Where Should I Keep Them?

Apart from investing (you’ll need to find your own investments; I can’t help much with that), U.S. fixed deposit schemes are usually very attractive, often offering annual interest rates of over 4%!

  • American Express National Bank offers a fixed deposit rate of 5.25%.
  • The Apple Card’s high-yield Savings account offers an annual rate of 4.40% on savings!

How Do I Pay My Tuition at Cornell?

Use your Bursar account. All charges at the university are processed through this account via the Cashnet system. Yes, the names can be a mouthful! Tuition, insurance fees, gym fees, and meal plans are all paid through this system.

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Last updated 26 Mar 2025, 20:11 -0400 . history