This week, We will provide you with some information to help with locating housing and reserving transportation to UC Irvine from the airport. These are some of the biggest concerns of incoming international students, so we hope to provide some insight. However, you will want to contact UCI Student Housing staff for more detailed questions and concerns.
Housing
As you are getting ready to move, there are some things you should do ahead of time to make sure there is a smooth move-in process when you arrive. If you will be living on-campus in graduate student housing communities, you can find more details about your options and the application process online through the UCI Student Housing Office.
Students who are newly enrolling in the fall in a Ph.D., M.F.A., or J.D. degree program are eligible for the Graduate Housing Guarantee and must have applied by May 1st. Housing community offers are sent mid-May, and students must respond by the deadline indicated in the offer. Specific housing assignments are made to guaranteed students beginning in June. Email questions about guaranteed housing to gradguarantee@housing.hsg.uci.edu. Any other questions regarding housing can be directed to the UC Student Housing Office at housing@uci.edu or 949.824.6811.
While on-campus housing have a kitchen in each unit, you may choose on occasions to dine on campus. Locations, food options, and meal plans for purchase can be found through UCI Hospitality and Dining. Kosher and Halal options are available and you can reach Kelly Kuehnert (kuehnert-kelly@aramark.com) for more details.
The Off-Campus Housing Network is a good reference to search for available rooms and apartments locally and it is a trusted source maintained by UCI Student Housing. In addition, there are good tips in the “Living around UCI” document which will help you narrow your search by understanding different locations, transportation availability, rental agreements, and other housing resources.
The key points for move-in are:
- Notify your housing community of the time and date you plan to move in to your apartment. Make sure you schedule your move-in during their established check-in times.
- If you are arriving after these established check-in times, you’ll need to make arrangements to stay in a hotel if you do not have another option. There are special offers available to UCI affiliates at a variety of hotels.
- If you’re living off-campus, you’ll probably need to arrange to have your electricity turned on. You can do this through the California Edison Website.
- If you need to make a payment at check-in, plan to pay with a Money Order, Cashier’s Check or Traveler’s Check.
Check out the Graduate InterConnect blog for more recommendations about housing from the Peer Mentors.
Airport Transportation Options
As a student, you are eligible to receive an airport shuttle discount through Associate Graduate Students with Prime Time Airport Shuttle. You can schedule pick-up/drop-off service to and from Los Angeles International (LAX) and John Wayne Airport (SNA). The current rates are to/from LAX: $20 one-way and to/from SNA: $9 one-way. Visit AGS’s website to book a ride.
Getting Around Irvine
Once you arrive to Irvine, you have a variety of public transportation options to get around including OCTA buses (countywide), Anteater Shuttle buses (campus only), and Metrolink/Amtrak. In addition, new ride share options such as Zipcar, Uber and Lyft make getting around Irvine easier.
For information on getting around Irvine, please visit UCI Parking’s website. You can also learn how you can “Survive UC Irvine without a Car?”
We hope you found this information useful in your preparation to come to UCI.
Sincerely,
Graduate InterConnect Peer Mentor
Graduate InterConnect Blog
Graduate Resource Center (GRC)
3100 Gateway Study Center
Graduate Division | UC Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697