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International Student and Scholar Services

Living in Middlebury

Downtown Middlebury, overlooking the falls of the Otter Creek.

Below you’ll find general tips and services specific to the Middlebury area.

Banking 

There are many different banking options in the U.S. When you are choosing a bank, ask about automatic teller machine (ATM) and checking fees, and minimum balances. Some banks offer special student accounts. Middlebury College has National Bank of Middlebury ATMs on campus. 

What to Bring When Opening an Account

  • A minimum of $100 USD to deposit
  • Your passport
  • Form I-20 or DS-2019 (or other visa document)
  • Form I-94 (accessed electronically at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/)
  • Local mailing address: Students, be sure to know your campus mailing address.

Note: You may be asked to provide a Social Security Number (SSN). If you are not working, you will not be able to apply for a SSN. You can explain to the bank that you are not eligible for a SSN.

Banks in Middlebury

There are a few options for banking in Middlebury.

  • Citizens Bank
  • Key Bank
  • National Bank of Middlebury
  • M&T Bank (formerly People’s United Bank)

Communication Services

Cellular Services

Verizon Wireless and AT&T offer the best reception and service plans for the Middlebury area. Sprint PCS/ Nextel also has reception in Middlebury and competitive plans. For details on these or other cellular carriers’ coverage, please visit their websites as listed below.

When considering different providers (especially a two-year contract plan), please be aware that many service providers in the United States do not have any roaming options, so if this is relevant to you, please investigate this feature before committing to a two-year contact. Reception may be poor in a few on-campus locations (due to College building design) and off-campus due to Vermont’s terrain and limited cell tower coverage.

It is fairly common in the United States to sign up for a two-year contract plan with a service provider (i.e. carrier) in which the contract includes the use of a locked phone (i.e. it does NOT work with any other service provider). Unfortunately, in order to do that, many phone carriers require you to have a U.S. Social Security Number or pay a large deposit in order to enroll in a contract. You do not need a contract in order to have cellular services!

If you already have an unlocked phone, or buy one (options discussed below), you can purchase a plan known as the “pay-as-you-go” option. This means you pay a set monthly fee for a certain amount of talking/texting and data. For example, you could pay $40 per month for unlimited talking and texting. You can renew this each month as long as you want without being obligated to sign up for a two-year contract. A TracFone has a similar option which allows students to buy phone credit rather than sign up for a contract.

Another option that service providers won’t advertise but is available is “pay-per-use”. This means you don’t have to pay a set monthly fee. For example, you could buy a line and add US $15 credit to your account. Then the provider will charge you 10 cents per minute and 20 cents per text. For this option, your credit expires after one or three months depending on the amount purchased/used and your service provider’s regulations.

If you already have a phone, AT&T is the most compatible, but it is best to check with AT&T before committing to any plan. If you do not have a phone, you can purchase a new one from a phone store, but it will be expensive if you don’t enroll in a contract plan (discussed earlier). Many students choose to purchase an unlocked phone online on websites like Amazon – or from reputable refurbished phone stores – and then take the unlocked phone to a carrier, like Verizon Wireless or AT&T, to purchase a “pay-as-you-go” or “pay-per-use” option. If you plan to use a service provider, such as Verizon Wireless, then you must have an unlocked phone that works with their service.

Please check with the service provider BEFORE purchasing an unlocked phone.

Cellular Providers in the United States

Pre-Paid and Contract Options:

  • Verizon Wireless: 22 Court Street, Middlebury (802.443.8500)
  • AT&T: Hannaford Shopping Plaza, Route 7 South, Middlebury (802.388.4433) – You can take the free Tri-Valley Transit (TVT) Middlebury Shuttle bus there.

Pre-Paid Plans:

  • Tracfone – Can be purchased at Kinney Drugs and Walgreens in Middlebury  – You can take the free Tri-Valley Transit (TVT) Middlebury Shuttle bus there.
  • Net10 – Can be purchased at Kinney Drugs and Walgreens in Middlebury – You can take the free Tri-Valley Transit (TVT) Middlebury Shuttle bus there.
  • Boost Mobile
  • Straight Talk
  • Page Plus

Alternative to Cellular Services

Some students choose not to get a cellular phone. Another option is to take advantage of the widespread availability of Wi-Fi on campus and use devices (such as an iPad, tablet, or computer) to communicate with students and family back home. There are options, such as Google Voice, Viber and Skype, where you can buy credit and call landline and phone numbers without having a U.S. one!

Driver’s Licenses

As an international  student or scholar, you may legally drive on the roads of the State of Vermont for up to one year from your date of arrival if you have an International Driving Permit AND a valid home country license AND if you are from one of the designated countries or territories. A valid home country license is limited to a licensed driver who is at least 18 years old and limited to a vehicle of the type covered by the license. For detailed information and to access the list of designated countries, please visit https://dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/foreign-licenses.

Applying for a Vermont License

International students and scholars can apply for a Vermont driver’s license through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). There is no longer a DMV location in Middlebury but there are locations in Rutland and South Burlington. If this is your first U.S. Driver’s license, you will need to take three tests:

  • Written test
  • Driving test
  • Vision test

(Canadian Citizens may turn in their Canadian license for a Vermont license with only the eye test.)

You will need access to a car to take the driving test; if you do not own a car you will need to borrow one.

Please be aware that you cannot take the written test and the driving test on the same day, so you will need to visit the DMV twice to take all of the required tests. You should therefore plan to allow at least two weeks to obtain your Vermont Driver’s License.  For further information about driving licenses, and the Driver’s Privilege Card which you may be eligible to obtain, please check the DMV website here: https://dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/types-of-licenses-ids/driver-privilege-card   

You should call or email the DMV to schedule an appointment for a written and driving test. See contact information, hours, and locations for the DMV in Rutland and the DMV in Burlington.

Learning to Drive

You might consider learning how to drive by enrolling in the services of a local driving school.

Prepare for a written exam in advance by using the Driving Training Manual. A printed version should be available at any DMV office, or check out an online version.

Going to the DMV - What to Bring

For Students:

  • Current Form I-20 with a valid signature on page 2
  • Passport, F-1 visa as applicable
  • Proof of enrollment and Vermont residency
  • I-94 record (Your I-94 record can be printed).
  • Proof of a Social Security Number (SSN) or documentation from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that you are not eligible for one.

Proof of enrollment verification and Vermont residency may be requested two ways.

  1. If you already have a social security number, follow the instructions provided by the Registrars’ office here https://www.middlebury.edu/registrar/records/enrollment-and-degree-verifications. 
  2. If you do not have a social security number, follow the instructions provided by the Class Deans’ office here - https://www.middlebury.edu/college/student-life/class-deans#frequently-asked-questions. See the Frequently Asked Questions section and select the “How can I get a copy of an enrollment verification letter?” option. 

For Scholars: When you go to the DMV, you will need to present your Form DS-2019 or Form I-797, passport, and I-94 (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home). In addition, you will need proof of a Social Security Number (SSN).

Transportation

  • Tri-Valley Transit (TVT): Providing public transportation to the Addison, Chittenden, and Orange County Regions of Vermont. Find out how the TVT bus can connect you with airports, train stations, and local and intercity bus services on their Regional Connections webpage. 
  • Amtrak, Ethan Allen Express train: Provides daily train service between NYC & Middlebury.
  • Greyhound Bus: An affordable way to travel to cities like Boston or NYC for the weekend from Middlebury. The Greyhound bus now has a stop on campus on Storrs Avenue at the intersection of Franklin Street.
  • SGA Break Buses: The Student Government Association Board sponsors subsidized transportation for all active Middlebury College students to and from Burlington (BTV) airport and regional areas including: White Plains, NY; Penn Station NYC; Ridgewood, NJ; Boston; Hookset, NH. To see departure times and to reserve a space on the bus visit the Middlebury College Box Office.
  • Addison County Chamber of Commerce transportation website - https://www.addisoncounty.com/getting-here (private taxi services may be found here)
  • College Bike Shop: Located in the basement of Adirondack House, the Bike Shop is dedicated to promoting cycling on campus and teaching bicycle maintenance. The Bike Shop operates each year after spring break until Thanksgiving break. Email bikeshop@middlebury.edu. 

Storage

You can find information on storage options for your belongings on the Residential Life website here. Please be sure to read the “Storage” section as well as “Tips and Tricks” section where you will find an answer to the question “Where can I store my stuff over the summer?”. Storage options include a student-run storage business called Middlebury Campus Storage.

Thrift & Re-use Shops

Here are some thrift shops where you can find gently used winter clothing & outdoor gear in Middlebury and the Burlington area. Verify options online as hours are subject to change.

  • Buy Again Alley—60 Main Street; 802-989-9458; Facebook page
  • H.O.P.E. Resale Store—Located in the green warehouse behind the Craven office building at 334 Boardman Street, past Hannaford’s shopping center; 802-388-3608; https://www.hope-vt.org/resale-store
  • Neat Repeats Resale Shop—1428 US-7, Middlebury South Plaza, cash or check only; 802-388-4488; Facebook page
  • Round Robin Upscale Resale Shop—211 Maple Street, #28, next to American Flatbread Pizza in the Marble Works; 802-388-6396; Facebook page
  • Goodwill of South Burlington—1080 Shelburne Road, Route 7 North, South Burlington; 802-658-5359; https://www.yelp.com/biz/goodwill-store-south-burlington
  • Outdoor Gear Exchange—37 Church Street, Burlington; gently used clothing, shoes, and outdoor gear are on the lower level of the store; 888-547-4327; https://www.gearx.com/
     

Other sources for new clothing and outdoor gear at the College and in downtown Middlebury and Burlington…


Helpful items for winter:
Gaiters—to prevent snow from getting in your boots 

Traction cleats for shoes—attach to soles of shoes to prevent slippage and help you get a grip on the ice & snow

Hand/Foot warmers— “HotHands” is a popular brand you’ll see at Kinney & Hannafords

You can read more about preparing for winter in this great article from Boston University, “Your Everything Guide on How to Dress for Winter in New England”

Other Resources

You can find more great information about living in our area on the following websites: 

Town of Middlebury

Addison County Chamber of Commerce


We hope you enjoy your time in our little town!

updated 9/12/2024

International Student and Scholar Services

(802) 443-5858
isss@middlebury.edu

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