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    Weather and Clothing

    Ithaca's summers are warm, and its winters are long and cold. There is frequent and abundant snowfall from November to mid-April. Winter (November-March) temperatures range from about 0° F to 38° F (-17° C to 3° C). Summer (June -September) temperatures average 68° F to 85° F (20° C to 29° C).

    A heavy winter coat, a raincoat, and a pair of comfortable waterproof walking shoes are necessities. Dress on campus is generally informal, though students in some programs may be required to dress in a more business-like manner. You can find more information about dressing for winter weather here.

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    Driving in the U.S.

    Note: parking on campus is not readily available and is quite expensive. Students are strongly discouraged from bringing a car to campus. Walking or bicycling is easy, quick, and healthy, and the bus transit system is also a convenient and inexpensive option. For information about parking and transportation services at Cornell, please visit click here.

    New York State honors all valid foreign licenses. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) recommends that you not apply for a New York State license unless you become a resident of New York.

    If you plan to drive using your valid home country license, you MUST carry it with you when driving. If your license is not in English, you must also carry a certified English translation of your license when you drive. The ISSO can refer you to a certified translator for your language.

    Despite the DMV’s recommendation against applying for a NYS license, many international students, scholars, and their family members decide to do so. For more information on applying for a NY State driver’s license, please visit the New York State DMV’s website.

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    Family Resources

    Spouse Employment

    A person with F-2 status (a dependent of an F-1 student) is not permitted to earn money in any capacity. After arriving in the United States, people with J-2 status (dependents of a J-1 student) may apply to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for permission to work if they meet the requirements. Spouses with J-2 status who want to work while in the U.S. should consult the ISSO after their arrival. Employment opportunities in Ithaca are limited, so even if a spouse receives permission to work, he or she might not be able to find a satisfactory job.

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    Child Care and Schooling

    Public education is free of charge for children enrolled in Kindergarten through Grade 12. The school year starts in early September and ends in late June. Children must be five, or turn five no later than December 1, to be able to enroll at the start of the school year. For information about enrolling your child in an Ithaca public school visit http://www.icsd.k12.ny.us/parents/. If you will live outside of the Ithaca City School District, you can find contact information for other area schools at http://ithacanet.org/Education/.

    The law requires that young children not be left home alone or unattended. For child care options, including information about after school programs for children enrolled in public school, visit http://www.daycarecouncil.org.

    The cost of full-day child care depends on the age of the child and ranges from $100 to $300 a week per child. Though parents are expected to pay for the costs of child care, some assistance may be available. Cornell University’s Child Care Grant Subsidy Program for students, faculty and staff is designed to assist with covering the costs of eligible child care, including infant and toddler day care, pre-school/pre-k programs, school holidays, summer camps and programs, and before/after school care. For more information visit http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/benefits/childcaregrant/index.html.

    You can find a wealth of information for families on a variety of topics including child care, schooling and immunizations, child safety, counseling and support services, and much more, at http://www.isso.cornell.edu/ithacalife/family.php and http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/workLife/childCare/index.html.

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