Finding Your Way Around Charlottesville

Central Grounds

Central Grounds begins at the corner of Rt. 29 (Emmet St.) and Ivy Rd./University Ave. To get to that intersection from the Engineering School, go north on Emmet Street, past Memorial Gym. The intersection of Emmet Street and Ivy Rd./University Ave. is the first stoplight.

The Rotunda, the heart of the University, is two blocks east of the above intersection on University Ave. Alderman and Clemons libraries are across McCormick St.

To reach U.Va. Medical Center go east on University Ave. past the Rotunda, under the railroad bridge, to Jefferson Park Ave. and turn right. Or continue on Emmet St. past Ivy, veer left with the road as it turns onto JPA, then make a right into the hospital.

Just one block east of the Rotunda, the Corner is the restaurant and shopping strip along University Ave. that serves Central Grounds. Elliewood Ave. is a sidestreet at the west end of the Corner.

University Transit System
Website
924-7231
U.Va. Parking and Transportation, Millmont St (behind Barracks Road Shopping Center)

U.Va.’s blue-and-orange buses are free to University students, faculty, and staff.  See the web site for routes and schedules.

Community

Charlottesville has one major north-south corridor, Rt. 29, where most of the major shopping centers are located. Many businesses listed in this book are in one of the following shopping centers:

Barracks Rd. Shopping Center
Corner of Barracks Rd. and Rt. 29 North.

Seminole Square Shopping Center
Rt. 29 North, on the right side going north, about a mile north of the 250 Bypass overpass.

Fashion Square Mall
Charlottesville’s only indoor mall. Corner of Rt. 29 North and Rio Rd., just south of Rio Rd.

Albemarle Square Shopping Center
Rt. 29 North and Rio Rd., on the right side going north, just north of Rio Rd.

Rio Hill Shopping Center
Rt. 29 North, about one-half mile north of Rio Rd. at Woodbrook Dr., on the left side going north.

Hollymead Town Center
Rt. 29 North, about one mile south of the airport.

Downtown Mall
Charlottesville’s community showpiece, this pedestrian outdoor mall with its patio restaurants is the best place to hang out and people-watch outside the University. From the Rotunda, take University Ave./W. Main St.east. When W. Main turns into Water St. park in the parking lot to the right or in the parking garage just beyond it. Cross Water St. and walk one block north. Additional parking is available on Market St. or on any of the sidestreets off Market St.

Pantops Shopping Center
From Rt. 29 North just north of Barracks Rd. take 250 Bypass going east. Cross the bridge over the Rivanna River, the shopping center is on the right.

Rivanna Ridge Shopping Center
From Rt. 29 North just north of Barracks Rd. take 250 Bypass going east. Cross the bridge over the Rivanna River, the shopping center is on the right, past the Pantops Shopping Center. Map

Charlottesville Transit System
Website
296-RIDE (7433)
CTS Office, City Yard, 315 4th St. N.W.
Buses serve many parts of Charlottesville Mon-Sat. Some evening service.

U.Va. students may ride free by using a transfer ticket issued by any University bus driver. Otherwise, the fare is 75 cents, exact change. You may purchase a discount ticket book of 10 tickets or 40 tickets for substantial savings.

Best Places to Get Furniture

Inexpensive used furniture or household goods can be found at:

  • https://charlottesville.craigslist.org/
  • Thrift stores – a great place to buy used furniture
                 + The Salvation Army store at 604 Cherry Ave is the easiest place to start (434) 979-523
                 + Goodwill 1720 Seminole Trl (434) 872-017
                 + Goodwill 1242 Richmond Rd (434) 295-3967
  • Yard sales in residential neighborhoods or churches – see “Yard Sales” in newspaper classified ads,
  • “For sale” in the advertising section in the newspaper
  • Used furniture stores – see Yellow Pages under “Furniture-Used”,

New furniture

  • Berkmar Drive Discount Furniture has new beds for as low as $169
    2112 Berkmar Dr
    (434) 973-4818
  • Atlantic Futons has futons for as low as $200 
    (434) 295-3410 
    421  W Main St
  • New furniture can be purchased from various furniture and mattress stores in Charlottesville (see Yellow Pages under “Furniture-Retail”).

 Household goods and appliances are available from Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, Sears, Target, or K-Mart.

Contact ISI

ISI is always willing to help you.

If you have any questions about our group, need any help, want to share your stories with us, etc,  pleasefeel free to send us an email.

ISI Mailbox: info@isivirginia.com


American Holidays

 

A fun way to learn about American culture is to join its traditions. The following ten holidays per year are proclaimed by the federal government. You can use internet to learn where these holidays come from?

 New Year's Day  January 1
 Martin Luther King Day  third Monday in January
 Presidents' Day  third Monday in February
 Memorial Day  last Monday in May
 Independence Day  July 4
 Labor Day  first Monday in September
 Columbus Day  second Monday in October
 Veterans' Day  second Monday in November
 Thanksgiving Day  fourth Thursday in November
 Christmas Day  December 25

Great American Independence

“Great American Independence…

As you may know, one of the hallmarks of U.S. culture is independence.

Here is some advice about that, written by non-U.S. students just like you!

Read More

Culture Shock

Dear internationals! You are going to be on board for a totally NEW experience!


NEW
means ” Not previously experienced or encountered; Recently arrived or established in a place, position, or relationship “. You may already have expected that things will be different in the United States from your home country; however, are you prepared to deal with those changes and differences?

Read More

Event Photos

If you’ve attending any ISI events, hopefully you’ll find a picture or two of yourself!  Let us know if you would like a particular photo removed for any reason, and we’ll take care of it.  Just email info@isivirginia.com

 

Read More

Utilities: Getting Your Place Connected

Cell Phones, Electricity, Water, Heat, and more… Read More

ISI Staff

Steve Braintwain
email:
steve@isivirginia.com  
(434) 953-4455

Steve is campus director for ISI in Charlottesville.  He grew up in Virginia and graduated from UVA in Education. He has taught and been a principal in some of the surrounding schools. He joined ISI staff in 2005 and really enjoys working with students from all over the world and helping them whenever possible. He also likes traveling and hiking in the mountains. He cannot sing and does not play an instrument, but enjoys people who do! 

 

Patrick Flynn
https://uva.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1530660
patrick@isivirginia.com

Patrick studied Civil Engineering at UVA and has been on staff with International Students Inc since 1999.  Patrick grew up right here in Virginia and enjoys studying & performing the traditional music of his home state and is a member of the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra.  He also loves being a dad!

 

 Patrick Flying Patrick with upright bass

 

Christy Lynn Flynn
cl@isivirginia.com
Christy-lynn (otherwise known as CL) married her cool husband in 2002.  She loves being the mom of four cool children!  CL grew up in Richmond, got her Bachelor’s in Communications at UVA, and then completed her Masters in Elementary Education, also at THE university (UVA).  After spending a year teaching English in Shanghai, she joined ISI staff, where she’s been for the last 18 years. 

CL 

Student Executive Board

Yingying Qian

Zihan Ni

Zhiwei Zhang

 

 Yuchen Xie

 

Rosie Rong