The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)—which was developed by the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) created by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB—is an extensive set of technical and operational standards that a company needs to follow to ensure that all companies that process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment.
There are many stringent requirements, including but not limited to:
PCI DSS has six major objectives, 12 key requirements, 78 base requirements, and over 400 test procedures. Click here for more information.
When a business is PCI-compliant, it means that that the business reviews and follows the guidelines set forth by the credit card companies to help ensure your credit card information is protected and your personal information is secure.

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a part of the University of North Carolina System. A public university, the main campus is in Cullowhee with satellite campuses in Asheville and Cherokee.
In response to the need for a community school, WCU put down roots in 1889. WCU started as a semi-public secondary school known as the Cullowhee Academy.
Over the years, the school slowly grew with changes in the local community needs to become WCU in 1967. The university joined the UNC System in 1972.
Situated in Jackson County in the valley of the Tuckasegee River, Cullowhee enjoys a rather pleasant climate.
With a faculty ratio of 17:1, WCU offers more than 130 courses divided across undergraduate degrees and minors.
The courses here are among six colleges:
WCU also has a graduate school and an Honors College offering interdisciplinary programs in various fields.
In 1893, WCU established the first publicly funded normal school in North Carolina for training teachers. Today, WCU is the sixth-largest producer of teachers in North Carolina.
The university is built on the ancient site of a Cherokee village. This is a reason for the integration of the Appalachian and Cherokee culture into its system.
WCU falls in the M1- Master's Colleges and Universities, larger programs, and amidst elective, "community engagement" category.
The university has an active student life with studies accompanied by sports, co-curricular activities, and community events.
Cullowhee is a small, census-designated town in Jackson County. The target action for improvement of health here is obesity, nutrition, and physical activity—nothing that would affect international students.
Given that Cullowhee lies cradled between mountain ranges, the residents here enjoy a healthy atmosphere. However, when exploring the mountainous beauty of the place, make sure you don’t leave general caution behind.
The crime rate in Cullowhee is low. Especially for violent crimes, data is almost negligible.
The chance of an earthquake in Cullowhee is the same as state averages. It's much lower than the national average. As for tornadoes, this index is very low compared to state and national averages.
The air quality and temperature in this small town are pleasant due to its favorable location in a valley. While Cullowhee's proximity to the Tuckasegee river makes it a hotspot for water-related adventure and fun, stay cautious about activity-induced drowning and occasional flooding.
Health insurance is mandatory when traveling abroad. As an F-1/F-2 or J-1/J-2 visa holder, it's important to have coverage for the full duration of time that you’ll be studying there.
Health emergencies do not come with a warning. They happen suddenly, and during difficult times in a foreign country, health insurance comes handy.
It saves you time and money in the long run. It might seem burdensome to opt for health insurance, but you save an enormous amount of money when you need health services later on.
Western Carolina University, Cullowhee requires international students studying abroad in the U.S. to have adequate health insurance coverage. Medical centers have the right to abstain from providing non-life-saving medical services to you without the security of health insurance.
As an F-1/F-2 or J-1/J-2 visa holder, it is mandatory for you to have health insurance coverage. WCU will ask for proof of health insurance as a condition of enrollment.
Health insurance saves you a lot of expenses in the long haul. As a student, it is a great long-term investment and it will keep your hospital visits as hassle-free as possible.
Have a look at the premium and deductibles in the health insurance plan. After careful deliberation, choose the one which meets the requirements set by WCU and seems like the best match for your personal needs.
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