Pre-Arrival Planning pected to stay in any of the local hotels at your own expense. See also the section on Housing on page 6.
All students living in University housing must have proof of Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Record. The vaccination must be administered no less than 10 days before the student moves into University facilities. If you have been vaccinated in your home country, you will need to bring in your vaccination record in English and present it to the Student Health Services located at the Student Center, room 125 upon arrival to TAMIU. For more information contact Student Health Services at 956.326.2235 or check online at: http://www.tamiu.edu/wellness/stuhealth.shtml.
You are expected to arrive at TAMIU no later than the “report date� as indicated on your DS 2019. TAMIU offers orientation sessions for new international students at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. The orientation for international students usually takes place the week prior to start of classes (see academic calendar in the back of the brochure), and is a mandatory event. You will receive an email from OSA after your admission to TAMIU regarding early course registration. You are able to view scheduled courses for the upcoming semester at http://schedule.tamiu.edu (select semester schedule). Most incoming undergraduate students select courses starting with a 3 or 4, since that is when U.S. university courses start to specialize by discipline. Graduate students must select courses that start with the digit 5. Course descriptions can be found in the University catalog at http://www.tamiu.edu/catalog/.
Please let us know about your travel plans, indicating your date and time of arrival by submitting the New Arrival Form (www.tamiu.edu/dip/iss) 7 days before your arrival. Airport pick-up dates are scheduled between August 15-22. We will contact you to confirm your pick-up from the airport or bus station. We suggest that you call us before you depart Houston or Dallas on your last flight taking you to Laredo. For changes or delays call 956-3262282 between 8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m. In case of an emergency call 956-326-2100. Remember to take time to make your housing arrangements before your departure. Students should submit documents for housing no later than 90 days prior to arrival. If you have no housing arrangements made, you will be ex-
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Getting Involved International Student Mentoring Program (ISMP)
Association of International Students (AIS)
ISMP is a student support program which helps with the integration process of new international students to TAMIU and South Texas. Each new international student is assigned a student mentor who will provide guidance and advisement. Activities consist of pre-arrival interaction via email or social networks, orientation activities at the beginning of the semester, errand runs to local stores and banks, and general support throughout the semester. You will receive an introductory email from the ISMP mentor shortly before your arrival to the US.
You have the opportunity to learn from the different experiences that come with living in a foreign country, but you will also have the opportunity to represent your country. AIS members want to encourage you to be a good ambassador by participating in all of the activities that the Office of Student Affairs at TAMIU and our Association organize. Therefore, it will be a good idea to bring along some interesting information about your country, such as traditional costumes, cultural items, pictures, postcards, maps, posters, or anything you want. To become a member email tamiuais@gmail.com add us to facebook TAMIU Association of International Students. 8