YOUR
WELCOME GUIDE A M E R I C A N
S E M E S T E R
P R O G R A M
&
E X C H A N G E S
WELCOME TO THE
SPARTAN FAMILY We are so excited you chose to study abroad through the American Semester Program & Exchanges at Michigan State University! You will soon join more than 50,000 fellow Spartans from around the world, including students from all 50 US states, as you take part in a personal and academic experience that will help you grow, learn and experience things you will cherish for years to come. This welcome guide will help you on your way to becoming a Spartan! Please be sure to complete the following checklist before you leave home.
YOUR CHECKLIST Passport and Visa Confirm your passport will not expire within six months after the period you intend to stay in the US. Pay the SEVIS fee, then schedule your appointment at a US Embassy or Consulate for a visa interview.
Medications and Health Insurance See your physician to make sure you are up to date on vaccinations and medications. Look into the MSU health insurance plan to see how you are covered.
Change Your Temporary Password Go to stuinfo.msu.edu and log in with your NetID and temporary password (see your acceptance letter). Write down your new password.
Open Your MSU Email Account Go to mail.msu.edu and make sure you can receive and send emails. Check this often for updates.
TRAVELING TO THE US The following are things you need to do before arrival: • Apply for your student visa (F-1 or J-1) • Purchase your flight tickets • Inform us of your travel plans • Read newsletters (check spam folder!) Be sure to compile and pack (do not forget) the following: • Visa paperwork (I-20 or DS-2019) • Proof of financial support paperwork • Valid passport with valid visa stamp • Copy of your acceptance letter to MSU • Print out a copy of your flight information • Print out our contact information • Have a copy of hous housing assignment available Continuously check your MSU and personal email for updates or programing changes.
APPLY FOR YOUR VISA
1. Confirm your passport is valid. Your passport must be valid for at least six months and beyond your intended period of stay in the US. 2. Carefully read the instructions on your Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 for F-1 students or DS-2019 for J-1 students) issued to you for your studies at MSU. 3. Pay the SEVIS fee and complete the SEVIS form I-901. Your SEVIS ID number is above the barcode on the top left-hand side of your I-20 or on the top right-hand side of your DS-2019 form. You must pay the SEVIS fee at least three days before applying for your visa. PRINT YOUR RECEIPT. 4. You must also pay your visa fee. 5. Schedule a visa intereview at your nearest US Consulate or Embassy: www.usembassy.gov 6. Go to your visa interview. Bring your SEVIS fee payment receipt and bring your passport, financial documents, acceptance letter and other relevant materials with you.
WHAT TO PACK
Michigan offers four very distinct seasons! Students tend to dress casually, regardless of season, whether they are going to class or out with friends. Summer and fall are generally sunny and warm. Students tend to wear shorts, jeans and t-shirts. The spring and winter seasons bring both snow and rain. You will need good shoes or boots, and a coat. Most Michiganders layer what they wear, as it is easy to shed clothing than to put more on. We suggest students pack light, but smart. It might take some time, and you might have to pack your luggage a few times. If you forget anything at home, don’t worry East Lansing and the surrounding area have many locations to shop! We will also point you in the direction to find all the necessities, such as toiletries, clothes and more.
PACKING TIPS
• US electrical outlets are 110 volts AC and use different sockets than most other countries. You may need an adapter if you wish to use your electonics. • Try to make your dorm room feel like home! A few pieces from home can really help you feel comfortable at MSU. Photo of family and friends can go a long way. • Overpacking is common. Try your best to pack essentials, knowing you can always go shopping here in the Lansing area. • Make copies of all important documents, including your passport, visa paperwork and acceptance letter and email it to yourself! You won’t ever lose it.
ARRIVING AT MSU
The American Semester Program & Exchanges team provides transportation to MSU’s campus from: the Lansing Capital Airport, the Michigan Flyer stop (East Lansing Marriott at University Place), and the Amtrak station (East Lansing) on the official arrival day for the semester! If you plan to arrive at any one of these locations on arrival day between 8 AM - 8 PM you will be greeted by our staff! Whether or not you plan on arriving at a designated location, you must fill out the Arrival Information Form. This allows us to plan for your arrival, making sure you get to campus without issue!
HOW TO GET TO CAMPUS
You can fly to one of the following airports and then arrange for travel to MSU’s campus: • Lansing Capital City Airport (LAN) • Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) You may find it less expensive to fly into Detroit. From there, you will be able to schedule a ride on the Michigan Flyer (michiganflyer.com), directly to East Lansing, MI where you will be picked up by our team (on arrival day only)! Past students have also: • Flown into Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) • Ridden a Grey Hound or Megabus bus to East Lansing, MI • Ridden the Amtrak train to East Lansing’s Amtrak station Regardless of what you decide, please keep us informed of your travels!
ON-CAMPUS DINING
The American Semester Program & Exchanges
office works directly with the Division of Residential and Hospitality Services at MSU to make sure that when your dining plan is read for the semester! However, the dining plan does not start until after orientation - we will provide you with meal passes. While your dining plan might be set up, however, some of the cafeterias might not yet be open! During orientation, we will discuss how to use your dining plans, what dining options are currently available, and when to expect the cafeterias to be running at full staff. Dining Services offers a large assortment of options to choose from. Your dining plan will allow you access to all cafeterias on campus. For more information on cafeterias, dining halls and other meal options, go to: eatatstate.msu.edu
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Your dining plan allows access to more than 30 places on campus from full-service dining halls to express cafes and food trucks. Plus, there is a dining option open any time of day (or night). MSU makes deciding what to eat—from fresh sushi to an award-winning, locally produced cheeseburger— the biggest challenge. Each dining facility offers a variety of healthy food options, including menu items to support ovo-lacto vegetarian and vegan diets. If you have food allergies or intolerances or if you follow a special diet, dining services can help! They have resources and information to help make safe choices while still having a great dining experience.
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
Living on campus is quitessentially American.
Residing on campus puts you at the center of all MSU has to offer: academic support, health resources, student organizations, leadership opportunities, friends and fun. You will be fully integrated within the MSU experience. To finalize all of your housing needs, please: • Go to liveon.msu.edu • Use your NetId and Password to log in • Sign your Housing Contract Be sure to do this as soon as you can. Once signed you will be able to see your housing assignment and possible roommate!
WHAT TO EXPECT
Whether or not you arrive to East Lansing by bus, train or plane, you will be greeted on arrival day or during rientation by American Semester Program & Exchanges staff! You will be provided with a welcome packet when you arrive, highlighting immediate need-to-knows about your first night at MSU, as well as any updates regarding orientation. You will then be able to move into your residence hall. The residence hall system is huge at MSU - nearly 17,000 students live on campus. Residence halls are divided into five distinct “neighborhoods�. These neighborhoods are Brody, North, South, River Trail and East. Each neighborhood offers many academic and personal resources, accessible to all students. You will have the ability to be as involved, or not as involved as you would like. If you want to learn more about your residence hall, or the residence hall system at MSU, go to: liveon.msu.edu
FINALIZE YOUR COURSE SCHEDULE
It may not be possible to fully complete your
schedule due to numerous reasons outside of our control. However, once you are “accepted” to our program, you should be enrolled in or approved for 1-2 courses. This is just a start! From the time of your acceptance you should: • Be patient! It takes time for our colleagues across campus to process course requests and enrollments • Monitor stuinfo.msu.edu to stay up-to-date with your current course enrollments The closer you get to the start of your semester, your schedule will begin filling up! Do NOT drop any courses on your schedule before speaking with us. It is vital for immigration purposes to maintain enrollment. If there is a course you have decided you don’t want, or if you simply want another section, let us know! We will try to accommodate as best we can.
COURSE REGISTRATION
As a participant in our program you are able to choose from a wide variety of course offerings through nearly all academic colleges at MSU. In order to register you for your top requested courses, we must have: • Academic transcripts (current and past) • Course request form (in application) with at least 10 courses you are interested in • Description of relevant courses taken at home institution (in English) • Personal statement • Proof of language proficency Keep us updated. If anything should change once you submit your application, please let us know!
MONEY AND BANKING
Before you leave for the US, we suggest you contact your home bank to inform them you will be traveling to the US for the semester. Ask about transaction fees and any international charges you may incur. The amount of money you will need varies with your living situation and lifestyle. Most American students utilize a visa debit card for their main source of money, as debit and credit cards are accepted in most stores and restaurants. If you wish to open a bank account in the US, you can definitely do so! We suggest you look into the following banks: • Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) • Bank of American • PNC Bank
LIVING COSTS
Living in East Lansing can be very affordable, especially if you live on campus. Some of the
We have compiled a few of the most common purchases students make. These estimated costs may vary during time of the day and year: • Restaurants and take-out meals: $10-$25 • Cup of coffee: $2-$4 • Cell phone plan: $30-$80 per month, with a possible deposit • Semester CATA bus pass: $50 per semester • Lyft or Uber ride: $6-$12 around the Lansing area • MSU Bikes Rental: $100 semester rental, with a $350 if not returned • Books for class (semester): $100-$400 • Local events, concerts and shows: $20-$100 Getting off campus is very important for you to experience all East Lansing and Michigan has to offer! It is important to budget well and to really prioritize what you want to do while you are here. If you have questions about any living costs, please let us know!
GET INVOLVED
Michigan State University offers more than 700
registered Student Organizations. These organizations cover a wide range of topics and interest areas, including: academic, business, political, religious and leisure. Joining an organization or club is completely voluntary, but is highly recommended as a great way to connect with like-minded Spartans from campus and the surrounding community. If you are interested in joining an organization or club, or if you simply wish to learn more, or search the database of Student Organizations, go to: studentlife.msu.edu
ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES In addition to Student Organizations, MSU hosts sporting events, theatrical plays, concerts and more! Through out the semester there will also be seminars and talks from world-renowned speakers and scholars. While some of these events have additional costs, many will simply be free to you as an MSU student. Here are our top 5 things to do on campus: • Eat MSU Dairy Store ice cream • Attend a show at the Wharton Center • Attend an MSU athletic event • Join at least one student club • Take a photo with Sparty • Stop by our office to say hello Be sure to check your emails and messaging boards in your residence halls for the most up-to-date event information on campus. If you ever need tips or ideas of other things to do, feel free to contact us. We are here to help!
CONTACT US: 427 N. Shaw Lane, Room 12 International Center Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48842 Phone: 517-353-8920 Email: american@msu.edu or msuex@msu.edu Web: americansemester.msu.edu
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY AMERICAN SEMESTER PROGRAM
&
EXCHANGES