Steps to Prepare for Departure

Get the Visa

You need to take your I-20 and acceptance letter along with a valid passport (valid at least six months beyond your intended period of stay) to the U.S. consulate nearest you. You will also need 1 photograph (1.5 inches square (37x37mm), full face, head not covered, on a light background). There may be a fee you will have to pay (depending on your country). The fee will probably be about $50. Visit the U.S. State Department website to find the fee in your country and locate the consulate nearest you.

http://travel.state.gov/

Pay the SEVIS Fee

If you need an F-1 student visa to enter the U.S., you will have to pay the $100.00 SEVIS Fee AFTER you are issued a Form I-20 with your acceptance and BEFORE you apply for your visa. Visit the ICE website to learn how to pay the fee yourself.

http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/faq.htm

 

Make Your Travel Arrangements

We recommend that you arrive in Huntington or Charleston, West Virginia. The airport in Huntington is about 20-minute drive from our campus and the one in Charleston is about one hour from our campus. When you reserve your air flight, you can give the travel agent the following information to describe your destination:

Huntington Tri-State Airport. The airport code is HTS.
Charleston Yeager Airport. The airport code is CRW.

For more information about arriving in Huntington or Charleston, visit our website at:

http://www.studymarshall.com/cip/orientation/travel

 

Reserve Your Housing

You will receive a residence hall application along with your I-20 and acceptance letter from Marshall University. In order to guarantee your reservation, it is best to send your application at least two months before the beginning of the semester you will enroll. You can also apply online at:

http://www.marshall.edu/residence-services/application.html

International students should request housing in Twin Towers. This is the only dormitory that stays open during the breaks. You can learn more about Twin Towers and our other campus dormitories at our website.

http://www.marshall.edu/residence-services/halls.html

It is also possible to live in an apartment off-campus. Visit our website and learn more about living off-campus.

http://www.studymarshall.com/cip/orientation/offcampus.asp

 

Plan What to Bring

There are many things you may need to bring or buy after you arrive. Visit our website and read our suggestions for things to bring.

http://www.studymarshall.com/cip/orientation/whattobring.asp

 

Apply for Health Insurance

We require all international students (on F-1 and J-1 visas) to have health insurance while studying at Marshall University. Insurance will protect you against the very high medical costs in the U.S.A. Please visit our online health guide and purchase an insurance plan either before or after you arrive in the United States.

http://www.studymarshall.com/cip/orientation/insurance.asp

 

Complete the Arrival Survey

We will assist you with all of the arrival need, including airport pick up, assistance with hotel and housing, taxi and rental car reservations. Please complete our arrival survey so that we can assist you better.

http://www.studymarshall.comcip/orientation/arrival/

 

First Meeting

The Center for International Programs arranges airport taxi service and lodging for newly arriving international students. Taxi and lodging fees are the responsibility of the student. On the arrival survey, please let us know if you would like us to pick you up at the Charleston or Huntington airport. The arrival service fee is $100 for Chaleston and $50 for Huntington and includes airport pick up and assistance with moving into your housing. This fee is to be paid to the Center for International Programs before you register for classes.