Welcome to your new home A guide for students preparing to join us at the James Madison University International Study Center isc.jmu.edu Welcome to your new home Dear Student, Welcome to the James Madison University International Study Center! We’re so excited and pleased that you decided to study here! We’re sure you will find Harrisonburg, Virginia to be a lovely, comfortable, and beautiful setting for your U.S. education. At the JMU ISC, we’ve welcomed almost 700 students since 2009. There are several things we’ve learned along the way, so this guide has been developed with you in mind. Please read this carefully and in detail so that your experience will be as positive as possible. Of course, you will receive more information once you arrive, but we believe this to be a great place to start! Again, congratulations on choosing to study at the JMU ISC – we can’t wait to welcome you in person! Sincerely, Jennifer Little Director, International Study Center For up-to-date information before your arrival, visit: isc.jmu.edu Contact details Address: Telephone number: JMU International Study Center ISC office: +1 540 568 4384 396 South High Street, (Mon–Fri 8.30 a.m.–5 p.m. EST) MSC 6926 Admissions: +1 540 468 4981 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Emergency telephone number: Email: +1 540 830 5089 [email protected] Useful websites: isc.jmu.edu facebook.com/jamesmadisonuniversityisc Contents Visa application instructions 4 What to bring to JMU 6 Arriving in Harrisonburg 8 Orientation and tips for settling in 10 Your campus 12 Your checklist 14 Important dates and information 15 Visa application instructions Steps to prepare for arrival. What is a Visa? What Type of Visa Do I Need to A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. Become an Academic Student port-of entry and request permission from the U.S. in the U.S.? immigration officer to enter the United States. It does Most non-U.S. citizens who wish to study in the not guarantee entry into the U.S. United States will seek an F-1 (non-immigrant) student visa, but there are other visa types that are sometimes Obtaining Your U.S. Student Visa authorized for those who study in the US. The F-1, or Once you have been accepted in a program, provided Student Visa, is the most common for those who wish the required financial documents and paid your deposit, to engage in academic studies in the United States. James Madison University will issue a Form I-20 It is for people who want to study at an accredited from the United States Citizenship and Immigration USA university or to study English at a university or Services (USCIS). You can then apply for a visa to intensive English language institute. study in the U.S. When Should I Apply for a Visa? What are the steps to come to the U.S.? It is best to apply early for the visa to make sure 1. Receive your I-20 from James Madison University. that there is sufficient time for visa processing. Review it carefully. We recommend that all students apply for their visa 2. Pay the SEVIS fee online at fmjfee.com. as soon as they have all the required documentation. 3. Complete the form DS-160 to begin your visa Notify [email protected] directly process. once your visa status is known. Please tell the ISC 4. Schedule and prepare for your visa interview. when you have made an appointment, and notify You will need to gather several supporting us of the outcome of that appointment. documents. What Should I Do When I Arrive 5. Attend your visa interview at the U.S. Consulate at JMU? or Embassy. Once you arrive on campus, the International Study 6. Wait for your F-1 entry visa. Center will provide basic information in maintaining Contact the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy immigration status. The JMU Center for Global in your country for more information about the Engagement (CGE) provides information related to procedure for applying for a student visa. immigration rules and regulations. You will be given a link to complete your SEVIS registration and will learn more about this process during your orientation. If you do not submit your registration, you may be considered to be in violation of your status in the United States. Please visit: isc.jmu.edu for more information You can find full visa guidance at: www.travel.state.gov 4 5 What to bring to JMU Prepare well in advance. Last-minute packing will only add more stress to your travels, so plan ahead! Be sure to bring your... U.S. dollars to purchase items for your Laptop/computer. Or purchase one at JMU’s residence hall room or apartment bookstore using the Computer Purchase A bilingual dictionary or electronic translator Program with discounted student rates. or phone app Bed linens (the sizes may be different in the 110 volt adapter for North American electric USA than in your own country). Pillows, plugs blankets, and towels are not provided by the Personal items such as photos, music, books, on-campus residence halls or off-campus magazines, etc. apartments. You can bring them from home or purchase them during one of the orientation Clothes – It is good to bring a variety and shopping trips. especially warm clothes and boots as Virginia experiences all seasons, including snow in the winter. Cultural items – The JMU campus boasts a vibrant student life, and there are many wonderful opportunities for international students to share their culture on campus. Things such as your national dress, national handicrafts and cultural art pieces can help other people know you while you are becoming part of the JMU Dukes! U.S. SOCET ADAPTE NON-U.S. PUG 6 Average temperatures Winter temperatures: January to March are 30-50°F (0-10°C). However, it may get as cold as 10-20°F (-15°C), and there may be snow and ice. Summer temperatures: June to August are 80-90°F (26-32°C), and it may get as hot as 90-100°F (32-37°C). Top Tip Skype or Viber are convenient ways to talk and see your friends and family back home. Also, JMU will provide a SIM card prior to your arrival. 7 Arriving in Harrisonburg Top Tip Check with your airline about what you can bring in terms of size and weight for carry-on items and checked luggage. Arriving in the United States Transportation to JMU You will most likely arrive at Washington Dulles For your convenience, we have arranged a JMU International Airport (IAD), 1 Saarinen Circle, shuttle bus to take you directly from the Dulles Dulles, VA 20166. All arriving international International Airport (August intake only) or the passengers and luggage, with the exception of Comfort Inn & Suites Airport Dulles-Gateway or those arriving from pre-cleared points of origin, the HYATT houseTM Sterling/Dulles Airport-North must be screened by U.S. Customs and Border (all intakes) to the JMU campus. This one-way Protection (CBP). Make sure to collect all of your service is only available on your initial arrival and luggage before exiting the CBP facility; re-entry to students only (not parents) due to limited is not allowed. Passengers ending their journey in space. Washington D.C. will exit onto the Terminal Arrivals Level – Baggage Claim. To reserve a seat, you must complete the Flight Arrival Form, and return it to For more information about entering [email protected] no through U.S. Customs and Border later than two weeks before your arrival. Protection, visit www.flydulles.com We cannot guarantee your transportation without your completed form. About Harrisonburg, VA If you choose to make your own transportation No matter which continent you call home, we arrangements, the drive to JMU from Dulles think you will find that JMU and the surrounding International Airport is approximately 2 hours. area provide an interesting mixture of culture, Book a taxi online at: www.dullestaxi.com. outdoor life and urban amenities. You must arrive at the orientation location at The city of Harrisonburg is an attractive 11:30 a.m. on Orientation Day. Dates for community in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley orientation are provided at the end of this of Virginia, two hours by car from Washington, guide. All new students are required to D.C. Harrisonburg is a safe, growing city with a participate in orientation. diverse population of approximately 45,000 that boasts many attractions including museums, shopping, skiing, golf, caverns, farmer’s markets, concerts, movie theaters and many restaurants. 8 Boston Chicago New York Washington, D.C. Harrisonburg Hotel Accommodations T EE PA R U near the Airport L STREE MASO ST T E G S R AC If you are arriving to Dulles International E S TRE ET M . L. Airport in the evening, we recommend K. JR W AY that you stay in a hotel before coming BLU N STREET S MAIN SEETE to campus. We have secured ST ON D HARRISO M E RDINAL RI E CA V A DR E PL DRIVE E DRIV E IVE NE K RHU O DU discounted rates at two hotels near BLUS T R S T AV the airport. You are responsible for ENU E JAMES MADISON E UNIVESITY 81 V RIVE booking and paying for your hotel stay. RI D D IER ST CARR RE LC 81 CARIER DRIVE L HI E W Comfort Inn & Suites Airport EAVER eman T A Lake E VEN 81 U MARY LA STRE Dulles-Gateway DR E N IVE R IV O N D T T E S D AV 45515 Dulles Plaza EE NE R R T TO DR LUE S UE EN ES B U L IV EN U B U N LEY V E E L A IV Sterling, VA 20166 E VA D R O S IT Y RAWF B T: (703) 471-5005 C O MONUME U L EV A RD NT Book online for a special Study AV 81 E N U Group rate using this link: E www.choicehotels.com/virginia/ sterling/comfort-inn-hotels/va453/ rates?ratePlanCode=LSTUDY HYATT house™ Sterling/Dulles Here are some of our recommendations: Airport-North 45520 Dulles Plaza Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Madison Sterling VA, 20166 (540) 432-3031 (540) 564-0200 T: 703.435.9002 890 Evelyn Byrd Avenue 710 S.