Connecting to Student Organizations

An important resource to connect with before and during your stay at Mizzou is student organizations! They are a fantastic resource as they provide the opportunity to:

• Connect and make friends with current students at Mizzou
• Get tips about life in Columbia from current students
• Learn more about activities and groups you can be involved in at Mizzou Connect with individuals from your country of origin or individuals that have the same passions as you
  

There are several ways to connect with students organizations on campus. The first one is through Org (Organization Resource Group) online database of student organizations. This is a database of active student organizations on campus. Click here to access this database.
Here are some tips regarding how to use this database:

• After you click on the database, to search for cultural groups select cultural/international in the search by category field
• After you click on Search by Category, a list of all the cultural associations will appear.
• You can also Search by Keyword and a list of the organization associated with your key word will appear.
• Once you click on the name of the organization, available contact information and website information should appear if has been added to the database.
• You can either contact organization through the website listed or through your Mizzou email.
• You can obtain contact information from their website (if it is listed).
• You can also access organizations through your Mizzou Email.
• If you do not have access to your Mizzou Email you can contact the Mizzou help desk.
• Once you access your Mizzou mail, you can create a new message. In your new message, you can copy and paste the name of the contact person into CC space.
• At the top of the message box, there will be a bar. The fifth icon from the left (has a person with a check mark over them) allows you to check the names of students in our system. If the contact person has been a current student at Mizzou, their name should turn blue after you click on this icon and you will be able to email them. (This is a very helpful thing to know as I’ve used it a lot this year!)
  

Another resource is the International Center website, which provides a list of some of the international organizations on campus.
Highlights

• Student organizations are a great resource and provide the opportunity to connect to current students and learn more about life at Mizzou.
• Emailing student organizations can provide a great opportunity to meet new friends and learn more about your new adventure at Mizzou!
• Contact an organization that you are interested in TODAY!
• Check out the website to learn more about the International Center and the services that are available for international students.

Helpful Resources

Resources are an important part of preparing as well as integrating into a new environment. Below are some resources that can provide you with some assistance with your new adventure:


Virtual Tour
Email Partners Program
The Visitors Page
Pre Arrival and After Arrival Checklists
Information for Students


The Virtual Tour is a great resource because it provides students with the opportunity to get a tour of the campus online! It is a great way to learn more about what the campus looks like and see what Mizzou looks like!

The Email Partners Program is another way to connect incoming students to new students. As a new student, this program provides the opportunity to learn more about life at Mizzou from someone that is experiencing it! Click here to learn more about the program and sign up!

The Visitor’s Page is a great resource and provides access to information about Mizzou and Columbia!

The Pre Arrival Checklist can give you some ideas on steps you can take to prepare yourself before you arrive at Mizzou. The After Arrival Checklist can give you some steps that you can take once you arrive at Mizzou to integrate yourself into this new environment!

The Information for Students Page assembles resources from our website according to different needs and interests which can be useful in your preparation.

Highlights
Check out the website to learn more about International Center and the services that are provided for international students
Be sure to check out Mizzou ISSS Page on Facebook to learn more about your new adventure at the University of Missouri!
If you have any questions or comments, please use this blog as a resource!

Getting Your Visa and Entering the US

Getting your visa is a very important stage of starting your adventure at Mizzou! Be sure to start applying for your visa early. Below are some resources that can guide and provide information on this very important stage of your new adventure!

Visa Types: The International Center provides information on the types of visas that students can apply for and information association with each specific visa. Click here to gain additional information about the different types of visas.
Welcome Guide: The Welcome Guide for International Students provides information on the process for obtaining a US visa. Click here to look at the Welcome Guide.

Key Tips
-Pay any necessary visa and SEVIS fees
-You can apply for a student visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate
-Add your spouse or children to your SEVIS record, if applicable.
-Check out the EducationUSA and ICE sites for helpful information immigration and living in the U.S.

It is important to start applying for your visa as early as possible. If you have any questions related to the visa process please contact The International Center.

After you get off plane when you arrive, there are things that you should be aware of for immigration purposes. Knowing what documents you need when arrive at Customs and also what documents you need to take with you will allow your arrival procedures to be smoother.
Here are some resources that can provide you with some insight on arrival procedures when you enter the US:

-The International Center Website lists the documents and information that you will need for travel document and entry procedures into the US.
-The Welcome Guide for international students provides information on entry procedures into the US.

Highlights
-Check out the website to learn more about The International Center and the services that are provided.
-Be sure to check out Mizzou ISSS Page on Facebook to learn more about your new adventure at the University of Missouri!
-If you have any questions or comments, please use this blog as a resource!

Getting To Columbia

Many students are not sure how to get from the airport to the University! I definitely was not before I arrived ! Two resources below can provide insights on arriving in Columbia. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask questions below.

• The International Center Website provides information on getting to Columbia from the St. Louis or the Kansas City airports. The site provides tips on taking a shuttle from the airport to MU. You might also consider connecting with a current MU student through a student organization for arrival assistance.
• Let us know when you will be arriving in Columbia. This will give us a better idea of how many students to expect and when to expect you.

Highlights
• Explore all the options in terms of arriving to Columbia. The airport that you arrive in can affect the price of your ticket so explore all options.
• Check out the International Center Website to learn more about services available for international students
• Be sure to check out Mizzou ISSS Page on Facebook to learn more about your new adventure at the University of Missouri!
• If you have any questions or comments, please use this blog as a resource!
See you soon!!!

Housing at Mizzou

I remember last year after getting accepted to the University of Missouri (also MU or Mizzou) the first thing I thought to myself is, where am I going to live? I think that this is a normal concern when moving to a new part of the world. I feel that the most important thing is to have information that can make this decision a lot easier for you to find what is right for you. So in this post I’m going to let you all know all the things I wish I knew about housing! If you have any questions related to housing feel free to write a comment addressing your concerns!

When it comes to finding housing as an International Student at Mizzou, these are the options:
On-campus (for undergraduate students)
On-campus (for graduate students)
Off-campus (available to both graduate and undergraduate students)
Temporary Housing (before your accommodation is available)

1) On-Campus Housing (only for undergraduate students)

· This on-campus housing option refers to living in the residence halls and is only available for undergraduate students. This has a lot of great benefits as it is really close to campus and provides a great opportunity to meet new people.
· Application: The first step for applying for campus housing would be to fill out a housing contract. In order to be able to fill out your housing contract you will need to use your PawPrint. Exchange and Sponsored Students have a different process for housing applications and click here for more information.
· Deadlines: If have applied and filled out your contract before June 1st, you are guaranteed housing. If you apply after June 1st, you will be put on the waiting list and are not guaranteed housing. It is recommended that you explore off campus options for housing.
· Deposit: If you plan to live on campus, you must submit a housing application along with a deposit to hold your room. The deposit is 300 hundred dollars and can be submitted online.
· Rates: To know more about rates for each dorm room, click here. It is recommended that international students stay in the halls that are open over breaks to ensure housing during holiday periods.
· Dining Hall Plans: All students living in residence halls are required to have a dining hall plan. For more information about the various dining hall options click here. You can apply for your dining hall plan while filling out your housing contract.
· Roommates: There is the option to stay in a single room without a roommates but it is more expensive. Most students live with roommates who are assigned to them. To learn more about living with a roommate, click here.
· Rooms: To learn more about each of the residence halls click here. For more information about what you will need to have in the residence halls click here. To learn more about the facilities that are available in the residence halls click here. Each of the rooms comes with a bed, desk, chair and dresser.
· Disability Related Accommodation: To apply for housing based on disability related needs, please click here.
· Frequently Asked Questions: Click here to find answers to some frequently asked questions.
· Moving Day: If you will be living on-campus, you can move into your room beginning on Sunday, August 15th. If you arrive before that day, you can apply for interim housing, stay with a current student, or stay in a hotel.

2) On-Campus Housing - University Student Apartments (only for graduate students)

· This on-campus housing option refers to living in an on-campus apartment. These have a lot of great benefits as they are relatively close to campus. It is a good idea to use Google maps to get an idea of how far each of the housing options is from campus.
· Housing Options: There are four on campus housing options available for students: Tara Apartments, Manor House, University Heights, and University Village. The rates for each of these apartment options can be seen here. The University Student Apartment handbook can be found here. It is important to look at what utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer) are included in the rates for each of the buildings.
· Application: The first step for applying for campus housing would be to fill out a housing application. All applicants must send a completed application with a $25 application fee. The application and fee can be sent to the Cashier’s office by traveler’s check, express mail (recommended to use Fed Ex, DHL, or UPS), or wire transfer.
· Deadlines: Applications are accepted all year round and housing is gained on a first come first serve basis. Applying for a room does not guarantee housing. It is recommended that all applicants also explore off campus housing options for housing.
· Contract: Once an apartment is offered and accepted, a contract would be issued electronically to the student. The contract would have a contract end date of January 4, 2011 or May 31, 2011. The student would need to be enrolled for the spring 2011 semester to be eligible for the May 31, 2011 contract end date.
· Deposit: The contract would need to be signed by the student (no one else can sign it for them) and returned back along with a deposit equaling one month’s rent. The deposit would need to be in the form of a traveler’s check or money order and sent to the Cashier’s Office at Jesse Hall per the instructions on the application. (The Cashier’s office does not accept credit or debit cards). The signed contract and payment would need to be express mailed.
· Unfurnished: All of these apartment options are unfurnished, so it will be the responsibility of each occupant to find furniture for their rooms. Information about what about what residents will need in these University Apartments can be found here.
· Resources: Click here to access more resources regarding University Student Apartments

3) Off-Campus Housing (for undergraduate and graduate students)

· This option refers to living in an off-campus apartment that is not directly affiliated with the university. Before decided on a specific option, it is a good idea to use Google maps to understand how far each of the housing options is from campus.
· Distance from Campus: Since Columbia does not have an extensive public transportation system, most international students find it easier to live within walking distance from campus. Also, it is important to ask off-campus apartment complexes if they offer shuttle bus services to campus.
· Off-Campus Housing Options: Each apartment complex has their own application process.
Some options close to campus include:
· University Place
· Campus Lodge
· The Reserve
· Broadway Village
· A&B Management
· Real Estate Management, Inc (REMI)
· Hawthorne Management
· Ashland Manor Apartments (e-mail )
· Warnken Properties
· Resources: You can search for roommates and learn about off-campus housing on the Mizzou Wellness Resource Center's off-campus living Web site. Search for apartments online at Apartment Finder or Craigslist , where you also can find items such as furniture and appliances.

4) Temporary Housing
When you arrive in Columbia, you will need temporary accommodations until you move into your residence hall or apartment or house. MU does not provide temporary accommodations; each student is responsible for arranging temporary housing. Options include:
Staying with current students and scholars - Sometimes international student organizations can assist with temporary housing. Please contact the organizations directly for more information.
Hotels - Find hotels in the Columbia area with help from the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site. If you are not staying near campus, make arrangements for transportation (bus, shuttle, taxi, rental car). Columbia offers limited public transportation . Find out whether the hotel where you want to stay is on a bus route.
Subleasing - Some members of the university community rent out their homes for short periods of time. Check classified ads, Web sites such as Craigslist or the International Student Services Facebook page.
Residence Life: You can also contact Residence Life to learn more about interim housing options.
Hotels close to campus include:
Regency Hotel Downtown1111 E. Broadway573-443-2090
Hampton Inn & Suites1225 Fellow’s Place573-214-2222

Important Notes
· Please start applying and looking for housing as early as possible!
· Please refer to Check out the Mizzou International Student Services Page on Facebook to learn more about Mizzou!
· The International Center website has some great information that can assist you on your adventure to Mizzou!
· Feel free to contact student organizations and clubs to learn gain some more tips and information about housing in Columbia from current students!
· If you have any questions or comments, please use this blog as a resource!