We are delighted that you will be joining North Dakota State University. The following information will assist you in planning and preparing for your arrival.
Fargo is served by two major airlines: Northwest and United
Express at Hector International Airport which is only five minutes
from the university. You may be required to transfer flights to
Fargo at other airports. Greyhound Bus Lines maintains a bus
station. AmTrak railroad provides inter-city rail passenger service
and has a station in Fargo.
Please plan to arrive in Fargo at least one day prior to
orientation. Once you know your travel itinerary, please complete
the Arrival and Single Student Housing Information Form and return
it to us. Every attempt will be made to have someone meet you.
Should you be unable to contact us in advance, please call (701)
231-7895 when you arrive if it is during regular office hours. If
your plane is delayed so no one meets you at the airport, you can
use the lobby telephone which will connect you to a taxi service.
The taxi will take you to a hotel. Remember to bring enough money
for the cost of the hotel. If you are at the bus or train station,
you can call for a taxi at 235-5535.
You should go to the Office of International Programs during
regular office hours soon after your arrival. The office is located
in Memorial Union, Room 116, North Dakota State University, and is
open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (June,
July, and August office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Please
bring your passport, I-94 (white card), and I-20 or IAP-66 with you
at this time as well as any documents that we may have requested
from you in a letter of admission or other correspondence. You will
be unable to register until you provide us with the necessary
information.
Graduate students should also see their academic advisor as soon as
possible after arrival. This person should be named in your
official letter of admission.
All new international students enrolling for the first time at NDSU are REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE ORIENTATION sponsored by the Office of International Programs. Important information will be discussed at this session that will help you be successful and avoid problems later.
If you arrive on a weekend or no one meets you at the airport
because of a flight delay, for example, you may need to stay at a
nearby hotel/motel. Taxi fare to these motels is about $10.00.
Prices reflect single rooms for a one night stay unless otherwise
specified. Prices listed are as of April 2000 and are subject to
change without notice.
|
Name |
Address and Phone NO |
Rate |
|
Scandia Hotel |
2 miles from the airport |
$38.00 plus tax |
|
Select Inn |
4 miles from the airport |
$30.00 - $38.00 plus tax |
|
Days Inn |
1 mile from the airport |
$52 plus tax |
|
Econo Lodge |
4 ½ miles from the airport |
$40.00-$45.00 plus tax |
|
Rodeway Inn |
4 miles from the airport |
$55.00 - $60.00 plus tax |
|
Microtel |
2 miles from the airport |
$40.00-50.00 plus tax |
You may have heard about the cold weather that Fargo experiences, but don't let that scare you! Most international students adapt well to living with the snow and even think it is something fun to experience! It is recommended that you bring warm clothing such as sweaters, jackets, boots, hats and gloves. If you cannot purchase this clothing ahead of time, you should bring additional funds to buy winter clothing in Fargo. It is not always cold in Fargo. The spring and fall seasons are moderate and summer gets very warm. During this time, students enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, camping, biking, soccer, and golf.
No student will be allowed to register without showing proof of vaccination for measles, mumps, and rubella. It is also highly recommended to receive vaccinations for other communicable diseases including polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough. Students without this information will be required to be vaccinated again at their own expense after arrival. Therefore, students should bring original or certified copies of vaccination records with them. Any questions concerning this policy should be directed to the Student Health Center after arrival.
All international students must pay an annual fee for the international student medical insurance policy offered by the university and required by the State of North Dakota. This fee will be billed to you with all other university fees. Refer to the insurance information already sent to you for complete coverage explanation. Coverage under this policy begins on the 15th day of the month before you register. You will need other insurance before that date. Students participating in the Intensive English Language Program will have insurance coverage while taking the course which is included in the registration fee. You will need to bring additional funds or a policy from home for dependents, who must also have insurance.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) having jurisdiction over North Dakota State University is located in Bloomington, Minnesota. For a student coming directly from the home country, authorization to proceed to Fargo will be given at the U.S. port of entry. The appropriate visa (F-1/F-2 or J-1/J-2) should be obtained before departure. Arrival without correct immigration status can delay a student's registration.
On-campus Accommodations
The university owns and operates both single and family student
housing units. Admission to the University does not automatically
reserve housing for you. A separate application must be submitted
to the Residence Life Office, North Dakota State University, Fargo,
ND 58105. The Residence Life Office can be contacted by e-mail at
NDSU.Residence.Life@ndsu.edu. All new students under 19 years of
age as of the semester start date are required to live in a
University residence hall during their first academic year. Other
students are encouraged to stay in the residence hall for the first
semester.
A room in the residence hall is equipped with a single bed,
mattress, dresser, closet space and a desk. You will need to
furnish your own telephone, sheets, pillow, towels and other
personal items which can be purchased in Fargo. University food
contracts are available and should be requested on your housing
application. It is highly recommended that you request a 7-day food
contract for the first semester.
Off-campus Accommodations
In the event that (1) university housing is not available which
normally only occurs for married students, (2) time does not allow
you to submit a housing application, or (3) you prefer not to live
on campus, please plan to arrive in advance to secure off-campus
housing. You should be prepared to pay for hotel and food expenses
until appropriate housing is secured.
Students living off-campus can purchase a University food contract
if they wish to eat their meals on-campus. Arrangements for
off-campus housing can only be made after arrival. The Office of
International Programs will assist you in getting information to
obtain accommodations upon arrival.
If you were awarded an assistantship, please note that payments will not begin for at least one month after arrival, so bring funds to cover initial costs. Please refer to the cost sheet and related information that was mailed with the application materials. Funds brought with you should be in the form of Travelers Checks. Bank drafts from abroad may not be cleared for several weeks so they should not be used for initial spending money.
During your stay in Fargo, you may be asked to speak about your country or participate with displays during International Week. It would be beneficial for you to bring a few small, inexpensive items from your country with you. Examples are slides or photographs of your family, house, neighborhood, and relatives; small handicraft items, posters from a tourist bureau, a flag, and native dress.
If you have any other questions before you arrive, please do not hesitate to e-mail us at ndsu.international@ndsu.edu.