Exchange Students
Interested Students
The exchange program at JMU is available ONLY to students from the following partner universities:
- Flinders University
- La Trobe University
- American University in Cairo
- Misr International University
- Nanzan University
- Hiroshima University
- Ritsumeikan University
- Universidad de Salamanca
- Yonsei University
- Malmo University
- American University of Sharjah
- University of Leicester
All application materials are available at your home university's International Programs office. Please apply through your home university and direct all questions to them.
Please note that the exchange program is not open to students wishing to take courses in the College of Business (including economics, finance, accounting, administration, hospitality/tourism management, management, marketing, etc.).
Preferred areas of study: Humanities, Social Sciences, Psychology, Political Science, Liberal Arts. All students should plan to take at least one class outside of their major, as an elective. Classes can be searched for through
MyMadison.
Accepted Students
Traveling & Transportation Information:
 If you will reside on-campus, the residence hall staff will be available to check you in on Sunday, January 8th. More information will be provided later.
We urge you to fly into Shenandoah Valley Airport (SHD) - located 30 minutes away from JMU - as we will offer to pick you (this one and only time). Send your itinerary to Donna Sharpes at least 10 business days prior to your arrival so that she can arrange to have a JMU driver pick you up from this airport.
If you should choose to flydirectly to Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) keep in mind that it will take you an extra hour after landing to go through customs, and it will take you a good 2 hours to drive over to JMU.
If you should arrive before the 8th and reside on-campus, you will need to arrange for your own hotel accommodations. We recommend that you stay at the Best Western Hotel, which is a good location and price. Also, a JMU van will come to this hotel and pick you up on Sunday to help you move into your residence hall. When you make your reservation, make sure to inform them that you are a JMU student as you may be given a student discount.
Important Pre-Arrival Steps:
 Apply for your visa: Materials needed for the visa application will be provided in your acceptance packet. If you do not receive your acceptance packet within two weeks of receiving the acceptance email, please contact Donna Sharpes.
Housing: Every student living on campus is required to sign a housing contract, to start this process click here . This is a standard housing contract, but it is understood that exchange students who will only be at JMU for one semester will be charged room and board fees for one semester only.
Search for classes: You will have applied for classes in the application process, but you may need to give additional options as necessary. Donna Sharpes will pre-register you for a full load (12-15 credits) of classes based on your preferences, major, class availability and your transfer of credits. You will obtain your class schedule and meet with Donna Sharpes during Transitions. At that time, you will have the chance to ask questions and make changes to your schedule. Please note that classes are never guaranteed and you will need to be flexible with the process. Classes can be searched for through e-Campus.
Health Reccord: The office of International Programs will be collecting the JMU Health Record Form during Transitions. Should you require some vaccinations, note that you can get vaccinations at the Student Health Center by making an appointment and paying a small fee… however, you need to make sure that all of your vaccination requirements, check-up and your doctor or health practitioner’s signature is taken care before you arrive to JMU, since it is crucial that the Health center receives your health record.
Health Insurance: All international students will be enrolled in mandatory health insurance with Cultural Insurance Services International, CISI. Your insurance card, policy information and claim form can be obtained from the International Student & Scholar Services Office (ISSS).
If you currently have an insurance policy that will cover you for your duration of your academic career and meets certain requirements, you may be exempt from the insurance fee placed on your account. If you wish to apply for a waiver for this coverage with CISI, you must complete an Insurance Waiver Form and return it in person to ISSS along with a copy of your policy in English. Please note that you must submit your waiver request no later than the first Friday of the semester, and that the waiver must be approved by ISSS.
Pay Your Bill:
 To view your bill, you need to login to QuickBill by accessing it on e-campus (for students). QuikBill provides you and your family with instant access to your student account charges. QuikBill is currently configured so that the student is the only one who can view and pay his or her bill online through this system. If a family member or sponsor of that student needs access to QuikBill, the student will need to enable this individual to view and/or pay the bill by creating an account for this individual.
Payment methods:
- wire funds to JMU. All funds need to be in U.S. dollars and sent to:
Wachovia Bank
ABA Number: 051400549
Account Number: 2000051029274
Originator to Beneficiary Info: Include Student Name and Student ID Number for identification of recipient
Cage Number: 0E9W6
Duns Number: 879325355
Wachovia Bank: 141 E. Market Street - Harrisonburg, VA 22801
- pay online by credit card. [Please note that JMU handles MasterCard, American Express or the Discovery card only].
- Set-up a bank account in the U.S. This will facilitate the transfer of funds from your home country to the U.S. You will then be able to write checks and/or transfer money directly from your bank account to your JMU student account online. A trip to the downtown Bank of America will be scheduled during Transitions.
Pack your Bags and Get Ready!
Don't forget your Health Record Form. Without it you will be unable to attend classes.
In the winter we have snow and ice. You will want a warm coat to wear as you walk between classes on campus. The normal winter temperature is in the range of 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit (around 0 degrees Celsius) although, it can get as cold as 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit (around -15 degrees Celsius).
Bring a few items that remind you of home (pictures, crafts, clothing, sports equipment, etc.) and to share with other students, including traditional clothes. You will have several opportunities throughout the year to showcase your culture and country.
The residence halls do NOT provide bed linens, pillows, blankets, or towels. You may purchase these items in advance on the Office of Residence Life's website or in Harrisonburg at one of our many discount or department stores. Please note that there will be many opportunities during Transitions and afterwards to go shopping.
At home, allow plenty of time to say good-bye and plan how to keep in touch. You will be extremely busy during your first weeks and months, so it is important you explain to your family and friends that long periods between communications should not alarm them. It will all be part of this new adventure.
Organize your passport, all of your visa documents and supporting documents in one place on your person, not in your checked luggage so that they are easy to find and manage. Make sure that you have your: (a) valid passport with proper, currently valid stamp; (b) form DS-2019; (c) evidence of funding as appropriate to the visa classification and your intended activities in the U.S.; (d) contact information for the Office of International Programs (e) your SEVIS receipt.
Contact Information
If you are still unclear as to what you need to do please feel free to contact:
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