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,
- Al Akhawayn University of Ifrane,
- 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 e-Campus.
Accepted Students
 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.
Every student living on campus and in Denton's 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.
Complete a Health Record Form. This should be completed and signed by a physician in your home country before you depart. Bring this form with you (it does not need to be mailed ahead of time).
 All JMU international students are required to have health insurance. You will be automatically enrolled in the CISI – Cultural Insurance services International health insurance plan unless you show us proof that you have you are enrolled in a health insurance plan (by presenting your insurance card and policy to Gina Kudrav once you are on campus).
Purchase Flight Tickets. In order to be able to fully participate in Transitions, we strongly urge you to arrive on campus on Sunday, January 10th or earlier. You should fly into Shenandoah Valley airport (SHD) as there is no easy way to travel from other airports to JMU/Harrisonburg. Please note that if you will reside on-campus, the residence hall staff will be available to check you in no earlier than on Sunday, January 10th. Be sure to send your itinerary to Donna Sharpes 5 business days prior to your arrival so that she can arrange to have a JMU driver pick you up from Shenandoah Airport only (this one and only time).
 Local hotels: A list of local hotels can be found at this link. We recommend that you stay at the Best Western Hotel in light of its location and price, and especially due to the fact that this is the only location where a JMU van will come and pick you up on Sunday to help you move-in into your residence hall. When you make your reservation, make sure to inform them that you are JMU students as you may be given a student discount).
Pack your suitcase 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 and 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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