special early move-in day for international students has been arranged for Sunday, January 6 (as early as 9am), so that you can participate fully in Transitions (international student orientation) which begins on Sunday, January 6 at 12pm (noon).

The International Student and Scholar Services office will provide a special JMU bus from Washington DC International Airport [IAD] to JMU on Sunday January 6 at 9am. To take advantage of this special service (this one and only time to ensure that you attend Transitions), make sure to complete this online Arrival Form no later than December 20th. The JMU Bus will be picking up JMU students from the DoubleTree by Hilton Sterling - Dulles Airport. A special rate of $69 per night has been arranged for anyone staying over in this hotel [Follow this link to make sure to that you receive the Study Group rate]. The DoubleTree By Hilton Sterling hotel provides a free courtesy bus to and from the airport! 

If you should need to arrive earlier in Harrisonburg, you should consider taking a connecting flight to Staunton/ Shenandoah Regional Airport [SHD] as there is no convenient and cheap way to get from IAD to Harrisonburg at this time of the year. Once in Harrisonburg, we recommend that you stay at the Best Western hotel. Due to its convenient location and the special JMU rate of $60 [make sure to ask for or to mention: JMU student rate]. 

• Here is a list of local taxi companies, should you need one:
  • ABC Cab (540) 564-1214
  • Green Shuttle (540) 810-2074
  • Yellow Cab (540) 434-2515
  • Royal Cab (540) 438-7777

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: Considering your housing options by going to the following website.

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 MyMadison.

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 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. Also through QuickBill, an installment payment plan can be set-up. To make payments towards your tuition and bills, you can:

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:

• Donna Sharpes Tel: 540-568-3740