International Student Move-In Procedures

 

Overnight Accommodations

If you will be living on campus and should arrive before Sunday August 18, you will need to arrange for your own hotel accommodations. We recommend that you stay at the Best Western Hotel. By staying at the Best Western Hotel you will benefit from a special student rate per room per night.

Move-In Day Procedures for Sunday, August 18, 2013

While these Move-In Day procedures only apply to students living on campus, those of you who do not fall in this category should feel free to stop and obtain some preliminary information.

  • Proceed to the Sonner Hall (Admissions Office) Welcome Center. The Welcome Center will be open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Driving Directions: On I-81, take EXIT 245 - Port Republic Rd/ VA-253. Once over the bridge, take the first RIGHT onto Bluestone Drive. Pass the lake. Sonner Hall, will appear on the left-hand side. A printable campus map can be found here
  • Check-in (first) to obtain a packet of information which includes your temporary access card (to grant you access into your residence hall). We will then guide you to your assigned residence hall where you will meet a member of the residence hall staff who will issue you your room key during the following times only: 12 p.m. through 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.
  • You can reach an international Student and Scholar Services staff member on the office phone (540) 568-6119. When on campus, simply dial: 86119 from the emergency phone (in a box) located outside the residence hall or from your room telephone.

Transportation Assistance

  • If you will be arriving on Sunday August 18 at the Dulles International Airport (IAD) and require transportation assistance make sure to complete the arrival form at least 10 business days prior to your arrival!
  • Here is a list of local taxi companies:
    • ABC Cab (540) 564-1214
    • Green Shuttle (540) 810-2074
    • Yellow Cab (540) 434-2515
    • Royal Cab (540) 438-7777

Contact Information

You can always reach Thomas Lavenir on his office phone at (540) 568-7314. Calls will be forwarded to his cell phone!

Orientation Schedule

 

Download the most updated [ Transitions Schedule]
and [ Transitions Transportation Schedule]

 

Monday, August 19 - Location: Taylor Down Under (found in the basement area of Taylor Hall)

  • 9am - 12pm Graduate Orientation]- International graduate students are more than welcome to attend Transitions on Monday morning but we realize that the Graduate Orientation is scheduled then. Come join us after the graduate orientation is over!
  • 9am Breakfast & Registration- We have some material to give you. Make sure to register and enjoy some breakfast!
  • Welcome- We have been communicating with you via phone, e-mail, and our webpage... finally we can meet you face to face!
  • Explore your new "home"-  JMU will become your new home for the length of time of your studies. Explore the campus in small groups with your assigned LINKer.
  • [Parents & Friends Session]- We welcome all of the accompanying parents, relatives and/or guardians to join us during this session. This will be a time to discuss the questions, comments and concerns that you may have regarding your son/daughter's new life at JMU! A Campus Tour will then follow.
  • Lunch- You surely will need some energy after your exploration of the campus. Re-fuel and start making new friends!
  • Immigration Session- [Held in Miller Hall Auditorium] By virtue of being on a F-1 or J-1 visa, you need to know how the immigration laws and policies not only affect your education but also your ability to work on and off campus and what you are expected to do each every time you leave and enter the US.
  • Let's Go Shopping!- We not only want to make sure that you have bed sheets fo your new room, but you will also need other items to make your new living units more convenient and enjoyable.
  • 7pm Dinner and Fun- Let's unwind over a meal and enjoy each other's company!

Tuesday, August 20 - Location: Transitions Room  (found in Warren Hall)

  • Breakfast- Enjoy some breakfast and start making new friends!
  • Being successful at JMU- Pick and Choose: Choose from a series of issues that are particularly important to you and learn how to make the most out of yout time on campus and be successful.
  • Lunch- Re-fuel and start making new friends!
  • What will campus life be like? What should I know?- There are many facets to student life. Learn about them and the many resources available to you from the experts... those who live it on a regular basis.
  • Get together with the LINKers- Your peers (the LINKers) want to give you the opportunity to ask all of the questions that you always wanted to ask but never had the opportunity to!
  • Welcome Picnic- Come ready to have fun and play (soccer, frisbee, badminton, etc) and enjoy a US style picnic!

Wednesday, August 21

  • Let's Open a Bank Account!- If you have already filled out the paperwork to open a bank account with the local Bank of America, you will be joining us to finalize this whole process. You will need to bring with you (a) at least $25, (b) your passport, (c) your I-20 or DS2019, 
  • English Language Learners Services (ELLS) Open House- Stop by to enjoy a refreshment and find out the many different resources available to you as an english language learner no matter how strong or weak your level is.


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