PRE-DEPARTURE

Pre-departure

Arrange For Your Student Visa

In order to apply for a student visa at a US Embassy or Consulate, you will need to obtain a visa application form, either from the US Embassy or Consulate. You will need to complete all relevant sections of the visa application form, attach and submit the I-20 form that we sent you, and the admission letter, and all relevant documentation and visa application fee.

Before Leaving Home

Make photocopies of your passport, visa and any other important documents. Leave a set at home and put another set in your luggage.
If you need airport pick up check our Arrival page for information or email IPS at isu-ips@mail.indstate.edu.
If you require assistance arranging temporary accommodation, please email isu-ips@mail.indstate.edu. For housing questions at ISU, check Housing section.
Open a credit card account at your home bank and make sure that your credit card will be accepted in the US.
Enquire about schooling or childcare for your children if they are traveling with you. You can find some valuable information at Community Resources.
Pay your tuition fees for the first semester if you can.

What you should Bring

Documents
- A valid passport
- Your Student Visa, and I-20 Form
- Your letter of admission to ISU
- Certified copies of your academic qualifications, English proficiency and if you are applying for credit for previous study - details of course description
- Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself (and your immediate family if they are traveling with) during your study, for example a scholarship offer or bank statement
- Some form of identification such as driver’s license, certified copies of your birth certificate or ID card
- Important telephone numbers including IPS (812) 237-2440
- Optical and medical prescriptions
- Immunization records with an English translation.
Pack a change of clothes in your hand-luggage
Clothing and personal items
You will need to bring (or purchase on arrival) bed sheets and pillowcases.
Money and financial arrangements
- Bring enough funds to cover initial expenses, such as accommodation (rent, utilities, and furnishings), study materials, personal effects, food and transport. You will probably need at least $200 in cash if you need to take a taxi or make a phone call, or buy food at the airport. Bring your in form of travelers’ checks. If you have foreign currency, there exchange facilities at the Indianapolis airport but not at Terre Haute.
- Automatic Teller Machines are readily available and accept major international credit cards.
- We suggest you open an account at either the on-campus bank or at a bank close to your accommodation after you arrive. International credit cards, such as MasterCard, Visa and American Express, are accepted in the USA but it can take up to two weeks to clear an overseas bank draft

Arrival

The IPS wants to ensure that your arrival at ISU is both safe and comfortable. The following information is provided to help in this regard. If you are a new student, we strongly recommend that you make all your housing and airport pickup arrangements before you arrive.

Transportation from Airport to ISU

The nearest passenger airport to Terre Haute is Indianapolis International Airport in Indianapolis, Indiana. This about a one-hour drive from Terre Haute. Driving directions to Terre Haute from the Indianapolis Airport can be found at: MapQuest link (Note – Chicago O’Hare International Airport is approximately 3 ½ hours from Terre Haute; because of this distance, the IPS is unable to provide airport pickup services for those new students arriving in Chicago. Please plan to make Indianapolis your final destination if you are in need of airport pickup services).

If you are a new student, the IPS provides limited airport pickup services before new student orientation of each semester. New students will be contacted by email before the beginning of each semester regarding the dates and details of these pickups. Some International Student Association (ISA) at ISU also provide limited airport pickup to new students. For information on these pickups, look on the appropriate ISA website or contact the ISA representative. The IPS can also assist in communicating with each ISA. All airport pickup arrangements must be made before arriving at the airport.

Unfortunately, the IPS and ISAs are unable to pickup all new students due to the large number of students. In some cases, new students will be responsible for transportation to the university. Some of these options are:

At the Indianapolis Airport, you can take a taxi to Terre Haute. The cost of this taxi ride is approximately $120 to $140. For information on taxi service from the Indianapolis International Airport to Terre Haute, please visit yellow page link: http://www.yellowpages.com/Indianapolis-IN/Taxis?from=ip5indtlod_taxis_taxi+in

Greyhound Bus Lines also provides bus service between Indianapolis and Terre Haute; however, if you are a new student arriving with much luggage, taking this bus may not be convenient.

Arrival at the ISU Campus

A map of the ISU campus can be found at: http://www.indstate.edu/campusmap/

If you are arriving during normal operating hours for ISU (Monday-Friday, 8:00 – 4:30 p.m.) and have a housing reservation, we suggest you first check in at the Residential Life office.

If you arriving after normal operating hours, ISU does have several temporary guest rooms available in the residence halls. Information about the location of these halls will be provided to new students by the IPS before the beginning of each semester. Residential Life can also provide this information. A reservation for these guest rooms is not required but it is recommended.

Once you made housing arrangements, please report to the IPS office (Rhoads Hall Mezzanine) as soon as possible.

Contact

PRE-DEPARTURE

Pre-departure

Arrival