International Student Orientation: Fall 2023

• Shuttle Service: 10 a.m., 3 p.m., and 10 p.m.
  • Please visit our orientation webpage to submit your travel arrangements and visa confirmation.
• Student Shuttle Services Students will be picked up by Office of International Education Student Assistants at the Information Desk at the Grand Rapids airport, bus station or train station and be taken to a hotel in Big Rapids.
  • Please remember that you must let our office know your arrival information as soon as possible.
  • Shuttles will be scheduled during designated times. However, due to the challenges of COVID-19, we realize there are visa delays and limited flight options, so we will provide shuttle services when needed.
  • A block of rooms have been reserved at Quality Inn & Suites, just a few minutes walking distance from campus. Call 231.592.5150 to reserve a room (email [email protected]). The room includes breakfast in the morning. If you want a roommate, Quality Inn may be able to assign you a roommate if one is available when you check-in.

• Shuttle Service: 10 a.m., 3 p.m., and 10 p.m.
  • Please visit our orientation webpage to submit your travel arrangements and visa confirmation.
• Student Shuttle Services Students will be picked up by Office of International Education Student Assistants at the Information Desk at the Grand Rapids airport, bus station or train station and be taken to a hotel in Big Rapids.
  • Please remember that you must let our office know your arrival information as soon as possible.
  • Shuttles will be scheduled during designated times. However, due to the challenges of COVID-19, we realize there are visa delays and limited flight options, so we will provide shuttle services when needed.
  • A block of rooms have been reserved at Quality Inn & Suites, just a few minutes walking distance from campus. Call 231.592.5150 to reserve a room (email [email protected]). The room includes breakfast in the morning. If you want a roommate, Quality Inn may be able to assign you a roommate if one is available when you check-in.

• Shuttle Service: 10 a.m., 3 p.m., and 10 p.m.
  • Please visit our orientation webpage to submit your travel arrangements and visa confirmation.
• Student Shuttle Services Students will be picked up by Office of International Education Student Assistants at the Information Desk at the Grand Rapids airport, bus station or train station and be taken to a hotel in Big Rapids.
  • Please remember that you must let our office know your arrival information as soon as possible.
  • Shuttles will be scheduled during designated times. However, due to the challenges of COVID-19, we realize there are visa delays and limited flight options, so we will provide shuttle services when needed.
  • A block of rooms have been reserved at Quality Inn & Suites, just a few minutes walking distance from campus. Call 231.592.5150 to reserve a room (email [email protected]). The room includes breakfast in the morning. If you want a roommate, Quality Inn may be able to assign you a roommate if one is available when you check-in.

8:30 a.m.

• Shuttle Pick Up from The Quality Inn & Suites or students are expected to arrive independently to Interdisciplinary Resource Center (IRC) room 134
  • Meet in the lobby of the hotel 
• Check out of the hotel before pick up
• You can leave your bags at the hotel to be picked up at the time of move-in

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

• Student Check-In (mandatory)
  • Location: Interdisciplinary Resource Center (IRC Connector)
  • Please arrive on time with a copy of your passport and I-20.

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

• Welcome to Ferris State University Presentation (mandatory)
  • Location: IRC 115
  • Introduction to Office of International Education Staff. Overview of orientation schedule.

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Student ID Cards (and Starbucks)
  • David L. Eisler Center 
  • We will walk together to the University Center, tour campus, get student IDs, and coffee
  • Return to IRC building

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Lunch at the IRC
  • Location: IRC 115
  • Sandwiches from Jimmy John’s provided

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

• Move-In begins (all day shuttles, students may join when finished with activities)
  
  • Move into your on-campus residence hall or off campus apartment. Shuttles will be available to assist you with moving luggage from Quality Inn to your residence hall or apartment (Big Rapids area only).
  • Students should all have signed up for housing before arrival. If not, they can go directly to the housing office.
•  Shopping Shuttles
  • Take our free shuttles to stores in Big Rapids to purchase food, clothing, or household items you may need.
  • The shuttles will run a circuit between the hotel, dormitories, and shops.

*students needing to schedule a banking appointment can let staff know at the beginning of the day.

*students needing to take the ACCUPLACER test can do so at this time.

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

• Immigration and Cultural Adjustment (mandatory)
  • Location: IRC 115
  • Bring your immigration documents. This session is very important.
  • We will teach you about U.S. immigration laws and talk about how to get a driver’s license and social security number. We teach you how to understand and cope with adjusting to life in a new country, including academic (teaching and learning) culture.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 P.m.

• Banking
  • Location: IRC 115
  • Meet with representatives of PNC bank to open an account

12:00 P.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• Lunch

1:00 P.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Move-in and Shopping Continues

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

• Morning Session

  • Location: IRC 115

  • Jacob, Valerie, and Gracie will go over important topics for international students:

    • Admission and Tuition
    • Health Insurance
    • Driver’s license
    • Banking
    • Student employment

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Lunch at The Rock Provided

1:00 P.m. - 3:00 P.m.

• Afternoon Session

  • More important information sessions for international students:

    • Flywire demonstration (international wire transfer system for tuition payment)
    • Complete and submit a student job application
    • Open office hours with International Office Staff

• Free Day
  • University Activities

1:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.

• • International Student Picnic at Northend Park

    Shuttles will be available from the IRC/dormitories. Join new and current international students for food and fun and games. Do not miss this event!

    For new and current students – by invitation only

• Classes Begin
  • If you are taking any online classes, log into Canvas through MyFSU to read the course syllabus, check due dates for readings and assignments, and to find contact information for your professor if you have any questions about what to do next.
• Campus Guidance
  • Need help finding your classes? Make your first stop the Office of International Education for assistance.