International Student Orientation

Welcome to all of the new international students joining Ferris State University for the Spring 2025 semester! We can't wait to meet you in person. We know that you are going to love our campus, meeting new friends, and attending fascinating classes. There are online tasks to complete before you travel and an on-campus orientation upon arrival. Please start reviewing and completing the checklist below. At any time, you can connect with us by email, WhatsApp, or Zoom (links at the bottom of the page) to ask questions and to stay connected to Ferris staff and other incoming students.

International Orientation Schedule

Schedule as of December 2024 and is subject to change. For any questions or concerns contact: [email protected]

January 7th - 8th

Thursday, January 9th

9:30 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

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

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Welcome to Ferris State University Presentation (mandatory)
- Location: IRC 122
- Introduction to Office of International Education Staff. Overview of orientation schedule.

11:00 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 122

1:00 p.m. – 6:00 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 take the ACCUPLACER test can do so at this time.

Friday , January 10th

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Accuplacer testing for students who need it.

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Immigration and Cultural Adjustment (mandatory)
- Location: IRC 137
- 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.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Ice Breakers and Activities

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Morning Session: important topics for international students
- Admission and Tuition
- Health Insurance
- Driver’s license
- Student employment

12:00 P.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:00 P.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Open office hours with International Office Staff

2:00 P.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Move-in and Shopping Continues: Meet at the International Student Lounge to take shuttles for additional shopping.

Saturday, January 11th

Sunday, January 12th

Monday, January 13th

Academic Prep

Ferris360
Complete the Online New Student Orientation so an academic advisor can contact you.
Meet with your academic advisor and register for classes.
Complete ACCUPLACER testing if required (you will be notified by the admissions staff).
Prepare to mail or bring official copies of final transcripts and exit exam scores.
Coordinate with the admissions staff to finalize transfer credit processing if applicable.
Explore required textbooks for classes you have scheduled
Visit the Ferris Online Bookstore as one option for ordering textbooks.

Visa and Immigration Process

Send required bank statements/financial documents to receive an I-20 immigration document, which is required to apply for an F-1 student visa.
Pay the required SEVIS Fee.
Complete the visa application process for an F-1 student visa.
Schedule a visa appointment at your local embassy/consulate.
Prepare a folder of necessary documents to take to the visa interview (passport, I-20, admission letter, bank statement/financial documents, scholarship letter if applicable).
Notify the Office of International Education when you receive your visa.

Life on Campus

Make on-campus housing arrangements through the MyHousing portal. If you are under the age of 19, you will be required to sign up for housing BEFORE you can register for classes.
Select an on-campus meal plan through the MyHousing portal.
Review the international student health insurance requirement and policy information.
Estimate your cost of attendance (before scholarships are applied) using the cost estimate calculator.
Explore payment options and deadlines and prepare payment methods.
Explore the interactive campus tour and map.

Arrival and Transportation

Arrange your flight and travel plans according to the suggested dates of arrival in your admission letter and International Student Orientation Schedule, arriving in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Details below
Submit your travel plans and schedule an airport pickup on the Incoming International Student Travel Confirmation Form.

International Student Orientation (on-campus)

We are planning to host on-campus orientation for new students arriving to the US for the Fall 2024 semester. On-campus International Orientation begins Wednesday, August 21st (classes begin August 26th). New international students who need to be picked up from the Grand Rapids airport and transported to Ferris State University can schedule their pickup at the the Incoming International Student Travel Confirmation Form.

By the first week of class, all international students should have made a tuition/housing payment. Please refer to your payment plan and eBill on Ferris360. Ferris State University uses Flywire to easily make payments/bank transfers from your home country. Learn how to use Flywire here.

Connections and questions during orientation

You can always send an email to [email protected]
Admitted students will receive a link to join a WhatsApp group closer to the semester starting date.
All admitted students are required to make a Zoom meeting with Jacob van Laar. If you haven't already, schedule that here.
Need help navigating the Ferris360 to sign a housing contract, choose a meal plan, or a payment plan? Schedule an appointment here.

Ferris International Festival of Cultures