International Student Orientation

• 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 109
  • 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 109
  • 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 take the ACCUPLACER test can do so at this time.

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

• Immigration and Cultural Adjustment (mandatory)
  • Location: IRC 109
  • 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.

• Banking
  • Location: IRC 109
  • Meet with representatives of PNC bank to open an account

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 at the Rock Cafe

1:00 P.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• More important information sessions for international students:
  • Flywire demonstration (international wire transfer system for tuition payment)
  • Open office hours with International Office Staff

3:00 P.m. – 6:00 p.m.

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

Free day - University Activities

Free Day - Get settled in your housing, walk around campus, rest up, and prepare for classes to start.

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.