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Welcome to Dickinson State University
Pre-Departure information
You have been accepted to attend Dickinson State University. Now what?
Examine your acceptance letter and I-20 for accuracy.
Please make special care to examine the following:
Spelling of your Family and First names
Date of Birth
Gender (Male or Female)
Program Start Date
Country of Birth
Country of Citizenship
If you notice any typographical errors, please notify the Center for Multicultural Affairs immediately. |
Apply for your student visa. International students intending to travel to the U.S. for the purpose of education will need a student visa. This important document can be obtained through the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. (While visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office abroad, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanence.) As part of the visa application process, an interview with the embassy consular section is required for visa applicants and an ink-free fingerprint scan will be taken. For more information about the visa application process and to obtain the proper forms and pay the appropriate fees, please consult the U.S. State Department or visit their website at http://travel.state.gov/visa.
Required Documentation for F-1 Visa
Each applicant for a student visa must submit:
- SEVIS generated Form I-20 issued by Dickinson State University.
- A completed and signed application Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158. Some applicants will also be required to complete and sign a DS-157.
- A passport valid for travel to the United States. Your passport must have a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States.
- One photograph that is 2 inches by 2 inches (about 50cm square). The photograph must be a full-face view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly.
- A MRV fee receipt to show payment of the visa fee, a visa issuance fee if applicable, and a separate SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. For more information about the SEVIS I-901 fee, go to http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm.
- Acceptance letter from Dickinson State University along with all copies of transcripts, school records, diplomas and leaving certificates, and test scores such as TOEFL, ACT, or SAT.
- Documentation of financial resources. You must prove to the consular officer that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay in the United States. You must prove that there are funds in existence from an identified and reliable financial source. You must also demonstrate that adequate funds will be available for each subsequent year of study. Recommended documents include statement of account from your sponsor’s bank and any scholarship letters you receive from Dickinson State University or other sources.
Other Requirements
You must also establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that you have binding ties to a residence in your home country which you have no intention of abandoning, and that you will depart the United States when you have completed your studies.
IMPORTANT: If you are a transfer student (student already in the U.S.), you must notify Dickinson State University immediately of your status.
You have your visa. Now what?
Get Health and Immunization Records. Make an appointment to meet with a doctor or physician so that he/she can assist you in filling out the required Health Form. All students are required to provide Dickinson State University:
- a complete medical history
- documentation
- proof of required measles/mumps/rubella immunity
The completed Report of Medical History must be sent to:
Office of Enrollment Services
291 Campus Drive
Dickinson, North Dakota 58601 USA
Fax: +1.701.483.2409
Freedom from Tuberculosis. All students will be tested for tuberculosis upon arrival. The required test is free and performed by DSU’s Student Health Service. Any student found to have tuberculosis must seek immediate treatment and meet our requirements in order to continue their studies at Dickinson State University.
Health Insurance. Because of the high costs of medical care in the United States, all international students (except those from Canada and Norway) will be enrolled in a student medical insurance policy designated by the Higher Education Board of the State of North Dakota. Having health insurance will reduce the cost of medical care in the U.S. if you need to see a doctor or go to the hospital. The international health insurance fee is added to your student account and must be paid at the time of your enrollment. IMPORTANT: No exceptions are granted to students who have other medical insurance coverage.
Pre-register for courses. All new students must meet with an Academic Advisor in order to register for courses. Due to the long distance, international students can pre-register for courses by completing the Course Selection and Pre-Registration Form. Upon receipt of the completed form, students will be enrolled in courses that are most appropriate for their intended majors. Students can make changes to the schedule after they arrive on campus and meet face-to-face with their respective Academic Advisor. International Student Registration & Scheduling Request Form.
Make Financial Arrangements to Pay for Fees. All students are expected to pay fees when they register for courses. Fees are charged on a semester basis. The first half is due in August and the second half is due in January. Fees can be paid by bank wire, travelers’ checks, international money order, or by credit card. Students must pay their fees in order to remain in classes. Please refer to your I-20 for the estimated costs of attendance. Students are expected to purchase their own textbooks, which can cost up to $800 USD per academic year.
Calculate Spending Money. International students typically spend at least $100 their first full day in Dickinson buying items for their rooms such as pillows, linens, blankets, towels, toiletries, clothes hangers, etc. Other costs to consider include long distance and international telephone calls back home, school supplies, and personal expenses such as doing laundry, shopping, going to the movies and dining at restaurants. Most students prepare to spend $1,500.00 USD a year for personal expenses. Students will receive assistance with opening a U.S. bank account upon arrival. IMPORTANT: Banks in Dickinson do not exchange foreign currency, upon immediate requests. Students are encouraged to depart for the U.S. with at least $200 in American currency.
Make Travel Arrangements. The airport code for the Dickinson Airport is DIK and students can fly direct from Denver, Colorado (airport code DEN). Students can request that a representative from DSU meet them at the airport to bring them to the university. Please complete the online Airport Pick-Up Request Form or fax it to +1.701.483.2831.
IMPORTANT: If you do not receive an email confirmation from the Center for Multicultural Affairs 72 hours before you depart for the U.S., please contact us immediately.
Once in the United States, if you experience any flight delays, cancellations, or difficulties, please contact DSU at 1-800-279-4295. This is a free number that can only be used in the United States any day from 8:00 am to 10:00 p.m. If no one answers, please leave a detailed message with your name, location, and situation. Many times, we will not be able to call you back so tell us when you will call again. You can also email us at desiree.m.johnson@dickinsonstate.edu.
Please refer to the academic calendar to assist you with your roundtrip air ticket purchase.
Pack. You will experience four distinct seasons during your studies at Dickinson State University. Fall (August-November) temperatures range from 40 to 70 F. Winter (December- March) temperatures range from -30 to 40 F. Spring (April- June) temperatures range from 50 to 70 F. Summer (July- August) temperatures range from 70 to 100 F. You will experience rain and snow. Fortunately, winter clothing can be purchased in the U.S.
Residence halls are fully furnished but you must provide your own pillows, linens, blankets and towels. Many items can be purchased in the United States upon arrival. Remember to pack as lightly as possible and keep all important documents with you at all times. Packages can be sent to:
Student Name
Dickinson State University
291 Campus Drive
Dickinson, North Dakota 58601 USA
Phone Number: 1.701.483.2322
In addition to your clothing, bring any important documents that relate to your academic, medical, and legal history. We recommend carrying these items in your personal bag. It is especially important to bring original versions as well as English translations of the following:
- School Records
- Medical Records, including certificates of immunizations and vaccinations
- Information about medical conditions or treatments, prescriptions for medication and eyeglass or contact lenses
- Proof of Health/Accident Insurance
- International Driver’s License
- I-20 (Student Copy)
- Letter of Financial Support and Bank Statement (translated to English)
- Emergency Contact Information for Dickinson State University and from Home
Finally, don’t forget your international calling cards and bilingual dictionary!
Travel to the U.S. Because the United States is such a large country, the port of entry may vary. Examples of Ports of Entries include Minneapolis, Minnesota or Denver, Colorado. The port of entry is where you enter the U.S. for the first time from a foreign country. This is the airport where you will meet with U.S. Customs Officials and have your passport stamped. Have the following documents ready when you get in the line marked, Visitor:
- Passport and Visa
- Form I-20
- Acceptance letter from Dickinson State University
- Letter of Financial Support with Bank Statement
An official will staple the departure portion of the Form I-94 to your passport and stamp your I-20.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT REMOVE THE I-94 FOR ANY REASON AND MAKE SURE THAT THE OFFICIAL STAMPS YOUR I-20.
The official may also ask you questions about your stay in the U.S. and may ask to look through your luggage. After you go through the final exit, you will then check your bags for the final portion of your journey to the Dickinson Airport. If your luggage has not arrived, you can receive assistance from the Customs Office in the claims area or at the airline counter of the airline with which you traveled. The airline counter is located in the airport terminal, outside of the customs area.
Have a safe journey!
The Center for Multicultural Affairs is located on the third floor of May Hall. The Center is a place where the students from all over the world go to relax, have fun, and meet people from other countries and cultures.
We host nearly 400 international students on our campus, representing over 30 different countries each year. By attending Dickinson State University, you will be joining a student body comprised of some of the best and brightest in the world. We are extremely proud of the professional and personal accomplishments of our graduates and know that DSU can provide you with the opportunity to have an experience of a lifetime!
We are an institution that is strongly committed to helping students achieve their highest potential and strive to make your experience in the United States as pleasant and rewarding as possible.
The staff of the center is available to assist international students during their stay at Dickinson State University. Services include:
- Academic, F-1, and J-1 advising
- Assistance with opening a bank account
- Assistance with obtaining a government issued ID card
- Assistance with obtaining on-campus employment and internships
- Extended orientation program
- Social and cultural activities
- American Friendship and Host Families
- Weekly shopping trips
Our office is staffed by the following:
Ms. Thy (pronounced Tee) Yang
Director of Multicultural Affairs
Phone: 1.701.483.2589
Fax: 1.701.483.2831
Email: Thy.Yang@dickinsonstate.edu
Ms. Desiree Johnson, Administrative Secretary
Administrative Secretary
Phone: 1.701.483.2322
Fax: 1.701.483.2831
Email: Desiree.M.Johnson@dickinsonstate.edu
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welcome
VITA ‘ ME VAS!
bienvenidos
KOSH KELDINIZDER!
Sain baina uu
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