Pre-Arrival Information
(please click each link for more information)Arriving at WKU
Tuition & Fees
Health Insurance
Facebook Group
Additional Expenses
Housing
Advice from Previous International Students
On-Campus Employment
Climate & Packing
Check In / Orientation
Arriving to the U.S.A.
MASTER Plan
If you are one of our newly admitted students and you are still in your home country…
You can enter the United States 30 days before the Program Start Date listed on your I-20. The next Program Start Date is listed as August 20, 2008. This means that the earliest you can legally enter the United States is July 21, 2008.
If you are transferring to WKU, either from an ESLI institute or another university in the United States…
If you are transferring from the ESLI program at WKU and you are a May graduate, you may pick up your transfer I-20 at International Student & Scholar Services if you have not already done so.
If you are transferring from the ESLI program at WKU and you are an August graduate, you may come to International Student & Scholar Services on Friday, August 15, 2008 to pick up your transfer I-20.
For other transfer students, you can come into International Student & Scholar Services any weekday from July 21- August 18, 2008 or on August 22 to get your transfer I-20.
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Do NOT purchase health insurance for your studies in the United States. All of Western Kentucky University’s international students are automatically enrolled in Academic Health Plans insurance and it will appear on your university bill. The cost of your health insurance is included in the amount shown on your I-20. Please do not purchase health insurance in your home country.
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Most university students in the United States use Facebook, a social networking website. We have started a Facebook group especially for you, WKU Fall 2008 New International Students. This group provides an opportunity for you to see pictures of campus, ask questions, meet other students who are starting at WKU this August, and who knows—maybe you can even find someone to share a ride from the airport to campus with you! Several members of the ISSS staff are already on Facebook, and we will be there to answer your questions. Joining is completely free and only requires that you set up an account at www.facebook.com. Once you are a member of Facebook, you can join our group and start making new friends!
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Books, Meals, & Personal Expenses
On an average, textbooks cost approximately $15- $30 per credit hour. More information about textbooks can be found at: http://www.wku.edu/Info/Bookstore/
On campus meal plans range from $925 - $1240. Meal plans are required for any undergraduate freshman who is required to live on-campus. Additionally, meal plans are the most economical way for students to eat on campus. There are over 20 places on WKU’s campus to get food, check out WKU Dining for all the meal plan options and dining locations on campus.
It is important to budget personal and travel expenses based on your individual spending habits. Students and scholars who wish to bring a spouse and/or child(ren) with them will be required to show an additional $5,000 for the dependent and an extra $3,000 for each additional dependent.
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The Making Academic and Social Transitions Educationally Rewarding Plan is designed for first year undergraduate students. Participants of M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan indicate a higher level of success with their overall experience at Western Kentucky University. Participants have the chance to meet the University President, faculty and staff, and other first year students. Students who participate in the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan have the opportunity to move into their fall housing assignments early and the chance to receive daily prizes. For more information on the M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, please visit Master Plan .
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Western Kentucky University international students who are in the U.S.A. on an F-1 Visa have the option to work at on-campus jobs. Work permission for those on an F-1 Visa is limited to only on-campus jobs for at least the first year of studies. When school is in session, you can only work a maximum of 20 hours each week. During winter or summer break, you will be allowed to work a maximum of 40 hours each week at your on-campus job (if not enrolled in a course during the break). Once you have found a job, it is important to remember that you cannot start working until you are registered for classes.
Fall 2008 students can legally enter the United States on July 21, 2008. Some of our previous students recommend arriving around this time, even though it is weeks before the check-in and orientation, in order to give yourself time to find on-campus employment. If you do find a job before orientation, it is important to remember that you cannot begin working until you are registered for classes, but at least you can go ahead and secure a job offer.
Please follow these tips to increase your chances at finding a job quickly.
Job Search Rule 1:
Once you have applied for a job in a workplace, you may wish to check back with that workplace frequently to see if they have a job for you yet. DON’T!
Do not check back with a potential employer for job openings more than once in a week unless someone in the office instructs you to do so.
Job Search Rule 2:
Once the people in an office or workplace tell you “no” twice, do not go back to that workplace seeking employment again. They will get in touch with you if there is a job opening for which they would like to hire you at a future date.
Some Americans find it difficult to say “no”- especially if they like you. If they do not have a job for you and have to say “no” more than twice, some people may become upset or annoyed.
Job Search Rule 3:
Do not list a person as a “reference” without their permission. On the job application, you may be asked to list several “references.” These are people who know you personally, or have worked with you. A potential employer may call these people to ask questions about your “work ethic.”
Do not list a person as a reference on a job application unless they have agreed to serve as one. Many people may like what they know of you, but may not know your work style well enough to answer these questions.
Job Search Rule 4:
In the United States, the person who works in secretarial roles (often times called “Office Associates” on campus) usually plays an extremely important role in the office and also the hiring process. This will be the person you are in contact with first and most often. Make a good impression and trust the guidance of this individual. The Office Associate may be your ticket to success when job hunting on campus.
Several semesters ago, there were so many new international students repeatedly seeking jobs in the same office on campus that some office staff complained to the university administration. One solution to the problem that was considered was prohibiting new international students from working their first semester at WKU.
Please observe the four rules above so that the university will not consider this solution again!
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Local residents say if you do not like the weather here today, just wait until tomorrow, because it will change. Bowling Green sees a constant flux of temperatures and weather patterns and we experience four seasons a year.
You will arrive in Bowling Green during the summer months and the temperature will be at its warmest. Summer is full of long days with hot and humid weather. Summertime thunderstorms are possible almost any day, so you will want to bring an umbrella or purchase one here. The weather will start to cool down around October and winter begins in December. During the winter, days are short and blustery and you will need a heavy coat. Bowling Green gets an average of five inches (127 mm) of snowfall each winter. The weather will start to warm up again around April.
The website below represents the monthly averages of temperature in Bowling Green. The website also has an option that will automatically convert the temperature to the Metric system.
Weather.com
Packing
Packing for your time in the United States can be overwhelming so we wanted to provide a few tips on what to bring with you. For classes, dress is very casual. During the warmer months, students wear t-shirts, jeans, or even shorts to class. Most WKU students wear jeans, khaki pants, sweaters and sweatshirts to class during the colder months.
We also recommend that you bring things that are important to you that you will not be able to buy in Bowling Green. For example, even though Bowling Green has a sampling of international food markets, some students find spices that they enjoy in their foods at home are nearly impossible to find in Bowling Green.
Also, you will be making friends from all around the United States and the world while studying at WKU. Bringing a few small gifts that are unique to your country or part of the world is a good idea.
Once you make it to the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration has a lot of security measures that you must abide by. Before packing, review the following website for the regulations on what you can carry-on and bring into the United States.
In particular, we would like to point your attention to the restrictions on carrying liquids and gels on the plane with you. Please review these rules here: http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm
New International Student Check-In
On August 19, you will need to come to the Office of International Programs on WKU's campus between 8 AM - 4:00 PM for the new student check-in. This is an important step that is required to keep your F-1 visa status valid. You will need to bring with you your I-20, passport, visa, and I-94 card (you will get this card on the plane ride to the U.S.A.). Our staff will make copies of these documents and give you important information for the next day's orientation. This process
should take around 30 minutes.
New International Student Orientation
On August 20, you must come to the new international student orientation. The orientation will begin in the Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium at 12 Noon on WKU's campus. On this day, you will be getting vital information on how to be a successful WKU student, how to get registered for classes, and how to maintain your F-1 student status. After the orientation, we will be walking together to President Gary Ransdell's house for a special picnic that he is hosting for all new international students! Plan on being at the new international student orientation and the President's picnic from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Wednesday, August 20.
Academic Transitions Program (ATP)
All first-time WKU undergraduate students are required to go to the Academic Transitions Program (ATP). ATP is a full day orientation to WKU where you meet your academic adviser and register for classes. By the end of the day, you have your class schedule in hand. There is a $45 fee for ATP. This is a separate orientation from the new international student orientation that will happen on August 20, 2008 and new undergraduates are required to go to both. Students find that signing up for earlier ATPs are more advantageous because it allows them a better selection of classes. Visit Orientation to register online for the ATP that will work best for you.
Graduate Student Orientations
Many graduate departments have their own departmental orientations during the week before classes begin. These small, private orientations allow graduate students to get to know their peers, professors, and academic advisers. The departmental orientation also allows graduate students a chance to become familiar with the requirements it takes to graduate from their Master’s program. The times and dates for these departmental orientations will be available when you check-in at International Student & Scholar Services on August 19, 2008.
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Additional Advice from Previous International Students
- When you arrive in the U.S.A., carts will be available to rent in the airports to help you cart your luggage. Also, drinks and snacks are often sold out of machines. To get any of these things, though, you will need some American quarters. If possible, have several American quarters in your pocket when you arrive in the U.S.A.
- Textbooks can be expensive. Textbooks and classroom supplies average approximately $15 - 30 per credit hour, however, the materials needed for class often vary depending on the professor and/or your major.
- Although WKU offers public transportation, several students recommend the need for a car in order to get around outside of Bowling Green. Once you are settled at WKU and you decide you would like to get your driver’s license the information you will need is available at International Student & Scholar Services.
- There are quite a few computer labs located on campus but they are not available 24 hours a day and often become crowded. For these reasons, some of our students recommend the need for a personal computer or laptop. Laptops can be used all over campus by connecting to WKU’s wireless internet connection.
- There are several international food stores located in Bowling Green and in surrounding cities. Shopping at these stores after you arrive at WKU could eliminate some items from your suitcase.
International Food Store
1901 Russellville Rd., Bowling Green, KY 42101 (270) 796-9391
Bangkok Grocery (Asian foods)
1701 US Highway 31-W Bypass, Bowling Green, KY 42101 (270) 796-9190
International Supermarket (Oriental, Indian, Arabic, some African foods)
847 Broadway Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101 (270) 393-0003
Kacee African Food Market
1777 Holly St., Bowling Green, KY 42101 No Phone Number Available
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What to Expect on the Plane Ride
Long plane rides can cause dehydration and fatigue. The following tips can help you feel your best upon arrival.
▪ Drink lots of water. An hour or so before landing, ask the steward for a glass of water.
▪ Get up and walk around to stretch your legs. Also try some stretches from your seat in order to
ward off tension that can build up over long flights.
While on the plane you will be given an important document to fill out called the I-94 card. Please fill out your name on this card EXACTLY as it appears on your WKU I-20. When you received your I-20 in the mail, we also included a green sheet of paper with an example of the I-94 card. Make sure to carry this sheet of paper with your passport, visa, and I-20 onto the plane. It will serve as a guide while you fill out the I-94 card.
For Your Plane Ride to the U.S.A.
What to Expect Upon Arriving in the U.S.A.
Once you get off the plane, you will meet a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official. You will present your signed I-20, your valid passport, valid visa, and the completed I-94 card. The DHS official will staple your I-94 card with the rest of your documents. DO NOT LOSE THE I-94 CARD. The official will stamp your documents. Please make sure the stamp on your I-94 card includes: “D/S F-1.” Once you have your documents stamped, you are officially in the U.S.A. Welcome!!
Transportation to WKU
Please remember that if you need the shuttle to WKU from the Nashville Airport, you need to make a reservation in advance. They will need the following information from you: Airline name, flight number, contact phone number and the date and time of your arrival. Also, make sure you tell them you are a WKU student. The student cost is $65.00 one way.
Airport Shuttle of Bowling Green
Phone toll free from within the U.S.A. 1-866-234-8705 or call 270-781-4321, email reservations@bgshuttle.com, or make a reservation on the web at Bowling Green Shuttle.
Once you arrive in Bowling Green, you may need to hire a taxi to take you around town.
Yellow Cab Bowling Green: Phone: (270) 843-3232
As another option, the city of Bowling Green has a public bus system called the GO Bus. Information on the routes and schedules can be found at The GO Bus .