Welcome to Minnesota State University, Mankato!

NOTE: This page is exclusively for international students who will be attending MSU from the following institutions

• Australia -- UNISA-University of South Australia (Adelaide, Australia)
• Austria -- IMC Fachhochscule (Krems, Austria )
• Finland -- Haaga-Helia University Applied Sciences (Helsinki, )
• Finland -- Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia (Social Work Exchange in Helsinki, Finland)
• France -- Groupe ESC - IFI (Rouen, France)
• Germany -- Friedrich Alexander University (Erlangen/Nuremberg, Germany)
• Ghana --  KNUST Kwame Nkrumah Univ. of Science and Technology,( Kumasi, Ghana)
• Mexico -- Tec de Monterrey - Irapuato (Irapuato,Mexico )
• Netherlands -- Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen (Arnhem, The Netherlands)
• Norway -- Telemark University College (Telemark Norway)
• Sweden -- Dalarna University College (Dalarna, Sweden)
• Sweden -- Högskolan i Borås (Borås, Sweden)
• Sweden -- Högskolan i Halmstad (Halmstad, Sweden)

Information about the required orientation on August 19, 20 and 21, 2008 can be found at this site.  After hours phone number--507-995-8687

Congratulations on your selection to participate in the exchange program! The International Center (IC) looks forward to having you with us next semester and we are prepared to help you in any way we can. 

Your application materials will be processed as soon as possible after we receive them. You may fax a copy to begin the process more quickly. Mail the original to our contact address. We will send your final acceptance packet to your permanent home address. The packet will include visa request documents, DS-2019, and orientation information. While waiting for these documents, please begin making your travel arrangements and verifying and collecting the required documents to study in the United States.

Visa Information

You will want to be prepared for your appointment with the U.S. Embassy in your home country for your visa interview. Here is a link to the U.S. State Department with information about the whole visa process including the wait times you can expect.

The consular interview is an important step in the process of receiving a visa. Often, the initial impression a consular interviewer receives from you is critical to your success. Reviewing the tips provided below may help you during your consular interview.

• Keep your answers concise. Be honest in everything you write on your visa application and say during the interview. Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in English. Do not bring other people to speak on your behalf.
• Be able to explain the reasons you want to study in the U.S. and remember that your main reason for coming to the United States is to study, not to work.
• If your spouse and children are remaining behind in your home country, be prepared to explain how they will support themselves in your absence. If they are accompanying you to the U.S., what are the financial arrangements?
• As a temporary visitor you may be questioned about your intention to return your home country after completing your studies. You should be ready to provide evidence that you do not intend to emigrate to the U.S. and that you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies.  Examples of evidence include proof that you or your parents own an apartment or house, a bank account, a voter registration card.
• If you are denied the visa, ask the officer for a list of documents he or she would suggest you bring the next time you apply, and try to get the reason you were denied in writing. Maintain a positive attitude! Do not engage the consular officer in an argument.

International students should apply for the visa in their home country, unless circumstances or travel plans make this impossible. If the student applies in a third country, the application may take more time and be reviewed more critically than if it was applied for at home. The U.S. Department of State maintains an authoritative website on the visa application process and should be studied carefully. The information below provides a brief summary.

Required Documents for Obtaining a Visa

1. Complete visa application form and pay visa fees.
2. Receipt for payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee if applicable.
   » More information on SEVIS fees
3. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the U.S.
4. You will need a 2" x 2" photograph.
5. Form I-20 or DS-2019 for the school or program you wish to attend.
6. Financial evidence detailing source and amount of funding.
   Consular and immigration officers exercise considerable discretion in determining whether financial support exists and is sufficient to cover your entire period of stay. Prepare documentation that is thorough, consistent, credible and varied.
7. Official academic transcripts, confirmation of enrollment, and proof of English language proficiency may also be requested.
8. Evidence of continuing ties to your home country (i.e. family, career, or property)
   Visa applicants are presumed to be "intending immigrants." Your visa will be denied unless you satisfy the consular officer that you will return home. Unfortunately, there is no single explanation, document, or letter than can guarantee visa issuance.

Tips for Obtaining a Visa

• Apply for the visa in a timely manner. Consult the embassy or consulate where you will apply to see their wait times at www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php
• If students are denied the visa, they should ask the visa officer the reason for their denial and then consult with an international adviser in OISS.

More Information

• Temporary Visitors to the U.S.
• SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions

About Visas

• What is a Visa?
• Visa Wait Times
• Applying for Visa Renewal

While you are waiting for your papers, take some time to learn more about Minnesota State Mankato here; about your orientation to MSU here about Minnesota here and about Mankato here and  here.

The following link is to our academic calendar for 2008-09 please pay close attention to begin dates.  All International Students are required to attend orientation the week before classes begin.  Academic Calendar for 2008/09

Reservations for on campus housing

in the dorms can now be done on line. Click on the following link after you have been officially accepted at MSU and have a tech number assigned to you. Your credit card must be a VISA or Mastercard from an American bank. When the form asks for an address, just use your home address, even though the form says US address. If you can fill out three of the four pages of the reservation form your room will be reserved. You can mail your payment using a money order. 
Residential Life

 Apartment Housing

Year long exchange students may be intersted in renting an apartment. Most apartments come unfurnished which makes the residnece halls/dorm rooms much more convienent for students staying a short time. The Summit offers apartments which are furnished with basic furniture.

Attention Business Students

Any fees that you may encounter while you are attending MSU and there are a some that are not covered by the agreements between your home college and MSU, may be paid with your credit card. There is a bank, Twin City Federal, “TCF” on campus where you can open an account when you are here for orientation. You will find that helps keep your ATM transaction fees to a minimum.  All fees must be paid by the end of the semester. If there is an outstanding balance on your account, your MSU transcript will not be sent to your home university until the bill is settled.

Business students are required to have a laptop computer for Business classes. Exchange students may use laptops on loan from the College of Business. You will be assisted during orientation with borrowing these. If you have your own laptop and are planning to bring it, you still might like to leave your personal computer in your dorm room and carry the loaner with you on campus. Accidents can happen and using a loaned computer may save your personal one from damage. All business students are required to pay a “Laptop Fee” of $125.

What does the $125 program fee cover?
The $125 program fee covers software site licenses for SPSS, Microsoft products, Mergent Online, Compustat, CRSP, Euromonitor, ABI Inform, & Business Source Premier, Wall Street Journal online access, Financial Times online access, Business Week online, access to COB printers with unlimited printing, 30 student laptop loaners for students whose laptops need repair work, premium on-campus technical support, and classroom infrastructure support.

Application Forms

The following forms are for incoming exchange (visiting) students. They should arrive at the Kearney International Center e in March for fall semester (August start date) or in October for spring semester (January start date.) When completing the forms please print or type clearly in dark ink. It is important for your visa papers that we have your full name spelled correctly as it appears on your passport.   Tour application may be faxed to us, scanned and emailed to the MSU Mankato International Center or theymay sent via regular post to the address below.

Kearney International Center
Fax number is: + 507-389-2790
Send scanned copies to: Margaret.Larson@mnsu.edu

Mail original copies to:
Margaret Larson,
Kearney International Center,
Minnesota State University Mankato,
CSU 250,
Mankato MN 56001
USA

• [PDF] Application Check Sheet (10 KiB)
• [PDF] Exchange Student Application (18 KiB)
• [PDF] Statement of Understanding (13 KiB)
• [PDF] Access to Records (8 KiB)
• [PDF] Immunization Record (16 KiB)

• Normally papers sent to Europe will be delivered in a week sent by regular mail, If you would like your DS-2019 form and information about the required orientation sent to you via FedEx or DHL follow the directions below.

  The International Center uses an express mail service that will allow you to receive your DS-2019 through DHL or FedEx.  Requesting your immigration documents through express mail is at YOUR expense.  Your credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover cards only) will be charged upon requesting the service. There is a 15 - 30% discount on shipping by using this service, as opposed to going directly through DHL or FedEx. This discount varies by country. To request express mailing of your documents, go to the following website (works best with Internet Explorer & Mozilla Firefox browsers).
  
  https://study.eshipglobal.com
  
  You must use the website provided above – do not go through the DHL or FedEx website directly, all communication will go through the eshipglobal service, who will notify us that you are requesting your I-20 to be sent by express mail.
  
  If you use this service, you will be required to create a user name and password  to set up an account. To request shipment, you will need your MSU Mankato Tech ID number (8 digit number that is at the bottom of your admissions letter), mailing address, e-mail address, phone number and credit card information. You may request shipment either to your foreign address, or to a U.S. contact address. If your I-20 will be sent to a U.S. contact address, please include the name of the person who lives at that address. Please pay close attention to the information submitted, as errors in the credit card information or submitting incorrect or incomplete address information will result in a delay in the mailing of your I-20. If you experience any difficulty in registering and processing the shipment, please use the “Help” link in the site for step by step instructions. If you have additional questions about how to use this service, please e-mail support@eshipglobal.com.