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.
Dead Line for applications: March for fall semester (August start date) or October for spring semester (January start date.)
Your application materials will be processed as soon as possible after we receive them. You may fax or scan 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.
While you are waiting for your papers, take some time to learn more about Minnesota State Mankato; about your orientation to MSU; about Minnesota and about Mankato.
The link above is to our academic calendar for 2009-10. Please pay close attention to begin dates. All International Students are required to attend orientation before classes begin.
Please plan to arrive one to two days early to get settled in your dorm room or apartment.
The following forms are for incoming exchange (visiting) students (not degree seeking students). They should be sent to the Kearney International Center in March for fall semester (August start date) or in October for spring semester (January start date.)
Open the forms, fill them out on your computer, save and email them to the address provided or print them off and mail them. It is important for your visa papers that we have your full name spelled correctly as it appears on your passport. Your application may be faxed to us, scanned and emailed to the MSU Mankato Kearney International Center and the originals should be sent via regular post to the address below.
Kearney International Center
Fax number is: + 507-389-2790
Send scanned copies to: ipo@mnsu.edu
Mail original copies to:
Director of International Programs
Kearney International Center - CSU 250
Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato MN 56001 USA
Application Check Sheet (The Application Check Sheet is an official part of your application)
Course Selection List Please fill this form out for your tentative course selections. You should expect to enroll for 12-18 U.S. credits per semester. Pay attention to which semester (fall or spring) that courses are offered. Most classes are 3 or 4 credits which equals 3-4 classes per semester. If you take more than 18 credits you will be required to pay the extra tuition. We do not recommend taking more than 15 -16 credits. Other students who have come on exchange are dismayed at the amount of work that is required for each class.
When looking at classes that you would like to take, be sure to look at prerequisites that you need for a course. If you have not taken courses equivalent to the prerequisite course, you will not be able to enroll in the higher level class.
After we receive your completed application, please allow up to two months for processing. Specifically:
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.
You have two options for housing in Mankato - in the campus dormitories (dorms) or in private apartments. Mankato private apartments usually require 12 month leases and contain no furniture so if you will only be here for one semester, we strongly recommend on-campus dorms.
On-Campus Dorms:
Reservations for the dorms can now be done on line, but ONLY after you have received your official acceptance letter including a tech number assigned. Then use the Residential Life link.
Payment Options:
Off-Campus Private Apartments
Exchange students staying for the year may be intersted in renting an apartment. The Summit offers apartments which are furnished with basic furniture.
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 MSU 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.
There are fees that you may accumulate while you are attending MSU that are not covered by the agreements between your home college and MSU for example Tech fee for business studetns, health services fees, library and parking fines, lab course fees, art course fees.
These fees may be paid with your credit card. 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.
There is also a Wells Fargo bank on campus where you can open an account during orientation. You will find that helps keep your ATM transaction fees to a minimum.
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.
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.
