Pre-Arrival Information
You’re Accepted… Now What?
The following steps should be completed once the official acceptance email is sent to you from the ASU Global Education Office (GEO). Please refer to the application timeline to verify when to expect the acceptance email:
Activate Your MyASU Account and ASU Email
Your acceptance email will include your personal information needed to activate your MyASU account and set-up your ASU email. This will allow you to begin the course registration process.
Every person at ASU has an ASUrite user ID (for access to online services), an official ASU email account, and an affiliate ID number (for access to many other services). MyASU is your individual online ASU student portal for all ASU services, and the email account is the official address to which the university sends email communications. For more information or help with your ASU accounts, please refer to the ASUrite support page.
Finalize Housing Arrangements
There are many options for you to live at the university in a residence hall or off-campus in a local apartment or other rentals. It is important to start applying for housing as soon as you receive your acceptance email.
Submit Proof of Immunization
Before you can enroll in courses at ASU, you will be required to submit certain documentation showing proof of your Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunization. The approval process takes several weeks, so it is important that you start this process as soon as you receive your acceptance email. For more information, click here.
Register for Courses
Exchange students can begin to register for courses as soon as the MMR requirement has been cleared. Read the Academic Information page for further instructions.
Check Your Email
You will receive important emails from ASU containing further details to help you prepare. Please make sure to check your email often and to review all information carefully.
Obtain a J-1 Exchange Visitor (Student) Visa
You should now start preparing for the visa process, including applying for the visa and scheduling a visa interview. More information about visas can be found on our website. In addition, please review the ASU international student immigration checklist and the U.S. Department of State’s Overview of Exchange Visitor Visas.
Review Online Resources
It is very important to review the various resources on the GEO website and within the online orientation materials available through your MyASU to help you prepare for your time at ASU. Please look over this information carefully and continue to review it over the next few weeks and throughout your time at ASU.
Complete Remaining Tasks in Your GEO Account
Login to your online GEO account and digitally sign the Consent for Access to Educational Records.
Make Travel Arrangements
To help you plan for your travels to the U.S., please review ASU’s information for international students about arriving in Phoenix.
What to Bring
Documents
Check that you have all necessary travel documents with you, most importantly your DS-2019 form and your passport. Take a waterproof bag to protect these items while traveling. Make copies of all documents with valuable information (passport, plane tickets, credit cards, eyeglasses prescriptions, etc.), record the numbers from the appropriate documents, and carry extra passport photos for any document duplication.
Clothing
The best advice is to PACK LIGHT and always bring less than you think you will need. Light cotton clothing is recommended for most of the year. Most students learn to layer their clothing in all seasons, and for many students, winter clothing at ASU consists of a heavy sweater, shorts, thick socks and shoes. Here are some reminders and suggestions:
- Southwestern attire is usually casual (comfortable), but you may want to bring one set of dressier clothing for special occasions.
- There are laundromats in residence halls, and public laundromats exist in many locations within walking distance of campus.
- While there is a rainy season, boots are generally not needed around town and campus. You may want to buy an umbrella here for as little as $5.00.
- Residence Halls provide beds, desks, chairs, chests, shelving and telephones. Students should provide linens (bed sheets), pillows, lamps, clocks, hangers and personal items. Many students buy most of these items in Tempe rather than pack and ship them. Options for off-campus housing vary greatly - you may find furnished rooms, semi-furnished rooms or you may rent space with absolutely no items provided at all.
Traveling to Arizona
When to Arrive
According to U.S. law, international exchange students can enter the U.S. as early as 30 days before the first day of ASU classes. ASU international exchange students must arrive prior to the start of the semester in order to participate in a mandatory orientation. Orientation is usually held approximately one week prior to the start of classes. Exact dates are provided in students’ acceptance materials and on the International Exchange Program calendar.
For students residing in ASU residence halls, early check-in options are available. ASU University Housing will provide international exchange students with early check-in options once their housing is confirmed.
Where to Arrive - International Airport
International exchange students’ final airport destination is the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, conveniently located in the city center approximately 5 miles/ 8 km from the ASU Campus, just a ten-minute drive to downtown Phoenix or downtown Tempe. All international visitors to the U.S. will go through customs and immigration screening when they first enter the U.S. Once you arrive, go to the baggage claim area to retrieve your luggage. If you need help with your luggage, there are porters in the baggage claim area willing to assist you. It is expected that you will pay them $1/bag for this assistance. Once you have gathered your luggage, exit the terminal to get the Super Shuttle, taxi or bus, or shuttle to the Light Rail that will take you to ASU. Learn more about what to expect when entering the U.S.
Airport Transportation
Several public and private transportation options are available from the airport, including taxi, shuttle, light rail, and bus. ASU offers free transportation services from the airport to ASU’s campuses the week prior to the International Student Orientation.