WELCOME to the University of Southern Maine!
Information for Newly Admitted International Students:
Undergraduate, Graduate & English as a Second Language
VISA INFORMATION & ACTION:
You will receive an I-20 form by mail from the USM Office of International Programs
You will need to pay a mandatory SEVIS fee of $100 and complete form I-901. For more information about how to pay this fee please visit www.fmjfee.com
Once you have received your I-20 and paid the SEVIS fee, make an appointment with the nearest Consulate or Embassy for your visa interview. Read our handout to learn more about what you need to bring to your visa appointment and the process of Obtaining Your F-1 Student Visa.
After your arrival in the US you must visit the International Programs office located in 101 Payson Smith on the USM Campus. Please bring your passport and other documents so that we can make sure you received the appropriate status.
Special Notes:
Be sure to use your USM I-20 to obtain your visa to come here, otherwise you may encounter problems with the immigration officials upon entry.
Do not enter the US on a B-2 Visitors Visa with the intention of changing your status after your arrival. You will not be able to study on a B-2 and changing your status will be extremely difficult.
Note that you cannot enter the US any earlier than 30 days prior to the start of your program.
If You're Canadian:
Canadian students can obtain their F-1 student visa at the point of entry by showing their I-20 and proof of Canadian Citizenship. Canadian students still need to complete an
I-901 form and pay the $100 SEVIS prior to entering at the border. Be sure to read our Obtaining Your F-1 Visa pdf to learn what other documents you will need at the point of entry.
INSURANCE:
Health care is very expensive in the United States. International Students are required to have health insurance throughout their period of study in the US. USM does offer its own health insurance plan for international students. More information will be provided to you upon your arrival in Maine. You may purchase your own health insurance plan from your home country if you wish. However, you must provide proof of health insurance coverage to my office upon your arrival.
IMMUNIZATION:
Maine State law requires all new students to document immunization against measles, German measles, tetanus/diphtheria and mumps prior to enrollment. If you have been immunized, please bring documentation with you. Otherwise, immunization will be made available to you during the orientation period. For more information on immunizations please visit: http://www.usm.maine.edu/health/immunization.htm
HOUSING:
Living on campus is recommended at least for the first year. If you hope to live on campus you MUST return our Residence Hall Application Immediately, along with a $75 Housing Deposit. (The housing application will come by mail with your I-20 document) All on-campus housing is located on our Gorham Campus. We highly recommend that international students plan to live in Philippi Hall and participate in our International Learning Community. This will be a great opportunity to make friends with American students.
On campus dining will open on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008. We estimate you will need about $30 per day for food prior to that time. We have attached a copy of USM’s 2008-09 Academic Calendar. If you live on campus you will need to plan to purchase food during vacation weeks when University Dining Service is closed. We recommend that you plan to spend $125 per week for food at those times.
If you plan to live off campus we recommend that you plan to arrive early in order to locate an apartment. Housing in Portland can be expensive and quite limited. To see current rentals online please visit: http://rentals.mainetoday.com/ USM Commuter Student Services also keeps a listing of Off Campus Housing rentals.
If you are planning to look for off campus housing when you arrive please make arrangements for temporary housing prior to your arrival in Portland. If you need information on local hotels please contact our office.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
Please plan your arrival for no later than Tuesday, August 26th, 2008.
If you are living on campus you may check into the Residence Halls on either Monday, August 25th or Tuesday, August 26th, 2008. The Residence Halls will not be available to students any earlier than the 25th of August.
ORIENTATION:
Our office will facilitate a New International Student Orientation beginning on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008. During this orientation we will help to familiarize you with USM and the surrounding community. We will also assist you with various academic and cultural questions including registering for courses, maintaining your visa status, and much more. We will also provide a general introduction to the sights and sounds of Maine. A detailed schedule will be posted on our website in mid-July. (http://www.usm.maine.edu/international)
TRAVEL PLANS:
By Air: Some students fly directly to the Portland International Jetport. If you are living off campus in Portland the airport will be only a short ride (15 minutes) from the downtown area. If you are living on campus in Gohram it will be approximately a 30 minute ride.
Some students find it more convenient and cost effective to fly into Boston. If you choose this option it is very easy to take a bus to Portland. Concord Trailways offers excellent bus service from Logan Airport to Portland for $25 one way. The ride is approximately 2 hours.
By Car: If are driving to USM and intend to have a car on campus, a student parking sticker is required. It may be obtained when you arrive from the Office of Police & Safety (Upton Hall in Gorham or the Portland Campus Parking Garage). Each semester you will pay a student transportation fee (which is currently $90) this will cover the cost of a parking sticker and access to the parking garage in Portland. This fee also provides free bus service between the Portland & Gorham campuses.
Upon arrival: Taxis to the USM Gorham Campus residence halls or your local residence are available outside of the airport baggage claim area and just outside of the bus station. The cost to Gorham will be about $35-40 one way.
If you are staying in a hotel until you find a place off campus a taxi ride will cost you less. Some hotels even have shuttles to meet guests upon arrival. If you need recommendations for hotels please let us know by sending an e-mail to Kimberly
If you are planning to live on campus, it is extremely important that you contact my office with your arrival details at least 2 weeks in advance. Please use our electronic travel plans form to submit your arrival details.
RESOURCES:
Local Weather: Gorham Zip Code 04038 or Portland Zip Code 04103
Portland International Jetport
Maine Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Any other questions or concerns contact Kimberly Sinclair in the International Programs Office.