Pre-arrival

Pre-arrival: Travel & Orientation

Once you have been admitted into Pittsburg State University and you have received your I-20 or DS2019, here are your next steps:

STEP 1

• You will need to pay the required SEVIS I-901 fee.

STEP 2

• Make an appointment with your U.S. consulate to apply for your student visa.

STEP 3

• Make travel arrangements to arrive in Pittsburg, Kansas for the required new student orientation. Click here to make a reservation for the free shuttle from Joplin.

STEP 4

• Submit your campus housing contract if you are living in the dorms.

Travel to Pittsburg

Students who fly into the Joplin Missouri Regional Airport in Joplin, Missouri, will be picked up free of charge by a driver from the International Programs and Services Office (IPSO). Click here to make a reservation for the free shuttle from Joplin.

If students fly into other airports, such as Tulsa, Oklahoma or Kansas City, Missouri, they will need to make their own travel arrangements to get to Pittsburg, Kansas at their own expense. We suggest using local cab company Sammy's Cab Service: www.sammyscab.com

Travel costs for transportation from airports, and overnight lodging and meals must be prepared for.

Travel Tips

Students, especially those who have never traveled abroad before, may find the following list helpful:

• Passport, money, and traveler's checks must be kept in a safe place on your person at all times.
• Personal items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bar of soap, a change of clothing and medicine should be kept in a carry-on bag in case your flight is delayed or luggage is lost.
• Although it is not necessary to tip everyone who is helpful to you, porters in an airport will expect a tip. Having a few $1 bills and coins on hand will give you peace of mind during your trip so that you can tip as necessary.
• Your luggage should be identified with clear marks. A colored tape may help you pick out your luggage. A nametag with your name and address in the U. S. and home country should be put on every piece of luggage you have. The airline will furnish you with tags if you do not have them.
• A good bilingual dictionary in your own language and English is essential.

Transportation in Pittsburg

Pittsburg is not a big city and public transportation is limited. A shopping mall and grocery store are located about a 15-minute walk from campus. More shopping areas are about 8 miles from campus. Many students choose to ride bicycles. Prices range from $100-$500 to purchase a bicycle. There are two cab services in town. There is also a public shuttle that offers free rides Monday through Friday to PSU students.

• PACT Public Transit
• Sammy's Cab Service
• I-Cab Taxi Service

Expenses

The money that students bring with them should be in the form of traveler's check or a bank draft; no one should ever carry large amounts of cash.

• Tuition, Books, Room & Board. Each student needs about $11,000* when he or she arrives to pay for tuition fees, books, and room and board. Tuition fees must be paid in full when the student enrolls for school.

• Health Care. Hospitalization costs in the United States are much more expensive than in most other countries. A person who is ill or injured may pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for medical care. Therefore, to avoid enormous expenses that would be beyond a student's financial resources, every international student is required to purchase full insurance coverage; if the students have dependents, we strongly urge purchasing of insurance coverage for them. The policy can be purchased for approximately $920* per year for an individual student and $7950* for a student, spouse, and children. As most U.S. health insurance policies do not cover the cost of eye examinations, eyeglasses, or dental work, it is advisable for the student to have this work done before leaving his/her country. These services are expensive in the U.S.

• Meals. The residence halls offer a meal plan for students, but meals are not provided on Saturday or Sunday morning, or during summer semester and vacation periods. Other options for meals include the Overman Student Center on campus and restaurants in the area.

• Cold Weather Clothing. Although the climate is generally considered mild, with an annual average temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Centigrade/Celsius), foreign students should be aware that there are four distinct seasons, and that extreme variations in temperature occur. In winter the area may have 3-6 inches of snow, and the temperature may vary from 20F (-6C) to 60F (16C), but in the summer the weather may be hot and sunny with temperatures between 65F (18C) and 100+F (38C). A student from a warm climate may need to purchase clothing suitable for keeping warm. A minimum of $200 would be needed for buying a warm coat and sweaters, and more could be spent, depending on the student's resources.

• Household Furniture. Both on and off-campus students must have their own pillows, bed sheets, blankets, and towels. Such furnishings are not provided in dormitories on campus.

 *These are estimated costs subject to chanage without notice.

New Student Orientation

All the new international students are required to participate in the orientation programs. During orientation international students are informed about several areas of interest: academic and social matters, registration, shopping, banking, apartment location, and other matters particularly useful for international students. Also at orientation the international student presents his/her passport for inspection and buys heath insurance.

Housing and Food Services

• On-Campus Housing. After being admitted to the university, international students may apply for accommodations in the university residence halls (dormitories). In addition to the rooms, the university offers meal services. Student under the age of 21 must live in the dorms for 1 year. Click here for additional information.
• Off-Campus Housing. If students decide not to live in a residence hall, they may look for rental apartments located around the university. The apartments and houses available vary in location, facilities, and rent fees. Contact the International Office for a list of landlords and possible apartments for rent.