Fall 2012 New Student Orientation

Orientation Program: August 13-17
Orientation is required for all new students.

Joplin Airport Shuttle Pick-Up: August 6-12
Shuttle reservation required.

University Housing Early Check-In*
August 6-12, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Those checking into University Housing before
the Aug. 18 contract start date, the cost is
$15 (doube room)/$17(single room) per night. 
*Housing contract required in advance.

Upon arrival to PSU, come to 118 Whitesitt Hall.

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

STEP 1: Pay your SEVIS fee

STEP 2: Make visa appointment

  • Make an appointment with your U.S. consulate to apply for your student visa.
  • Click here for additional information about obtaining a student visa.

STEP 3: Make travel arrangements

  • Make travel arrangements to arrive in Pittsburg, Kansas for the required new student orientation.
  • Students MUST fly from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Joplin Missouri Regional Airport (JLN) by American Eagle (American Airlines). You MUST book your flight through the American Airlines website: www.aa.com.
  • PSU offers a free airport shuttle from the Joplin Regional Airport to the PSU campus (approximately a 30 minute drive).

If students do not fly to the Joplin Missouri Airport, they will need to make their own travel arrangements to get to Pittsburg, Kansas at their own expense.

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

STEP 4: Make airport shuttle reservation

STEP 5: Submit Housing Contract

  • Submit your campus Housing Contract online if you plan to live in the residence hall (dorms) on-campus. (Required for all students under the age of 21.)
  • To complete the Housing Contract you must have your GUSPin number. If you do not have a GUSPin/Password, click here to obtain your GUSPin/Password.
  • In addition, the university offers Meal Plans in our on-campus dining facilities.

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 upon your arrival to PSU for a list of possible apartments for rent and those looking for roommates.

New Student Orientation

All international students attending PSU for the first time are required to participate in the Orientation programs. During Orientation international students are informed about many areas of interest: academic and social matters, registration, enrollment, immigration issues, shopping, banking, housing, campus life and other matters particularly useful for international students.

During the Orientation program, students will have a special welcome luncheon with PSU dignitaries, share evening meals hosted by Pittsburg community groups, and have an opportunity to have an American host family.

After the Orientation has been successfully completed, the students will then be permitted to meet with his/her academic advisor and enroll in classes.

Students will receive an Orientation schedule upon arriving to PSU.

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.

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.