International student orientation

When you arrive on campus, you will participate in the mandatory International Student Orientation. This program is designed to provide important information regarding your matriculation at Central Methodist University and help ease the cultural transition.

After you check in at the International Office and attend the Mandatory International Student Orientation, you will join the general campus orientation group for a weekend of fun filled activities. It is important that you have an opportunity to participate. More orientation information is available on the orientation page.

International Student Orientation is divided into several sessions:

MANDATORY F-1 STUDENT CHECK-IN

As soon as you arrive on campus, you are required to report to the International Office. When you check in, you should bring the following documents with you:

  • 1. Passport / visa
  • 2. I-20
    • 3. I-94 you can access and print this on the Department of Homeland Security website.
    • 4. Official academic/financial documents which were not been previously mailed to CMU

CMU STUDENT ID

You may obtain your CMU student ID card in the Office of Student Development, which is located on the second floor of the Inman Student Community Center. Replacement cost for lost Student ID cards is $5.00. Your student ID card is required to access the following campus services:

  • 1. Campus Housing - all residence hall exterior doors and stairwell doors are equipped with electronic locks. Your student ID has an electronic strip coded for your hall and floor. You will not be able to enter your building or floor without your student ID.
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  • 2. Campus Food Services - all students living in residence halls are assigned a meal plan. You will swipe your student ID card at the cafeteria/snack bar cash register to enter the dining hall or participate in the snack bar meal exchange program. Off campus students may put money on their student ID card and use it in the cafeteria/snack bar as a declining balance payment system.
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  • 3. Library - you will need your student ID to borrow books and materials from the library.
  • 4. Athletic Events - all campus athletic events are free for students. You will need your student ID for admission.
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  • 5. Student Health Services - all student health services are provided at no charge to students.

CMU STUDENT CAMPUS MAIL BOX

Students living on campus are assigned a CMU campus mail box; students living off campus may also request a CMU campus mail box. During orientation, you will pick up your mail box assignment and receive instruction and assistance regarding how to open and use your box.

CMU HEALTH INSURANCE AND HEALTH RECORDS

All international students are required to purchase health insurance. Please refer to the health insurance section for specific instructions. Students must comply with mandatory vaccination and health requirements before arriving on campus. All students must provide proof of the following:

A) REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS:

  • 1. Measles, Mumps, Rubella -
    All students must provide copies of documentation of two doses of MMR to demonstrate adequate measles, mumps and rubella immunity.
  • 2. Meningococcal Meningitis -
    Missouri legislation requires any student living in university housing to either receive the vaccine or provide documentation of previous vaccination against meningococcal meningitis.
  • 3. Tuberculosis (TB) Screening -
    All students must complete the Tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment form. If the answer to any question on the form is "YES", you must have TB testing prior to the beginning of the semester.

B) RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS:

  • 1. Diphtheria - Six doses of DTaP/DTP/DT recommended for adequate immunity.
  • 2. Polio - Three doses of IPV recommended for adequate polio immunity.
  • 3. Varicella (Chicken Pox) -Two doses of Varicella vaccine recommended for adequate varicella immunity.
  • 4. Hepatitis A and B - Three doses of Hepatitis A and B recommended for adequate immunity.
  • 5. Influenza - One dose administered annually is recommended for adequate immunity.
  • 6. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Three doses of HPV vaccine recommended before 16 th birthday for adequate immunity

ENROLLMENT AND CLASS SCHEDULES

Each student is assigned a faculty academic advisor in the academic major which was requested by the student on the admission application. Prior to arrival on campus, the academic advisor will review the student's previous academic credentials and prepare a degree plan. The initial course schedule will be prepared according the degree plan. Students will be able to log into their personal myCMU account to view the schedule and access the scheduling request form on the Student Enrollment Check List. Adjustments may be made during the registration period. During subsequent semesters, students will meet with academic advisors to review progress and register for the next semester.

FINANCES and CAREER CENTER

  • Local Bank Account - International students may open a bank account by presenting their passport, a minimum deposit of $25, and a letter from the DSO confirming a full time enrollment status and a current address. There are three banks located in Fayette, and many others in Boonville and Columbia.
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  • Paying your semester tuition and fees - Students may choose and set up a payment plan by logging into the MyCMU account. Payments may be made through the following methods: International Wire Transfer, Cash, Credit Card, Personal Check (on a US bank)
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  • Career Center Handshake Account - Each student will set up a personal Handshake account in the Career Center during orientation, which accesses a world wide data base of employment opportunities. This account will remain active while the student is enrolled at CMU, and will also be accessible after a student graduates. The account may be used to search and apply for on-campus jobs, internships, and employment in the career field after graduation.
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  • On-campus employment authorization - On campus employment authorization documents will be completed during orientation. When a student secures an on-campus job, it will only be necessary to inform the DSO to obtain an authorization letter to apply for a social security number.

LOCAL PHONE SERVICE

Most students use cell phones in the USA, and there are a number of companies which provide service. Carriers providing service that works well in Fayette, Missouri include:

DRIVER'S LICENSE

You must pass a written test and a driving test to obtain a U.S. driver's license. Read the Missouri Department of Revenue Driving Guide to prepare for the written portion of the driving test. You may also use an online application to take free practice tests. Another free application available on either a smartphone or an iPad is DMV Genie.

To obtain a Missouri Driver's License, bring the following documents to the testing center: Passport/visa; I-20; I-94; Letter from the DSO which confirms enrollment and current local address.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Center for Learning and Teaching -Provides services for disabilities, tutoring, study groups, proctored testing and NetTutor

CMU Writing Center -Provides assistance to help students become better writers

Professor Office Hours

Professors list their email addresses and office hours in the course syllabus and most of them post the hours on their office doors. If you need to speak to your professors regarding an assignment or class material, it is more efficient to send an email requesting a specific appointment time, so the professor can set aside time in order to devote attention to assisting you.

Class Attendance

Attendance at class is expected and comprises a portion of your semester grade. The attendance policy for each course is printed in the course syllabus, which you can locate by logging into your MyCMU account, and selecting "My Courses". Arrive for each class on time and prepared (read your text assignments before you go to class)

Academic Integrity

All CMU students are expected to practice academic honesty for all academic assignments. The following actions are violations of academic integrity:

  1. Cheating on a test or helping another student cheat
  2. Signing another student's name on an attendance sheet
  3. Using unauthorized materials for an assignment
  4. Plagiarism in any form, including: copying information from the internet or another source without acknowledging the author, summarizing someone else's ideas without revealing the source, using someone else's work as your own, or submitting your own work in multiple classes without obtaining prior permission from both instructors.
  • Having Trouble Understanding a Word or Expression in English? Try looking it up on the Word Reference website, a reliable online dictionary and resource.

CULTURAL INFORMATION

Living with a Roommate can be a great experience, but it can also be challenging. The following tips may help you develop a healthy relationship with your roommate:

  • 1. Communicate Expectations at the Beginning
  • 2. Lock the Dorm Room Door when you leave
  • 3. Give your roommate alone time in the room
  • 3. Respect your roommate's things - don't use them without permission
  • 4. Make a roommate agreement regarding visitors, borrowing things, sleep time, etc.
  • 5. Be courteous of your roommate's schedule when studying late with the lights on
  • 6. Be clean and clean up after yourself - don't leave your stuff all over the room
  • 7. Deal with problems when they arise - the key is to be open, honest and respectful
  • 8. Be intentional in your relationship - invite your roommate to join you for meals or events
  • 9. Offer to help if you notice your roommate is struggling with something.

Culture Shock is a normal part of living abroad. The experience and adaptation to it has a common pattern. Once you understand what is happening and why you feel the way you do, you can seek help and develop strategies to cope with it.