
Welcome to International Early Arrival Housing!
Hello!
Welcome to the University of Minnesota! We are thrilled that you have chosen to join our community, and we look forward to the awesome contributions you will make as a student on our campus. We are also happy to have you staying in International Early Arrival Housing.
Below you will find opportunities to connect with other students and explore Minneapolis and St. Paul (jointly called “the Twin Cities”) before classes begin. We have included information about shopping/food, transportation, activities to enjoy, and Move-Out.
There are also links to the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website for new students. Make sure to visit the site for more information about how to get started at the university and meet the ISSS staff!
If you are needing to go shopping, the shopping areas nearest to campus are Stadium Village (east of campus), Dinkytown (north of campus), and Cedar-Riverside (on the west bank of the Mississippi River). There is a mini-Target in Dinkytown (1329 5th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414) that can fulfill most needs, and it is a short walk from campus.
There are also a number of concentrated shopping areas that are a short bus/car ride away:
- The Quarry: Grocery store and general retail stores including Target.
- Rosedale Shopping Center: Enclosed shopping center with over 150 specialty shops and restaurants
- HarMar Mall: 45 connected stores including a bookstore, groceries, apparel, and home goods
- Mall of America: The largest shopping mall in the U.S. that has 520 stores, 50 restaurants, and an amusement park
Dining on Campus
Most of the dining halls operated on campus will not be open until shortly before the start of school. Some of the restaurants in Coffman Union are open for limited hours (Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Minnesota Marketplace, and Goldy’s Gameroom).
Groceries
To find places to buy groceries, the Food Resource Guide has a list of Grocery Stores (the neighborhoods closest to campus are Stadium Village, Dinkytown, and Cedar-Riverside) and International Food Stores. The hours for the stores may have changed since the information was added, so you should contact the store directly to confirm when it is open.
Getting Around On Campus
You do not need a car when traveling on the University of Minnesota campus. The University of Minnesota has a bus system that connects all areas of campus. Parking & Transportation Services also has information about biking, using scooters, and walking on campus.
Parking and Transportation Services
Going Off Campus
When going off campus, Metro Transit operates the transit (bus/light rail) system throughout the Twin Cities. Most areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul are accessible by bus although you may need to change buses at some point and schedules can vary.
You will either need to pay for each trip or buy a U-Pass to travel off-campus until August 30. After that date, all University of Minnesota students who pay the Transportation and Safety Fee will have unlimited access with your U Card.
There is additional information on the ISSS website about options for driving or biking. Transportation
International Student and Scholar Services and Housing & Residential Life have arranged several programs to help you have fun, learn more about campus, and prepare for the academic year.
Global Tea Time
Join other international students each week for Global Team Time, a time for you to relax and talk to other students who are also arriving at the University of Minnesota. On August 25 (for a special conclusion), we will be playing Graduate the U. This board game was created by UMN alumni, and it will let you learn about the places and choices you will experience while at the University of Minnesota.
- Date/Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00-2:00 p.m. (13:00-14:00) on August 11-August 25
- Location: Centennial Hall Lobby
- There will also be an optional tour of the Recreation and Wellness Center following Global Tea Time.
Global Gopher Experiences
The Global Gopher Experiences schedule for Summer and Fall 2022 includes exciting workshops and events just for new international students! Make new friends and learn about the resources available at the University of Minnesota during these virtual, hybrid, and in-person events.
Here are some of the events that will be happening during August, and you can register and get more information on the ISSS website:
- Wednesday, August 10: Global Gopher Experiences: College Day
- Wednesday, August 17: Global Gopher Experiences: Welcome and Kick Off
- Wednesday, August 17: Identity-based caucuses
- Tuesday, August 23: Graduate Session Check in and Welcome for Assistantships with the Graduate School
- Wednesday, August 30: Global Gopher Experiences: Academic Success Day
- Academic Resource Tours
- Identity-based caucuses
- Workshops
- Resource Fair
- ISSS Check and Welcome for Graduate Students
- Sunday, August 28: Goldy's Intro to Welcome Week
- Friday, September 2: Campus Exploration Day
- Saturday, September 3: Gopher It Day with Welcome Week
ISSS post-arrival requirements
- Prepare to complete your ISSS check-in through MyISSS.
- Once you arrive in the United States, you will need to complete your ISSS Check-In through MyISSS. To do this, you will be asked to upload several immigration documents ISSS needs to verify your visa status and complete an ISSS Check-In and Welcome Online Session.
Download a printer-friendly resource list from ISSS
More information will be shared in the International Student Preparation course or on our welcome page for new SSS students
Off-Campus Housing
Bias Response and Referral Network (BRRN)
A resource for individuals to report when they experience bias, harassment, or other forms of discrimination. BRRN refers students, faculty, and staff to support resources and monitors the incidents on campus.
Access the Bias Response and Referral Network at bias-response.umn.edu
Your move-out date will be determined based on where you will live during the school year. You can move out earlier than the dates listed below, but you cannot stay longer. We will send you an email with more information as Move-Out approaches.
- Students moving to an on-campus apartment: Students moving into Keeler, Wilkins, Radius, or Yudof can move in on August 15. Your housing contract begins then, so you will not be charged for IEAH after that date.
- Students moving into a residence hall (except Frontier Hall): You can choose to move into your academic year assignment on either Tuesday, August 23 or Friday, August 26. We will have a bus you can use when moving your belongings on August 26.
- Students moving to Frontier Hall: You will stay in Centennial until Sunday, August 28 when you can check out of Centennial and move into Frontier.
- Students moving off-campus: You must move out by 7:00 pm, Friday, August 26. NO exceptions will be allowed; this is necessary for us to be able to prepare our spaces for the academic year. You should contact your landlord (the person/company you will be renting from) to determine if you will be able to move in on the 26th or if you will need to find additional temporary housing.
Finally, we want you to know that the Housing & Residential Life staff are here to support you. Whether you are only living with us for the summer or will continue to stay on-campus during for the school year, we want you to have a good experience.
If you have any concerns, please stop by the Information Desk or contact us.
Be well,