Welcome to International Early Arrival Housing!
Hello!
Welcome to the University of Minnesota! We are thrilled 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 helpful links for new students on the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website. Make sure to visit the site for more information about how to get started at the University and meet the ISSS staff!
You will be living in a single or a shared space, so you may have a roommate while living in International Early Arrival Housing. You will also be sharing a bathroom.
If you need to go shopping, the shopping areas nearest to campus are:
- Stadium Village (east of campus)
- University Avenue (north of campus)
- A mini-Target in the University Avenue neighborhood (1329 5th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414) is near campus. It has many of the items students need most frequently after they arrive.
- Cedar-Riverside (on the west bank of the Mississippi River)
During Welcome Week, there will be a guided tour called Explore University Avenue and Stadium Village on Friday, August 30 from 3-6 p.m.
There are 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. with 520 stores, 50 restaurants, and an amusement park
Dining on Campus
Meals are not included in the room price. If you would like to eat in the dining halls before the fall semester begins, you can do so by purchasing Dining Dollars, which will be added to your U Card.
If you purchase a meal plan for fall semester, it will begin on Saturday, August 31. Any Dining Dollars included with that meal plan will be added at that time. Note: Dining Dollars are only allowed for use at residential dining halls during the early arrival window. A meal plan is required for dining hall access once fall semester begins.
Most of the dining halls operated on campus will not be open until shortly before the start of the academic year. Some of the restaurants in Coffman Union are open for limited hours (Starbucks, Panda Express, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Minnesota Marketplace, and Goldy’s Gameroom).
Getting Around On Campus
You do not need a car when traveling around the University of Minnesota campus. The University of Minnesota has a free 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
GETTING TO CAMPUS FROM THE AIRPORT
There are multiple transportation options to campus from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, including light rail, buses, taxis, and ride services.
A quick, easy way to get from the airport to the East Bank campus (estimated trip time: 35 minutes):
- Take the Blue Line light rail to U.S. Bank Stadium station in downtown Minneapolis
- Cross to the other side of the platform and transfer to the Green Line heading to St. Paul
- Get off at the East Bank station (Downtown East/US East Bank Stadium station - West Bank Station - East Bank Station)
New international students can get a FREE, one-time pass to take the light rail or bus from the airport if arriving after August 1, 2024. You will need to show the pass when you board public transportation. Get your pass.
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. Your Universal Metro Transit pass on your UCard, once activated, covers your tickets. In the meantime, use the Free Metro Transit Passes provided by ISSS. You will need to download one each day.
The ISSS website has additional information about driving and biking options.
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 Tea Time, a time for you to relax and talk to other students who are also arriving at the University of Minnesota. On August 22 (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 1-2 p.m. (13:00-14:00) on August 6-August 22
- Location: Centennial Hall, 1st floor Lounge
Additional Activities
- PAWS (Pet Away Worry and Stress) on Wednesday, August 14
- Coffman Memorial Union Mississippi Room, 3rd Floor at 11 a.m.
- Meet in Centennial Hall Lobby at 10:50 a.m.!
- UMN Farmers Market on Wednesday, August 14
- Alumni Center at 11 a.m.
- Meet in Centennial Hall Lobby at 10:50 a.m.!
- Optional Recreation and Wellness Center (RecWell) Tour
- After Global Tea Time, August 20 and 22
Global Gopher Experiences
The Global Gopher Experiences schedule for Summer and Fall 2024 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. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Global Gopher Experiences Welcome Week
RECWELL (Recreation and Wellness)
RecWell is giving all new international students early access until August 23. Bring your U Card to the front desk to check in.
All fee-paying students are automatically a member through the student services fee with access starting on August 24. If you have any questions about hours or what is available at RecWell, please review the RecWell website.
COMPLETE REQUIRED ISSS CHECK-IN
What does ISSS require that I do once I arrive on campus?
- Complete your ISSS Check-In: As soon as possible after you arrive on campus, complete your online ISSS Check-in.
- Remove Registration Holds: All new students have registration holds on their accounts. The hold placed by ISSS is called the AI “Determine Current Visa Status” hold. This hold will not be placed on your account right away, so you can register for your Fall semester courses. If you do not complete the iPrep course and the ISSS Check-in before August 29, 2024, the hold will be placed on your account, and it will prevent you from changing your course selection and registering for future semesters. There may also be other holds on your record, so visit MyU to determine what other actions you need to take before you will be allowed to register.
Get Your U Card
Your U Card is your student ID and access card while on campus. You can upload a photo before your arrival so it is ready. Then when you arrive on campus, stop by the U Card Office to pick it up. Note: your U Card is not needed and won't work for door access during your early arrival stay, but it will be needed in the fall.
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.
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 : You can choose to move into your academic year assignment beginning on Tuesday, August 20. If you need transportation assistance from Centennial Hall, we will have transportation available on Friday, August 23.
- Students moving to Bailey Hall: You will move into a temporary space in Bailey Hall on Friday, August 23. You will then move into your fall assignment on Sunday, August 25.
- Students moving off-campus: You must move out by 7 p.m., Friday, August 23. NO exceptions will be allowed; this is necessary so we can 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 August 23 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 the school year, we want you to have a good experience.
If you have any concerns, please talk to the staff at the Information Desk in the lobby of your building or contact us.
Be well,
Housing & Residential Life