Arrival checklists // International Student and Scholar Services

Review the International Student Welcome Guide.
Check out the Living in Columbia section to learn about life in Columbia.
Plan to attend International Student Welcome, MU’s mandatory orientation program for new international students, and a check-in session.
Contact student organizations to learn more about student life and housing in Columbia.
Set up your MU username and permanent password. You should have received an email with a temporary password. Need help? Contact the Division of Information Technology Tech Support at +1 573-882-5000.

On-campus housing is available for undergraduate and graduate students.
Planning to live off campus? Plan ahead and consult the resources available from Off-Campus Student Services.

Check out the EducationUSA and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement websites for helpful information about immigration and living in the United States.
Make your travel arrangements. Remember to arrive before International Student Welcome.
Become familiar with the required travel documents and port of entry procedures.
Make plans to get from your airport of arrival to the MU campus.

Obtain your immunization records and bring them with you to MU.
Look into information regarding health insurance.
Anticipate funding needs for your first few weeks (minimum $1,500 USD for housing, meals and purchasing items to set up your room/apartment). Use an ATM/debit or credit card to avoid carrying large sums of cash with you.
Consider having important documents (school transcripts, marriage licenses, prescriptions, etc.) translated into English before you leave your country.
Make copies of important documents, such as passport, immigration documents, transcripts, financial statements, street address where you will be going when you arrive.
Contact your academic adviser or department about registering for classes. Don’t know who your adviser is? Check myZou or with your department.

Pack your travel documents and any valuables in your carry-on bag, and carry your immigration documents with you during your flight.
Bring any medications you use, including extra eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Pack lightly — if you forget things, you can purchase them when you arrive.
Include your name and address in the U.S. on your bags.
Consider bringing recipes for favorite foods, small souvenirs from your home country, a camera, cultural clothing, your favorite music or photos from home.
Do not pack: weapons, electrical appliances, candles or incense, animals, illegal drugs, fresh food, etc.

Check in with International Student and Scholar Services. You will need to upload your passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019 and MU admission letter as part of the check-in process.
Attend International Student Welcome and the orientation offered by your school/college or department.

Meet with your academic adviser. Don’t know who your adviser is? Check myZou or with your department.
Register for classes.
Take the English language exam if you are an undergraduate student or are enrolled in a graduate program that requires it.
Get your MU ID card at the Mizzou Store (in the MU Student Center). Bring your passport with you.

Log in to your MU email account. This is the primary way MU and International Student and Scholar Services will provide you with important information.
Call or email home to let your family know you’ve arrived safely. You can access wireless internet on campus after you set up your MU username and permanent password.