You should plan to arrive in Columbia on the mandatory arrival date, scheduled for the Sunday before International Student Welcome.
Arrival assistance
International Programs provides limited arrival assistance for exchange students who arrive in Columbia between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. on the designated arrival date and will be living on campus. To request arrival assistance, complete the arrival information form by the designated deadline. Completion of this form is mandatory, even if you are not requesting assistance.
Arrival assistance includes:
- Picking you up from the Columbia Regional Airport. We cannot pick up students from the St. Louis or Kansas City airports. If you fly into either of those airports, review our getting to Columbia information for ground transportation options.
- Helping you check in to your residence hall.
- Assisting you with obtaining your MU student ID card.
Be sure to contact the exchange adviser with any changes to your travel plans.
International Student Welcome
International Student Welcome is held the week before classes start each semester. Orientation sessions during this time include information about health concerns, health insurance and immigration issues; campus tours; group meals; and other activities.
A mandatory exchange student orientation session will cover information about issues specific to exchange students, course registration assistance and shopping trips. Exchange students are required to participate in all activities on their schedule during International Student Welcome.
Check-in
All international students are required to check in with International Student and Scholar Services upon arrival at MU. You must sign up for a check-in session online.
During your first days at Mizzou
- Attend all International Student Welcome activities and sign up for a check-in session.
- Check in to your residence hall or finalize off-campus housing arrangements.
- Get your MU student ID card.
- Print your health insurance card.
- Register for classes and obtain your textbooks.
- Set up your computer.
- Update your local address in myZou.
Remember, you are not on your own. Many of these things will be taken care of during International Student Welcome.