International Student Orientation
The Kearney International Center holds an orientation program for new students one week before classes start. Spring 2024 orientation begins on Wednesday, January 3. Students must arrive by January 3 so they are ready to attend the first day of classes on January 8, 2024.
Pre-Arrival Guidance | Orientation Guidance | Orientation Schedule |
Attending international orientation is mandatory for everyone. It is not necessary to sign up in advance.
During orientation, students receive assistance from peer leaders, meet staff, attend presentations, register for classes, and check-in for immigration purposes.
Pre-Arrival Guidance
Pre-Arrival Webinars
Pre-Arrival Webinars are an optional orientation resource, but students who attend report less anxiety and stress during the planning process. The webinar series is provided to new international students before they arrive in Mankato. Students will receive a registration link to join live sessions via email, but all webinars will also live stream on the KIC YouTube channel.
(+) See webinar schedule (-) Close webinar scheduleTo view webinar times, please click on the webinar date and view the local time on the registration page.
- Visa Preparation Sessions (all sessions contain the same information):
- Session 1: September 12, 2023
- Session 2: October 4, 2023
- Session 3: October 27, 2023
- International Transfer Student Information Session: November 9, 2023
- MNSU Finances and Payments: October 17, 2023
- MNSU Finances and Payments: November 2, 2023
- Housing & Traveling to Minnesota Information Session: November 1, 2023
- Registration & Placement Testing Information Session: Rescheduled time coming soon!
- Health Insurance & Orientation Information Session: December 6, 2023
- Admitted Student Day with MGAs: TBD
Admitted Student Day: December 19
This is a day for new international students to ask current students and staff all of their last-minute pre-arrival questions!
(+) See Admitted Student Day Schedule (-) Close ScheduleMore information related to travel to Mankato and housing options are available on our Next Steps for Admitted International Students page.
In-Person Orientation Guidance
Immigration & Health Documents
Please bring originals and photocopies of your:
-
Passport/visa
-
I-20/DS-2019 form
- Money for Health Insurance & Other Immediate Expenses
- You will need to pay for your health insurance before you may register for classes during the week.
- Students who wish to open bank accounts or transfer money by wire may be surprised to find that it can take at least one week for funds to be available or transferred from a home bank to here.
All undergraduate students are required to take a Math and English Placement Test. We highly recommend taking the test before you arrive to help you achieve the highest score possible. Please read through the International Student Course Placement information, so you can understand how we use these tests.International Student Course Placement
New entering international students will be placed into math courses using existing measures such as satisfactory SAT Math scores or transferrable college-level course work. If SAT scores don’t exist or are not high enough to place into college-level math, and/or previous college-level coursework does not exist, international students will be able to take the Accuplacer through an online placement exam.
New entering international students will be placed into English courses using existing measures such as satisfactory TOEFL, IELTS, or previous college-level course work. If TOEFL or IELTS scores don't exist or are not high enough to place into college-level English, and/or previous college-level course does not exist, international students will be able to take the Accuplacer through an online placement exam.
The Accuplacer is Minnesota State Mankato’s placement exam for math and English.
This year, international students have the option to take the Accuplacer virtually/online through a system call “Examity”. Testing vouchers will be sent to your personal email or, in some cases, university email (check junk mail). If you believe you need to take a placement exam for math, English, or both math and English, but have not yet received a voucher, please email testingcenter@mnsu.edu.International Student Course Placement
The Minnesota College immunization law requires that students show proof that they have been vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and diphtheria when they enroll in a college in Minnesota.
- If you have records of immunizations you have taken in the past, bring this information with you to Mankato.
- Students under the age of 18 are also required to have parent/guardian consent to be seen at Student Health Services. If you are younger than 18 years, please complete the Minor Consent for Treatment form.
There will be a shuttle bus free of charge for students with their MavCard to use during orientation.
If you need transportation outside of the campus loop, you may check on the other bus schedules, download a ride-share app or call one of the taxi services in town.
International Orientation Schedule
Subject to Change until January 2, 2024. Students are expected to arrive by Wednesday, January 3, 2024. If you cannot arrive on or before January 3, you must re-apply for fall 2024.
Time | Location | Activity |
10am - 3pm | CSU 254/255 | Check-In for Bachelor's Students |
10am - 2pm | WH 125/125A | Placement Testing |
10am - 3pm | WH 118/119 | Technology Sessions |
10am - 4pm | CSU IT Service Desk | ITS Tech Support |
4pm - 5pm | CSU Heritage Room | Bingo! |
Time | Location | Activity |
9am - 3pm | CSU 254/255 |
Check-In for Bachelor's Students |
10am - 11:30am | CSU 245 | Academic Advising Sessions |
10am - 2pm | WH 125/125A | Placement Testing |
10am - 3pm | WH 118/119 | Technology Sessions |
10am - 4pm | CSU ITS Service Point | ITS Tech Support |
3pm - 5pm | ISA (CSU 264) | ISA (International Student Association) Welcome Event for All Students |
6pm - 8pm | Myers Field House | Evening Activity |
Time | Location | Activity |
8:30am | CSU 245 | TRANSFER and EXCHANGE Registration |
10am - 2pm | WH 125A | Placement Testing |
10am - 2pm | WH 125 | Technology Sessions |
10am - 10:45am | CSU 245 | Information Session: International Maverick Scholarship & MavCentral |
10:45am - 11:30am | CSU 245 | Information Session: Understanding Your GPA and Credits |
11:30am - 12noon | CSU 245 | Information Session: Work Permits |
12noon - 4pm | CSU 203 | EXCHANGE Student Orientation |
1pm | CSU 245 | First-Year Student Course Registration |
1pm - 3pm | MH 013 | IEP Orientation & Course Registration |
6pm - 7:30pm | Hosanna Lutheran (click here to go to Google Maps) | Warm Welcome from the Friendship Family Program |
Time | Location | Activity |
8:30am - 9:30am | CSU 254/255 | Check-In for Master's and Doctoral Students |
9:30am - 12noon | CSU 201 | Master's and Doctoral Student Orientation Session |
10am - 11am | CSU 254/255 | Transfer Student Check-In |
10am - 12noon | Ballroom | Campus Tours with Class Schedules |
11am - 12noon | CSU 203 | Transfer Student Q&A & Check Out |
12noon | Ballroom | Welcome Lunch for All |
1pm - 3pm | Ballroom |
MANDATORY Orientation Sessions for All students:
|
10am - 12noon | WH 125A | Placement Testing |
10am - 4pm | CSU ITS Service Desk | ITS Tech Support |