Procedures and Arrival Information

Preparing for Departure

The closest airport to Maryville is Kansas City International Airport, airport code: MCI. Exchange students will be picked up free of charge at Kansas City airport only.

Remember that airlines allow only 50 pound/ 25 kilos of luggage per piece. You can take 2 pieces checked and a carry-on, anything extra you will pay excess of luggage. Remember that we will be providing you with linens, towels, telephone and a bed spread, so you don't need to bring these items. For all students staying on campus the university provides you with laptops that you may pick up at the Computer Service Center starting on the second day of orientation. If you wish to bring your own laptop you may do so, however, be aware that there is one available for you. Other items like hair dryers are really cheap at Wal-Mart (Supercenter). European laptops will work with the voltage 110 to 120 V. Pictures of your home country, family pictures, and postcards always come handy when you travel.

Payment

You will pay your housing until you arrive. Housing may be paid in full or divided in payments throughout the semester. However, during the second day of orientation, you will be required to make your first payment, which will be 1/4 of your total housing cost. You may pay with credit card, traveler checks, money orders, or cash.

Insurance

Please note that each student is required by law to have adequate health insurance to cover the cost of medical treatment while in the United States. Northwest requires all international students to purchase health insurance either through Northwest ($655.00 per year or $328.00 for one semester) or through an insurance company of your choice. The minimum coverage is USD $50,000 per injury, $15,000 repatriation, and $10,000 emergency evacuation. Please be prepared to provide proof of insurance if you opt to purchase your own insurance. The coverage should be effective during the entire period you are absent from your country.

The coverage that the NW insurance offers is 100% of covered medical procedures with the health care providers register with this insurance, which in this case is the local hospital, St. Francis. This 100% of covered medical procedures is good up to $5000, after $5000 the plan changes to co-pay, 20% the student pays and 80% is paid by the insurance.

Arrival to the United States

Always keep money, your passport, and tickets with you at all times while traveling.
On the flight to the USA, the flight attendant will hand you a white card (I-94 form) and blue form. Please fill these forms out, as they are needed when you land.
Once you land in the United States you will have to pass through immigration.
This is where you will need to show your passport, both pages of the I-20 copies and the I-94 from that you filled out.
The officer will ask you a couple of questions about your stay and then will stamp your I-20, (give you back your SEVIS I-20) and give you back the I-94 card.
Verify that the stamp reads F-1/D/S (Duration of Status) on the I-94 before you leave the immigration checkpoint.
Make sure you have the stamped copy of your I-20.
Do not throw away your I-20 or I-94.
When you exit the plane at Kansas City, look for the signs: "Welcome International Students" or "Welcome to the USA", Northwest staff will be there to get you at your gate.

Remember that all forms and documents have to be mailed to the Study Abroad Office:

Study Abroad Office
Northwest Missouri State University
2080 J.W. Jones Student Union
800 University Drive
Maryville, Missouri
64468 USA

Phone: +1-660-562-1367
Fax: +1-660-562-1546
E-mail: studyab@nwmissouri.edu