Before You Arrive....
Once you have received your form I-20 from Butler, you will need
to apply for your student
visa. You should begin this process as soon as
possible so you have your visa well in advance from when you
are scheduled to arrive in the U.S.
Planning Your Travel to the US:
Spring 2013 International Orientation will be on
Thursday, August 22 through Saturday, August 25,
2013. You will need to arrive to
campus August 20th or 21st, 2013.
You will be picked up from the Indianapolis airport when you
arrive. Before you arrive, you MUST fill out the New Student
Arrival Form by NO LATER than July 19,
2013. You must fill this form out even if you do not want
to be picked up from the airport!
You are able to arrive 30 days before the program start date on
your I-20 or DS-2019. We recommend that you arrive no earlier than
two days before Orientation. If you arrive before the
recommended date, you will need to find your own transportation
from the airport, your own accommodations, as well as your own
meals. Butler will not be open to students and
consequently, there will be no students here.
If you and your parents would like to come early and have
some time to explore Indianapolis before you are scheduled to begin
here are some
local Indianapolis hotels, and be sure to visit the Beyond Butler
tab for fun things to do around the city!
Important Documents:
Make sure that you are putting all important documentation
(passport, visa, signed I-20 or Ds-2019, health
insurance and immunizations information, etc.) in your
carry-on luggage and NOT your checked luggage.
Also, make sure you have a change of clothes and hygiene essentials
in your carry-on in case your checked luggage is delayed.
International Driver's License:
If you are planning to drive an automobile in the United States,
you must get an international driver's license
before you arrive in Indianapolis. You can only
receive an international driver's license in your country. This is
simply an English translation of your home country's driver's
license (if your driver's license in already in English, you will
not need to get an international driver's license).
Money:
Make sure that you have at least $200USD in cash or traveler's
checks when you arrive. If you are in the United States for an
extended period of time, it is recommended that you open a checking account to
avoid international and automatic teller machine (ATM) transaction
fees.
*If you have any balance with Butler, you may pay with credit
card, but there will be a transaction fee. It is recommended that
you bring a few checks in the event that you need to pay the
balance before you return home.*
Packing for Indianapolis weather:
Indiana has four distinct seasons; summer, fall, winter, and
spring. You will need a heavy coat, hat, scarf, gloves in the
winter. You will need shorts, t-shirts, sandals in the summer. Make
sure you are packing your luggage accordingly. Visit weather.com
for more information on Indianapolis weather.
Reminders of home:
Bring photos of friends and family, a couple books, and a few
other things that remind you of home. You will want them later on
in the semester.
Pre-Arrival Checklist:
Obtain access to MyButler and create Butler
e-mail account
Carefully read the Orientation information
Review your I-20 or Ds-2019 document when
you receive it. Check that all the information is correct (spelling
of your name, your birth date, program dates, etc.)
Create a folder for all your important
documents - make copies of all your immigration documents
Pay SEVIS fee: http://www.fmjfee.com
Locate your local U.S. consulate; schedule an
appointment for a visa interview: http://www.usembassy.gov/
Arrange travel to U.S. Plan to
arrive August 20th or 21st,
2013
Complete the New Student Arrival Form
Apply for Housing as soon as possible. The
housing contract came in your Butler welcome packet.
Plan your finances (check with your bank about
travelers' checks, money transfers, etc.)
Obtain an international driver's license
Research the Indianapolis area: visitindy.com, Indianapolis
Arrange for airport pickup
Get required vaccinations and fill out
required health forms (http://www.butler.edu/health-services/forms/) -
obtain the necessary documentation from your doctor
F-1 and J-1 undergraduates will be
automatically enrolled in the University-sponsored student health
insurance program (with the exception of ISEP participants). No
action is required; the charge will appear on a student's
University account. Policy information is updated each year on May
15 and can be found here: www.gallagherkoster.com/butler
Pay fees and tuition in full. Visit the Student
Accounts website for tuition and payment information.
Research Student Life at
Butler (Student clubs, organizations, etc.).