Your Future, Front and Centre

Centre College welcomes students from around the country and the world. The International Student Services (ISS) office strives to provide support and programming to accommodate and improve the experiences of international students on Centre's campus in Danville, Kentucky (KY), USA.

Jessica Leonard, Assistant Director of the Center for Global Citizenship / International Student Services, serves as your international student advisor to offer personal and timely advice regarding immigration regulations, academic support resources, cultural adjustment, and social engagement. 

If you or your loved ones have any questions or concerns, please contact Jessica Leonard preferably via email: jessica.leonard@centre.edu 

Below is a general guide for all new international students coming to Centre for their first semester. Please note that there are some tasks specifically for first-year students and some tasks specifically for exchange students.  

1) Obtain your F-1 Student Visa

Visit the Obtaining a Student Visa page on CentreNet to learn more about the process of getting your F-1 student visa. Note that ISS will host a Zoom information session on the F-1 visa process in early June, but you do NOT need to wait until that session to begin your F-1 student visa application if you have already received your Form I-20. 

2) Follow the Summer Pre-Orientation Guide

For incoming first-year students

Please refer to the New Student Orientation page on Centre.edu for everything that you need to do before you join us in August. Some items are time-sensitive and have specific deadlines**, so make sure to check the website regularly over the summer to ensure all of your tasks are completed prior to your arrival.

Deviations from New Student Orientation:

**Note that the suggested completion date for "Submit Health Records/Insurance" is often extended for incoming international students as it can be difficult in some countries to acquire vaccine or immunization documentation by the end of May. It is very helpful to have documents translated into English, but if a translation service is very expensive, then you may be able to translate information yourself with the Student Health staff during International Student Orientation. Furthermore, you do not need to upload insurance information since you will be enrolled in the LewerMark International Student Health insurance group policy by ISS who will provide the appropriate documentation to Student Health.

While New Student Orientation for incoming first-year students begins on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 new international students must arrive to campus on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. Please contact ISS rather than Anita Bertram to schedule your airport shuttle to campus (Students ONLY, no family/friend guests are allowed on the College airport shuttles) or to confirm your personal transportation to campus arrangements. Lincoln Scholars, Brown Fellows, athletes, and those in other cohort programs should consult their mentor or coach for exact move-in details.  

For incoming exchange students

Please refer to the following chart for a checklist of summer tasks that you must complete prior to your arrival.

3) Schedule Arrival to Campus with ISS

Do NOT book your flight until you have a successful F-1 visa interview. You will need to make travel arrangements to arrive at Lexington's Blue Grass Airport (airport code: LEX) on Wednesday, August 16, 2003. Please promptly contact ISS with your flight information to arrange an airport shuttle to campus or to confirm your personal transportation directly to campus plans.

4) Pack Your Essentials

• Keep the following important documents in your carry-on bag. Do NOT pack them in your checked bag.
  • Passport with valid F-1 visa stamp (only citizens from Canada and Bermuda can enter the US on F-1 visa status with their valid passport, I-20, admission to Centre College letter, and proof of I-901 SEVIS fee payment)
  • I-20
  • Immunization / Vaccine records and any existing prescriptions / medications
  • Proof of I-901 SEVIS fee payment (recommended)
  • Centre College admission letter (recommended)
  • financial documents (recommended)
• Clothes
  • In Kentucky, we like to say: if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes (because it may change)
  • Kentucky typically experiences all seasons, so keep the weather and your lifestyle in mind.
  • Many students who do not have winter or cooler seasons in their home countries will not pack, but will plan to later purchase appropriate clothing later in the school year.
• Electronics
  • Most international students will bring their unlocked cell phone (and charger) plus a laptop or tablet (and charger)
  • Cell phone SIM cards can be acquired during International Student Orientation
  • Power convertor or adapter, if appropriate (In the US, the electric plug sockets are type A or type B. The standard voltage is 120 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.)
  • headphones/earphones, watches, etc
• Other items
  • It can be really nice to bring some sentimental items like pictures of family and friends to make your residence hall feel more like home
  • Some students will pack a favorite snack or small gift to share/give to their roommate and new friends on campus
  • Most students will NOT pack larger items like blankets, bed sheets, towels to save space in their luggage. While we may have some bedding and linens available for short-term lending/borrowing, it is recommended to purchase those items online and have them shipped to campus over the summer with the following mailing address:

YOUR NAME

c/o Jessica Leonard

600 W Walnut St

Danville, KY 40422 USA

5) Setup campus wifi BEFORE arrival

Please see https://centrenet.centre.edu/ICS/Campus_Resources/Information_Technology_Services/Knowledge_Base/Eduroam.jnz

https://centrenet.centre.edu/ICS/Campus_Resources/Information_Technology_Services/Knowledge_Base/Registering_my_Laptop_or_Desktop.jnz

For more information, please contact ISS and/or refer to the following source(s):

New Student Orientation page on Centre.edu