After You Get Accepted or Receive Your Visa

Welcome to Waldorf College! After you receive your Visa here is some helpful information:

1. ITEMS TO MAIL TO WALDORF COLLEGE BEFORE ARRIVING
   Please return your Tuition Deposit form, your signed financial aid award letter, your health exam, and other items listed on your checklist as soon as possible .
    
2. AIRPLANE ARRIVAL
   Email your arrival date and time into Mason City/Clear Lake to Mary Dickman at international@waldorf.edu so we may pick you up and also your flight numbers, airports, times, dates, so that we may know your travel route in case there is a problem.
   
   You should fly into Minneapolis, Minnesota
   
   Then either fly to Mason City, Iowa Airport or take a bus to Mason City/Clear Lake. DO NOT TAKE A TAXI FROM MINNEAPOLIS TO FOREST CITY. It is very expensive!
   
   To fly to Mason City, Iowa Airport:
   
   You will need to connect to a Delta flight from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Mason City, Iowa . You should try to book an air flight all the way to Mason City when you book your flight from your home country. Connect via Delta Airlines to Mason City, Iowa from Minneapolis. Your airline there should be able to book that. It is too expensive to wait to book the Delta flight when you get to Minneapolis.
   
   If you are NOT able to book an air flight to Mason City then you may take a Bus:
   
   To get a bus from the Minneapolis, Minnesota airport to Iowa :
   
   Go to the lowest level of the Minneapolis airport. Ask the information desk in the center where to go to buy a ticket from the Jefferson Bus Lines. Purchase a one-way ticket to Mason City or Clear Lake, Iowa on the next available bus. (These towns are only one mile apart and I can meet you at either.) If the bus place is closed, you may still buy a ticket on the bus from the driver. Just ask where the bus comes and get on the bus to Mason City or Clear Lake, Iowa .
   
   There are only a few times that the bus goes to Mason City/Clear Lake. You will need time to go through customs and then buy a bus ticket to come. You need to let me know that you are going to take a bus so I can meet you at the bus station in either Mason City or Clear Lake .
   
   If you have any problems with your flights when you are traveling use these numbers to get a hold of Mary Dickman at international@waldorf.edu.
    
3. DRIVING TO WALDORF
   If you are driving to Waldorf, please let us know what date/time that you are planning on arriving to Forest City so that we may make sure that someone can let you into your dorm room.
    
4. AFTER YOU ARRIVE
   There will be a required International Student Orientation that will include a tour of campus, getting your student ID card, and various other fun activities. You are not allowed to arrive late for the semester.
    
5. FOOD
   Your meal plan will start as soon as you arrive. You will be able to eat in the cafeteria.
    
6. HOUSING
   You will move into your room as soon as you arrive. Waldorf will be able to provide you with blankets and pillows for your bed.
    
7. ITEMS TO PACK
   The weather in Iowa changes quite frequently. Bring long pants, long shirt sleeves, thick sweaters, and sweatshirts. Bring a pair of tennis shoes and dressy shoes. You will also need a winter coat and hand gloves. You may purchase these items here. Books for classes can be purchase through the Waldorf College Bookstore. There are stores in town in which you may purchase these items as the weather changes and we will take a trip to some clothes stores so that you may purchase some clothes but we recommend bringing some warm and cold weather clothes. Please also pack socks, underwear, bathing products, medicines, backpack, and items to decorate your room such as posters, photos, and pictures. Linens may be purchased upon arrival.
    
8. BRING TO THE PORT OF ENTRY
   You need to bring your I-20, Passport, Financial documents, Copy of Financial Aid Award Letter, Waldorf Acceptance Letter, I-94 card, copies of school records, Waldorf brochure or something that has my contact information on it and any other forms of Identification with you on the plane so that you may provide them immediately at the Port of Entry.
    
9. MONEY
   We recommend that you exchange your currency into US Dollars before you fly into Minneapolis or at the Minneapolis Airport . There are NO places to exchange it once you leave the airport. We recommend you bring $100-300 USD with you in case of an emergency and to purchase food and items when you first arrive. You will also need $300-400 USD to purchase books during the 1-2 weeks after you arrive.
   
   You should inform your current bank that you will be traveling abroad so that they know that you will be withdrawing funds from overseas. We recommend that you carry two forms of money including a credit card, debit card, travelers checks, or cash. There is a cash withdrawal machine on campus and banks in town. Please do not bring a large amount of cash, but if you need to, we will take it to a local bank.
    
10. CONTACTING YOUR FAMILY WHEN YOU FIRST ARRIVE
    When you first arrive, depending on the hour of the day, you will have access to email or phone to tell your family that you have arrived. If it is late at night then I will email your family for you to let them know that you arrived safely. Please give someone in your family my contact information so that they may contact me if you are having flight problems or if they are wondering about your arrival. There are also $10-20 phone cards available at the airport, convenience stores, and at our college bookstore. The local phone carrier in town is Verizon Wireless.

We hope you have a wonderful trip and welcome to Waldorf! Let us know if you have any questions about anything else.

Make sure to complete the transportation request form so that you may be picked up at the Mason City Airport or Bus Station. Remember DO NOT take a Taxi from Minneapolis as it is VERY EXPENSIVE!

International Admissions Contact Information
800.292.1903 (Phone)
641.585.8125 (Fax)
international@waldorf.edu