After You're Accepted or Receive Your Visa
Welcome to Waldorf! We are excited to have you. It is going to be a fun August with many activities and events planned for you.
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 me your arrival date and time into Mason City/Clear Lake so I may pick you up and also your flight numbers, airports, times, dates, so that I may know your travel route in case there is a problem.
You should fly into Minneapolis , Minnesota between January 4-6.
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 Northwest/Mesaba 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 Northwest Airlines/Mesaba 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 Northwest/Mesaba 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.) It costs about $33 to $36. 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 .
Here are the times:
1. Jefferson Bus leaves Minneapolis airport at 2:15 pm and arrives in Mason City at 5:05 pm. - 7 days a week.
2. Jefferson Bus leaves Minneapolis airport at 8:50 pm and arrives in Clear Lake at 11:40 pm.- 7 days a week.
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 me: My office number is 641-585-8124 and my home phone is 641-425-3995 and email is muffh@waldorf.edu.
3. DRIVING TO WALDORF
If you are driving to Waldorf College , please let me know what date/time that you are planning on arriving to Forest City so that I may make sure that someone can let you into your dorm room.
4. AFTER YOU ARRIVE
There will be a required International Student Orientation on January 6 that will include a tour of campus, getting your laptop computer, student ID card, and various other fun activities. Classes begin January 7. 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. I will be able to provide you with blankets and pillows for your bed.
7. ITEMS TO PACK
The weather in Iowa changes quite frequently. When you arrive in January it will be very, very cold, needing 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 here. 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 I 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.
We may provide you with a pillow, blanket, sheets, and bath towel. But you may bring your own as well.
8. BRING TO THE PORT OF ENTRY
You need to bring your I-20, Passport, Financial documents, Copy of Financial Aid Award Letter, Waldorf College Acceptance Letter, I-94 card, copies of school records, Waldorf College 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
I 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. I 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 you current bank that you will be traveling abroad so that they know that you will be withdrawing funds from overseas. I recommend that you carry two forms of money including a credit card, debit card, travelers checks, or cash. There are several cash withdrawal machines and banks in town. Please do not bring a large amount of cash, but if you need to then 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. I prefer they email me and I will get back to them. There are also $10-20 phone cards available at the airport, convenience stores, and at our college Bookstore.
I hope you have a wonderful trip and welcome to Waldorf College ! Let me know if you have any questions about anything else.
Make sure to email me your arrival information so that I may pick you up at the Mason City Airport or Bus Station. Remember DO NOT take a Taxi from Minneapolis it is VERY EXPENSIVE!
Sincerely,
Ryan Flickinger
international@waldorf.edu
641-585-8116
