Preparing for Arrival
Once you have been admitted to Georgia Southern, you’ll want to preparing to arrive in Statesboro. This can be an exciting and but also overwhelming process. There is a lot to plan for, but the information below can help you get ready for and feel comfortable making the move to Statesboro.
SOAR
All students new to Georgia Southern must attend a session of SOAR (Southern’s Orientation, Advisement, and Registration). Once you have been admitted to Georgia Southern, you will be able to sign up for International SOAR, hosted by the Office of International Programs and Services. During SOAR you will learn much more about Georgia Southern, life in the United States classroom, banking, visa regulations, and much more. You will also have the opportunity to learn about your program of study, meet your academic advisor, and register for your first semester’s course schedule. You can visit the Office of Admissions website to learn much more about International SOAR.
Housing and Meals
There are a variety of house options available to Georgia Southern Students. First year students/Freshmen are required to live on campus in Centennial Place or Southern Courtyard. Exchange student housing will be in University Villas. You can browse the University Housing website to see the complete list of campus residence halls.
Apply early for on-campus housing to receive the best options! You are able to log into the Housing Application three days after you are accepted for admission. To log in, you will need your Eagle ID number, which you will receive via email when you apply to Georgia Southern. Your password is your date of birth: mmddyyyy. You will need to pay a $100 non-refundable application fee at the time of completing the application.
If you plan to live off-campus, you should arrive early as finding an apartment can be time-consuming. Keep in mind that you may need to stay in a hotel while you are looking for an apartment. For a list of apartment complexes in Statesboro, please visit here. Carefully read all information listed in the lease, including deposits, utilities, length of lease, etc. Always consider how far the apartment is located from campus, as Statesboro does not have public transportation.
Immunization and Health Documentation Requirements
All students enrolling in Georgia Southern University are required to show proof of immunizations. Please go to the Health Services website for more information. Immunization forms should be submitted to Georgia Southern Health Services at least 4 weeks prior to SOAR (orientation and registration).
The University System of Georgia requires all international students to purchase health insurance. You will be automatically billed after you register for classes every semester. The health insurance fee paid in August covers August through December. The fee paid in January covers January through July. Each semester period (fall and spring/summer) you will need to either enroll in, or waive out of, the USG SHIP through the United Healthcare-Student Resources Georgia Southern MyAccount online program. During orientation, we will discuss how the health care system works in the United States and how to use this health insurance plan in the event that you require medical attention. Please bring any questions you may have to orientation!
All students are required to purchase the University System of Georgia Student Health Insurance Program (USG SHIP) unless they have insurance on a pre-approved waiver list and submit policy information to receive a waiver.
Please direct any questions to the Office of International Programs and Services by either emailing Ms. Tanya Brakhage or calling (+) 1-912-478-0332.
What to Bring
Moving to Statesboro is exciting but deciding what to pack can be challenging. Check the luggage restrictions for your airline as overweight luggage can be very costly. Also know that there are several places in Statesboro to purchase needed items. In fact, we will take you shopping after you arrive so that you can purchase items such as bed sheets, towels, and school supplies. You may also want to purchase small electronic items here if your country does not use 120/60Hz voltage, the standard for the United States. Some students may choose to purchase bed linens, towels, and other small supplies in advance and ship them to our office so the items are waiting when they arrive. Should you choose to do so, please be sure to use this shipping information:
(USE YOUR NAME AS THE RECIPIENT)
Office of International Programs and Services
261 Forest Drive, Veazy Hall, Suite 2021
Statesboro, GA 30458
The United States is an informal country and students usually dress informally for classes and for social events. However, there will be special occasions when you will be asked to dress in business attire. The weather also determines the type of clothes you should bring. Statesboro is hot during the summer (average day time temperature of 91F or 32C) and cool during the winter (average day time temperature of 60F or 15C).
In addition to what University Housing suggests, here are some other recommended items to bring with you:
- Personal medications and prescriptions for refills
- Extra eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Items to remind you of home and share with new friends, such as photographs, books, postcards, music
- Traditional clothing to wear during international celebrations
You should travel with your passport (valid at least six months into the future), Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by Georgia Southern, admission letter, and financial documentation. You will be asked to present these documents when you arrive in the United States.
When to Arrive
It is important to know when to arrive at Georgia Southern in order to be on time for International SOAR. Students should check their pre-arrival information and this website to see the listed dates of arrival. These are the dates that your University dormitories will be open for check-in, and students are expected to arrive. Students who arrive earlier than the dates listed will need to pay an additional fee for lodging expenses.
Residence halls will open for new international students beginning January 4, 2017. Classes start on January 9, 2017.
Arriving late should be avoided. Arriving late is very stressful for students, and it means you will miss very important information provided during International SOAR!
Last updated: 1/18/2019