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Packed and Ready to Go, What is Next? 

Now that you are ready to come to the U.S., please read the information below carefully. Below, you will find useful information to consider before leaving your country, as well as information on what to do as soon as you arrive in Clarksville. If you still have some questions, do not hesitate to contact our office.

  • Be sure you know your flight itinerary (flight numbers, departure and arrival times).

  • Verify that you have transportation arranged from the airport. If you need assistance with transportation from Nashville to Clarksville, contact the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange for information on shuttles.

  • Students will arrive at the BNA-Nashville International Airport. The average travel time from BNA to APSU is 45 minutes to one hour. Use the Exit 11 Pickup Form and our office will try to arrange transportation for you from Exit 11 Park and Ride to Austin Peay State University.

If you have pre-arranged transportation and your flight information changes, be sure to notify the shuttle company and/or our office of any changes whenever possible.

  • Hand carry all of your important documents, including your passport, DS-2019, visa, acceptance letter, financial documents and all other supporting documents. These must be readily available for immigration officials at your port of entry.

  • Hand carry all contact information for:

*  Shuttle service pick-up at BNA or contact number for the volunteer scheduled for pick-up

*  APSU Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange: (931) 221-6851

*  APSU Office of Housing: (931) 221-7444

*  APSU Office of Public Safety (APSU 24-hour emergency contact number): (931) 221-7786 (Use to reach emergency contact of PDSO or other campus contact after business hours.)

  • When you arrive at your Point of Entry and pass through Customs and Border Protection (CBP), you will receive a stamp in your passport with the date of admission, class of admission (F1 or J1) and admitted-until-date (D/S). Check that your information is correct. If it is not correct, notify the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange as soon as you arrive on campus. Your electronic arrival/departure record (I-94) can be found online.

  • If for some reason, the CBP inspector cannot verify your information or you do not have all your required documents, you will go through secondary inspection. This allows inspectors more time to research and verify your information without delaying other passengers. It is very important that you have name and contact information for the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange director (after business hours, contact APSU Office of Public Safety.)

Please come by the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange (International White House, 325 Drane Street, 2nd Floor) when you arrive in Clarksville – we want to know you have arrived safely! Our office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

When you come to our office, please bring all of the following items to the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange:

  • Your passport
  • Visa
  • DS-2019
  • The most updated official transcript from your home institution, if necessary

Our office needs to make copies of these documents for our records.

All exchange students are required to attend a mandatory Exchange Student Orientation. The purpose of the orientation is to provide important information to help you adjust to life at APSU and how to maintain your J1 visa status. This orientation usually takes place at 10 AM on the Thursday prior to when classes are scheduled to start. The exact date and time is on the welcome letter you received.

As part of this orientation, the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange also organizes fun events and activities to welcome exchange students to our campus and the U.S. 

If you have not submitted this already, exchange students must bring all of the following items to the APSU Health Services department:

  • proof of two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)  immunizations,
  • proof of chicken pox immunization
  • proof of a negative tuberculosis test from within 30 days of your arrival to the United States (BCG not acceptable), or a letter from your doctor stating that you are TB free, and
  • Students who are 21 and under must also have received a meningitis shot from within the last 5 years. This shot can me administrated at APSU Health Services once you arrive on campus, but will cost $125.
  • See APSU Insurance for insurance recommendations; note that J-1 students are required to provide insurance to maintain status

 

Most of the services offered by APSU Health Services are free to students. However, there are some services that require payments. The APSU Health Services department does not file claims with any  insurance company. Therefore, students utilizing paid-services will be responsible for filing their own claim. 

 

Exchange students are responsible for carrying their Health Insurance ID at all times. If you need to visit a doctor or a hospital, you are responsible for showing them your insurance ID, which will start the insurance claim process. Failure to do so could result in unexpected bills that you will be responsible for, which can be very expensive. 

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Exchange Students at the Holiday Party host by the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange.