International Students
Intercultural Student Engagement, within the Center for Student Success (CSS), provides holistic wellness for all International students at SNU. CSS strives to make the orientation process seamless for each student by providing the resources required to help them succeed academically and thrive in campus life. Below is a list of resources, support structures, and care systems offered to International students.
CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS RESOURCES
The Center for Student Success is located in the library building across from the coffee shop and hosts a number of offices that are strategically aligned to provide services that assist students in attaining academic success. These services include:
Academic Engagement Services
- Academic Engagement Plan
- Academic Coaching
- Clifton Strengths Program
- Student Retention Alerts Responses
- Academic Accountability and Improvement
Strategic Courses for Under-Resourced Students
- Further equip students with study strategies & time management
Writing Support for All Courses
- Student-led Course Tutoring
- Student Advocacy
Transitional Services
- New Student Institute (NSI) for first-year and transfer students
- Collaboration with General Education Program on 1st-Year Learning Communities
- First Year Experience Workshops
- Advising for Undeclared Majors
- Testing Services
Other Assistance
- Disability Services
- Intercultural Ambassadors
- Commuter Connection Program
CSS also serves as a liaison between students and Faculty, Administration, Residence Life, Career Services, Counseling Center, Student Health Services, and Financial Aid.
International Student Care
To provide a seamless onboarding experience admissions to enrollment, CSS works in partnership with several departments to coordinate the international student’s journey from pre-arrival to life on campus. Part of this process requires the student’s compliance with federal and SNU student requirements. These requirements are listed below. Please note this list may not be completely exhaustive based on changing Federal or SNU regulations as mandated by the State.
Upon acceptance and admission to SNU, the student should advise on the intended date of travel and expected arrival date prior to their entry to the US. Please note that the earliest date of arrival is always indicated on the I-20 form. It is important to have this in mind before purchasing a ticket to avoid any inconveniences. The student should communicate if they have relatives or family that will pick them up from the airport. Should you not have anyone to pick you from the airport, please contact:
Terra Dupree, tdupree@snu.edu
Students may sometimes encounter a number of challenges while traveling on a student visa. To facilitate a seamless journey in and out of the country during semester breaks, we encourage all students to contact the registrar’s office at least two weeks before the intended date of travel out of the country and obtain a signed I-20 form. This form will be required by immigration when the student is entering the US. The registrar can be reached through the address kcowan@mail.snu.edu. To know more about the tuition costs and how to pay for them pre-post arrival, please contact admissions at admissions@snu.edu.
The function of a Designated School Official is to update and maintain the SEVIS records of nonimmigrant students in F and M visa categories. SNU’s DSO is Krista Cowan, Assistant Registrar. For any questions you may have you can contact her via email: kcowan@mail.snu.edu. The onboarding process starts from the international student office that resides with the registrar. The DSO contacts the student on all the documents required to streamline the application and academic process before arriving on campus.
Traditional undergraduate students attending daytime classes will participate in New Student Institute, SNU’s new student orientation. The orientation process usually takes 4 days so please plan your time accordingly to ensure that you are fully prepared for these sessions. More details on the orientation process can be accessed at https://www.snu.edu/nsi/.
Participating in orientation programs helps the students learn more about:
- Resources and facilities within the campus.
- Student societies within the campus.
- Meet various advisors who will be valuable to the student’s academic success.
- Develop lasting connections through friendships with peers and faculty teams.
International Student Society is an affinity group for International Students to help build connection and belonging at SNU.
International students are required to obtain health insurance once they arrive in the United States. Below are a few resources that would be helpful in obtaining health insurance. This list is not exhaustive and we do encourage students to also do their research and find health insurance that caters to their needs.
This allows international students studying at SNU to select an insurance package that suits their needs.
This provides three different package types for F and J Visa students.
This provides three different package plans for F and M Visa students.
International Student Insurance provides a cover based on the university requirements.
Vaccinations
In order to meet SNU requirements, International students need to provide proof of the following immunizations:
- 2 doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B
- At least 1 Meningitis if under 22 ( recommended 2 doses)
- Negative TB test.
Vaccination records will need to be sent in English to the SNU Health Center (link to https://my.snu.edu/health-center/ ).
To facilitate the student’s smooth transition to campus life, students may be required to obtain documentation that helps them easily assimilate to the culture and lifestyle in a new country. Some of these facilities include:
- Getting a campus job https://my.snu.edu/career-center/student-employment/
- Obtaining a bank account.
Some of the banks that open international student accounts include Bank of America, Midfirst Bank or Chase bank. Additionally, Credit Unions can open a bank account provided the student has a Passport, I-20 Form, local address, and a valid passport. Some banks require an initial deposit at the point of opening the account. To find out more information about the account opening fees and monthly account maintenance fees, please visit the website of the respective bank.
- Applying for a Social Security Number kcowan@mail.snu.edu
- Obtaining a driver’s license https://www.dmv.com/ok/oklahoma/drivers-license.
- Academic records and transcripts https://my.snu.edu/transcript-request/
- Campus housing for undergraduate students housing@snu.edu
- Map of SNU https://www.snu.edu/campus-map/
- SNU Health Center https://my.snu.edu/health-center/
Visit the International Admissions page for a step-by-step guide on how to apply.
