WKU International Orientation
Everything you need to know prior to beginning your studies at WKU
STEP 1- Let us know you're coming by filling out this form.
STEP 2- Online student orientation will be available soon through Blackboard. An email outlining requirements will be sent after April 1.
STEP 3- Learn more about what to expect and how to prepare:
STUDENTS MUST ATTEND A MANDATORY FACE TO FACE ORIENTATION SESSION.
**If you will be completing online courses from outside the US, please notify our office to provide the link to you.
Fall 2025 orientation dates
Monday, August 11 AND Tuesday, August 12
- Thursday will be all students
- Friday students will be broken into either morning or afternoon cohorts
WHERE: Honors College International Center (HCIC) 1014
WKU is located in the heart of Bowling Green, Kentucky, a thriving university town and the third largest city in Kentucky. From the Hill, you can walk to great restaurants and shopping locations or you can use the Topper Transit system to go shopping and visit other local sites. Housing in Bowling Green has a variety of prices, locations, and features. Whether you want to live in WKU housing or off-campus, make sure to arrange your housing early. Students should look for housing as soon as possible after they are admitted.
OVERVIEW OF ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:
WKU HAS A REQUIRED ON-CAMPUS HOUSING POLICY. PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Healthcare in the United States is very expensive. A simple visit to a doctor can cost hundreds of dollars and staying in the hospital for a couple of days may cost thousands. Therefore, health insurance is required at WKU for ALL international students. A MANDATORY health insurance plan offered by WKU is available to ALL international students.
All of Western Kentucky University's international students are automatically enrolled in Wellfleet insurance and it will appear on your university bill. The cost of your health insurance is included in the amount shown on your I-20/DS-2019.
Please do not purchase health insurance in your home country. Detailed information regarding the plan can be found at WKU Student Health Insurance Plan.
New international student orientation is required for all incoming students, and you should be excited to attend! New student orientation was designed specifically for you to help with your transition into the US, maintain your immigration compliance, and connect you with all the resources you'll need to succeed. You'll learn about local transportation, banking options, housing, mobile phone providers, cultural transitioning, how to pay your student bill, and so much more.
Orientation modules are to be completed via Blackboard prior to your course registration. Face to face orientation sessions will be hosted prior to the beginning of the semester.
If you have not already, confirm your attendance so we can help prepare for your arrival. We can not WAIT to meet you soon!
All students should be prepared to pay 50% of their total balance by the first week of classes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PAYMENTS HEREPlanning your arrival can be stressful, so to help make things easier, we created a pre-arrival checklist that helps inform you of all the necessary steps you will need to take before heading to "The Hill". To view the checklist, click HERE.