Pre-departure for International Students

We are so glad that you chose the University of Maine!!  Please read the information on the Arrival Checklist, Arrival and Orientation links to help you prepare for your travel to Maine. When you finalize your plans, please submit your arrival information to us so we know when to expect you.

Fall Semester

  • Arrival Form Fall 2025.  We ask all students to submit the arrival form, even if they do not require a pickup at the Bangor airport, bus station or hotel, and even if you plan to live off campus.
    Students should arrive August 26, 2025.

Spring Semester

  • Arrival Form Spring 2025 – We ask all students to submit the arrival form, even if they do not require a pickup at the Bangor airport, bus station or hotel, and even if you plan to live off campus.
    Students should plan to arrive Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

Helpful Information:

Pre-arrival Zoom Sessions

All sessions will begin at 9am EST and will last about 1 hour.  Confirmed students will be sent an email invitation with a registration and Zoom link.  A video of the session will be posted after each session.

Upcoming Webinars for Spring 2025 students:
Visa and Arrival Information– November 5 at 9:00 AM – View recording here.
Housing Information and Managing Your Finances– November 13 at 9:00 AM – View recording here.
SEVIS Transfers for Students in the US– November 21 at 4:00 pm
Registering for Classes– November 22 at 9:00 AM – View recording here.
Health Insurance and Immunization Requirements– December 5 at 9:00 AM – View recording here.
Graduate Student Topics– December 11 at 9:00 AM – View recording here.
Employment Information & General Reminders- December 17 at 9:00 AM – View recording here.

Webinars for Fall 2024 students:
Visa and Arrival Information– May 16 at 9:00 AM
Click Here to View This Session

 
Housing Information and Managing Your Finances– May 24 at 9:00 AM
 
Registering for Classes and Taking the Math Placement Exam (Undergraduate topic)– May 29 at 9:00 AM
 
SEVIS Transfers for Students in the US– June 6 at 4:00PM
 
Health Insurance and Immunization Requirements– June 18 at 9:00 AM
 
Graduate Student Topics– July 11th at 9:00 AM
 
Transfer Credits (Undergraduate topic)– July 24 at 9:00 AM
 
Employment Information & General Topics- August 1 at 9:00 AM
Click here to view this session
 
Adjusting to US Culture– TBA

Packing & Luggage

HOT TIPS

  • Be sure to keep all of your important documents (passport, I-20 or DS-2019) in your carry-on bag;
  • You can use our office address and telephone number on your luggage name tags in case it is delayed;
  • Have this contact information inside your luggage, in case the luggage tag comes off;
  • If your luggage is delayed, give the airline our office address for delivery.

 GENERAL PACKING TIPS

  • Bring only what you will need and travel lightly, you will have the opportunity to buy clothes once you are here;
  • For spring semester arrivals, pack warm clothing;
  • The electric grid in the U.S. is different than in Europe and many other countries. Make sure you have an adapter for your laptop and other electronic items before you travel;
  • You will have opportunities to dress in your national clothes and to share information about your country and its culture with other students at international festivals and at school and community organizations.
  • We have scheduled a shopping trip in Bangor on day two of Orientation.  You can buy essential  items  such as  pillows, blankets, sheets, towels, snacks, etc.
  • Consider bringing with you any small items or pictures that will make you feel “at home” in your residence hall or apartment;
  • Money in the amount of $10,000 or more and items of considerable value must be declared on entry. If you have questions regarding U.S. CBP regulations, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country before leaving or visit the CBP website.

Frequently Asked Pre-departure Questions

What is the weather like in Maine? Many students find the four distinct season of Maine to be a most interesting experience. Fall lasts from mid-September through November with temperatures ranging between 30° and 70°Fahrenheit (-1°to 23°C). Winter continues from December to April. Snow and icy rain are common and temperatures range from -25° to 40° F (-32° to 5° C). Winters are generally cold, but prolonged cold spells are rare. Average snowfall is 60 to 90 inches (152-228 cm) yearly. January normally has the heaviest snowfall. Spring arrives in April and lasts until mid-June. The temperatures climb to a range of 45° to 65°F (8° to 18° C). Summer begins in mid-June and last until September. Temperatures ranging from 70° to 80°(22° to 27° C) are most common. Occasionally the temperature reaches the 90° to 100° (33° to 39° C) range. Summer nights are usually cool and comfortable. Storms such as tornadoes or hurricanes are very rare but thunderstorms do occur in the summer.

What kind of clothing is suitable to Maine? Most students dress informally on campus. You will need light weight clothes for summer and heavier clothing including a warm winter coat, snow boots, hat and mittens or gloves for winter. Most of these items can be purchased economically after you arrive.

How safe is campus? Very. University of Maine Public Safety has 21 regular officers and 14 other officers in reserve. They patrol campus 24 hours a day with at least 2 officers at any given time. UMaine offers a program called walking companions where two students will walk you to your dorm at night. All residence halls are locked 24 hours a day.

Does a student need a computer? Most majors don’t require one. In addition to the academic computer laboratories, there are public computer clusters in the Memorial Union and Fogler Library. How many classes are taught by teacher’s assistants? Not many. Professors teach most UMaine classes, with the exception of English 101 and Calculus I. TA’s lead labs and run study sessions.

What is the average class size? For 100-level courses, 150 students. Math classes are all capped at 50. English and computer science courses are no larger than 25, and neither are science labs. UMaine’s 200-level courses top out around 30; 300-level courses range from 15 to 35; 400-level courses have six to 12 students. Our average student-faculty ratio is 14:1.

How easy is it to talk to a professor? Very. UMaine professors are known for working closely with undergraduates. In addition, they have office hours and often are willing to meet with students outside those office hours.

How do I get around? The campus is large but very easy to walk around. Most students live in the residence halls and are only minutes away from academic buildings and the dining halls. Some students live off campus and walk or bike to campus. Many students take the BAT bus, which travels to Bangor, Veazie, Orono and Old Town — UMaine students get free bus passes. Student who purchase cars may also purchase a parking permits for $50 per year.

What is a land-grant/sea-grant university? Land- and sea-grant universities were created by the Morrill Act, signed into law by Abe Lincoln in 1862. It gave land to states to create public universities so “average sons of average citizens” could learn the “agricultural and mechanical arts” and military sciences. UMaine offers all that — and way more — today. Oh, and these days, we call the mechanical arts “engineering.”