Important Information for Exchange Students

This information is for students who have been nominated by CBS, KEDGE (previously BEM), EMS Strasbourg or Peking University HSBC Business School to participate in our exchange program.

This Information Directory provides important information you will need as you plan for your Early Career MBA education at Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management. We will update this information throughout the year because some of the information for 2015-16 is not yet available.

Be sure to contact me with your questions. Email me, Aimee Akimoff, Director of Recruitment, at aakimoff@willamette.edu. You will also be working with Chris Andresen, Associate Director of International Education, about visa and health insurance information. Chris's email is candrese@willamette.edu.

We will keep you up-to-date and informed throughout the coming months. The entire Willamette University Atkinson School community looks forward to welcoming you to WU!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS FOR 2015-16

Application Form and Financial Documents
Be sure to complete and submit our Application for International Exchange Students and the Financial Certification Form (along with all supplementary materials). The application and financial documents give us the information we need to communicate with you, provide the forms you need to apply for a visa to the U.S., register for courses, and more.

Your Financial Certification form should document the availability of $8,000 (U.S) in funds for each semester you will be at Willamette. The documented amount estimates living expenses, personal expenses, insurance, books, etc. for your stay at Willamette University, and does not include the cost of a laptop or round-trip plane tickets to your home country.

Submit your documents by May 15th if you are applying for the fall semester or the fall/spring semester exchange program.

Mail documents and supporting information to:
Judy O'Neill
Associate Dean and Director of Admission
Atkinson Graduate School of Management
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
U.S.A.
Fax #: 503-370-3011

Arriving for Fall Semester
New students should plan to arrive in Salem between August 7th and August 12th (or before) so you have time to get settled and rested before school starts. Our Incoming Student Arrival Team will help new students get settled before school starts. Services include pick up at the Portland Airport and assistance with locating an apartment in Salem after you arrive. This service is especially important for students traveling to Oregon from other states and countries. You received an email for our Student Arrival Team on May 29th so be sure to connect with Katie Hamburg, Incoming Student Arrival Coordinator at mba-arrivals@willamette.edu

Calendar for Fall Semester 2014
Fall Semester 2014 begins on Tuesday, August 19th, with International Student Orientation and Compass Week. International Orientation and Compass Week are required for all new students. We will also have a special optional pre-session event on Friday, August 15th called "Living and Learning in Salem." Remember: All international students must attend the Willamette University International Student Orientation on August 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.

Housing
We have reserved on-campus housing for exchange students. The Willamette University housing office will email you about reservations. The email address of the housing office is housing@willamette.edu. Be sure to email them if you have not heard from them yet.


Textbooks For Fall Semester Courses
We will have a list of textbooks later in the summer. We provide the textbook list so you can purchase your books online before school starts, if you would like to do so. All text books will be available for purchase at The Willamette Store.


Health History and Immunization Records
Oregon state law requires all new students to provide immunization and health records. Forms to be completed are available online in pdf format and are linked below. Be sure to complete the health history and immunization forms as soon as possible and send them to the Willamette University Bishop Wellness Center by August 1st. You can also bring the completed forms with you, but it is helpful if we have the forms before you arrive on campus.
* Immunization Information
* Health History and Immunization Form

If you need the measles immunization (MMR), you can get it on campus during Compass Week. The cost for the MMR vaccination is $62. Charges for vaccinations will be billed to your Willamette University student account.

[Note: If you have recently been enrolled in the Willamette University College of Law or College of Liberal Arts, you should update the health history form, but you do not need to resubmit the immunization and history forms.]



Student Health Insurance
Health care is very expensive in the United States, therefore, international students attending Willamette University and their dependents are required to have health and accident insurance for the duration of their academic program.

Willamette provides a student health insurance plan through Aetna insurance company that meets and exceeds the U.S. Affordable Care Act standards. This plan also meets and exceeds health insurance requirements for “J” visa students. All international students and their dependents are automatically enrolled in the Willamette Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna). The Willamette student health insurance cost for the student is automatically added to the student’s billing account at the beginning of each semester. Payment is required at the time tuition and other charges are paid. Dependents are also automatically enrolled and billed to the student's account. Coverage runs from August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015.

Information about benefits, costs, and a link to the online waiver form for international students who already have comparable health insurance coverage is available will at http://www.willamette.edu/dept/health/insurance/international/index.html.

Enrollment in the WU/Aetna Student Health is done via the Office of International Education. If you have questions about health insurance for International students, contact the Willamette Office of International Education at oeiadvising@willamette.edu.

The cost for 12 months coverage through the Willamette University Student Health Plan for International students for the 2014-15 academic year is $1,308

Planning for Compass Week
Compass Week runs from August 19th through August 22nd. Compass Week is required for all new students and will include important academic, professional and social activities. Different events and activities require different clothing. To help you plan your packing needs, here is your guide to appropriate dress for the activities of Compass Week.

• Business Formal: Business attire typically means a jacket for both men and women. A tie for men, button down shirt, matching slacks and dress shoes. For women, business attire would typically mean a skirt or slacks, jacket, button down shirt or shell with clear or solid color nylons and dress shoes. For Compass Week, be sure your shoes are comfortable for walking.
• Business Casual: Business casual typically means men and women can leave the jacket, tie and nylons at home. Men can wear polo or golf shirts and slacks. Women can wear slacks or skirt and a professional looking shirt. When dressing for "Business Casual," avoid sweat suits, jeans, t-shirts, tennis shoes and flip-flops .

Save Money on Exchange Rates and Bank Transfer Fees with peerTransfer:
Willamette University partners with peerTransfer to save international students money on the exchange rates and bank fees involved their payment processes. Using peerTransfer can save students up to $1,500 a year. peerTransfer also provides great 24 hour multi-lingual customer support (phone, email, Skype, and chat), quick service, and the opportunity to easily track your payment. Learn more about peerTransfer at http://peertransfer.com/ and see a comparison of the costs you will have from peerTransfer versus a typical bank. If you want to use peerTransfer you can access Willamette's page at https://peertransfer.com/school/willamette.

Reminders and General Information

Get Your Willamette University Email Account
If you do not yet have your Willamette University account set up, be sure to see the email I sent you on May 30th! If you have questions, email me at joneill@willamette.edu.

Remember to Join the Incoming Student Facebook Page
If you have not yet joined the facebook page, be sure to join soon. Just go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/529944033793095/ and request to join! The facebook page gives you a great chance to get to know your classmates, staff, your arrival and new student team, and other members of the Willamette community. Students continue to use their class facebook page after they arrive and throughout their MBA program, so be sure to jump in. We also post new opportunities for housing etc., on the facebook page, so it is fun and a source of official information.

Laptop Requirement
All Willamette MBA students are required to have a laptop computer. In some classes you will use your laptop extensively; in others periodically or minimally. See current required laptop specifications

CareerLeader: Remember to complete CareerLeader! You received free access to CareerLeader a few days following your admission. If you have not yet completed CareerLeader, completing it now gives you important time to explore career directions and issues related to your future career satisfaction. We will be requiring the completion of CareerLeader during the summer and you will receive an email giving you a due date. Beth Ursin, Director of Career Management for the Willamette MBA program, will use your CareerLeader results to work with you when school starts. If you have misplaced your access information for your initial log-in for CareerLeader, email Judy O'Neill at joneill@willamette.edu for access directions.

Willamette University Bishop Wellness Center
The Bishop Wellness Center provides Health Services, Counseling Services, and Disability and Learning Services to our students. There is no office visit charge to students; fees are charged for lab work, prescriptions and some supplies. Students are seen by appointment, but urgent problems will be seen immediately. For more information about the services of the Bishop Wellness Center visit http://www.willamette.edu/dept/wellness/index.html

Disability and Learning Services
Willamette MBA students who have a documented disability and would like to request accommodations as covered under the American Disabilities Act are encouraged to apply for special accommodations and services through the Willamette University office of Disability and Learning Services. Disability and Learning Services provides support for individuals with a diagnosed disability (e.g., learning, visual, hearing, psychiatric, chronic illness, etc.). Documentation needs to be on file with Disability and Learning Services to receive appropriate accommodations and services. For more information visit http://www.willamette.edu/dept/disability/ and contact: Director, Disability & Learning Services 503-370-6471 (voice) 503-375-5383 (TDD) 503-375-5420 (fax)