Before You Leave Your Country

Get Your Visa
Go to the United States consulate or embassy to ask for an F-1 (student) visa. Some countries' consulates and embassies require appointments, so it's best to call before you go. Please see Getting A Visa page to get the detailed information on how to get a visa.

Send WESLI Your Arrival Information
Please send your arrival information to WESLI at least 3 weeks before you arrive. In order to guarantee your first choice for housing, send your flight information as soon as possible.

Think About Health Insurance
All WESLI students are required to have health insurance. You may have insurance from your country, or you may choose to get health insurance in the United States. WESLI has an agreement with an insurance company in the United States, and you may join this plan if you would like to. The plan has a $25 deductible for every illness and does not cover treatment by dentists or eye doctors.

Pay Your Fees Using Wire Transfer
If you don't want to carry your money from your country to Madison, you may send your payment including tuition fee, dorm fee, health insurance fee directly to our bank account by wire transfer. Please email or fax us to request the wire transfer instructions.

Arrive In Madison on Arrival Day

WESLI's Arrival Day
Your I-20 allows you to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before or on WESLI Arrival Day, but we prefer you to arrive in Madison only on WESLI's arrival day, which is the first day of the session.

Airport Pick-Up
WESLI provides free airport service from the Dane County Regional Airport in Madison. Someone from WESLI or your homestay will meet you at the airport if you give us 24-hour notice or more. When you arrive, we will help you get your luggage and take you immediately to your dormitory or homestay.

Housing
Students who live with host families should pay their housing fee directly to their host families the first day. Please pay with cash, travelers' checks, or a personal check. Students who live in a dormitory or with a host family must live there for at least one session unless there is a very serious problem. After one session, you may move if you want to. Someone from WESLI can help you if you have any problems. If necessary, we can find an interpreter to help you in your own language.

Registration Day

On WESLI's Registration Day, you will come to WESLI at 9:00 in the morning. You will do various things:

• Bring your passport and I-94 card (the white card you receive on the plane).
• Show proof that you already have appropriate health insurance if you don't want to buy health insurance through WESLI.
• Pay all fees in either cash, a cashier's check, travelers' checks, or by a personal check if you already have a bank account in the U.S.. If you prefer to pay with a credit card, we accept VISA or MasterCard, but there is an additional 3% charge for this. If will use traveler's check, it is easier to bring them in $100 or $500 denominations.
• Take a student ID picture at WESLI.
• Have an interview with one of WESLI's advisors about your goals for learning English.
• Take a placement examination to decide your English level at WESLI.
• Receive your class schedule.
• Buy your books for your classes at WESLI Bookstore. You can also buy notebooks, postcards, international phone cards, and bus passes (See Transportation) at the bookstore.
• Fill out a bank account application form, if you want to open a bank account in Madison.

Orientation Day

On the morning of Orientation Day, a WESLI staff will take all the students who have filled out the bank account application to a bank to open bank accounts. In the afternoon, there will be a New Student Orientation starting at 1:30PM. At that time, you will meet other new students and WESLI staff members who can help you. You will receive general information about WESLI and Madison.


First Day of Class

On the first day of class, you will find your class schedule with your teacher's name and room number in your student mailbox. Your level at WESLI depends upon your abilities and your goals for learning English. Sometimes students want to change their classes. During the first week of the session, we will change your class if it is appropriate.

Life in Madison

Madison is a beautiful city, and you will experience many new and exciting things. However, many things will be different for you. The culture, people, clothing, food, and weather will all be new. Sometimes these changes cause homesickness, especially during the first days. If you are patient and enter your new environment without prejudices, you will soon adapt to your new home. You have a great opportunity - learn and have fun!