International Student Orientation

Greetings from Western Michigan University! Congratulations on your admission. We are happy to have you joining us on campus in just a few months. For us, a degree is a pursuit of purpose where you're empowered to learn, and where an Experience-Driven Education leads to a meaningful career. Western is the place where you can become your best self. 

Start your academic journey at WMU right by completing mandatory International Student Orientation. Orientation is an essential part of your success at WMU. Orientation contains two parts: a series of virtual orientation modules and an in-person orientation on May 9. 

The virtual portion includes a series of online modules designed to help you make a smooth academic, social, geographic and professional transition to WMU. Students can complete the online tasks at their own pace, so long as they are finished before your arrival in the United States. Start working on your virtual modules today. 

The in-person event on May 9 is a crucial part of your journey at WMU. At orientation, you will meet your peers, learn key immigration information, discover resources offered at WMU and more! Register for in-person orientation. 

Here are the two steps you need to complete this first week to be a successful Bronco: 

Stay tuned for more updates from our office. Remember, it is your responsibility to stay informed. 

Greetings from Western Michigan University!  

Welcome to International Student Orientation. Orientation contains two mandatory parts: a virtual portion, which students complete at their own pace and finish prior to their arrival in the U.S. and an in-person event on WMU’s main campus May 9. Students should begin the virtual orientation modules this week and register for in-person orientation. Join the Summer 2026 Orientation WhatsApp group to connect with your fellow students and WMU staff.  

Save the Date! Meet your International Student and Scholar Services Team 

Mark your calendars now for a virtual event on March 26 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. EST (timezone converter) via WebEx where you will meet the International Student and Scholar Services Team at WMU. No pre-registration is required; simply use the WebEx virtual event link to join. Discussion topics will include: 

Read on for key information on Course Registration, Housing, Immigration and Health Insurance. 

Course Registration: 

Undergraduate international students must schedule an appointment with their academic advisor to enroll in courses. This is to ensure you are taking the right classes and that you maintain good standing with the university. You may use the link in the “Academic Advising for Undergraduate Students" in the virtual orientation module to schedule an appointment. 

Graduate international students will self-register via GoWMU. Before you register, we highly recommend you connect with your advisor. Check out the “Registration and Advising for Graduate Students” module for more information. Please remember, at the graduate level 3.0 credit hours is considered half-time or part-time, and 6.0 credit hours is considered full-time.  

Students of the Center for English Language and Culture (CELCIS) must attend English language placement testing before registering for classes. CELCIS staff will contact you about online placement testing a few weeks prior to your arrival.  

Housing: 

Information about your move to campus is in the “On Campus Living and Dining” module. New international students living in residence halls can move-in on May 8. Information and move-in dates for those living in campus apartments or in Spindler Hall will be emailed to your student accounts. Visit the Housing and Residence Life website for information about Summer 2026 on-campus housing. 

Additional housing information, including a glossary of key terms, can be found in the “Housing Options” module.  

For temporary accommodations, students can find a list of hotels in the Kalamazoo area. 

Students who are having trouble finding accommodations can ask for help in the WhatsApp chat. 

Immigration: 

There are two primary immigration requirements for incoming international students.   

Health Insurance: 

Western Michigan University automatically enrolls all international students in the international student health insurance plan. The plan is specifically designed to meet the health care needs of international students.