Calling Cards
After you are assigned to your on campus dorm room, you can go to the Telecommunications Building (TCM on your campus map) to pick up your long distance calling card. You would need to see Sandra in room 203. Also see Calling Cards for International Students.

Campus Life
MTSU is committed to your adjustment and well-being on campus and has accordingly provided the following special services tailored to your needs as an international student.

First Friends: The purpose of this program is to assist international students in matching them with American families so they could develop friendships and also have the opportunity to be exposed to each others' cultures.

Conversation Partner Program: Conversational exchange program encourages international and American students to practice their English and foreign language skills on a regular basis.

International Coffee Hour: This program is designed to bring interaction among international students, faculty, administrators, and the community people so the international students would have an opportunity to foster interaction and friendship with Americans. All Coffee Hour meetings are held in the Hazelwood Dining Hall in the James Union Building. Meeting time is from 3:30-5:00.

Culture to Culture: International students—graduate students in particular—are given the opportunity to give presentations in area schools pertaining to their own home country's culture, lifestyles, etc.

International ID card: International students have the option of securing an international ID card at a minimal cost ($20) which would give them a significant air fare reduction when flying home for vacation or any other purpose. You can find out more by contacting our office or Council Travel at 1-800-2-COUNCIL. Or you can visit Council Travel's website for general student travel information. Council Travel also has specific information about the International Student Identity card (ISIC) or the International Teacher Identity card.

International Culture Week: This special series of events highlight cultural diversity on campus through music, art, lectures, sampling of ethnic foods, exhibits, and varieties of performances of which international students are a part.

See Events & Programming for more information.

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Meals
The university has three cafeterias in different locations of the campus. At the grill, which is the most popular eating place, various nationally known fast-food services have been established so students could have several choices. You have the option of eating off-campus if you wish. See www.mtdining.com for more information.

Both in Murfreesboro and Nashville, which is only 30 miles away, diverse international restaurants abound, and you are likely to find your native food. There are also ethnic grocery stores in which you may be able to find your needs, but it is also possible to find ethnic foods in the larger American grocery stores.

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Residential Accommodations
If you desire on-campus housing, it is imperative that you apply at your earliest convenience. You are not required to be admitted to the university first in order to apply for housing. You can apply online for housing. See MTSU Housing web site for more information.

If you desire to live off-campus, MTSU Housing Department has information on a number of apartments located around campus. Even off-campus housing is affordable in Murfreesboro, especially if you rent with a roommate. See Bellsouth Yellow Pages for apartment listings in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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Safety
As you come to this country to pursue your education, your safety is very important to MTSU. The university has put much effort toward making the campus a safe place for learning. It has several certified police officers who guard the campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round. More lighting has been added to the campus and therefore it is well lit at night time. If you need an escort at night time, all you have to do is call the Department of Public Safety and they will provide you with an escort. MTSU is one of the safest campuses in the state.

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Student ID cards
Go to James Union Building, room 306 to get your student ID card. Be sure to take your passport booklet with you and be sure to get your MTSU identification number as they will need to know this number to look you up in their system. You cannot get your Student ID made until after you have registered for class. You can use your MTSU Student ID to open a checking account and obtain a driving certificate.

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