Pre-Arrival Checklist

Plan for MANDATORY International Student Orientation (ISO)

  • The Office of Student Diversity & Inclusion (SDI) at EOU is committed to the health and safety of our students and campus community during this global Coronavirus pandemic. In order for us to do our part and contribute to slowing the spread of COVID-19, we are making adjustments to our programming and support services for the 2021-2022 academic year. This means that we will not be offering our new student Kickstart orientation program in person before the start of the term. However, if you are a new international or non-U.S. citizen student starting EOU in the Fall and would still like assistance in getting connected to campus resources, please email mccenter@eou.edu and an SDI staff member will be glad to assist you! The International Student Services office will host a brief virtual work session on September 22 (Tues), 2020 — details to be posted soon!
  • CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19: Kickstart is a pre-orientation program for designed to help smooth the transition of international and Pacific Island students to college culture in the U.S.; provide non-native speakers time to practice their English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills prior to the start of the academic year; familiarize new students with the region; and build the kinds of relationships with fellow students, faculty, staff, and community members critical to student success and retention. This program is tied to a HUM 111 Invitation to Rural Oregon course.

Arrange For On-campus Housing with EOU’s Residence Life Office

  • Complete your housing application on the Residence Life webpage.
  • All undergraduate International students in their first year of study in the United States are REQUIRED to live on campus their first year at EOU.  Exceptions to this requirement must be requested by petition for new students.
  • International Students are permitted to move into the residence halls Friday or Saturday prior to ISO beginning on Sunday at dinner.  Students will be charged a nightly rate for each night prior to the Wednesday of Week of Welcome official move in day!

Submit Required Forms

  • Access your Mountie Pass.  See the Mountie Pass FAQ for more info.
  • Scan and submit the EOU MMR Verification form to shc@eou.edu prior to arrival.  All EOU students are required to have 2 doses of measles vaccine (which is part of the MMR vaccine).  Be sure to attach the documentation of 2 measles/MMR shots (vaccine record with dates and clinic name).
  • Scan and submit the Health History form to shc@eou.edu.
  • Sign into your Webster to complete the New Revolving Credit & Financial Responsibility Agreement.  All new students are asked to sign the agreement by logging in to Webster, click Student Services & Financial Aid, then Student Account, followed by New Revolving Credit & Financial Responsibility Agreement.

Manage your Required EOU Health Insurance

International students enrolled at Eastern Oregon University are required to purchase the International Student Health Insurance (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer).   Students are automatically enrolled in and billed for the EOU Student Health Insurance.  The healthcare system in the United States can be complicating. Your International Student Advisor can help you understand how to best navigate the health care system (health insurance policies/rates, how to seek medical attention, etc.). Please get started by completing the following:

  • Read the information provided on the Student Affairs, Student Health Insurance page.
  • If you would like to submit a waiver, please pay extra attention to the information.
  • Please note the insurance coverage start dates and end dates.  If you plan to arrive in the US before insurance coverage begins, you may want to purchase additional coverage.

Student Accounts and Billing

To help you plan ahead, the Student Financial Services office posts Payments and Due Dates for each term.  You will not be billed for tuition and fees until after you arrive on campus and register for classes during ISO.  International Students can make payments on the EOU Payment Portal.

PACK YOUR BAGS, LET’S GO!

Study in the States offers free government resources that explain the rules and regulations governing the international student process in the United States.

La Grande is in Northeastern Oregon.  It is located approximately 4 hours from Portland, Oregon, 5 hours from Seattle, Washington, and 3 hours from Boise, Idaho.  Many students fly into Portland (http://www.flypdx.com/PDX), Boise (http://www.iflyboise.com/) or Seattle (https://www.portseattle.org/Sea-Tac/Pages/default.aspx), and then take another plane to the regional airport in Pendleton, Oregon. It is approximately 1 hour away from  La Grande.  Boutique Air services the Pendleton Airport (https://www.boutiqueair.com/).

Another option is to take the bus to La Grande.  Greyhound bus lines has service to La Grande (www.greyhound.com).Don’t forget to apply for your visa, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, book your flight to arrive in La Grande, and reach out to the International Student Services office for campus information and helpful tips on how to make your transition as smooth as possible!