• Obtaining a social security number: Without this, you cannot open a bank account or sign a rental lease. You will need to go to the Social Security office at 5349 West Main Street (in person) to do this. It will take 7-10 Business days for your social security number to be sent out to you. Be sure to have adequate cash (or traveler’s checks) on hand to cover your expenses until you can open a bank account. Social Security Office Tel: 1-800-772-1213/269-381-2313

• Finding a place to live: Typically, students start looking for an apartment 3-6 months prior to the move-in date. Some apartment complexes require specific documentation to approve rental leases. For example, you may be required to be working full time, or have a Full-time employed Michigan resident to co-sign for you. Thus, it may be difficult to find an apartment that would allow international students to lease. If you prefer to live alone, arranging for on-campus housing during your first year or semester is an alternative. If you choose to live with roommates, there is a “roommate database” on the Western Michigan University Homepage: http://www.wmich.edu/apartment/. You can arrange for and lease on-campus housing through the Internet. Choices include dormitory living or one-two bedroom apartments. For information regarding on-campus housing, use the above link. For off-campus housing, check this out: www.ocl.wmich.edu

If you are not able to visit Kalamazoo in order to arrange for off-campus housing in advance, we think it will be easier to rent on-campus. Cable, telephone, Internet connection, and utilities (e.g., gas, electricity, water) are all provided through the university for a nominal charge. Also, there is a free transit service that runs through campus 7 days a week (for information call 269-337-8222).

• Getting a driver’s license: When you arrive in Kalamazoo, it is important to obtain a driver’s license immediately. Your driver’s license also functions as official American identification. You will need to go to the Secretary of State located beside Target at 5316 West Main Street. Tel: 337-3820/fax: 337-3634.

• Health insurance: can be purchased through the university for a nominal charge.

Canadian International Students
Things for you are a little bit different. Depending on the province that you are from, you may not need to purchase new health or auto insurance. Further, you may not even be required to transfer your Canadian license to a Michigan license. Most provinces require students to return to their permanent homes every three months in order to keep their Canadian health and auto insurance. However, this requirement may be different from province to province, check with your local Driver’s Licensing Bureau and Provincial Health Insurance administrators.

Important Contacts
Kalamazoo Transit services: Tel: 269-337-8222
Social Security Office: Tel: 269-381-2313
Out-of-state Tel: 1-800-772-1213
Secretary of State (Driver’s Licensing Bureau): Tel: 337-3820/fax: 337-3634

Important University Contacts
Office of International Student Services: Tel: 269-387-5865
Office of the Registrar: Tel: 269-387-4300
Graduate College: Tel: 269-387-8212
Campus Health Insurance: Tel: 269-387-3266
Campus Apartments: Tel: 269-387-2175

Psychology Department Contacts
Linda Rowen, Graduate Secretary: linda.rowen -at- wmich.edu
Dr. Wayne Fuqua, Department Chair: r.wayne.fuqua -at- wmich.edu
Dr. James Carr, Behavior Analysis Program Chair: jim.carr -at- wmich.edu
Dr. Rick Spates, Clinical Program Director: richard.spates -at- wmich.edu
Dr. Alyce Dickinson, I/O Program Chair: alyce.dickinson -at- wmich.edu
Student Contact: