| Summary of housing options for WMU international students |
| 1. WMU Apartments
(ca-staff@wmich.edu) | - Students over 21 are eligible to apply. Single room and double room complexes are available.
- Offers convenient locations at affordable price.
| | 2-a. Temporary housing first, Super 8 Motel - Kalamazoo
(Reserve online) 618 Maple Hill Drive
Kalamazoo, MI, 49009, US
616-345-0146 Fax: 616-345-0146
| - During the orientation, WMU will provide shuttle service between the motel and WMU. Please meet the WMU staff at 8:15 a.m. each morning in the hotel lobby.
- While WMU does not endorse Super 8, it was selected because of its safe and convenient location. Shopping malls, restaurants, a grocery store, a drug store (and even the post office) are all within the walking distance.
- It is also located near the city bus stop, providing you easy access to downtown Kalamazoo and WMU campus.
| | 2-b. Then look for Off-campus housing | - Many apartments within walking distances are available, mostly on W Michigan Avenue west to the campus.
- Off Campus Life maintains a database of available housing options.
| 3. Spindler Hall
(spi-staff@groupwise.wmich.edu) | - Located on WMU's East Campus, there are over 90 rooms available to house students on four floors a year around, with ground and first floors being handicap accessible.
- Spindler Hall offers an unstructured lifestyle in a sophisticated environment and provides an economical alternative to apartment living.
- All of the rooms are unfurnished and include telephone and data connections outlets.
| | 4. WMU Residence Halls
(rl-staff@wmich.edu) | - Residence halls offer room and board. The halls are closed during the break.
- If you move in early, the additional early move-in charge will apply ($20/night). Contact the Office of Residence Life via e-mail for details.
- If you break a one-year contract due to your relocation while enrolled at WMU, you will be charged penalty fees.
| | 5. Homestay Program (by OvECS)
(homestay@ovecs.com) | - You will be living with a host family located in or near Kalamazoo for a modest fee.
- Application is available from OvECS Homestay Program at www.azhomestay.com/howtoapp.asp
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During the orientation, you will need to make arrangements for a place to stay. Listed below are several options: If you plan to move into on-campus (WMU) apartment: 1) Move into WMU apartment early, if you are a transfer students and if rooms are available (recommended - see below for more information). This option is NOT AVAILABLE for Spring semester (January) students because the university is closed during the holidays. Students should make arrangements to stay at a hotel (see above, 2-a) or with friends until the apartment office opens. If you plan to move into off-campus apartment: 2) Stay at a local motel during the orientation (see below) at first. During the orientation, Off Campus Life offices will be able to assist you with finding nearby apartments outside the campus. If you have a residence hall contract : 3) Move into Spinder Hall if you are a Doctoral, Graduate, Senior and Nontraditional (aged 23 up) students and if you have a contract (deposit) with Spindler Hall (see below for more information). 4) Move into your residence hall during the early move-in period. Typically, you may move in a day before the international student orientation. Please refer to the ISORP Newsletter you received or will receive with your I-20. (see below for more information). If you break a one-year residence hall contract due to your relocation while enrolled at WMU, you will be charged penalty fees. This option is NOT AVAILABLE to Spring semester (January) students because the university is closed during the holidays.Students should make arrangements to stay at a hotel (see above, 2-a) or with friends until the residence halls open. If you prefer a homestay program: 5) As an alternative to apartment/residence hall living, homestay services are available for a modest fee. With the homestay program your host family will: - greet you at the airport
- take you to stay with them in their home
- provide meals for you
- help you to learn more about the American culture and language
For application information contact OvECS Homestay Program at www.azhomestay.com/howtoapp.asp, 1-480-633-8191 (phone), 1-480-633-8193 (fax), or email to homestay@ovecs.com. OvECS Ltd. is an independent organization. Western Michigan University only provides information on the Homestay program for students. Western Michigan University cannot be held responsible for OvECS performance.
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