What Day Should I Plan to Arrive in the U.S.A.?
Some students want to travel in the U.S.A. or get settled before classes start. Immigration regulations permit F-1 and J-1 visa holders to arrive up to thirty days prior to the start date on their I-20/DS-2019. However, those who reserve on-campus housing cannot move into their housing until August 24 or January 12, 2010. Those living off campus will have to make arrangements with landlord/apartment managers for a move-in date. There is no temporary housing in Indiana, Pa., or IUP other than hotels. Those arriving outside of normal arrival times will have to make their own hotel and airport transportation arrangements.
We advise all students to make flight plans to arrive in Pittsburgh, Pa., before 6:00 p.m. EST on August 24, 2009 (Fall) or January 12, 2010 (Spring). Our office has organized a bus pick up for these days from the airport. If you arrive a day early, we recommend that you stay at a hotel overnight and get hotel transportation back to the airport for pick up the next day. If you arrive prior to or after these days, you can make your own airport transportation arrangements.
Where do I fly to?
Please make final flight destinations to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). If you fly to New York City, you can also travel by bus (eight hours) to an on-campus bus stop Indiana. Indiana, Pennsylvania, is approximately eighty miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Indiana does not have a commercial airport; the closest airport is in Pittsburgh.
After receiving your visa and making flight plans, please return the Orientation Arrival Form to let us know you are planning to attend IUP.
Where should I go when I arrive at IUP?
If you have reserved on-campus housing, you must report to the Sutton Suites on the IUP campus between 3:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on the arrival day. If you are planning to live off campus, please make arrangements with your landlord or friends to pick you up before the first day of orientation. All new students are welcome to attend the Welcome Dinner at 9:00 p.m. on the arrival day to meet new and returning international students. Those who are unable to attend or who arrive late must attend the 9:00 a.m. Orientation Session the next day. New students with questions can also stop by our office during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. See the campus map to find us. We’re located in Delaney Hall on Pratt Drive.
How do I get to IUP?
It is best to fly to Pittsburgh, Pa., and arrange ground transportation in advance from the airport to IUP. Indiana, Pa., is approximately 80 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Indiana does not have a commercial airport; the closest airport is in Pittsburgh. Never take a taxi from Pittsburgh to Indiana unless you have no other option or there are two or three passengers. It is very expensive—$150!
- IUP pickup (for new students only): The Office of International Education will take reservations for an IUP van/bus to transport new incoming students from the Pittsburgh airport to the IUP campus on the official arrival day.
- Complete the Orientation Arrival Form, and fax, e-mail, or mail it to the Office of International Education by the due date.
- Cost: $50
- Payment can be made upon arrival at IUP during orientation. If you reserve a space, you are responsible and will be charged $40 (subject to change).
- The bus will depart by 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. from the airport on August 18 and January 6.
- IUP students will be in the baggage claim area with Indiana University of Pennsylvania signs. They have a list of all students who reserve a seat on the bus and will be looking for you.
- The van/bus will depart from the Ground Transportation section (near US Airways Baggage Claim area) of the Pittsburgh airport on the first day of orientation. Please wait in the baggage claim area between carousels A and B.
- If you reserve a seat on the bus and do not use it, you still will be asked to pay for the bus.
- If you want more information for transportation, please follow this link: Transportation Information
Please be aware that the university does not have the resources to meet nor transport students on an individual basis.
