Arrival & Orientation
Before officially beginning your academic journey at Arkansas State University, international students need to prepare carefully for the pre-arrival stage, travel to campus, housing, orientation, and the necessary paperwork. Good preparation from the start will make the enrollment process smoother and give you more control.
Packing List for Students Preparing to Arrive on Campus
New students should pack practically, with enough items for their first days in the US. A-State recommends bringing everyday clothing, a few warm items, a good pair of walking shoes, a few days' worth of basic toiletries, necessary personal items, and a few keepsakes reflecting your home culture if you'd like to share them with international friends. The university also notes that bedding and linens are not provided in rooms upon arrival, but students can purchase them after arriving in Jonesboro or order them in advance through the bookstore.
New students should prepare a packing list as shown here.
Orientation for New International Students
The International Student Services office at A-State holds mandatory orientation for all new international students. Orientation helps students become familiar with life at A-State, learn more about the academic environment and services available at the university, and complete the necessary check-in steps. The university also emphasizes that if a student does not attend orientation, they may not be able to complete the required academic procedures for their first semester.
Documents You Should Bring
- Passport
- I-20 or DS-2019
- Visa
- Acceptance Letter
- I-94 Arrival/Departure record printed from the electronic system
What to Expect
- Introduction to campus and student life
- Information from various campus service offices
- Guidance on academics, check-in, and daily life in the US
- Opportunities to meet other international students
You can visit this page to retrieve your I-94: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home
Airport Pickup Service, Driver's Licenses & Domestic Travel in the US
A-State currently provides a free shuttle service from Memphis International Airport (MEM) to campus on select dates before orientation begins. If a student arrives outside of the scheduled shuttle dates, they will need to arrange their own transportation to Jonesboro, such as a bus, taxi, Uber, or by asking the office about a community partner pickup if applicable.
Free Shuttle
- Available from Memphis International Airport (MEM)
- Only available on select dates before orientation
- Advance registration is required according to university instructions
If Arriving Outside the Shuttle Schedule
- Students must arrange their own transportation to campus
- Consider Greyhound, taxi, Uber, or other suitable options
- You may contact the office to ask about community partner pickup
Register for Shuttle Bus, Driver's License & Domestic Travel in the US: see here
Good Pre-Arrival Preparation Makes Check-In Faster and Much Less Stressful
A-State now requires students to prepare certain documents in advance for upload before arriving on campus, including your passport, visa, acceptance letter, and I-20/DS-2019. This helps make the check-in process upon arrival faster and smoother.
Complete the Pre-Arrival Form
Before arriving at A-State, students should fully complete the Pre-Arrival Form and the arrival confirmation steps so the university can better prepare for check-in, housing, and orientation.
See the instructions here for completing the Pre-Arrival Form
Landing in Jonesboro and Preparing for Temporary Lodging
Move-In Requirements and Housing
Regarding housing, A-State makes clear that students who are not classified as freshmen may choose to live off-campus, although the university encourages on-campus housing for easier connection to campus life. If a student wants to live on campus, they should follow the options provided by University Housing and contact them directly as needed.
If Living On-Campus
- Register through Housing & Residence Life
- Track room status and move-in dates
- Email if you need additional support
If Living Off-Campus
- Take the initiative to find and secure your own housing
- The university does not endorse any specific apartment complex or landlord
- Prepare early to avoid being caught unprepared before departing for the US
To move in, you can register through the Housing & Residence Life's Website and email housing@AState.edu.
Immunizations, Health Checks, and Documents to Bring
If you already have an immunization record or certificate, please send it to the university in advance for review. If you don't have one yet, you can still complete it after arriving in the US. A-State currently requires 2 doses of the MMR vaccine; regardless of whether or not you have your MMR record, international students are still required to complete a TB skin test or blood test upon arrival. Additionally, if admissions previously accepted scanned copies, you should bring the official documents with you when you arrive on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are new students required to attend orientation?
Can I still come to the university if I don't have my MMR record yet?
Is the free airport shuttle available every day?
What if I arrive in Jonesboro early, before the move-in date?
Which important documents should I upload before arriving?
Need Help Preparing Before Coming to A-State?
If you'd like support reviewing your pre-arrival checklist, preparing documents, housing, shuttle service, or orientation, please contact A-State's Vietnam Office for further guidance before your departure.
This page was translated from Vietnamese and is being reviewed by our admissions team.
Updated August 22, 2026