Arrival and Orientation

Make sure you have the following documents with you in your carry-on bag when you enter the U.S. Do not pack these documents in your checked luggage.

• Valid passport
• Valid F-1 or J-1 visa (except for Canadian citizens)
• I-20 / DS-2019
• Northwood letter of acceptance
• Proof of financial support for course of study

At the port of entry, the U.S. Customs and Border Officer will inspect your Form I-20 / DS-2019 and give it back to you. The Border Officer will also inspect your passport and F-1 visa / J-1 visa (if applicable), issue an entry stamp, write “F-1/DS” on your I-20 or “J-1/DS” on your DS-2019 and return your passport to you.

Northwood University provides a shuttle service on specific dates from Midland/Bay City/Saginaw Airport.

If you cannot fit all of your personal belongings into your checked or carry-on luggage, it is possible to ship a box of your belongings to Northwood University in Michigan. Please work with your Admissions Representative on this matter. The mailing address is: Northwood University 4000 Whiting Dr. Midland, MI USA 48640 Attn: [Your Name]

All items shipped from outside the U.S. must be cleared through U.S. Customs at a U.S. Port of Entry.

Below is a link to the NU Bookstore if you would like to purchase items for your dorm room (towels, bedding, or other essentials). Please note, from the time you place your order with the bookstore it may take 7-10 business days to arrive at the Bookstore on NU campus for you to pick up. Make sure to select that your order is shipped to NU Bookstore! They will hold it for you until you arrive. Keep in mind the time of day of your arrival will determine whether you can pick up your items the same day. If you arrive late, you will be able to get these items the next day during the bookstore hours.

All Northwood University international F-1 students who are registered full-time are required to purchase Northwood’s healthcare plan, and therefore will automatically be enrolled and charged. The student healthcare plan covers the academic year of August 1st through July 31st of the following year. Students starting in Spring semester will pay a pro-rated amount. Specifics about insurance will be provided by your admissions representative.

All Northwood University exchange visitors on a J-1 visa are required to purchase an approved healthcare plan from Northwood’s provider, International Student Insurance, for the duration of your stay.

Insurance Plan Options & Application

This page outlines the plans available to you, includes the application link, and is where you can complete your purchase. Please refer to your DS-2019 for your insurance coverage dates.

Insurance Rates

To help you choose the best plan for your needs, you can review the current rates by clicking the button below.

Michigan is located in the northern part of the United States. We have four distinct seasons of the year and temperatures change a lot between Summer, Fall (Autumn), Winter and Spring. Temperatures and weather can change suddenly during the day and from day-to-day.

Summer lasts from June – September and can be hot and humid. People often wear thinner cotton clothing, shorts and short sleeved shirts. Most classroom buildings are air conditioned so it can be chilly inside. Average temperatures during the day are around 27 degrees C (80 degrees F).

Fall lasts from September – December and ranges from hot to very cold. People dress in layers of clothing in case the temperature changes during the day. Average temperatures during the day range from 23 degrees C in September (73 degrees F) to 1 degree C in December (34 degrees F).

Winter lasts from December – March and ranges from very cold to mildly warm. There is often snow on the ground January – March. The coldest temperatures are typically in January and February when the temperature can drop below –18 degrees C (0 degrees F). People dress in warm sweaters, down feather coats, warm boots, hats, scarves and gloves. Buildings can be hot inside, so it’s a good idea to dress in layers. Average temperatures during the day range from -1 degree C in January (30 degrees F) to 7 degrees C in March (44 degrees F).

Spring lasts from March – June and ranges from very cold to warm. It can snow in April. People dress in warm sweaters, wool or fleece coats, hats, scarves and gloves. Buildings can be hot inside, so it’s a good idea to dress in layers. Average temperatures during the day range from 14 degrees C in April (58 degrees F) to 26 degrees C in June (78 degrees F).

As you prepare for your trip, keep in mind that rooms in the residence halls and apartments are generally small. In order not to crowd your room (and possibly your roommate) and to avoid excess baggage charges, bring only essentials with you. You will be able to buy many things that you need for your room, school supplies, additional clothing and personal items after your arrive.

Midland, Michigan experiences a variety of weather conditions. Most importantly, we get snowy and cold conditions during our winters. Please pack winter clothing, including long-sleeve t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, boots, and gloves.

Northwood University provides free daily shuttle services throughout Orientation Week. We provide shuttles to cell phone stores, supermarkets, and banks. Northwood staff and student workers will be there to help students throughout the process. 

Once the semester starts, Northwood provides a once-a-week shuttle to the supermarket for international students living on campus free of charge.

Please review the important dates below for arrival and orientation dates. All orientation sessions are mandatory.

Fall 2025 Semester

Spring 2026 Semester

*Free airport pick-up services will ONLY be available to students who fly into Midland, Bay, Saginaw airport (MBS) on the designated arrival dates. All orientation sessions are mandatory.

If unexpected events cause your arrival to be delayed beyond the start date of orientation, please notify Northwood University immediately. You will be required to make up any orientation sessions that you miss.

Students must bring their Passports, F-1/J-1 visas, and I-20/DS-2019 with them to International Orientation if they have not been uploaded to their application portal. Please bring official transcripts in a sealed envelope if you have not already submitted directly to Northwood University from your institution’s registrar.

All international students, including Canadian students and students transferring from other institutions in the United States, must attend International Orientation. Orientations are designed to be informative yet fun and engaging for all students.

My.Northwood is the website where you will find helpful information on academics, paying bills and financial information, issues related to F-1 status and other important information.

Help logging into My.Northwood (English)

Logging into My.Northwood (Chinese)

Checking Northwood WebMail (Chinese)

Making a Payment (Chinese)

Instructions for a Michigan Driver’s License or ID card

Driver’s License

Students who do not have a Social Security Number must obtain a form (called an L676) in order to apply for a driver’s license. If required, you can visit the local Social Security Administration Office and request a denial letter (SSA-L676), which states an individual is not eligible for a SSN. This letter does not affect an individual’s ability to request a SSN in the future.

International students and scholars and their dependent family members who will be in Michigan for more than four months are considered Michigan residents and must apply for a Michigan Driver’s License if they intend to drive.

All Michigan residents must obtain a Michigan Driver’s License as soon as possible after arrival in order to legally drive. As a Michigan resident, there is no grace period during which you may drive using your home country driver’s license.

Students who will be in Michigan for less than four months may be eligible to drive in Michigan with a driver’s license issued by another country.

To find out if you are eligible to arrive with your non-U.S. driver’s license see the full list of treaty and non-treaty countries.

If your license was not issued by one of the countries on the list of treaty or non-treaty countries, you are not eligible to drive in Michigan with a non-U.S. driver’s license.

Michigan State Identification Card

Students and scholars and dependents who do not plan to drive while in Michigan may apply for the State Identification (ID) Card. A State ID Card allows you to prove your identity, name, age, and address without showing your passport. International students, scholars and their dependents may apply for a “Standard” State ID Card. There is no minimum age requirement. However, you may not have a State ID Card and a Michigan driver’s license at the same time unless your license has been restricted, suspended or revoked.

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued for employment and tax purposes. To be eligible to apply for a SSN, an F-1/J-1 student must have an on campus job offer. New students must wait 10 days from date of arrival, and 2 days after their SEVIS record is Active before applying. J-1 visa holders must also obtain an Employment Authorization letter from their RO (Responsible Officer) or ARO (Assistant Responsible Officer).

More info about SSNs