Adjusting to another culture can be difficult and we’re here to help! Here are some resources!

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Essentials – 101

HOUSING

Students are responsible for making their own housing arrangements and should do so before arriving in Fort Collins. The Off-Campus Life office at CSU has created a comparison of costs for living on campus versus living off-campus, which may be of interest as you make your housing arrangements. Note that all first-year undergraduate students are required to live on campus and are guaranteed a spot on campus. University Housing is a popular option with many graduates and undergraduates as housing is either on-campus or very close to campus. You can find more information about housing and how to settle down on an apartment lease here.

 

FOOD

Cultural Mentor Program

What’s better than someone mentoring you through the culture of the U.S.? The Cultural Mentor Team is a group of U.S. American and international student volunteers who have been trained to assist new international students with their adjustment to the U.S., on everything from finding housing to tips about Fort Collins to cultural adjustment. Each incoming student is assigned a cultural mentor as they are admitted to CSU. Cultural Mentors will start reaching out to their assigned mentees in the summer, so check your emails to hear from them. For more information, check out their webpage and their Instagram account!

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International Rams Orientation

This year, over 100 new international students will attend International Orientation on January 13-17, 2020. Orientation is required for all newly-admitted international students, scholars, and exchange students at Colorado State University–learn more about it here! Think of orientation as something that will help greatly with your adjustment to the U.S. and CSU campus culture. Departments and academic programs that you have been admitted to will also probably have their own orientation programs so check them out for department-specific resources. Make friends, form bonds, share stories and more!

Orientation covers topics from a bicycle workshop, knowing your cultural mentors, community welcome dinners, resource fair, immigration information, U.S. laws and safety, getting involved on campus, health and well-being, academic success and integrity, driver’s license, other campus resources and a lot more fun activities in and around campus!

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Fort Collins International Center (FCIC)

Wouldn’t you want to feel home when you arrive in the US? Look no further! The Fort Collins International Center (FCIC) is a non-profit community organization for those eager to learn about and share the riches of our world’s cultures one person at a time. Since 1967, volunteers have been providing the Fort Collins area with programs and activities designed to build friendships and develop understanding among people from around the world.

Currently, we have 8+ programs to help you adjust. Volunteers connect with you at Conversation English Classes, social space at the Friday Afternoon Club, taking you to Colorado’s beautiful landscapes through the Outdoor Programs, invite you to dine with them and more through the International Friends program. Experience Fort Collins’s family hospitality and stay connected with the community! They also have a HomeStay program (add link) where incoming international students can apply if they have their permanent housing (almost) sorted out and need help covering stay for a few days until you can move in.

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Council of International Student Affairs (COISA)

COISA is the umbrella student organization for all international students, where people from every corner of the globe, every language and every culture can unite on projects that help internationalize CSU.  With over 100 nationalities represented on campus, we hope to offer all of you the chance to share your culture with others at CSU and in Fort Collins and to build cross-cultural relationships across the many cultures at CSU. Anyone is welcome to join and get involved! Get more information on their page!

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International Student Organizations

COISA welcomes everyone but if you want to connect with international students from your own nation, CSU has over 25 international student organizations that await you. Although they are nation-specific student organizations, you do not have to be from that nation to join them. Find the contact information on this page and connect with the student org! Each of them will have events, programs, educational and fun activities for you to connect with students from your nation.

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Weekend in the Mountains – Intercultural Retreat

CSU is situated at the foothills of the beautiful Rocky mountain range. Weekend in the Mountains is a unique program, geared toward new international students, that takes participants to the CSU Mountain Campus for a weekend of bonding and intercultural activities. Scholars and spouses of students or scholars are also welcome. Expect to unplug from the everyday world and connect with your international peers in the internet-free mountain campus.

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Health

Colorado’s combination of high elevation, midlatitude, and continental interior geography results in a cool, dry, and invigorating climate. This can be different from where you are coming from. Understanding these differences can take a while and adjusting to it even longer, so let’s take care of ourselves. All international students, scholars and their dependents are required to enroll in an approved health insurance plan before they arrive in the U.S. CSU’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is a comprehensive plan and the newly developed CSU Health Center that employs more than 280 professionals is the home for health and well-being at CSU.

General medical care from primary care, immunizations to specialty services are offered along with mental health and counseling services. It is important to understand that both physical and mental well-being is important for your success at CSU and that we are here anytime you need us!

Flu season typically coincides with the winter season and you can get a complimentary flu shot at the Health Center to keep you away from getting sick with a fever or worse.

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Wellbeing and Staying Healthy

CSU Recreation Center, also known as the Rec Center, is another wonderful resource to help you stay fit and healthy. They have several sports, workout spaces, fitness classes, dance, swimming, massage therapies, outdoor programs and more!

 

 

 

There are literally more than 450+ on CSU’s campus and you can explore through RamLink to check them out and become a member if you like what you see. Clubs’ interests vary from sports, hobbies, academics, majors, professional associations, cultural and religious affiliations and more! You are sure to find something to do at CSU and if you don’t, you can always start a new club!