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International Entry Delays
International members of the UW-Madison community may experience delays returning to campus this fall as a result of new federal regulations. This site offers assistance.
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Travel Information
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), an office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and the Department of State, provides an information sheet to assist you in your entry into the United States.
Baggage: Do not send baggage, parcels, or similar personal effects in care of the university, there are no facilities for accepting or storing personal effects sent in advance. It is less expensive to have personal effects mailed after your arrival.
Climate: Madison's climate is subject to great temperature variations. During the summer (June-September), temperatures are often above 26.6 degrees Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) and occasionally above 32 degrees C. (90 degrees F.). During the winter (December-March), one must expect many days of -18 degrees C. (0 degree F.), and even lower. Both very light and very heavy clothing will be needed. Normal attire is usually casual rather than formal.
Currency: It may be difficult to convert non-U.S. money into U.S. currency immediately upon arrival in Madison. We suggest you bring at least $900.00 in U.S. traveler's checks for travel, food, rent, and incidental expenses. Check with your bank and credit card company to find out if your ATM and credit cards will be available to you in Madison, and what the limits are on using them abroad.
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There are several ways to get to Madison.
There are four major airports near Madison. Several airlines fly into the Dane County Regional Airport in Madison. The closest international airports are in Chicago, Illinois at Ohare and Midway Airports. Mitchell Field Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the largest airport in Wisconsin, and is only an hour and a half away from campus. Taxi, limousine and city bus service to the UW-Madison Campus or any location in Madison is available at the Dane County Regional Airport, and bus service is available from Milwaukee and Chicago to Madison.
Van Galder Bus Company provides service directly to campus from Chicago's O'Hare Airport. The Van Galder buses stop outside the Memorial Union next to the Red Gym, which houses International Student Services, and the Campus Information and Visitor Center. Campus maps and city bus maps are available here.
Badger Coaches offers daily express service from Mitchell Field airport in Milwaukee to Madison.
Bus service to Madison from many other cities is available through Greyhound Bus Lines. The Greyhound and Badger bus station is a few blocks from campus.
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Assistance on Arrival
Temporary Housing Service of Madison Friends of International Students (MFIS)
MFIS, Inc. is a volunteer organization that provides hospitality, community experiences and services to international students on campus. Stop by to meet with someone from MFIS weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon in room 223 in the Red Gym. For newly arriving international students, MFIS can arrange a free stay of up to 3 nights as a guest in the home of a Madison area family. A request by e-mail should be made to the MFIS office at least two weeks before arrival. You may contact them at (608) 263-4010, by fax at (608) 262-2838, or by email at mfis@odos.wisc.edu. Or visit the MFIS website at http://www.iss.wisc.edu/mfis/index.htm.
International Student Organizations
UW-Madison has over 50 international student groups, many of which are active in helping new students on arrival in Madison. To contact a student group with questions or for help on arrival, check the listing here. For more information contact the Student Organization Office at (608) 263-0365 , by fax:(608)265-8184 or via email: soo@redgym.wisc.edu
Campus Housing and Private Residence Halls
IF you plan to live in university student housing, or family and dependent housing write to University Housing, Slichter Hall, 625 Babcock Drive, Madison, WI 53706, for an application form.
IF you plan to live in privately owned apartments, go to the Campus Information and Visitor Center, 716 Langdon Street, after you arrive for a current listing of apartment vacancies. Private housing arrangements may be difficult to arrange prior to your arrival. Rentals are usually subject to contracts and payment of both one month's rent and a security deposit equal to one month's rent.
More Information About On and Off-Campus Housing and the Orientation Programs
For more information about on and off-campus housing and the orientation programs to which you will be invited when you reach Madison :
Housing
Orientation
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