International Student Orientation
Saturday, August 19th, 2023
- Orientation Day Schedule
- Arrival to UNF
- Transportation Methods
- Immunization Form
- Registration Holds
- Health Insurance
- University Payment Deadlines
Orientation Day Schedule
Note: to find a location, you can access the UNF campus map.
Time | Activity |
---|---|
10:00 - 10:45 am |
Welcome and UNF Campus Tour
Meeting point: Building 58 | Student Union Plaza
Note: Please plan on arriving at least 15 minutes before 10:00 am. The campus tour will depart from the Student Union Plaza at 10:00 am.
|
11:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Orientation Presentation for J-1/F-1 Students
Location: Building 39
Room 1009/1016
During this presentation we will cover important topics such as J-1/F-1 non-immigrant visa regulations and responsibilities, enrollment requirements, and on-campus employment.
Please bring the following items/information to orientation:
Note: Light snacks will be provided |
Arrival to UNF
When making travel plans, please keep in mind that you may only enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date on your Form I-20/DS-2019.
We strongly recommend that our students fly into the Jacksonville International Airport, located in Jacksonville, Florida.
Airport code: JAX.
If you will be arriving from out of the country, we recommend that you have a carry-on bag with all your essentials such as medications, toothbrush, and a change of clothes for a day or two, to take and keep with you on the plane. Students have had their luggage delayed (quite frequently) or have had their luggage lost (rarely).
PLEASE KEEP ALL IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS WITH YOU ON THE PLANE; DO NOT PUT THEM IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE. You will need these documents to process through immigration when you arrive in the United States.
JAX Airport offers free Wi-Fi, for communication or arrangement of ground transportation once you arrive to Jacksonville.
Where to go once you have arrived to the Jacksonville International Airport: Please note the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), is located approximately 25 miles from the UNF campus. There are different ground transportation options from the airport to campus that you can use.
For students who have secured a housing assignment prior to their U.S. arrival:
Before arriving in the U.S., you must make arrangements with the Housing office to pick up your room key. To pick up your key, you might be asked to show a photo ID. Your passport is a valid form of identification that can be used to pick up your housing key.
Most international students are placed in The UNF Osprey Fountains. This is the address where the driver should take you: 4634 Osprey Ridge Road Jacksonville, Florida 32224.
* In case you need to ask for directions or need assistance, you can call the Osprey Fountains front desk 24-hour assistance at 904-620-5000.
You will receive an email from Housing with instructions on how to complete your Room Condition Form (RCF) upon move in. You must complete this form to avoid being charged for damages at move out. Keep in mind that your UNF housing fees are due prior to your arrival. You can pay now for your housing fees online through your myWings account.
First night:
Please note that your dorm room will NOT have any bed linens (sheets/blankets/pillow) or towels. On your first night of arrival we recommend that you bring a blanket to sleep with, and a bath towel as you will not have any bed linens on the night of your arrival.
Transportation Methods
- Sign up here: Get Uber app
- You can share a fare with friends or take you own ride
- Fare estimate to Ospreys Fountains: $20/$27
Lyft (downloadable app)
- Sign up here: Get Lyft app
- You can share a fare with friends or take you own ride
- Fare estimate to Ospreys Fountains: $24/$32 plus airport fee
Marked Taxis
- Checker Cab of Jacksonville (904-345-3333): Visit Checker Cab Website
- Coastal Cab of Jacksonville (904-246-9999): Visit Coastal Cab Website
- Fare estimate to Ospreys Fountains: $60
Shuttle Service
Share ride or ride with other students.
Reserve here: Visit Super Shuttle Website
- Fare estimate to Ospreys Fountains:
- Single Passenger in Shared Van: $40 total
- 1-3 passengers: $70 total
- 10 passengers: $90 total
Immunization Form
Prior to your arrival at UNF, please make sure you have submitted your immunization record(s) to the UNF Office of Medical Compliance. If you have not submitted your immunization record(s), you will not be allowed to register for classes.
Registration Holds
Please log on to myWings account and check your student account for any registration holds. You will need to clear your holds in order to register for classes. Many of the holds are informational holds you must read a statement about and agree/disagree to. One hold is due to an interactive safety and awareness program called Campus Clarity. You may access and clear your holds, including Campus Clarity, via your MyWings student portal.
The online Campus Clarity course can be completed in one hour. To complete the course:
- Log in to your myWings account.
- From the Student tab, locate the My Records channel.
- Access the course through the Campus Clarity link.
If you are having issues with your myWings account, please contact the UNF Help Desk at (904) 620-4357. If you have a question about any hold on your account, please reach out to the office responsible for that hold - this is listed with a phone number next to each hold. If for any reason you are not able to complete Campus Clarity, contact the International Center as soon as possible.
Health Insurance
All international students are required to have medical insurance while studying at UNF and have an insurance "hold" placed on their accounts. Students have the option to either (1) enroll in the UNF Health Insurance plan or (2) purchase an alternative health insurance plan. Please note we will not be able to register you for classes until you have cleared your holds.
Decide whether you will choose option 1 or option 2. ALL international students must visit UNF Students Heath Services website to download and fill out the UNF International Student Insurance Agreement form and email it to Medical Compliance.
Option 1: After you submit the completed UNF International Student Insurance Agreement, UNF Medical Compliance will automatically enroll you in the UNF health insurance plan. Note that once you have chosen the UNF health insurance plan, a charge for UNF health insurance is automatically added to your account and you will be required to pay the fee. Once the semester begins, you will be able to download and print your insurance card.
For specific information regarding the UNF insurance plan, please visit Gallagher Student and Student Health Services Immunization's website. For detailed questions about UNF Health Insurance, please contact UNF Medical Compliance.
Option 2: If you decide to have alternative health insurance (insurance that is NOT from UNF), you will need to have your insurance company complete the International Student Health Insurance Compliance Form located in the UNF Students Heath Services website and submit via email to Medical Compliance. It is important to note that the alternative insurance company agrees to all 16 of the Florida State required benefits and the forms are filled out completely, including signed and stamped by the insurance company.
University Payment Deadlines
For any university payment deadlines please check with each specific office. We recommend you pay your student charges before the deadline. You may pay by personal check (UNF does not accept international checks), travelers checks, credit card (online only), or cash. UNF accepts all major credit cards. For credit card payments, please pay online by logging into your myWings account. There is a video that shows how to pay charges via your myWings account.