Preparing for Travel
A checklist for your trip to St. Cloud State University.
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Make travel arrangements and airline reservations early.
You will be traveling at a very busy time of year in the United States, so it is important to make reservations as soon as possible.
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Check your travel options from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport to St. Cloud State University.
All new students from abroad are strongly urged to arrange their travel schedule so they arrive before the beginning of the term in order to find suitable housing, become acquainted with the language, the campus, the surrounding area and to attend the university orientation program for international students.
Office hours at the Center for International Studies are 8:00 a.m. - 4.30 p.m. Monday-Friday. It is best that you arrive in St. Cloud within this time so that someone will be in the office to assist you.
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Confirm your airline reservations 72 hours before departure.
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Label all your luggage.
Include your full name and your St. Cloud address. If you do not yet have a local address, please use the following:
(your name)
Center for International Studies
720 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301
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Practice packing your luggage.
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Purchase a collapsible luggage cart.
If you cannot carry your luggage at least one-half kilometer or a quarter-mile, a luggage cart can be invaluable.
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Place personal items in a carry-on bag.
Lost luggage can mean days without changing clothes or freshening up. Be sure to include:
- A change of clothing
- A book or magazine
- Snacks
- A toothbrush and toothpaste
- A brush or comb
- Any necessary medications, in their original containers
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Double-check your important documents.
- I-20 or DS2019 from St. Cloud State University
- Passport
- Visa
- Airline tickets
Arrival Pick up (provided by CIS)
Students can be picked up at the St. Cloud Greyhound Bus Station or greeted on campus (if arriving in Minneapolis and taking the shuttle to St. Cloud) on January 4th or 5th. Students with on-campus housing contracts can stay in the residence halls; those without contracts will need to make their own housing arrangements. CIS does not provide pick-up service from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport.
To schedule a pick-up please complete our Arrival Pickup Form. You will be picked up and/or greeted by current students at St. Cloud State University. During this time period only, this service is free of charge.
Arrival into Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport
The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is about 80 miles from St. Cloud State University. The Arrival pick-up provided by CIS will not greet you at the airport in Minneapolis so please schedule a shuttle to the St. Cloud State University’s campus.
Executive Express Shuttle
An alternate way to travel between Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and St. Cloud is by way of Executive Express (320) 253-2226 or toll free at (888) 522-9899, a privately owned van shuttle service. We recommend that you make your shuttle reservation in advance to secure a spot on the shuttle.
At the airport, the Executive Express desk is located in the Ground Transportation area. Simply follow signs to Ground Transportation. Once in the Ground Transportation area, rental car counters will be on your right, and van service counters on your left. The Executive Express counter is at the end of the van counters. If traveling by Executive Express, request to be dropped off at St. Cloud State University. Indicate the appropriate time on your Arrival Pick-up Form so that someone will be here to great you when you arrive, if you are traveling on the days listed on the form.
Refer to the Executive Express website for rate and schedule information. Currently, the cost is approximately $36 and the trip to St. Cloud takes approximately 90 minutes.
Find out what and how much you can bring, and check with the airline to determine luggage size, weight and quantity restrictions. Excess baggage sent by sea takes up to six months to arrive.
