Applying
Submit the application with your academic records and certified English translations, proof of English proficiency (a standardized test score, or an approved alternative such as prior study in English), and financial documentation showing you can cover the first year — the amount required is published and is used for your visa paperwork. Deadlines are firmer than for domestic students because of the time immigration processing takes, so apply early. International Programs reviews credentials and can tell you how prior coursework is likely to transfer.
Immigration documents and status
After you are admitted and your financial documents are verified, International Programs issues the eligibility document you need to apply for a student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Once you arrive, keeping your status valid is non-negotiable and has specific rules: maintain full-time enrollment every required term, get advising approval *before* dropping below full-time or taking a leave, keep your documents and address current, and talk to an international student adviser before any travel, program change, or work. Do not rely on classmates or the internet for status questions — the advisers are the authority and the consequences of a misstep are serious.
Working and money
Employment is limited by your visa type: on-campus work is generally allowed within an hour cap during terms; off-campus work requires specific authorization tied to your program (curricular practical training for a required co-op or internship, optional practical training after or near completion) and must be approved in advance by an international student adviser. Never work without confirming it is authorized. Most need-based U.S. federal and state aid is not available to international students, but Porter and outside scholarships, on-campus jobs, and assistantships (for graduate students) are. Set up a U.S. bank account and phone plan early — International Programs runs sessions on how.
Arrival and community
A mandatory arrival orientation covers immigration check-in, health requirements, banking, transportation, and academic expectations, which can differ from what you are used to (participation, academic-integrity norms, the relationship with faculty). Peer mentors and an international student organization help with the practical firsts — winter clothing for a Wesconsin January is a real one — and with the slower work of feeling at home. Counseling staff experienced with cultural adjustment, and identity and faith communities on campus, are part of that support.
Questions?
See the full staff & office directory for any phone number or email. Because this is a fictional parody site, addresses and phone numbers are illustrative and do not reach a real university.