center for international education

Arrival and Orientation

Arrival Information (2024-2025)

  • When:
    • Exchange (J-1) Students: 
      • Your arrival and move-in date is Monday, August 19, 2024
    • New International (F-1) students:
      • Non-athletes: Your arrival and move-in date is Monday, August 19, 2024
      • Athletes: Please check your welcome letter about arrival details and consult your coach for guidance in terms of early accommodations prior to the beginning of the Pre-Season Camp. Most fall season athletes (rugby and varsity soccer) will need to arrive on August 15th to start pre-season activities on August 16th.
    • Returning International (F-1) students:
      • Your arrival and move-in date is Saturday, August 24, 2024. Returning Athletes should consult with their coaches about early arrival!
    • Visiting Language Instructors/Coordinators (VLI/VLC):
      • Your arrival and move-in date is Monday, August 19, 2024

Link to Academic Calendars, with information on move-in and move-out.

Once you book your flight, all international students (F-1 & J-1 visa holders) need to complete the Airport Arrival & Emergency Contact Information Form.

Getting to Campus:

CIE will provide transportation for J-1 Exchange Students (and VLI/VLCs) from Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) to the UMW Fredericksburg Campus IF you arrive during the indicated arrival window as stated in your welcome letter.

  • Upon your arrival at the airport, you will connect with your shuttle driver from Chop Chop Shuttle Service.
    • After collecting your luggage, please exit to the main welcome hall and call or WhatsApp the shuttle driver at +1-703-906-6939 and notify him/her that you are through customs.
      • Follow the ramp up to the Departure Level and go outside through the glass doors to the waiting area by Door #1.
      • The shuttle driver should have told you what type of vehicle to look for. It will either be a van marked “Chop Chop Shuttle & Tour,” or an unmarked vehicle. You must look for the van/vehicle and wave to get the driver’s attention. If you have any problems, please call or text the number above.
    • Keep the following phone numbers with you in case of complications or emergency:
      • Center for International Education (CIE): +1-540-654-1434 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday)
      • CIE WhatsApp: +1-540-445-1731

For all F-1 students and J-1 students (and VLI/VLCs) arriving outside of the arrival window, there are multiple options to get to the UMW Fredericksburg Campus on your own:

  1. Rideshare apps such as Uber and Lyft are easily accessible from any of the regional airports. Budget about $100 -$150 for this transportation option. CIE recommends downloading and setting up the app on your mobile phone prior to your arrival in the US.
  2. Fredericksburg, VA has a train station about a 20 minute walk from campus, serviced by Amtrak and the commuter rail line, the VRE. Cost options vary.
  3. You could take a taxi from the airport to campus but know that this cost is likely to be more expensive compared to Uber/Lyft.

The UMW Fredericksburg campus address is:
1301 College Ave.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Campus Map

First year F-1 Students will need to pick up their EagleOne ID cards and residence hall room keys from Eagle Landing (#1 on the campus map). The front desk is staffed 8am-10pm daily. If you plan to arrive outside of this window, please email cie@umw.edu to arrange for key pick-up.

Should there be any problems with check-in, you can proceed to 1127 Emancipation Hwy in Eagle Village, location of the UMW Public Safety Office, and ask for assistance. In an emergency, they can phone the CIE emergency phone number and give you access to your residence hall.

J-1 students will be greeted by CIE staff upon arrival to campus and residence hall room keys and EagleOne ID cards will be distributed at that time.

Center for International Education