Arriving at GustavusCenter for International and Cultural Education

Gustavus Arrival. New international students beginning in our 2025 fall semester should arrive at Gustavus on August 24 or 25, 2025. New international students beginning in our 2025 spring semester should arrive at Gustavus on January 7 or 8, 2025. You may choose which of those days works best for you, and plan your travel accordingly.

Arrival Form. Prior to your arrival, Jeff Anderson, Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services, will send you an online form for you to provide us with the information we need to prepare for your arrival. Please contact Jeff if you have questions.

Intercultural Partners (IPs) are a group of current students who will welcome you to Gustavus and participate in the international student orientation, sharing their experiences and perspectives.

Flying. We will provide transportation from Minneapolis / Saint Paul International Airport to Gustavus on the Land to Air Express on the arrival dates. The last Land to Air Express departs the airport at 9 pm, so it is best to arrange a flight that arrives early enough to make that last Land to Air Express, if possible. If Minneapolis / Saint Paul International Airport is your first stop in the U.S., you will go through immigration and customs when you arrive, so you should plan for additional time.

Driving. If you plan to drive to Gustavus with family or friends, you may arrive any time on those arrival dates.

Residential Life will provide you with information about your residence hall and roommate, prior to your arrival. Gustavus provides a packet of linens (sheets, pillow, pillow case, towel, washcloth) to new international students, for free, so that you don't need to bring linens with you. 

Family. If you plan to have family accompany you, please communicate with Jeff Anderson about that. Your family is welcome at Gustavus! We have a guest house on campus in which they may stay for up to three nights, if there is space available. If there is not space in the guest house, they may stay in a nearby hotel. It can be nice for your family to see Gustavus, but there is not much for families to do during the orientation, and it is difficult for students to fully participate in the orientation and also spend much time with their families. You will be very busy! Most international students arrive without family, even if they have not traveled on their own before. CICE and our IPs will help you to figure out all of the logistics and welcome you here, so it should be fine to come here without family. And it is also fine to come with family. Whatever you and your family decide should work well.