Your Complete Guide to Studying at Purdue as an International Student

Before You Leave Home

Your Purdue journey starts long before your flight. Once your admission is confirmed, Purdue's Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) issues your immigration document — a Form I-20 for F-1 students or a Form DS-2019 for J-1 students — after you complete the online Notification of Intent (NOI) e-form and upload your passport and financial support documents. Keep multiple copies of everything: digital, printed, and one stored with a family member back home.

The documents you'll be juggling

What to pack

The Lodge's apartments come furnished, so you don't need to ship furniture. Focus your luggage on: original academic documents and transcripts, several passport photos, a universal power adapter, weather-appropriate clothing (Indiana summers run 80–90°F, winters regularly drop below freezing), and enough of any prescription medication to last until you can see a doctor locally, along with the prescription itself.

Getting to West Lafayette

Most international students are surprised to learn that Indianapolis International Airport (IND) — not Chicago O'Hare — is the recommended gateway to Purdue. IND is roughly 70 miles (about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes by road) from West Lafayette, and it has more direct ground transportation options built specifically for Purdue travelers.

From IND to campus

Your First Weeks on Campus

Federal law requires every new international student to complete a Mandatory International Student Check-in (MISCi) with ISS before they can get a Purdue ID card or register for classes. Book your MISCi appointment only after your travel plans are confirmed — you'll need to bring your passport, visa, I-20 or DS-2019, and I-94 arrival record. Plan for about 90 minutes.

Boiler Gold Rush International (BGRi)

BGRi is Purdue's orientation built specifically for incoming international undergraduates, run just before the general Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) welcome week. It covers practical transition steps — opening a bank account, getting a SIM card, understanding culture shock — alongside campus traditions. There's no separate fee beyond the standard BGR registration, and move-in for BGRi participants happens a day or two before general move-in, so check your assigned window closely.

Health and immunization requirements

Leasing at The Lodge Without U.S. Credit History

One of the biggest questions international students have is how to qualify for an apartment without a U.S. credit score, Social Security number, or co-signer nearby. The Lodge on the Trail offers several qualification paths, each open to any applicant who meets the criteria — you can choose whichever fits your situation:

What "furnished" actually includes

Every apartment at The Lodge comes furnished, which matters most when you're arriving with two suitcases instead of a moving truck. Units include stainless steel kitchen appliances (refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher), an in-unit washer and dryer, and a 50-inch smart TV — the kind of setup that would otherwise take weeks and multiple store trips to assemble from scratch.

What's included in rent

Lease terms run 10 or 12 months, and units lease individually by the bed or as a whole apartment — useful if you're coordinating with roommates you haven't met in person yet. For rent payment, Purdue's Bursar partners with Flywire and CIBC so you can pay in your home currency without international wire fees; ask leasing whether the same option applies to your monthly rent payment method.

Setting Up Life in the U.S.

A handful of errands turn you from "just arrived" into "actually settled." Most students knock these out during BGRi week or the first weekend after move-in.

Opening a bank account

You do not need a Social Security number to open a bank account in the U.S. West Lafayette's two main options are Purdue Federal Credit Union (PFCU), which explicitly accepts applications from students and scholars without an SSN at its Northwestern Avenue and Purdue Memorial Union branches, and Chase. Both require an in-person visit. If you land a few days before BGRi, consider opening your account early to skip the peak-week line.

Getting a phone plan

Most major U.S. carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) offer prepaid SIM options that don't require a credit check or SSN — useful for your first plan before you've built any U.S. credit history. BGRi typically includes a table or vendor session for SIM cards, so you can compare options in person rather than researching blind.

Your Purdue ID and accounts

Getting Around Without a Car

The Lodge sits just under 3 miles from Purdue's main campus — close enough to be convenient, far enough that walking isn't the practical daily option. Most residents get to class without ever owning a car.

The community's resident shuttle is the primary way residents reach campus — it's direct, included, and built around class schedules, so it's the option to plan your commute around first. Purdue students also ride CityBus routes free of charge with a valid Purdue ID, which is useful for trips beyond the shuttle's route, like grocery runs or exploring downtown Lafayette. Campus itself has a large network of covered and heated bus shelters, which matters more than it sounds like during an Indiana winter.

Food, Groceries & Feeling at Home

Purdue has one of the largest international student populations of any U.S. university, and the Greater Lafayette grocery scene reflects it. You won't have to go without the ingredients you grew up cooking with.

International and specialty groceries nearby

Because every Lodge apartment comes with a full kitchen — stainless appliances, a dishwasher, and a pantry — cooking your own meals is genuinely practical, not just an idea. If you're not cooking, Purdue's dining courts also offer international and allergen-aware options, and the campus has a growing number of student-run and local restaurants representing global cuisines.

Community, Culture & Support

Purdue's International Students and Scholars (ISS) office isn't just for visa paperwork — it's your ongoing resource for anything status-related throughout your time here, including address updates (federally required within 10 days of any move), enrollment changes, and general questions. Keep their contact information saved before you even arrive.

Finding friends

Purdue hosts a large number of cultural and country-specific student organizations, many of which run their own welcome events during the first weeks of the semester alongside BGRi. These groups are often the fastest way to build a friend group, get honest advice on everything from professors to grocery runs, and find familiar cultural touchpoints when homesickness hits. Ask your BGRi team leader or check Purdue's student organization directory once your Career Account is active.

Culture shock is normal — and expected

BGRi programming directly addresses culture shock and academic adjustment because it's one of the most common challenges international students face in their first semester, even for confident, high-achieving students. If the adjustment feels harder than you expected, that's not a sign anything's wrong with you — it's a well-documented part of the process. Purdue's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides support to all enrolled students, including international students, and ISS can point you toward international-student-specific resources if that feels like a more comfortable starting point.

Money & Budgeting

Understanding your true monthly cost — not just the rent line — makes the first semester far less stressful. Build your budget around these categories:

What to budget for beyond rent

Quick Reference

Save this section. These are the contacts and steps you'll reach for most often, from application through move-in.

Your pre-arrival checklist