Murray State University

The following is a list of things to help you decide what to bring with you to Murray State University.

Don't bring

• Bed and bath linens. These items are not expensive and students often discover that bed linens from home do not fit
  the bedding (mattresses) here!

Bring

• A driver’s license from your home country or an international driver’s license. It is easier and quicker to obtain a Kentucky driver’s license if you have one from abroad already.
• Some cash in U.S. dollars. Plan to arrive in Murray with at least $ 800 in USD. This is a small community and having your currency changed into dollars is not speedy! You can do this at the Nashville airport if you do not have the opportunity before your arrival.
• VISA, Mastercard or American Express credit cards. The university will accept these three major credit cards for university tuition and fee payment. The university will not accept Diner’s Club cards!
• Cirrus system or PLUS system ATM cards are useful in this area.
• Bank drafts, traveler’s checks in USD are useful when setting up bank accounts. Money can be wired from home, but most banks here will not accept wired funds until you have established an account! Since you will need funds for fee payment right after your arrival, waiting for wired funds may be frustrating. Bring some of your funds (if possible) in the form of bank drafts or traveler’s checks. During orientation, you will be introduced to banking in the U.S. and will be provided the opportunity to pick from several local banking agencies.
• Clothing. The temperatures can be as high as 95 degrees F (35C) in the summer, and as low as 15 degrees F (-10C) in the winter. In the summer it is very humid. In the winter it is very cold, but there is usually little snowfall. Rainfall in the spring can be heavy. Former students have indicated that clothing is fairly inexpensive here. You will need heavy jackets, gloves and a hat for winter, which can all be purchased after your arrival.
• Personal items from home. Don’t forget to include those things that will remind you of home. Bring photographs of friends and family. Bring items that are important to you or that represent your culture. Bring your home country’s flag. Bring an example of your native dress. Each year international students participate in cultural events on campus. One of these events is a buffet where students cook for and entertain 300 guests. You might want to bring recipes from home for this event, or even to help you cook favorite dishes for yourself. Each year, international students volunteer to talk with local school children about their homelands. What would you like to show other people about where you live? What do you want to bring to help you deal with homesickness? Everyone misses home. Having something personal of your own in your room may be more important than packing all of your clothing!
• Prescriptions from your doctor for any medications you must take, or for your eyeglasses or contacts. This may be very useful after you arrive. If you have not packed sufficient medications for your time here, or if you need new glasses or contacts, you will have to visit a local doctor. A prescription, written in English and using generic labels for medications, will help the local doctor better meet your needs.
• Your passport, I-20 or DS-2019, the International Student Handbook and the instructions for arrival!
• If you need to bring your personal computer, remember the voltage difference here! Talk with those who can help you with converters and adapters for our electrical system. Students do bring their own computers from abroad, but most often they have been adapted for universal use. Check on this before you pack it!