International Services
Associate Vice President and Executive Director: Dr. Richard (Rick) Nader
116 Allen Hall
PO Box 6144
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Telephone: 662-325-8632
E-mail: international@msstate.edu
Website: http://international.msstate.edu/about/index.php
The International Institute at Mississippi State University fully integrates our land-grant institution's 130-plus years of leadership, teaching, research, and service into the global area. Founded in June 2011, the Institute serves as the guide and champion of the University's international education, global engagement, and development activities. The Institute's mission enriches and expands the academic, research and cultural experiences of faculty, students, staff, and community through global outreach, research, and academic programs. The International Institute houses the English Language Institute, International Communications and Protocol, International Recruitment and Retention, International Services Office, International Research Development, and the Office of Study Abroad. These units within the Institute cover a broad range of international services to support and promote globalization internally on campus and through external outreach.
International Services
International Services, a unit of the International Institute within the Division of Academic Affairs, advises and provides information to students, research scholars, visiting professors, and MSU faculty and administrators about rules and regulations of immigration. International Services serves as the University liaison between the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Department of State, and the Mississippi State University international community holding F and J visas. By administering both the F-1 Student and J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs, International Services provides documents for qualified non-immigrants to enter the United States. International advisors inform students about maintenance of lawful status, work authorization, enrollment requirements, extension of stay, and other immigration issues. Semi-annual orientation programs for new students along with additional immigration workshops are conducted by this office as well as annual international student services including orientation sessions, utility shuttles during holiday breaks, and offering an international tax software program.
The International Services office is located in 116 Allen Hall and can be contacted by telephone at 662-325-8929. Additional information can be found at the International Services website.
English Language Institute (ELI)
The English Language Institute provides high-quality intensive English instruction enabling students to achieve their individual goals. The Institute offers international students an intensive English language program, more than 20 hours per week of English language instruction, in a traditional southern setting. The goal of the Intensive English Program is to assist students learning English as a second language and foster their involvement in the community, allowing students to work toward a degree at MSU or return to their home country with the advanced English skills and USA culture experiences to advance their careers. The Institute provides assistance with Short-Term Group Language and Culture Programs, where the Institute staff provides assistance with program development, program logistics (housing, classes, culture activities) student support, and immigration and visa support. The English Language Institute also provides ESL students with culture programs (e.g. Conversation Partner Program, Conversation Connections Program, and a variety of cultural activities, events, and trips) and student support services (e.g. assistance with ESL students needs related to immigration, medical requirements, housing, airport transportation, etc.). For details please visit the ELI website.
Study Abroad
The Office of Study Abroad (OSA) offers the students and faculty of Mississippi State University the opportunity to explore academic opportunities outside of the United States. Nearly all programs offer academic credit that will apply toward a degree at MSU. OSA provides resources, assistance, and services related to planning a study abroad (academic programs and academic credit, finances and scholarships, travel documents, health issues, air transportation, communications, etc) and while studying abroad (arriving in a new country, living abroad, culture shock, emergencies while abroad, and returning to the US). For detailed information, please visit the Study Abroad website. For faculty who are developing a study abroad course, planning resources can be obtained at the Faculty Study Abroad website.