A Haven For Foreign Students At Murray State University

haven at murray state university foreign student

Murray State University (MSU), located in Kentucky, is a nationally recognized public university in the United States. With a diverse student body representing over 60 nationalities, MSU offers a welcoming environment for international students, recently recognized as the Friendliest Small Town in America by USA Today. The university provides a range of academic programs, including over 140 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as an English Language Program to support international students in their academic journey. MSU also boasts a vibrant campus life, with over 170 student organizations and a strong athletics program, making it a well-rounded choice for those seeking a holistic educational experience. For those interested in studying abroad, MSU offers exchange and visiting student programs with specific requirements for international applicants, including English proficiency tests and financial documentation.

Characteristics Values
Location Kentucky, United States
Type of University Public
Number of Students 10,000
Number of Countries Represented 50+
Number of Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Programs 143
English Language Proficiency Requirement IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Duolingo, etc.
Minimum TOEFL Score 61 for full admission with condition
Minimum IELTS Score 5.5 for full admission with condition
Minimum TOEIC Score 700 with 140 or higher speaking for full admission with condition
Bank Statement Requirement $19,712 for master's students; $22,373 for doctoral students
Health Insurance Can be purchased from Murray State University for $863/year
Exchange Student Application Process Must be designated by home university and provide required documentation
On-Campus Housing Application $150 housing deposit
Scholarships Trustee Scholarship, Partner University Scholarships, Transfer Scholarships
Student Activities Over 170 organizations and societies, including the International Student Organization

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Exchange and visiting students

Murray State University (MSU) is a nationally recognized public university in the United States. It is home to nearly 10,000 students from the United States and 50 countries. MSU offers 148 high-quality bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, as well as an English Language Program. The university is located in Kentucky and has a range of modern sporting facilities, laboratories, and libraries. MSU has an active student body that runs over 170 organizations and societies. The university's athletes, known as Racers, are particularly successful in basketball, football, rifle shooting, and fishing.

MSU is a welcoming and friendly place for international students. The campus is safe and full of fun activities, and the faculty and staff are always willing to help. The university runs an English language program where international students can receive personalized tutoring before beginning their degrees. The International Student Organization (ISO) is a multicultural society at MSU that brings international students together, offers support, and raises awareness of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

To become an exchange student at MSU, you must first be designated by your home university. Your home university needs to send a confirmation email to Bill McKibben ([email protected]) stating that you have been officially selected as an exchange student. Once MSU receives this designation email, you will need to provide additional documentation, including a Murray State application for admission and an International Student Admission Application. Deadlines for applications and documentation are October 15th for spring admission and the first week of May for fall admission.

There are specific requirements for exchange and visiting students at MSU. Students need to provide proof of health insurance, which can be purchased from MSU for approximately $863 per year. Additionally, students must demonstrate English language proficiency through tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or TOEIC. Students from certain countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, are exempt from submitting English proficiency scores. Financial requirements include a bank statement showing funds of at least $14,500 for a student visa. For graduate programs, the bank statement must show a balance of at least $19,712 for master's students or $22,373 for doctoral students.

MSU offers a range of scholarship programs for international students, including the Trustee Scholarship, which covers all tuition fees. The university also provides on-campus housing for exchange and visiting students, with a $150 housing deposit required. Overall, MSU is a great choice for exchange and visiting students, offering a welcoming community, academic support, and a diverse range of programs and extracurricular activities.

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English language proficiency requirements

Murray State University (MSU) is a nationally recognized public university in the United States. It is home to nearly 10,000 students from the United States and 50 countries. MSU offers 148 high-quality bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as an English Language Program.

The English Language Program at MSU ensures academic success for international students. The program offers personalized tutoring before students begin their degrees. To be admitted to the program, international students must meet certain English language proficiency requirements.

  • IELTS overall score of 6.0 (5.5 for full admission with condition)
  • TOEFL overall score of 71 (61 for full admission with condition)
  • TOEIC overall score of 790 or higher with a speaking score of 160 or higher (700 with 140 or higher speaking for full admission with condition)
  • Kaplan English Certificate Advanced Level (Higher Intermediate Level for full admission with condition)
  • British/Cambridge International Examinations: GCE, GCSE, IGCSE, AICE, or HIGCSE certificate with five O-Level subject passes, or a level of B-2 or higher on the Cambridge English exam
  • Completion of one semester of full-time university-level classes (minimum of 12 credit hours) with a 2.5 GPA or higher at an accredited US institution

It is important to note that students from certain countries are not required to submit English proficiency scores. These countries include Antigua, Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, the British Islands, Cameroon (University of Buea and University of Bamenda), Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom.

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Scholarships

Murray State University (MSU) is a nationally recognized public university in the United States, with a diverse student body comprising students from over 50 countries. MSU offers numerous scholarship opportunities for international students, making it an attractive option for those seeking financial support during their studies abroad. Here is an overview of some of the scholarships available:

  • Trustee Scholarship: The Trustee Scholarship is a prestigious award that covers the full tuition fees of selected students. This scholarship is a significant advantage for those seeking to pursue their academic goals at MSU without the financial burden of tuition costs.
  • Partner University Scholarships: Murray State University values its partnerships with other academic institutions. As such, they offer Partner University Scholarships to all admitted undergraduate students from partner universities. This scholarship helps to strengthen the bond between MSU and its partner institutions and provides a great opportunity for students from those universities to benefit from financial support.
  • Transfer Scholarship: The Transfer Scholarship is designed for students transferring from other institutions. It is a non-refundable scholarship that can be applied to direct costs, including tuition, campus housing, meal plans, and textbook charges. This scholarship recognizes the unique needs of transfer students and helps ease their transition to MSU.
  • Leadership and Passion for Advancing Inter-Cultural Learning Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to bachelor's and master's students who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and a passion for promoting inter-cultural learning at Murray State University. It is a great option for students who want to make a positive impact on campus and foster a more inclusive environment.

In addition to these scholarships, MSU also offers affordable tuition rates for international students. The university's friendly and welcoming community, coupled with its focus on academic success and cultural exchange, makes it a desirable choice for students from around the world. The English Language Program at MSU further enhances the university's appeal by providing personalized tutoring to international students before they begin their degree programs.

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Health insurance

International students on F or J visas are eligible for "student" health insurance plans, which are often more affordable than visitor insurance plans. These plans can be purchased through the state's health insurance marketplace or from private companies like American Visitor Insurance. Students can compare the coverage and prices of different plans to make an informed decision.

Some universities may allow students to waive the university-sponsored insurance if their existing coverage meets specific criteria. However, it is important to check with the university to ensure that your insurance meets the requirements for international students.

At the University of New Haven, for example, all full-time international students are required to have health insurance and are automatically billed for the university-sponsored plan. The cost of this plan for the 2024-2025 academic year is $1,800, and it provides worldwide coverage. Students can access their insurance policy and card through United Healthcare, which administers the plan.

It is important to note that health insurance requirements may vary slightly between universities. Therefore, international students planning to attend Murray State University should carefully review the university's policies and consult with their admissions office for specific insurance requirements and recommendations.

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Student societies

Murray State University (MSU) is a welcoming place for international students. The campus is safe and friendly, and the faculty and staff are always ready to help. The university offers an English Language Program with personalized tutoring for students who need to improve their English language proficiency.

The International Student Organization (ISO) is a student-led society at MSU that is specifically tailored to the needs of international students. The ISO is a multicultural society that brings students from different backgrounds together, offering support and raising awareness of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

In addition to the ISO, MSU is home to over 170 student organizations and societies, ensuring that there is something for everyone. These include academic, honorary, professional, religious, and special interest groups, as well as fraternities and sororities.

Some examples of student organizations at MSU include the Art Club, the Biology Club, the Chemistry Club, the Economics and Finance Club, the International Business Club, the Pre-Law Society, the Psychology Club, and the Society of Physics Students. There are also numerous honor societies, such as Alpha Lambda Delta, Beta Beta Beta, Kappa Delta Pi, and Phi Kappa Phi.

For students of faith, there are several religious organizations, including the Baptist Campus Ministry, the Catholic Campus Ministry, the Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Murray State Muslim Student Association.

Finally, MSU also has a number of special interest groups, such as the Anime and Gaming Club, the Association for Computing Machinery, the International Student Organization, the Murray State Pride Club, the Murray State University Rodeo Team, and the Society for Human Resource Management.

Frequently asked questions

Murray State University has been voted the "Friendliest Small Town in America" by USA Today. The campus is diverse, with over 60 nationalities represented, and many students who do not speak English as a first language. The university runs an English Language Program where students can receive personalized tutoring before beginning their degrees. The campus is known for being safe and friendly, with plenty of study areas, and the town offers small-town boutiques and shops, diverse restaurants, and public parks.

International students benefit from affordable tuition rates and numerous scholarship opportunities. The Trustee Scholarship covers all of a student's tuition fees, and Partner University Scholarships are awarded to all admitted undergraduate students from partner universities. Transfer Scholarships can be applied to direct costs such as tuition, campus housing, and meal plans.

Students must submit English proficiency scores through one of the following exams: IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, DuoLingo, or the Cambridge English Exam. Minimum scores vary depending on the exam, but for IELTS, a score of 6.0 is required (5.5 for conditional admission). For TOEFL, a score of 71 is required (61 for conditional admission).

International students must provide a bank statement showing sufficient funds to support their studies. The minimum amount required is $14,500 for a visa, although students may not spend this much. For graduate students, a higher amount is required, with $19,712 needed for master's students and $22,373 for doctoral students.

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