Florida Institute of Technology
High Tech with a Human Touch
Predeparture Information
Congratulations on your acceptance to Florida Tech and
welcome! Our staff at the Office of International Student and Scholar Services will be serving as your advocates while you are with us,
advising you on all immigration matters, and we look forward to helping you through all phases of your academic career. With
over 1000 international students representing over 100 countries worldwide, you will find Florida Tech a rich and diverse
community with a broad variety of cultural programming and activities available to you.
Entering the Country
Students will be admitted to the United States with a valid passport and a valid U.S. entry visa stamped in the passport by the U.S. Consulate, on the basis of a valid I-20 or DS-2019 and proof of sufficient funds.
What to Do Once You Arrive On Campus
Students living on campus will not be allowed to check-in to residence halls until the arrival date listed on your I-20. If you have made arrangements to live off campus, in an apartment or with a friend, you may arrive earlier, but there WILL NOT be a university representative available to meet you. For emergencies, call Florida Tech Security at (321) 674-8111. The Security Staff will try to assist you.
There will be MANDATORY ORIENTATION for international students after you arrive on campus, which will provide very important information you need to know such as academic advising, public transportation, security and safety, adjustment to American life and your responsibilities as an international student. During ISSS orientation, we will also check you in and notify immigration of your arrival at Florida Tech. Failure to attend may therefore jeopardize your immigration status in the United States.
Please visit our ISSS orientation webpage for full details of when to arrive, what documents to bring , and for a detailed orientation schedule.
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FLORIDA TECH DIPLOMAT PROGRAM
As an international student, we invite you to meet one of our Florida Tech Diplomats. This group of volunteers will make your arrival on campus a warm and welcoming experience. The program consists of a variety of undergrads and grads from many countries who are willing to assist you in adjusting to a new culture. They have offered the use of their time and their knowledge of the Florida Tech community to help you during the orientation process.
Our diplomats are available to e-mail you before you arrive on campus and help you with your arrival. They can answer your questions about travel and their experiences on and off campus as an international student. If you are interested in hearing from a diplomat, please visit the Florida Tech Diplomat website.
What to Bring
Florida’s climate is warm and humid. The average temperature in January ranges from 35º Fahrenheit (1.67C) to 80º Fahrenheit (26.7C), and the average temperature in July ranges from 70º Fahrenheit (21.1C) to 95º Fahrenheit (35C). It will sometimes get colder in the winter and much hotter in the summer. A medium-weight overcoat should keep you very warm in the winter, except on very cold days when you might also need a sweater. Plan to bring gloves, a raincoat and an umbrella because the average rainfall in Melbourne is 40 inches (1,016 mm) per year. Class dress is informal.
If you need to ship items to Florida Tech, please use the following address:
Florida Institute of Technology
Shipping and Receiving, Building 540
Hold for (enter your name and student number)
150 W. University Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32901-6975
If you take prescription medicine or wear glasses, bring a copy of your prescription along with you. Also bring copies of any medical records that are important, especially IMMUNIZATION records. All students are required to show proof of adequate immunization against childhood diseases of measles, mumps and rubella. If you do not have proof of adequate immunization against these diseases, you will be required to obtain the immunization here before you are permitted to register for classes. If you are married and joined by your family, also bring their immunization records.
Health Insurance
As there is no socialized or national system of health care in the United States and medical treatment is expensive, ALL international students are required to maintain full health insurance coverage throughout their course of study. Student health insurance is automatically billed to your student account each semester as a part of your tuition and fees, which means, you WILL be covered through Florida Tech’s student health insurance plan.
Some international students are officially sponsored by their home government or an agency which guarantees their health insurance fees as part of their contract with Florida Tech. Students in this category may be eligible to receive a WAIVER of the Florida Tech health insurance fee. Details of Florida Tech's student Health Insurance plan and information about obtaining a health insurance waiver can be found at http://www.fit.edu/health/insurance.php
Getting to Melbourne, Florida
Routing your flight to Melbourne International Airport is desired. Florida Tech is 10 minutes from the airport by car, and taxi cabs are available at the airport. If you arrive at Miami International Airport, you will be approximately three hours south of Melbourne by car. Transportation to Melbourne is available via commuter flight, Greyhound bus or rental car. You may also arrange for a friend to pick you up in Miami and drive you to Melbourne.
Arriving in Orlando:
Florida Tech has made arrangements for a one-time courtesy service to first-time international students from Orlando Airport. Please read thoroughly through all of the information on the Airport Pickup webpage, and complete the "Airport Pickup Request" form.
If you should need to stay overnight in a hotel in Melbourne, we suggest you ask to go to one of the following hotels:
Close to campus/Melbourne airport:
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(321) 837-7900 1430 Babcock Street (Condo-style, new hotel & one mile from the school) Melbourne, Florida 32901 |
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Extended Stay Deluxe Melbourne - Airport Telephone: (321) 733-6050 Fax: (321) 733-6040 1701 Evans Road Melbourne, FL 32904 MBA@extendedstay.com |
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Oceanfront Hotels:
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Doubletree Guest Suites Melbourne Beach Oceanfront (321) 723-4222 1665 N SR A1A Melbourne, FL 32903 |
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Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront (321) 779-1996 3003 North Highway A1A Indialantic (Melbourne), FL 32903 |
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Crowne Plaza - Melbourne (Negotiated Rate for FIT Students) (321) 777-4100 2505 North Highway A1A Indialantic (Melbourne) , FL 32903 |
Bed and Breakfast Inns (10 minutes from Florida Tech):
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(Oceanfront) (321) 728-9334 815 South Miramar Avenue Indialantic, FL 32903 |
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Port d'Hiver Bed and Breakfast (Across the street from the ocean) (321) 722-2727 201 Ocean Front Avenue Melbourne Beach, FL 32951 |
Where will you live in Melbourne
If you have completed a housing contract, your room will be waiting for you, provided you arrive on the mandatory report date indicated on your I-20 or DS-2019. To pick up the key for your room, you should report to the Office of Campus Services, located on the first floor of the Florida Tech Commons Building.
If you choose to live off-campus, there are several apartment complexes within walking distance of Florida Tech. In addition to the cost of monthly rent, you will need to plan to pay deposits for security (usually the same as one month’s rent), approximately $240 for electric service, $80 for a telephone deposit and $120 for water service. We suggest the following Web sites to help locate an apartment prior to your arrival: www.rent.com, www.apartmentguide.com, www.MyCheapApartments.com, http://www.apartmentlist.com/fl/melbourne, www.donotrent.com, and http://www.myapartmentmap.com/.
We hope this information is helpful as you prepare to depart from your home country.