BEFORE ARRIVAL

• Finalize process to receive your Exchange Visa/ J-1 Visa
• Review materials revied in the Visa Welcome Packet from Academic Affairs

UPON ARRIVAL

• Contact your department’s administrative assistant to inform them of
  your arrival day and time and to learn where you should pick up your
  apartment keys and WesCard.
  • Romance Language FLTAs: Meet Sherri Condon the first
    business day after you arrive. Go to the Romance Language
    building (300 High Street).
  • College of East Studies FLTAs: Make an appointment to meet
    Kathleen Norris during the first week after your arrival. Go to
    the Mansfield Freeman Center (343 Washington Terrace).
  • Fulbright FLTAs: Make an appointment to meet Jennifer
    Collingwood during the first week after your arrival. Go to the
    Fries Center for Global Studies (262 High Street).
• Meet with Academic Affairs within 10 days of the program start date on your DS-2019 to validate your arrival in the government’s database. Go to North College (237 High Street).
• Meet with your Faculty Host/ Advisor
• Go to ResLife (North College basement) to sign your lease, this may be done any time in your first two weeks on campus.
• Open a bank account at a US bank. Stipend payments are made via direct deposit to a US bank. 
• Visit Cheryl Hagner in the Office of Graduate Student Services. Go to Exley Science Center, Room 132 (265 Church Street).
• Visit Thais García Bagué in the Fries Center for Global Studies in
  Fisk Hall, Room 201G

CHERYL-ANN HAGNER
Director of Graduate Student Services
Exley Science Center, Room 132
265 Church Street
(860) 685-2223
chagner@wesleyan.edu

SHERRI CONDON
Administrative Assistant in Romance Languages and Literatures
300 High Street
860‑685‑2437
scondon@wesleyan.edu

JENNIFER COLLINGWOOD
Administrative Assistant in Fries Center for Global Studies
262 High St., 201F Fisk Hall
860‑685‑3661
jcollingwood@wesleyan.edu 

EMMANUEL PARIS-BOUVRET
Director of Languages Resources and Technology
262 High St., 201G Fisk Hall
(860) 685-2560
eparis@wesleyan.edu 

THAIS GARCÍA BAGUÉ
Global Language and Outreach Fellow
262 High St., 201G Fisk Hall
tgarcia@wesleyan.edu 

LANGUAGE SECTION HEADS
French Section: Typhaine Leservot
Spanish Section: Ana M. Perez-Girones
Italian Section: Camilla Zamboni 
Chinese Section: Wei Gong
Japanese Section: Naho Maruta
Korean Section: Hyejoo Back

We recommend that you arrive prepared with access to approximately $2,000 USD to get yourself settled at Wesleyan. Depending on your situation, you could incur expenses for the following:

PARK-WASH FLTA RENT:
Academic Year 2023/24: $900/month

HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM:
University policy mandates that all students maintain health insurance. Please see your offer letter for details on the amount that Wesleyan will cover, as well as the amount you will be responsible for. The amount you are responsible for will be charged to your student account at the end of September. You can find more information here. For questions related to insurance, you may contact graduateoffice@wesleyan.edu 

HEALTH IMMUNIZATIONS:
The State of Connecticut requires proof of certain immunizations. Forms should be emailed to healthforms@wesleyan.edu. If you require lab tests or vaccines, the out-of-pocket costs are approximately $150- $350. Please refer to your offer letter for information on deadlines.

GSA FEE:
A fee will be charged to each graduate student’s student account for the Graduate Student Association (GSA) student activity fee. Please refer to your offer letter for information on the exact amount.

GROCERIES AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS:
The Transportation Department offers a free local grocery shuttle service to two local grocery stores - Aldi and Price Chopper on Sundays (12:30 pm to 3:30 pm) and Wednesdays (6:30 pm to 8:30 pm). The Graduate Student Association also hosts a shopping trip during orientation week to bring students to local stores to purchase household items that you were not able to bring with you (i.e. bedding, kitchen supplies, etc).

LAUNDRY:
Free laundry facilities are available on campus in the basement level of Park Washington Apartments.

BOOKS:
Books that are required for classes are sold at the University bookstore. Payment is via credit card, cash, or check.

STIPEND PAYCHECK DATES:
Stipends are paid on the 15th of the month and the last day of each month.

Allbritton Center
The Allbritton Center is the hub of civic engagement at Wesleyan. We study public life, actively partner with the local and regional community, and teach practical skills for social impact. The Allbritton houses these other centers: Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life, Service-Learning Center, Jewett Center for Community Partnerships, Center for Prison Education, and Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship.

Center for the Arts (CFA)
The CFA housed in an eleven-building complex designed by Kevin Roche/John Dinkeloo Architects, opened in the fall of 1973. By juxtaposing several highly flexible buildings, the architecture preserves the individual integrity of each of the arts while at the same time encouraging creative interaction between them. Performance and exhibition spaces include Crowell Concert Hall, World Music Hall, CFA Hall, CFA Theater, Davison Art Center, and the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery.

Center for Film Studies
The Film Series has presented student-programmed, student-staffed movie screening for over 40 years. Currently, it runs on Wednesday through Saturday nights during the semester, and aims to show a wide and varies selection of works from throughout cinema history: old and new, foreign and domestic, narrative and documentary, and all sorts of others.

College of East Asian Studies
The College of East Asian Studies’ goal is to cultivate students with deep and broad knowledge about East Asia and promote an understanding of East Asia on the Wesleyan campus, within the Middletown community and beyond. We offer language training in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean as well as a broad range of interdisciplinary courses that are grouped in five concentrations. They also offer regular programming about East Asia for the Wesleyan community, including regular and special lectures and events and gallery exhibits and talks. The Center also houses our gallery, Japanese garden, tatami tea room, our collections, as well as classrooms and faculty offices.

Davison Health Center
The Davison Health Center’s mission is to provide high-quality healthcare and health promotion to improve students’ overall health, to support their educational goals, and to develop skills for long-term healthy lifestyles. A diverse team of professionals who believe that “health” involves every aspect of well-being: emotional, nutritional, sexual, spiritual and physical provides comprehensive primary care for illness and injury.

Freeman Athletic Center
The Freeman Athletic Center includes a 60,000-square-feet Bacon Fieldhouse, the Wesleyan Natatorium, the Wesleyan Arena and numerous support areas such a locker and team rooms, equipment rooms, athletic injury care room, fitness center, and multi-purpose room. It also is surrounded by a number of outdoor playing facilities, including the Andersen Track. Your Wesleyan ID card is required and must be presented upon entry. There is no membership fee for Wesleyan faculty and staff. 

Fries Center for Global Studies (FCGS)
The Fries Center for Global Studies is committed to helping all members of the Wesleyan community achieve the knowledge, language skills, and sensitivity each person will need in order to exercise effective and responsible citizenship in an increasingly interdependent world. The FCGS houses these offices: Study Abroad, Fellowships, Language and Intercultural Learning, and Language Resources and Technology.

Gordon Career Center (GCC)
Gordon Career Center works with students of all class years to translate their liberal education into a lifetime of meaningful work. The Center’s innovative approach to career education encourages students to design their own careers by exploring the intersection among their interests, the skills they have and wish to acquire, and market demand. The Gordon Career Center links students to alumni and employers across the globe in fields that reflect the impressive breadth of opportunities explored by Wesleyan graduates.

Romance Languages and Literature (RL&L)
The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures (RL&L) is a cornerstone of the Humanities at Wesleyan and houses 4 language departments: Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese.

The Resource Center
The Resource Center, a culmination of student advocacy and activism, provides a centralized space where students can learn about and advocate for diversity and inclusion at Wesleyan as well as in their own lives. The Center will engage and support students, faculty, and staff who are interested in social justice programming, advocacy, and education, serving as a resource and providing a safe environment for underrepresented students and allies to discuss, learn, organize, and lead.

Office of Graduate Student Services (OGSS)
The Office of Graduate Student Services is the central administrative office for the PhD, MA, and BA/MA degree programs and for the Foreign Language Teaching Assistants and Writing Fellows.  The Office of Graduate Student Services oversees and provides administrative services to graduate students including managing the admission process, planning and executing new graduate student orientation, advising graduate students on academic and personal difficulties, programming events on career services, mental health issues, and writing support, conducting academic review, managing stipend budgets and payroll, and certifying students for graduation.

Office of International Student Affairs (OISA)
The Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) provides advice and guidance on every aspect of your adjustment to life at Wesleyan--cultural, academic, personal, financial, and immigration. We organize International Student Orientation (ISO) when you arrive and provide on-going support on topics of particular interest to international students, coordinate support for undergraduate international students who choose to remain on campus during official university breaks and offer one-on-one support.

Office of Residential Life
The Office of Residential Life strives to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive residential environment that complements and extends the educational experience of students.

Olin Library
Your Wesleyan ID card is also your library card. All students and permanent staff have access to these services: • Borrow from the Wesleyan libraries (review our loan periods) • Borrow from Connecticut College and Trinity College libraries (CTW) • Borrow from other libraries through InterLibrary Loan • Using our online research materials on-campus or off-campus • Research help via consultations or appointments with any of our librarians • Suggest a purchase for the library collection

Shapiro Writing Center
The Shapiro Center serves as a hub for writing activities and provides a venue for readings, workshops, colloquia, informal discussions, student-sponsored events, and receptions. Its lounge is open to all students enrolled in creative writing courses. 

Van Vleck Observatory
Van Vleck Observatory has three onsite telescopes housed in domes as well as portable 10 inch Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain donated by the Fiducia family of Middletown and several smaller portable telescopes.

Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
The Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore houses approximately 18,000 books with a special section highlighting authors from the Wesleyan community. In addition to books, the store sells a wide range of both Wesleyan-themed and general apparel and merchandise. There is also a cafe-restaurant located inside the bookstore.

New Haven Train Station Shuttle
The New Haven Shuttle operates every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Shuttle reservations need to be made in advance. Reservations need to be made at the Usdan University Center Box Office or by calling Usdan Box Office at 860-685-3355. The fee is $10.00 per person one way, except for student breaks when the fee is $15.00. For schedule and ticket purchase, visit the New Haven Train Station Shuttle.

The Ride: Campus Shuttle
Catch the RIDE at locations throughout campus and make the trek across campus both quick and safe. The RIDE is free to all members of the Wesleyan Community. Download the "WesShuttleApp" for your mobile device on the App Store or Play Store.

Middletown Area Transit can get you most places in Middletown and to the Meriden Train Station, where you can connect to New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, MA. 

• Buses stop at the corner of William/High Streets (Route 590, formerly M-Link and Route 583, formerly C Route) about once an hour.  Rides are $1.75 each way.  M-Link revamped its schedule in 2019 and has coordinated M-Link schedules with CTrail departure times in Meriden for easier transit usage.
  
• CTrail Hartford Line service offers 17 round trips a day between New Haven and Hartford, with some trips continuing up to Springfield, MA.  Take CTrail to connect to buses and trains continuing on to Boston, New York, and beyond.  The nearest CTrail station is in Meriden, which is accessible via a 15-20 minute ride on Middletown Area Transit's Route 590 service.  
  
• CT Transit offers buses to Hartford and Bradley Airport from downtown Middletown.

WesRides
Ridesharing is created by students for students at Wesleyan University. Join this Facebook Group! Need a ride? Be sure to include: - when you need a ride - where you're starting out - where you need to arrive - how many seats you need - how much baggage you have WesRides: because Cardinals support each other.™

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Need to rent a car? NOTE: there is a $250 security deposit. Requires a driver’s license and car insurance (or pay extra for car insurance). Only takes a credit card. Use the Wesleyan discount code to get 10% off. Discount Code: XZ48458

TRAVEL BY TRAIN

Metro-North connects from Grand Central Station in New York City to New Haven Union Station, CT. Download the TrainTime app on your phone. COST: $17.75 one-way (non-peak, meaning non-rush-hour) $23.50 one-way (peak, meaning rush-hour)

Amtrak arrives and departs from Meriden train station (7 miles from campus). You can take the Amtrak south towards New York or North towards Boston. Prices vary. Book tickets online. You can also download the Amtrak app on your phone.

Route 590 service is a route serviced by Middletown Area Transit (MAT). It can get you to the Meriden Train Station, where you can connect to New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, MA. 

TRAVEL BY AIR:

Bradley International Airport (BDL) | Located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (~40 minutes from campus)

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | Located in Queens, New York (~2 hours from campus)

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) | Located in Queens, New York (~2 hours from campus)

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) | Located in Newark, New Jersey (~2 hours from campus)

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) | Located in Boston, Massachusetts (~2.5 hours from campus)

T.F. Green Airport (PVD) | Located in Warwick, Rhode Island (~1.5 hours from campus)

CARSHARING APPLICATIONS

Many students use apps such as Uber and Lyft to get around. Prices vary depending on the destination. Example ~$40 from campus to New Haven Union Station ~$50 from campus to BDL airport. 

Wesleyan's campus life is active and vibrant. Below are some important links to communities that exist within Wes.

Academic Calendar | View important dates for breaks, enrollment periods, and U.S. holidays.

Student Groups | View the 200+ campus student groups and consider joining a group that shares your interest.

Social Media channels | Follow and Like the various Wesleyan social media channels in order to get updates on all the events taking place across campus. 

Usdan Marketplace
Located on the second floor of The Usdan University Center is an all you can eat dining hall. Middletown Cash, credit card, and cash accepted.

Usdan Café
This a la carte café features a variety of grab-and-go salads, sandwiches, coffees, and specialty beverages. Middletown Cash, credit card, and cash accepted.

Pi Café
Located in the Exley Science Center lobby and features Pierce Brothers Coffee and other specialty drinks. Middletown Cash, credit card, and cash accepted.

Daniel Family Commons (DFC)
The Daniel Family Commons (DFC), located on the third floor of the Usdan University Center. This space is primarily a faculty/staff dining space. Students are encouraged to join faculty and staff mentors to engage in intellectual discourse over lunch. Middletown Cash, credit cards, and cash accepted. Lunch cost: $9.50.

Summerfields
Located in Butterfield C Residence. Middletown Cash, credit card, and cash accepted.

Weshop Essentials
Wesleyan’s own mini-market provides a large inventory of premier national, regional, and local brands, ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat organic and Kosher selections, bulk food items such as nuts, grains, legumes, coffee, rice, flour, and more. Points, Middletown Cash, credit card, and cash accepted.

WesWings 
WesWings + Red & Black Cafe

Espwesso
Espwesso is an entirely student-run, sustainability-focused specialty coffee shop on the Wesleyan campus located in the basement of the Allbritton Center.

View more here: https://www.wesleyan.edu/dining/placestoeat.html

AMERICAN CUISINE

• Athenian Diner II, 864 Washington St, (860) 346-2272 $
• Cardinal Pizza, 570 Main St, (860) 343-1133 $$
• Celtic Cavern, 45 Melilli Plaza, (860) 894-2954 $$
• Eli Cannon’s Tap Room* 695 Main Street, (860) 347-3547 $
• Five Guys, 560 Washington St, (860) 346-9200 $$
• Ford News Diner* 358 Main Street, (860) 346-4655 $
• It’s Only Natural* 606 Main Street, (860) 346-9210 $$
• krust, 686 Main St, (860) 358-9816 $$
• Mezzo Grille* 106 Court Street, (860) 346-6000 $$
• Mondo Pizza* 10 Main Street, (860) 343-3330 $$
• Mtown Wing, 170 Main St Unit 1, (860) 316-5585 $$
• O’Rourke’s Diner* 728 Main Street, (860) 346-6101 $
• Saladbar, 425 Main St, (860) 788-2300 $
• Taíno Smokehouse, (860) 358-9828 $$
• Tavern at the Armory at the Inn at Middletown* 70 Main Street, (860) 854-6323 $$$
• Wayback Burgers, 170 Main St Unit 8, (860) 358-9127 $$

EAST ASIAN CUISINE

• China King, 200 Main St. Suite #1, (860) 344-9455 $$
• Fortune Garden, 340 East Main Street, (860) 343-0927 $$
• Fortune Wok, 844 Washington Street, (860) 347-0885 $$
• Hau Po Restaurant, 695 S Main St, (860) 343-0612 $$
• Asian Restaurant, 83 Broad St, (860) 894-2680 $
• Fujiya Ramen, 423B Main Street, (860) 852-5695 $
• Japanica II, 854 Washington Street, (860) 346-4498 $$
• Mikado, 3 Melilli Plaza, (860) 346-6655 $$
• Hachi, 320 Main Street, (860) 346-0727 $$
• Moonlight Sushi, 130 Main Street, (860) 788-6253 $$
• Niuda, 102 Court St, (860) 788-2804 $$

LATIN AMERICAN CUISINE

• La Boca Restaurant and Cantina*, 337 Main Street, (860) 347-4777 $$
• Puerto Vallarta*, 206 Main St., Metro Square, (860) 852-0080 $$
• The Forbidden Llama 335 Main St, (860) 515-1722 $$
• Tres Salsas Mexican Grill

EUROPEAN CUISINE

• Amici Italian Grill* 280 Main Street, (860) 346-0075 $$
• Esca* 437 Main Street, (860) 316-2552 $$$
• Fiore II* 332 Main Street, (860) 344-5557 $$
• Illiano’s 404 South Main Street, (860) 346-5656 $
• Jerry’s Pizza 635 South Main Street, (860) 346-5335 $
• La Cantina Café Ristorante* 74 Court Street, (860) 704-0000 $$$
• Luce Restaurant* 98 Washington Street, (860) 344-0222 $$
• Sicily Coal Fired Pizza, 412 Main St (860) 788-2237 $$
• OSA, 500 Main St, (860) 358-9782 $$$

SOUTH ASIAN CUISINE

• Haveli India 1300 South Main Street, (860) 347-7773 $$
• Tandoor* 170 Main Street, (860) 346-6600 $$
• Tibetan Kitchen Restaurant* 574 Main Street, (860) 854-6292 $$
• Udupi Bhavan 749 Saybrook Road , (860) 346-3355 $

SOUTHEAST ASIAN CUISINE

• Lan Chi’s* 505 Main Street, (860) 347-8885 $$
• Pho 170* 170 Main Street, (860) 788-6341 $
• Thai Gardens* 300 Main Street, (860) 346-3322 $$
• Typhoon* 360 Main Street, (860) 344-9667 $$

HAWAIIAN CUISINE

• Pokemoto, 386 Main St, (860) 316-5869 $$
• Prince House, 116 Court St, (860) 849-8118 $$

CAFÉ / BAKERY/ DELI

• BrewBakers* 169 Main Street, (860) 852-0034 $
• Klekolo World Coffee* 181 Court Street, (860) 343-9444 $
• Neil’s Donuts, 211 S Main St, (860) 316-5003 $
• Neon Deli and Market* 130 Cross Street, (860) 347-1800 $
• Perk on Main* 386 Main Street, (860) 788-2287 $$
• Sweet Harmony Café and Bakery* 330 Main Street, (860) 344-9646 $
• Perkatory Coffee Roasters* 725 Main St Unit 23, (860) 788-2029 $$

CHECK OUT MORE HERE: http://www.wesleyan.edu/about/visitors/restaurants.html 

When you arrive at Wesleyan, you may find the need for a banking institution. Below are some banking institutions located in Middletown. Visit their locations and or websites to determine which would be best for you.

Bank of America | 267 Main St Middletown, CT 06457 US (860) 343-5541

Citizens Bank | 211 South Main Street, Unit #2 Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 685-8800

Wells Fargo Bank | 111 Washington Street Middletown, CT 06457 860-347-0567

Liberty Bank | 315 Main St, Middletown, CT 06457 (888) 570-0773

You may find the need for a cellular phone company during your year in the United States. Below are some cellphone companies located in Middletown. Visit their locations and or websites to determine which would be best for you.

J1 SIM | Unlimited mobile phone plans in the U.S. starting from $25/month, and/or get unlimited international calling starting from $2/month

AT&T Store | 105 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 344-5880

Boost Mobile | 534 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 358-9039

Cricket Wireless | 442 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 788-3381

Sprint Store | 551 Washington Street Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 638-4765

T-Mobile | 170 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 344-8219

Grocery Shopping

• Aldi | 671 Washington Street Middletown, CT 06457 (855) 955-2534
• Price Chopper | 855 Washington Street Middletown, CT 06457
• Stop & Shop | 416 E. Main Street Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 346-0160
• It’s Only Natural (ION) | 575 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457

The Transportation Department offers a free local grocery shuttle service to two local grocery stores - Aldi and Price Chopper on Sundays. The Graduate Student Association also hosts a shopping trip during orientation week to bring students to local stores to purchase household items that you were not able to bring with you (i.e. bedding, kitchen supplies, etc). 

Household Items:
If you find you are in need of additional household items, you may register for Wesleyan Freecycle. Wesleyan Freecycle is a listserv open to the Wesleyan campus community to exchange work-related items (excess office supplies, furniture, etc.) or personal items (clothing, electronics, toys, etc.) Please visit the link for more information on how to register.

Health and Pharmacy

• Walgreens | 633 Washington Street Middletown, CT 06457
• CVS | 675 Washington Street Middletown, CT 06457
• CVS | 308 Main Street Extension Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 344-1857
• Walgreens | 311 E. Main Street Middletown, CT 06457
• Middlesex Hospital | 28 Crescent Street Middletown, CT 06457

Local Services

• Social Security Office | 425 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457
• United States Postal Service (USPS) | 11 Silver Street Middletown, CT 06457
• Middletown Adult Education | 398 Main Street Middletown, CT 06457