Visiting International Exchange Students
About The University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island (URI) is located in Kingston, which is about 45 km south of the state's capital and largest city, Providence. URI was founded in 1892 and has been expanding ever since. The center of campus is a quadrangle of old granite buildings surrounded by newer academic facilities, student residence halls, and administrative buildings. On the plain below Kingston Hill are gymnasiums, athletic fields, tennis courts, and agricultural fields. Approximately 13,500 students are enrolled at URI, and though this may seem like a large number, the average class size is only 30 students.
About Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is the smallest state in the United States and is located on the eastern coast of the country. Although it is called Rhode Island, it is not actually an island. It does however possess over 650km of coastline. Three hours north of New York City and just over one hour south of Boston, the state is ideally situated for easy access to all a major metropolitan area has to offer.
The weather in Rhode Island is generally sunny and warm from May to October and often cold and gray from November to the end of March. The one thing that is predictable about Rhode Island's weather is that it is unpredictable, so be prepared.
Visit www.uri.edu/home/visitors/index or www.VisitRhodeIsland.com for more information on URI and Rhode Island.
About the Office of International Education & National Student Exchange
Office hours: 9:00am-4:00pm, Monday - Friday
The Office of International Education & National Student Exchange (OIE/NSE) acts as the liaison between your home institution and URI. The office facilitates the following services:
- Exchange program paperwork
- Visa information
- Transition to URI
- Orientation
- Registration
- On-campus housing
- Student I.D. cards
The OIE will correspond with you, periodically, about issues related to your exchange semester or academic year at URI. It is important that you provide our office with your current contact information, at all times, so you do not miss any important information we may send you.
About the Peer Ambassador Program
The OIE sponsors a Peer Ambassador Program where we match international exchange students with a returned study abroad student to help with their adjustment to URI. In order to participate, students must request a Peer Ambassador. The OIE will contact you with more information after your acceptance.
About the Handbook for Visiting International Exchange Students
The handbook was created to help you prepare for your exchange experience, ease your arrival and familiarize you with different aspects of campus life. It contains brief descriptions of some of the services you may need on campus and highlights events in which you may wish to participate.
Important Documents for Visiting International Exchange Students:
- Arrival Information Sheet - Pick-up Service Request
- Shopping Trip Sign-up Form
- Peer Ambassador Program Participation Form
- Handbook for Visiting International Exchange Students
- T.F. Green Airport - Area Lodging
- Exchange Student Evaluation Form
