International Law Student Welcome Letter

Dear New Student,

CONGRATULATIONS on your admission to Drake University for Fall 2008!  We are looking forward to your arrival!  The enclosed information will help you prepare for your enrollment in August.  Please read it carefully.

ARRIVAL
Please plan to arrive in Des Moines no later than Tuesday, August 12 in order to attend orientation on Wednesday, August 13.  Please submit your Arrival Information Form as soon as you have made your travel arrangements so we know when to expect you.  If we receive your information form at least four days before your scheduled arrival, we will arrange to have someone welcome you at the airport (or bus station).  If you do not need to be welcomed at the airport, please inform Lauren Derebey at lauren.derebey@drake.edu. Your airport welcomer will have a packet of information for you when you arrive.  Among other things, the packet includes an agenda for your first days here, a campus map, orientation and registration information, and an apartment listing. If you are not greeted at the airport, you may obtain this packet from the International Center during office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

Please note, there are no currency exchanges at the Des Moines Airport, so you should have at least $200 US dollars with you when you arrive in Des Moines (in $20 bills or smaller) for meals and local transportation until you move into your permanent housing.  If for any reason, you do not see a Drake greeter at the airport when you arrive, don’t worry!  Just take a taxi to the Holiday Inn Express at Drake (1140 24th Street) or your permanent accommodations if you have already made these arrangements.  Taxis are located just outside the baggage claim area of the airport. The cost should be about $28, including tip.  The hotel staff is prepared to assist new students until contact can be made with the International Center.

Because of the large number of connecting flights students may have in order to reach Des Moines, it is not uncommon for baggage to get delayed en route.  We suggest you bring at least an extra day's worth of clothing and any essential personal items (medications, etc) with you in your carry-on luggage in the event that your luggage gets delayed. 

ORIENTATION
The International Center's Orientation for new law students will be held Wednesday, August 13 at the International Center.  International Student Orientation will include information regarding immigration regulations, services at Drake, health insurance, and other helpful information to help you as you adjust to life at Drake and in the US generally.  If you have not provided TOEFL scores prior to arriving at Drake or if your scores are below Drake requirements, you will be asked to sit for the TOEFL exam on Thursday, August 14.  The Law School's Orientation for all new law students (including US students) will begin on Monday, August 18.

TEMPORARY HOUSING
To arrange temporary housing, we must receive your Arrival Information Form as soon as possible and no later than four business days prior to your arrival. 

Since you will live off-campus, you may request three nights of shared, temporary housing, at no charge, while looking for an apartment. You may request additional nights of temporary housing, or you may make your own hotel reservations, but this will be at your own expense.  If you make your own temporary housing arrangements, please tell us where you will be staying so we can contact you if necessary.  If you plan to make hotel reservations, do so as soon as possible because Des Moines hotel rooms are in short supply at this time.  For information about local hotels, see hotels (please note that the Holiday Inn Express at Drake and The Cottage are the only hotels within walking distance of Drake). We suggest that students who will live off campus arrive in Des Moines no later than Sunday, August 10, so you have adequate time to find an apartment.  Information regarding finding an apartment was included in the welcome packet that included your DS-2019.  If you need this information again, please contact Lauren Derebey.  We urge that students who need to arrange off-campus housing research possibilities prior to arrival in Des Moines and make several appointments to see apartments in the days when you first arrive.  Off-campus housing (particularly that which is furnished and within walking distance of Drake) is very limited.  The International Center is unable to assist you in making housing arrangements.

Family members who travel with students are advised to use their travel agent to make hotel reservations.  For those who prefer to make their own reservations, a list of hotels is given on the reverse of the enclosed Arrival Information Form.  Family members who intend to travel to Des Moines should make reservations as soon as possible because Des Moines hotels are in short supply at this time.  Individuals who stay at hotels other than those close to Drake will probably want to rent a car or use taxis to get to campus.  Anyone visiting Des Moines for more than a night or two will probably also want to rent a car.

FREE TIME
Depending on when you arrive, you may have some free time before Orientation on August 13. Use this time to find an apartment, open a bank account, find the International Center, plan your schedule, shop for things you couldn’t bring with you, meet new friends and recover from jet lag!

CLASSES BEGIN…Monday, August 25.  By then you should be well-oriented, well-rested, well-acquainted and ready to study!

I look forward to meeting you in August. Have a safe trip!

Sincerely,
Lauren Derebey
International Programs Advisor

PS:  Please pack this letter and the enclosed booklet in your carry on luggage so you have easy access to the following phone numbers you may need while traveling.

During Business Hours:
International Center: +1-515-271-2084
Law Admissions: +1- 515-271-2782
Toll Free (in the US only): 1-800-443-7253 Ask to be transferred to Admissions, International Center, etc.

After Business Hours:
Drake Security: +1-515-271-2222