ISSS

Arrival & Orientation Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the nearest airport to CWU?

  Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac)

• How do I get to Ellensburg from Seattle?

  Ellensburg is about 90km from the city of Seattle. If you need to take a bus from the city or directly from SeaTac Airport, these are your options:

  • FLIXBUS
  • Bellair Airporter
  • Greyhound
• When should I arrive in Ellensburg?

  International students should arrive in Ellensburg on Sunday, December 31st. Be sure to complete the Arrival Form to provide your arrival details and preferences.

• What are the current policies regarding COVID?

  The COVID state of emergency ended on May 11, 2023, and all quarantine, masking, and vaccination requirements have been lifted both at CWU and throughout Washington State. Students are welcome to take precautions as they feel necessary.

• Is international student orientation mandatory?

  Yes!

  If you are unable to attend the International Student Orientation please email [email protected] with a detailed explanation of why you cannot attend. We will then provide you with instructions.

• I won’t be able to arrive by the first day of class, January 3rd, what should I do?

  Please do your best to arrive in time to attend the first classes on January 3rd. If it is impossible, please do the following:

  1. Contact [email protected] to let us know when you plan to arrive. If we determine that it is okay for you to arrive by the planned date, we will add a notation to your SEVIS record to notify Customs and Border Patrol that you have permission to arrive late.
  2. Contact your professors by email to inform them that you’ll be late. Students who do not attend (or show signs of activity for online classes) by the third day of class will risk getting dropped from the course. If you need assistance contacting your professors, your International Student Advisor (Roz Moes) can assist you.
  3. If your classes have an online component, participate online as much as possible.
  4. If you applied for on-campus housing, email [email protected] to inform them when you will arrive/check-in to your room.
• Can I move-in early to Ellensburg on-campus housing?

  Yes! International students participating in our orientation will be allowed to move in on December 31st with a check-in at noon, even if your check-in time is scheduled differently in MyHousing.