Airport Pickup
The International Institute provides airport pickups from Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR) to your Starkville residence for new students and their dependents in the weeks preceding the first day of class each semester. The GTR airport is located 15 miles from Mississippi State University. We strongly recommend that you fly to this airport. Registration for airport pickup will open approximately one month before the first day of class.
Airport Registration Form: https://www.international.msstate.edu/airport-pickup
Housing
The International Services staff will do everything we can to assist you. We strongly recommend that you secure housing prior to arrival. Information on housing options is available at the Housing & Residence Life website.
Medical Insurance
All international students are required to have insurance per OP 91.175: Health Insurance and Repatriation Insurance for International Students (msstate.edu). All international students are automatically enrolled in the policy offered when they register for classes, and the cost is added to their student account. Students with existing health insurance that meets the requirements can request a waiver within 10 days of the start of classes each semester. This must be renewed each semester. For more information please visit the Insurance page on the Longest Student Health Center website.
City of Starkville
Starkville exudes the famous small-town charm and hospitality that characterizes the Southern United States. Because Mississippi State University and Starkville work together to form a welcoming atmosphere, international students quickly find their place in this small town of approximately 23,000 residents.
Since Starkville’s average yearly temperature is 62° Fahrenheit (17° Celsius), life in Starkville and MSU revolves around outdoor activity. On a typical day, one sees people strolling or jogging down University Drive, which offers a wide array of shops and restaurants to appeal to every taste. Fortunately, the ESL Center is located on University Drive, so students only have to walk 10-15 minutes to reach Starkville’s best shops and restaurants.
Except when the town is cheering on its Bulldogs at one of many MSU athletic events, Starkville offers a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere that attracts people of all ages and backgrounds.
For more information about Starkville, visit http://www.starkville.org and http://www.cityofstarkville.org/.
SMART System
The Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit (S.M.A.R.T) shuttle system is a free transportation service that operates both on campus in various locations and throughout the Starkville area. It is moreover welcome to all passengers (individuals under 16 should be accompanied by an adult).
To receive live updates for each route, you can download the TransLoc app here: Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit
For more information about each route and operation schedule throughout the year see the following: Schedule & Routes
You can also access the SMART homepage here: Homepage
Meal Plans
First-year freshmen are required to be enrolled in a meal plan. **Note: Meals plans (regardless of education level), are a two-semester commitment.
For more information about this, review the Dining Services page here.
Upper Classmen, Graduate Students, and Commuters are offered the same meal plans as freshman living on campus, with the addition of 5 other options. Additional information on these options can be found here.
For additional questions that you have about meals plans, reach out Dining services by phone (662-325-7120) or email (msudining@aramark.com).