James Madison University ISC

International Students at James Madison University receive an unforgettable American ‭education. The University offers first-class teaching, high quality academic programs and a welcoming university community. The International Study Center (ISC) is based in the northeastern part of the beautiful University campus. It sits alongside other University departments and American students, so you'll feel part of the University community from your first day. As soon as you arrive at the ISC, staff are available to support and guide you through university life.The ISC is located opposite Memorial Hall, in the Memorial area of the campus. This area includes a new baseball and softball field complex, 2 student art galleries, a costume shop, the Art Education Center, and studios, classrooms and computer labs used by the School of Art and Art History. The Memorial Area is a 10-minute walk, or a short ride on the free campus bus service, from the central Bluestone area of campus, where the university library, health center and cinema are found. Most of your English preparation classes, academic credit classes, and American culture classes are taught in university classrooms near the International Study Center. You will also have some lectures on other parts of the university campus, for instance, in JMU's Business School.All ISC classrooms are equipped with everything you expect in a 21st Century classroom, including screens, projectors, computers, internet connection and interactive whiteboards. You will use a computer program called Blackboard to submit homework and assignments, participate in discussions, and stay updated about coursework. The program will be shown to you when you join. When you study at the International Study Center, you will benefit from support from dedicated staff. They will support you with your studies as well as helping you settle into your new life in America.While you are studying on an international student program, you receive 1 hour of formal Advising per week, in addition to your classroom time and the dedicated support from all International Study Center staff. During the Advising hour, in groups of 20-30, you will:Get help with your English and Academic studiesParticipate in ongoing orientationHave the opportunity to lead discussions on current eventsHave guest speakers from campus services (Health Center, Libraries, Counseling Center, etc)Prepare for progression in your final semester by practicing your poster presentations and exit interviewsInternational Students and Scholar Services (ISSS)ISSS offers support and services to the international community and programs to enhance your time in the USA, including:Social activities and other opportunities to make new friendsInformation sessions on issues such as culture shockTransitions: a two-day orientation programMadison International Program: a living-learning community meant to integrate global and local issues, and encourage intercultural competenceGlobal X: a new program designed for third, fourth, or fifth year student mentors to connect with new international Dukes. Both sides can make meaningful connections and improve cross-cultural communicationLIFE program: a program that matches JMU international students with local friendship families to facilitate friendship and cultural understandingInternational Student Career Day: help finding jobs after graduationDuring the first decade of the 21st century, under JMU's fifth President, Linwood H. Rose, the university continued to rapidly expand, not only through new construction east of Interstate 81, but also on the west side of campus. In early 2005, JMU purchased the Rockingham Memorial Hospital campus just north of the main JMU campus for over $40 million. The hospital has since moved, and JMU now occupies the site after having made substantial renovations to it. In June 2005, the university expanded across South High Street by leasing the former Harrisonburg High School building from the City of Harrisonburg. In May 2006, the university purchased the property. The sale was approved in June 2005 for $17 million. The university named the old HHS building Memorial Hall. Recently completed projects include the Rose Library on the east side of campus, which opened on August 11, 2008. The John C. Wells Planetarium, first opened in 1974, underwent a $1.5 million renovation in 2008. It is now a state-of-the-art hybrid planetarium, the only one of its kind in the world. Its mission is science education and public outreach. It offers free shows to the public every Saturday afternoon and hosts annual summer space camps in July. The 175,000-square-foot (16,300 m2) Forbes Center for the Performing Arts opened in June 2010, and serves as the home to JMU's School of Theatre and Dance. It also provides major performance venues and support spaces for the School of Music, and the administrative office for the Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The rapid expansion of JMU's campus has at times created tension in the city-university relationship. In 2006, the local ABC affiliate reported that the university had nearly doubled in size in the preceding 20 years, including purchases of several local properties.

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