At-A-Glance Exchange Student Pre-Arrival Instructions
- Letter from your International Student Adviser
- Fillable Pre-Arrival Checklist (download and save your own copy)
Pre-Arrival Deadlines
| mar25 | |
|---|---|
| soon | |
| Anytime | |
| Anytime | |
| apr25 | |
| may1 | Request a Student Mentor |
| may1 | Request a Host Family |
| may1 - aug 17 | |
| may1 - until... | |
| aug1 | |
| aug1 | |
| aug1 | |
| aug12 | |
| aug17 | |
| aug18-19 | |
| aug1 - aug28 | |
| Aug29 | Pay UNCW bills |
Most exchange students will be placed in a hall style double occupancy dorm room. Living on-campus is a significant part of the U.S. university experience.
Reserve On-Campus Housing
You are eligible to register for on-campus housing AFTER you have been admitted to UNCW. You will receive notification of your admission along with your UNCW ID number and email address through an email from your UNCW International Student Adviser.
- Reserving your on-campus housing
- UNCW On-Campus Housing: The experience
- Important Dates - On-campus housing
- Off-Campus Housing
Reserving your on-campus housing
How-To reserve your on-campus housing
- Login to My Seaport using your UNCW login and password.
- Go to the Student Services tab at the top of the screen.
- On the left side, under 'Services' Click 'Contract and Pay Housing Fee'
- Follow the prompts to:
- Choose the correct semester
- Agree to the terms of the housing contract
- Pay the $105 Housing contract fee via credit card
- Submit when finished
Looking up your room and roommate assignment
After the UNCW Office of Housing receives your contract fee, they start the process to assign you to a room. Assigning rooms is a complex process that takes time to complete.
Looking up your UNCW Room/Roommate Assignment through My Seaport (pdf)
What if I can't see my room/roommate assignment?
Even if you cannot yet see your room assignment, international exchange students can have confidence that their room request are being processed as long as they paid their housing contract fee by the deadline.
| Term of Classes | Room assignments are finalized and ready to view (Approximately) |
|---|---|
| Fall (August - December) | early July |
| Spring (January - May) | early December |
If you have reached the time when your housing assignment SHOULD be visible (refer to the table above) but is not, you may email your UNCW International Student Adviser and ask her to investigate.
UNCW On-Campus Housing: The Experience
By living in the residence halls, you have an exciting opportunity to grow and find meaning through friendships, exploration of ideas, and involvement in the residential community and the university as a whole. We believe that the residence halls are more than just a place to sleep. We view residential living as an experience in human relations. Thus, we believe a positive experience in group living, decision-making, self-discipline and self-governance is being offered to you (excerpt from UNCW’s Guide to On-Campus Living).
UNCW On-Campus Housing: Limited Availability
- Currently, there is only space for 40% of UNCW students to live on campus
- Good news, UNCW international Programs Office has arranged for you to be placed in on-campus housing if you apply by the housing deadline.
- The rooms held open for exchange students are in I-House dormitory
- Once I-House is filled, exchange students will be placed in designated "exchange" communities in University Suites & University Apartments
Really, I’ll Have to Share a Room?
You’ve already shown your courageous spirit by agreeing to leave family & friends to study in a foreign country. Having a roommate will be a rich part of your adventure. This may be hard to imagine if you’ve never had to share a room, but it really is an integral part of your U.S. university experience. Many students find that their friendship with their U.S. roommate lasts long beyond their study abroad experience.
Due to the high demand of UNCW on-campus housing, students will be assigned to rooms as they become available. You will not be able to choose your on-campus housing assignment.
Costs, On-Campus Housing
- All applicants must pay a $105 contract fee
- International House - $2,716 per semester
If I-House fills, international exchnage students may also be placed in:
- University Suites: - $2,716 per semester
- University Apartments - $2909 per semester
Important Dates - On-campus housing
August 17: on-campus housing move-in
On-Campus housing open for student move-in on August 17th. If you wish to arrive before August 17th, you will be responsible for your own housing & meals until on-campus housing opens. See the 'Request Airport Pick-Up' page for hotel suggestions.
October 10-11: Fall Break
UNCW will be observing Fall break from October 10 - 11. During Fall break, many residence halls will be closed to students. However, International House and international student designated Apartments and Suites will stay open.
Limited dining options - most on-campus dining facilities will close during Fall Break. Therefore, if you plan to stay on campus, you will need to plan your meal schedule to coincide with the available open dining facilities.
December 13: Winter Break begins
December 13 - on-campus housing closes for single semester students
On-campus housing will close the day after the last exam, December 13th. Single semester exchange students (Fall only) must move out of the dormitory by this day. Continue exchange students may continue to access their on-campus housing during winter break. However, most dining facilities and other student service offices will be closed until classes resume in January.
Off-Campus Housing
Exchange students may choose to live off-campus. However, the Office of International Programs cannot coordinate off-campus arrangements for students. The UNCW Seahawk Perch Off-Campus Housing Ad Service provides recommendations for students looking for Off-Campus Housing.
If you will be living off-campus, please remember that YOU will be responsible for the items below:
- Finding your own off-campus apartment: Since Wilmington is spread out and public transportation is poor, it is best to find an apartment off either Racine or McMilan drive since they are within walking distance of UNCW.
- Signing your own lease/contract: Most apartment require a contract for a specific amount of time (usually 1 year). Read the contract carefully. Be sure to ask for a shorter lease if you will not being staying for a whole year.
- Furnishing your own apartment: Few apartments come with sofas, TVs, beds, or cooking equipment. You will need to supply these items for yourself.
- Setting up utilities in your own name: Students renting an apartment usually must contract directly with the utility company to set-up electricity, water, and cable. Most utility companies require a deposit when starting their services.
- Finding and interviewing roommates: If you wish to have roommates to help you share the cost of your apartment, you will be responsible for finding your own roommates and determining if they will be suitable.




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