Welcome new students!
Congratulations on being accepted to further your education at the University of Mississippi. We in the Taiwanese Student Association of the University of Mississippi are looking forward to welcoming you here.
While you are preparing to come to the University of Mississippi we would like to share with you all the accumulated experience of alumni and the current students about life here.
We hope that the following information will help you to adapt to the new environment.

1. Food
There are American style restaurants and coffee shops on campus. The average cost of each meal is $5-10 US. Also, there are a lot of fast food restaurants next to the campus. However, the economical way is to cook for yourself! Whatever you need for your kitchen, such as cooking pots, cutlery, etc., are all available at supermarkets here. Remember to bring your own modern rice cooker, though.
There are 3 Chinese restaurants close to the campus, but the Chinese grocery stores are a one-hour drive away from campus in Memphis.
http://leilako.com/recipes/
http://www.wcn.com.tw/eating/microwave/microwave.shtml
http://www.socialwork.com.hk/food/chicken/
http://www.hkrecipes.com/

2. Clothing
A. The weather in Oxford is similar to that of Taiwan, only a little bit dryer. The summer is hot: T-shirts and shorts or clothing made of light material are the best. Winter only rarely brings snow, but the temperature does go down to 0¼ C sometimes. Winter coats or snow jackets and sweaters are necessary.
Laundry: If staying in student dormitories on campus, you can use coin clothes washers and dryers. Most off-campus apartments include both washers and dryers. In USA, few people hang their laundry outside to dry.
B. Consider bringing 2 or 3 sets of formal clothing each for winter and for summer, plus a set of Taiwanese traditional clothing. These will be useful for formal parties, presentations, Chinese New Year, and even for your own parties.

3. Accommodation
A. Student Dormitories: Costs $1400 US for each semester (2 people per room), including all utilities and basic phone service. Normally, phones, closets, desks and beds are provided and a public kitchen is available.
B. University Village: Has efficiencies, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. Each apartment has its own bathroom and kitchen. For getting an efficiency, you have to put your name on a waiting list as soon as possible.
C. Off-campus Housing: Rental costs depend on the distance to campus, environment, and facilities. The average monthly rent is between $250-500 US. Off-campus housing is more comfortable and has privacy.
Sample listings:
1) Campus Walk Apartment:
Contact number: 662-513-0061
2) The Mark:
Contact number: 662-234-8718
3) Oxford Square Town House:
Contact number: 662-234-5234
4) Sterling University Terrace:
Contact number: 662-281-1335
5) University Arbors:
Contact number: 662-234-0170

4. Transportation
A. For going from class to class, travel on foot is fine. There is no public transportation in Oxford. A car is essential for almost all people here.
B. It is best for you to get an International DriverÕs License in Taiwan. In that case, here you will only need to have a written test done, not a driving test.

5. Entertainment
A. Free facilities on campus: Big indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center, exercise room, basketball and racketball courts, and so on. You should bring your own badminton and tennis rackets if you have them.
B. Taiwan Students Association has many activities each semester, including Moon Festival Barbecue, New YearÕs Eve Party, Movie Night, dinners, hiking, etc. That will bring you relaxation breaks from your heavy study load.Further information
Books: Bring your own English-Chinese, Chinese-English, and multi-use dictionaries, plus some Chinese textbooks on your own subject. Textbooks are available at the campus bookstore, other bookstores in Oxford, or through on-line shopping for new and second-hand books.
Arrival: Contact us as soon as possible when your arrival time is determined, in order to arrange your pick-up from the airport and your accommodation. The closest airport to the University is Memphis International Airport (MEM). Before coming, please send us your name, arrival date and time, airline and flight number, and number of pieces of luggage.

Other information:
1. Read carefully all information sent to you by the University, especially regarding staying on campus, to avoid personal loss and inconvenience.
2. Check the expiration date of your personal healthcare items such as medicines and ointments.
3. You may wish to bring some small traditional Taiwanese souvenirs to give as presents to your professors or friends.
4. Electronic items and personal hygiene items ( toothbrush, toothpaste, É) are cheaper here, so donÕt bother to bring them from Taiwan.
5. Eye glasses cost a lot here. Bring a couple of extra pairs for backup.
6. If you need to take the TOEFL, GRE or GMAT, you may wish to bring your own preparation books with you.
7. It is compulsory for all new foreign students (both undergraduate and graduate) to take an English test here before registration, regardless of your prior TOEFL score. If you do not pass this test then you are required to take an English class.

Location

The University of Mississippi is located in northern Mississippi, in Oxford, Lafayette County. The population of Oxford is about 20000. It is a safe and peaceful community. The environment is very good for studying and living. Oxford has been named by USA Today as one of the top 6 college towns in the nation and is included in The Best 100 Small Towns in America. See www.oxfordms.net for additional information.
The university campus is enormous and beautifully landscaped, with many parks and athletic facilities. The current enrollment at the University is more than 16000.

Description
The University of Mississippi was founded in 1848. It is one of the great universities in the mid-South region of USA.
University history: http://www.olemiss.edu/info/history.html
International students here are mostly from India, China, Malaysia, and South Korea. Currently there are more than 30 Taiwanese including students, professors, alumni and their families.
University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson): http://www.umc.edu/
Tupelo Campus: http://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/tupelo
Southaven Campus: http://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/southaven/

Calendar and Tuition
The University of Mississippi is a public university. The school year is divided into Fall (August-December), Winter (2 weeks in January), Spring (January-May) and Summer (each of June and July) sessions.
Fall 2005 Approximate Expenses for International student:
$4869.00 Tuition
$900 Health Insurance (12 months)
$100.00 International Student Fees (per semester)

Admission Requirements
For Graduate School: TOEFL score of at least 550. If score below 550, you may be allowed to take a remedial English class at the same time as starting the course of your own subject. However, you must obtain a TOEFL score of 550 before the end of your first semester. You must also submit a GRE test score.
For undergraduates: TOEFL score of at least 525. You must submit a SAT test score.