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How does the public transport system work in the East Lansing/Lansing area?

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There is a bus system in the East Lansing/Lansing area called CATA. To track your route, schedule changes, detours, and unexpected surprises we highly recommend using the Transit app, another option is Google maps.

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How can I find my way around campus?

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For trips inside MSU’s campus, buses are free. Outside the campus, fare prices are $1.25 for a one-way trip but if you show your MSU ID the price is 60 ¢, this has to be paid in cash. 

Now, if you use the bus regularly the best option is to buy a semester pass. As of July of 2020, the price for this pass is $50. You can buy passes online, in Meijers or in the ID office inside the International Center on campus.

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For more information view the campus map and use google maps as well.

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What is the average living cost in East Lansing/Lansing?

According to a survey we did with fellow Latin American grad students the living cost is around $1000-1200 per month.

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If I’m coming with my family, what resources can I find?

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• STUDENTS PARENTS ON A MISSION is a student organization that supports students who are parents, by paying an annual fee you can get a lot of discounts and participate in different events where your children can learn.

• FRIENDSHIP HOUSE helps MSU Internationals and their families with their transition to learning English as a second language.

• ENGLISH PARTNERS IN COMMUNICATION is an English program offered every spring that helps improve your English skills.

• MSU Student Food Bank serves MSU students experiencing food insecurity by providing free food and related items. There are other options such as the Lutheran Church Food Bank.

• For childcare you can find information in the closest YMCA, other options are Spartan Child Development Center and Tutor Time.

• If your children have a medical emergency it’s better to take them to Urgent Care rather than an Emergency Room, since the cost of the last option can be really high.

• Try to connect with and subscribe to as many groups on Facebook, Whatsapp, etc, we are certain you can find classmates or people from Latin America who share similar interests to yours and you can also find about events that can benefit your family.

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What mental health resources can I access with my insurance?

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• CAPS (located on various locations across campus).

• Consult with your health care provider for other options.

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Where can I find Housing information in the East Lansing/Lansing area?

You can always use the following Facebook groups:

• Michigan State (MSU) Housing, Rooms, Apartments, Sublets.

• Michigan State (MSU) Housing, Sublets & Roommates

• MSU Craigslist.

• Comunidad Latinoamericana MSU

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How to arrive in East Lansing /Lansing from the Detroit/Chicago area?

If your flight arrives in Detroit via Detroit Metropolitan Wayne county airport, you can buy a seat in the Michigan Flyer Shuttle to the East Lansing area, it has an approximate cost of $32 (July 2020). The shuttle departs from inside the airport.  

If your flight arrives in Chicago via O’hare International Airport, you can buy a ticket for the Armtrak train, the cost varies depending on the date of your trip (this is the fastest option). Another (cheaper) option is the Greyhound shuttle, it has an approximate cost of around $60 (price depends on the date you buy the tickets).

Once you have arrived in Lansing/East Lansing you can either use the Lyft or Uber apps for a ride to your final destination.

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Where can I get cheap or maybe used items? 

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• MSU Surplus Store. 

• MSU Craiglist. 

• Garage Sales.

• Facebook Market.

• Free & For Sale.

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Are there any good Latinamerican restaurants in the East Lansing/Lansing area? 

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There are different offerings in the East Lansing/Lansing area, however by unanimous consensus among the Latin American students, the following are the best restaurants in the area

• Pablos Old Town Restaurant

• El Oasis 

• La Cocina Cubana

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Where can I open a bank account and get a credit card?

There are different options with different benefits, the main ones are:

• MSUFCU. Here you can open a bank account and get a credit card with just your passport and F or J forms, the only drawback is that you have to leave a deposit for your credit card but this deposit does not necessarily need to be a high amount of money.

• Chase

• Bank of America

• Discover. This option is only for credit cards.

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What benefits do I get with my MSU account?  

Some of the benefits that you get from being an MSU student are the following:

• You can get 6 months for free on Amazon Prime, and an Amazon Prime student subscription which is %50 cheaper than the usual Amazon Prime account. 

• You can get a Spotify Premium Student account.

• In the Tech Store website, you can find and get for free licensed software (Matlab, Office, etc.)

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Where can I go for grocery shopping?

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There are different options which vary based on quality and price, the following list shows different options listed from “cheapest” to “most expensive” 

• Aldi

• Walmart

• Kroger

• Meijer 

• Target 

• Fresh Thyme 

• Whole Foods

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Where can I find Latin American food and ingredients? 

In the stores mentioned above, you can find some ingredients in the Hispanic Food sections of the store, however, there are more specialized (and in some cases more expensive) stores in the East Lansing/Lansing area, which are the following: 

• ZZ Market.

• La Estrellita.

• Don Pancho Market.

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What health resources are available at MSU?

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Students have the option of getting primary care services at Olin Health Center or in the Neighborhood Clinics located in Brody, Holden, Hubbard, and McDonel halls. An appointment is necessary at any location. Click here for more detailed appointment information.   

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How can I schedule an appointment with my advisor?

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All appointments with advisors can be scheduled through the Advising website.

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Where can I view my class schedule and location of the classes? 

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Your class schedule can be viewed on the MSU schedule website. Here you can view your schedule, the location, and the professor for each class. Any changes to your classes should be done with your advisor.  

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Can I forward my D2L emails to my regular email address?

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Yes! and it may be very useful. To do this you must log in to D2L and click on your name. Then proceed to account settings. Once there click on the email tab and scroll down to forwarding options. Fill in the information, click save, and close.

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Where can I buy my books and supplies?

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There are many stores on and off campus to acquire supplies and books for the academic semester:

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• Spartan Bookstore (located in the International Center)

• Student Bookstore and Collegeville (located on Grand River Avenue)

• MSU Libraries

• Some supplies may also be available for rental or purchase online as well (Amazon)  

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What academic resources does MSU offer? 

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There are numerous resources allocated for each specific program. A list of these resources and services can be found in the Academic Support and Student Services website.