STUDENT LIFE

Where is St. Olaf College, and what is the town like?


St. Olaf College is located in Northfield, Minnesota, a charming, two-college town of more 17,000 people just 40 miles (about 70 km) south of the metropolitan cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Northfield has a rich history that includes the infamous defeat of the Jesse James/ Cole Younger Gang's robbery attempt. The town is much more sedate now than it was in 1876 with the outlaws and is extremely pedestrian-friendly. Shops and restaurants line Northfield's historic Division Street.

Do international students live with American or international students?


All international students are evenly spread among the 11 residence halls that are on campus.  There are 5 residence halls housing first year students and 6 housing upper-class students. The residence life office does its best to match roommates based on their common interests. In addition, there are 5 language houses and 13 honor houses. You can learn more about residence life and students’ perspective here.

What activities are there for international students?


International students participate in the same activities as our American students, from musical ensembles and sports teams to student government and social activities. You can learn more about student activities here.

International students have a mixture of American and international friends, and there are special international counselors that help students adjust to life in America and help plan special events.

Is there an International Student Advisor, and what services does that office provide?

Yes, there is an International Student Advisor. The ISA seeks to educate, counsel, befriend, and advise international students on academic, personal, career, and immigration issues. You can learn more about the ISA.

Where have recent international students come from?

In recent years students have come from Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia, Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, Slovakia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Yugoslavia.                                         

Is it expensive to call home? What are the telephone rates?

Students are provided a telephone account to make domestic and international calls for which they are billed individually. Rates vary and you can contact the telecommunication office for more information on rates. Some students find better deals with international calling cards.

What transportation options are there for students?


There are several free shuttles that run between the St. Olaf and Carleton campuses and also transport students to the grocery store, the Allina Medical Clinic, and other locations within Northfield.  Also students can walk into the downtown area of Northfield; walking usually doesn’t take longer than 30 minutes. 

On the weekends, St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges operate a cooperative bus into the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.  It stops by the Mall of America (largest shopping mall in America), the international airport, and other locations in the metro area. This bus is a pay service where you can buy individual tickets or an unlimited ride subscription.

Is it possible to visit home or travel during breaks, i.e., what is the necessary documentation required for these activities?

It is possible to travel within and outside of the U.S. during the breaks. However, students must check with the International Student Advisor regarding current U.S. government rules and regulations in order to maintain your student visa. You should also apply for the appropriate visa for any country you are visiting, including Canada or Mexico if needed.

Generally you should carry the following documents with you to re-enter the U.S.:

  • Valid passport (should be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry into U.S. Apply for renewal or extension from your government.)
  • Valid U.S. visa at the time of re-entering the United States
    • If you are returning from Canada or Mexico, you are allowed to reenter the United States with an expired visa provided that 1) your absence did not exceed 30 days 2) you are not a citizen of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea and Cuba.
  • Valid I-20 with a signature of the International Student Advisor or other designated St. Olaf official. If you leave for longer than 5 months and do not continue enrollment at St. Olaf (with a leave of absence), you must have a new I-20 issued in order to re-enter.

What about housing during vacation?

                                            
During most breaks, all students can stay on campus. There are two school holidays, the winter and spring break, where all residence halls or dorms are closed. During the spring break, there is usually one hall that students can temporarily reside in. Other options may exist and you can check with the housing office. However, you may find new friends here that invite you home with them! Click here to view the Academic Calendars.

What is the climate like in Minnesota?


Minnesota is known for its cold, snowy winters--just one of four distinct seasons here. For the majority of St. Olaf students, winter is an adjustment from their home states. September through November is considered fall or autumn when leaves change color with cooler daytime and evening temperatures. Winter runs from December to about March with January typically the coldest and snowiest month. Some winters there is hardly any snow while others may have a meter of snow on the ground. Spring comes anytime from late March through May when trees and flowers bloom and the temperatures rise. Summer usually lasts from June through August, and it can get quite warm and humid. The average January temperature is 11 °F (-12 °C), while the average July temperature is 73 °F (23 °C).

Regardless of the season, students can be found busy in and outdoors enjoying the seasons. Check out the latest temperature at the Weather Channel. Just type in Northfield or its zip (postal) code, 55057.