International Students

Greetings! EMU places a strong emphasis on multicultural education and welcomes international students.

General Information

Eastern Mennonite University is a four-year university sponsored by the Mennonite Church USA. The purpose of EMU is to provide university-level education from a Christian perspective.

EMU has around 1,500 students. Our Summer Peacebuilding Institute, a part of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding, brings more than 100 internationals to campus each year during May and June.

There are about 40 international students studying at EMU each year at the undergraduate level, plus an additional 40 students in the graduate programs and Intensive English Program. It is easy to make friends and become involved in many activities.

EMU is located in Harrisonburg, a city of 42,000 people, in the state of Virginia. This is a beautiful part of the United States and is only a two-hour drive from Washington, D.C.

International Emphasis

As part of its Christian perspective, EMU emphasizes the value in relating with people of all nationalities and cultures. Every EMU student is required to participate in cross-cultural studies (optional for internationals). Most students fulfill this requirement by studying for a semester in another country. This gives EMU students an understanding of what it is like to live in a culture unlike their own.

This understanding contributes to an environment where international students are able to feel comfortable being a part of the EMU community. It also provides an opportunity for international students to expand their experience beyond the United States if they so desire.

Student Life

On arrival, you will begin a special orientation designed for international students. The orientation will give you an opportunity to learn about US culture, what things you can expect to encounter during your time in the US, a tour of campus, academic expectations, enjoy a culture excursion, open a bank account, assistance with social security numbers (as needed), and connecting with other international students. The orientation is designed to help you be successful as you begin your first semester at EMU.

As you begin your studies, our International Student Advisor is available to help with visa requirements and other details of college life. The International Student Services Office sponsors a number of educational and social programming through the year. The International Student Organization (ISO) is a place for all EMU international students to come together and participate in a variety of activities.

Higher education is a 24-hour experience. Some of this experience takes place in the classroom, but an equally important part of the experience occurs in non-academic settings, including the residence hall. Here students face the challenges of personal growth and group sharing as they respond to the invitation to understand and respect each other.

A sense of belonging and community develops as students are exposed to differences in backgrounds, ideas, beliefs and personalities. As students learn to live with these differences, they learn more about themselves.

Academic Program

EMU's size, Christian focus and international awareness make it an excellent place to study. Professors and students are friendly and value the perspectives and experiences of international students. Over 75% of professors have spent significant time abroad adding valuable experiences to the classroom. Plus, classes are small to allow professors to give individual attention to each student.

EMU offers four-year programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, two-year Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees, and one-year Certificate programs. Click here for a list of majors, minors and programs of studies.

The main academic year is made up of two 15-week semesters. The fall semester runs from late August to mid-December. The spring semester runs from early January to late April. Two three-week summer sessions are also offered. Together these sessions run from early May to mid June. International students can choose to take classes during the summer sessions.

The academic year begins in the fall semester starting in late August. International students are strongly encouraged to begin studies the fall semester. This provides an excellent opportunity to fully integrate into the EMU community. It is possible to begin studies at EMU in the spring semester starting in January.