International Students

“The campus has a really family-like atmosphere. All the dormitories, dining halls, library, and teaching buildings are close to each other. The campus is also not too crowded, and the sea is right on the doorstep which creates a great environment to explore nature. The CIE Office organizes several engaging events which have made settling in and life on campus a lot easier. Compared to the University of Mannheim, my home university, the courses at SSU are much smaller, and it is easier to make contact with professors. There is also normally not a final exam at the end of each course, but several small partial exams spread over the semester which spread out the workload across the semester. Salem and its people really come to life around Halloween. There are many events across campus and the city during this time which brings Salem’s history and culture to life.”
- Nils Bappert, from Germany, Fall 2024, undergraduate exchange student, combined major of History and Business Administration

“I had an idea of the United States before coming to Salem, but it turned out to be so different. Staying here, meeting people, and traveling, all have made me change my mind about New England. Salem is such a nice city to live in and I feel safe here because we can tell most residents of Salem and students and faculty at SSU are very open-minded. At SSU classes were pretty easy, the professors were so nice, and we still had a lot of free time. I wish I had done my whole master's degree here at SSU, to be honest. The first word that comes to mind when thinking of campus atmosphere is "safety.", As a woman, I didn't feel weird about walking around the campus alone at night. It's also very calm which feels great when you're stressed or need a break from classes.”
- Amandine Picault, from France, Fall 2024, undergraduate exchange student, English major

“I really like Salem and its community because everyone is very kind. I have always felt welcome in Salem. I was impressed by the fact that many people are able to get to know each other quickly, even when they have never met before. In Japan, it often takes time to make friends and get along with people around you. I was strongly impressed by the fact that Halloween and the historic Witch Trials are celebrated each year. I hope many people will visit this sacred place for these world-famous events. Compared to my home university in Japan, classes at SSU involved a lot of group work and presentations, which helped me develop my communication skills. SSU's campus is spacious and has a great ambiance. The dining hall is easy to use, and I was glad that the library is available from early in the morning until late at night.”
- Shin Ishizaka, from Japan, Fall 2024, undergraduate exchange student, English major

The Center for International Education office assists international students who wish to study in the US and require a student visa. We support the following students:

• F1 Student Visa: full-time, undergraduate/graduate degree-seeking students
• J1 Student Visa OR China Dual Degree 1-2-1: students in exchange visitor programs
• American Language and Culture Institute/English Language Programs: offers international students the chance to learn English or improve their English language skills.