Pre-Arrival Information

Travel to Roanoke College

The easiest way to travel to Roanoke College is to book a flight to Roanoke Regional Airport. Airlines serving Roanoke include USAirways, United, Northwest and Delta. Direct flights to Roanoke are available from Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. Roanoke College is located approximately six miles from the airport and transportation to the College is available by taxi for around $15. In most cases, the Office of International Education can arrange to pick up international students at the airport on their initial arrival.

Roanoke College Colket Center

Bus

It is also possible for you to travel to Roanoke by bus from any major American city. Bus travel is less expensive but generally much less convenient than travel by air. The Greyhound Bus Terminal is located in downtown Roanoke and taxi services are available to the College. The fare is approximately $25.

Packing

The Roanoke Valley in southwest Virginia experiences all four seasons in a mild climate. The summer is usually warm, with daily high temperatures in July and August between in 85ºF and 95ºF, while fall and spring are moderate, with high temperatures between 50°F and 80°F. Winter lasts from December through February and there is infrequent snowfall, though skiing is only an hour from campus in nearby mountains.

Remember not to pack too much! You have to carry your luggage all the way from your home country so you don't want more weight than you can handle. Every residential hall has laundry facilities, so you can wash your clothing frequently. Casual dress is appropriate for classes, but you may want to bring more formal dress for special occasions. A sweater, gloves and a warm jacket are usually sufficient for winter weather.

If you bring any electrical appliances, don't forget to purchase a converter and an adapter in your own country. It will be much more difficult to find the appropriate converters here. Remember that the U.S. uses 110/120 volts instead of 220/240.

International Student Orientation

A special three-day orientation is required of all new international students. During orientation, new students learn about the higher education system in the U.S. and the distinctive features of Roanoke College. They learn what they can expect in their classes and what will be expected of them. They learn about American culture and American lifestyles and are introduced to the Salem and Roanoke communities. They become familiar with the Roanoke College campus and are given practical suggestions regarding banking, shopping, laundry and other basic concerns. They also participate in many social activities, which give them a chance to get to know each other and other students on campus. Orientation leaders and peer mentors from the U.S. and other countries are available to help new international students make the adjustment to college life in the U.S.

Information about the dates and schedule of international student orientation is provided to all new students when they enroll.

The Roanoke Valley of Virginia

Roanoke College is located in the beautiful Roanoke Valley, surrounded by the Appalachian mountains. These are the oldest mountains in North America, stretching along the Eastern seaboard of the United States from Maine to Georgia. The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the spectacular mountain ridges and affords panoramic views only 20 minutes from the campus. The Appalachian Trail is a 10 minute drive from Roanoke College as it winds through the mountains, providing a wilderness trail that is traveled by hundreds of ambitious hikers each year. (Suggested readings: George Hicks, Appalachian Valley, John Campbell, The Southern Highlander; Ronald Eller, Miners, Millhands and Mountaineers.)

The Roanoke College Campus

The award-winning Roanoke College campus is surrounded by beautiful mountains and features lovely brick buildings and grassy quadrangles. The Administration Building, one of the original structures on campus, is on the National Historic Register. Other important buildings include the Fintel Library, the historic courthouse, which now houses classrooms and academic offices, and the $12 million Colket Campus Center, which houses the dining hall, snack bar, game room, lounges, meeting rooms, and other spaces for student activities. Most students live on campus in residence halls that are only steps from classrooms. The campus and the surrounding area are very safe.

Salem, Roanoke, and the Region

The Roanoke College campus is in the center of the historic city of Salem, Virginia. Salem's Main Street is only two blocks from the campus and offers restaurants, pubs, coffee houses, and bookstores. Supermarkets and department stores are nearby. Salem is in the Roanoke metropolitan area, which has a population of approximately 290,000. The city of Roanoke, with its historic market, restaurants, clubs, and lively arts scene, featuring concerts, galleries, theatre, and the new Taubman Museum of Art, is just a few miles away. Roanoke College provides free shuttle service to downtown Roanoke and also to the large local shopping mall on weekends.

The Roanoke College campus is surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. These are the oldest mountains in North America, stretching along the Eastern seaboard of the United States from Maine to Georgia. The Blue Ridge Parkway, which follows the mountain ridges and affords panoramic views, is only 20 minutes from the campus. The Appalachian Trail, the best-known hiking trail in the Eastern U.S., is a ten minute drive from Roanoke College. The college's Outdoor Adventures Program offers many opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the area.

Several other colleges, including Hollins University, Washington and Lee University, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) are within a 45 minute-drive of Roanoke College. Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, are about 1.5 hours away. Washington, DC, is within a four hour's drive.

More about our location

Roanoke College is located just four hours south of Washington, D.C. Students have the opportunity to spend a semester in Washington where they can take an internship and earn full college credit while living in a penthouse cooperatively owned by the College. Charlottesville is only 1.5 hours away, featuring the home of Thomas Jefferson (Monticello) and his most notable creation, the University of Virginia. Colonial Williamsburg is three hours to the east, while the largest university in Virginia, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is only 45 minutes by car to the town of Blacksburg.