Are you representing a school looking for an opportunity to bring a group of students
to camp from abroad? Contact us at syp@mtu.edu to learn more about the special programs we can set up to accommodate international
groups.
Visa Process
Participants should apply for the B-2 tourist visa, which allows for brief stays—usually less than six months—that may include participation
in a short, recreational course of study that does not qualify as credit toward a
degree. Citizens of some countries may not need visa stamps but will need pre-approval
through the ESTA system.
According to the visa guidelines, international students participating in the pre-college program do not qualify for F-1 student visas as this is a non-degree program. Review additional Visitor Visa Information.
Please visit and consult the US Embassy website if you have any questions about visas or the necessary documentation for your visit,
as there are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you
complete them may vary depending on the US Embassy or Consulate where you apply.
Invitation Letters for Visa Applications
If you will be applying for a visa and would like an invitation letter from Michigan
Tech SYP to include in your application to the embassy, please contact us at syp@mtu.edu and we will be happy to provide an official letter.
Traveling to Michigan Tech
As Michigan’s northernmost airport, Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) is located in Houghton County, nine miles from campus. Flights into CMX are only
offered through United Airlines.
If a student will be 15 years old or younger at time of travel, please refer to United Airline’s unaccompanied minor policy. These students must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, school chaperone,
or someone who is 18 years of age or older.
Michigan Tech provides airport pickup to and from CMX for participants for an additional
fee of $10 each way.
Frequently Asked Questions
The weather in Upper Michigan can change quickly and may be very new for some students.
Temperatures at night in June could get as low as 5°C, while mid-July temperatures
could reach 27°C at mid-day. It may rain or be particularly humid on some days. It
is best to pack clothing for a range of weather and temperatures.
There are also certain items that should not be brought to camp. A detailed packing
list explaining what to pack and not pack will be sent to students in their CampDoc
profile once they have applied and we have processed their enrollment. For more information,
visit our what to pack page.
Roommate requests are honored whenever possible. However, both friends must request each other. If you request to room with a friend, but your friend
does not request you, you will not be placed together, and it will not be possible to switch rooms when you arrive.
We do our best to create the rooming list based off these requests, and to pair roommates
of similar age groups. You will have a chance to request a roommate in your CampDoc
profile.
Are international students eligible for the Pathway Programs?
Yes! Any student is eligible to apply for most of our privately funded Pathway Programs. These programs are a great option for international students, as attendees receive
a scholarship valued at over $1,000 to attend. The only Pathway Programs that do not
accept international participants are the Tracks to the Future: Railroad Transportation
and Engineering program and National Summer Transportation Institute.
Pathway Program* options that are available for international students include:
- Women in Engineering
- Engineering Scholars Program
- NEXT Scholars: Geospatial Engineering
(*These programs have variable registration fees after selection. Please see the specifics
of your acceptance letter for details.)
Should I accompany my child?
That's up to you! Most parents do not fly with their child, but you know your child
best. For students who are flying into CMX, we will have easily identifiable staff
(wearing our SYP shirts) waiting for their arrival. They will then be transported
to campus by our staff in a university vehicle.
If the student flying is 15 years old or younger, please visit United Airline’s unaccompanied minor policy. The airlines will not release unaccompanied minors until the proper staff member
with identification picks up your child.
Should I buy medical insurance for my child?
Yes, please make sure your child is covered for medical treatment! Our staff are trained
in basic first aid and we have first responders on location and close by, but in the
case of an emergency, it is necessary to have medical insurance coverage. If your
current policy does not cover international travel, you may obtain a low-price policy
for child while they are at camp. Here is one plan to consider.
How do camps handle jet lag (tiredness from time change)?
Some people have a more difficult time adjusting to different time zones. One way
to help is to arrive a night early. Please visit our Cost of Attendance page for more details on early arrivals. Depending on the timing of their flight,
it can also help to encourage your child to sleep on the plane. The first couple days
at camp will be an adjustment, but we plan plenty of engaging activities to help keep
students awake!
Our program has a set on-floor time of 10 p.m. and students must be in their room
for the night from 10:45 p.m. until 7 a.m. We want participants to be well-rested,
and sleep is important after a day filled with excitement.
Is there recognition for participating?
Upon completion of a program, students will be awarded a certificate. We recommend
this be included in their high school/secondary school portfolio. You may wish to
refer to it when applying for jobs, colleges, or honors programs.
Additionally, following graduation from high school, past participants who enroll
at Michigan Tech are eligible to apply for the Summer Youth Scholars Award. This award
is exclusively available to SYP alumni who are new incoming first-year undergraduate
students. Visit the Summer Youth Scholars page for more details.
