International Student Program

Berkshire School's International Student Program Director oversees and coordinates all of the programs which address the needs of the international students. The Director keeps current with immigration law as it applies to international students in F-1 status and advises students on how to maintain lawful status.

Lissa McGovern
International Student Program Director
lmcgovern@berkshireschool.org

TO ENROLL AT BERKSHIRE SCHOOL

• Log into the Admission Portal to access and sign electronic Enrollment Contract, paying the enrollment deposit.

TO OBTAIN AN I-20

• Send a letter of financial support. This should be an official letter in English from your bank stating that you have sufficient funds in US dollars to cover the total payment due as stated on your contract. We need this before we can issue an I-20 form.
• Include a copy of the identification page of the student’s passport.

TO OBTAIN A VISA AT THE CONSULATE

• Complete I-901 to pay SEVIS fee and get receipt. Please visit www.fmjfee.com for information.
• Take the I-901 receipt and the I-20 Form issued by Berkshire School to the consulate.**
• The parent(s) and the student should go to the consulate together.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT THE CONSULATE

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival in US **
• Evidence of financial support (official letter from bank in English showing sufficient funds to cover total cost of education in US)**
• Enrollment Contract
• Tax Returns
• Business Cards
• Work Certificates
• Validations of Salary
• Academic Record of Student
• Acceptance letter from Berkshire School
• Birth Certificates of Student and Parents

**Required documents. Some of the above documents may not be required but could prove useful.

If you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, you do not need to obtain a visa but you will need to complete the I-901 to pay the SEVIS fee and get a receipt. Please visit www.fmjfee.com for information. Show the I-20 Form at the border and evidence of financial support (see above).

TRANSFERRING STUDENT VISA TO BERKSHIRE SCHOOL

To transfer an I-20 to Berkshire School from your student’s previous school in the U.S., please complete this form.

All non-US citizens must present a valid passport at registration. Non-US citizens who are Permanent Residents must present their Permanent Resident Card at registration. Please call the Admission Office if you have any questions.

ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES
When traveling into the United States, students must be ready to present their passport and I-20 to the CBP officer. Students should also carry a copy of their letter of enrollment or admission to the school and bank evidence of the ability to pay for attendance. In addition, students should have the name and contact information for their domestic guardian and the phone number for Berkshire School (413-229-8511).

TRAVEL PLANNING FOR 2024-2025

The website below contains the most current and accurate information in English and in translation provided by the Department of Homeland Security on:

1.) How to obtain a student visa to study in the United States.

2.) What international students need to do to maintain their student status once they have arrived in the United States.

3.) What international students need to do to travel back and forth from the United States to their home countries.

(On the homepage of the Study in the States website click on the tab Students at the top of the page and follow the student links to obtain the desired information.)

STUDY IN THE STATES WEBSITE

All students, whether they are domestic or international, must identify a guardian or caretaker who can take responsibility for the student in the event of an emergency, a required off-campus quarantine, or other required leave from campus. Due to safety and logistical concerns, Berkshire School employees cannot take on the role of guardian for a student. The caretaker must be able to travel to school within 24-48 hours and take responsibility for the care of the student. For families without contacts in the immediate region, Berkshire has the names of guardianship/caretaking firms that will take responsibility for students in case of emergency. 

Some Berkshire families have worked with the following:
Student Health Advocates: https://studenthealthadvocates.com/berkshire 
Cogito World Services:  https://cogitoworldeducation.org/guardianship-services/  
International Student Support in Portland, Maine: http://intlstudentsupport.com/local-emergency-care/

Berkshire's Health Service Fee pays for routine visits to the Student Health Service, Counseling Office, and the Athletic Care Facility. It also pays for some over-the-counter medications dispensed on campus, laboratory work performed at Health Service, and STD/GYN visits to MACONY Pediatrics in nearby Great Barrington. Physical exams for school, college, camp, work, or summer programs are not done at Student Health Service.

All students must show proof of medical insurance coverage, and policies must be billable within the United States. For your convenience, International families are provided the option to purchase a 24/7 sickness and accident insurance plan from ISM Insurance group. Families are encouraged to purchase the ISM international insurance and only in rare situations should families use the "credit card" method. If a credit card is used, we will require a signed document from the family stating the credit card number can be used for medical situations. Please contact the Business Office for questions related to student health insurance coverage.

ISM INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE

American families living abroad are advised to make certain that family policies cover students while they are at Berkshire. Families of students are responsible for the cost of visits and transportation to off-campus medical specialists and facilities, as well as obtaining pre-authorization/referrals for all appointments.