International Family Orientation

International Family Orientation (IFO) eases the transition for the families of third culture kids and international students as their freshmen join the Hope College campus community for the first time.

We want to do everything we can to make this transition easier for your whole family. Hope faculty and staff recognize the unique challenges you face sending your student thousands of miles away from home.

While your student participates in their own orientation program, your family is invited to join us for welcome activities to learn about campus and experience what life is like in southwest Michigan.

You will also learn practical details such as: setting up a bank account, arranging transportation to the airport, finding campus resources for student advising/support, and other information.

Our goal is for you to become more acquainted with Hope, with the experiences your student will have, and with the corner of the world we call Holland, Michigan. On this page, you will find the tools and resources you need while transitioning your student to their new home. Take a look around. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

International Family Orientation Schedule 

“As a first-time parent of a college student, sending my oldest across the continent for study can be nerve-wracking, but IFO serves as an incredible platform that helps to allay our worries and answers our questions. And because of IFO, my other two children will be joining their older sister in this large family this fall. Our family is thrilled about what Hope has in store for them and glad that they have decided to call Hope College their new home away from home.”
—Christine Quah, Malaysia

Resource guide

There are all sorts of details and questions you may have right now. What cell phone provider should I sign my student up for? Where will they buy their groceries? At which bank should my child open a checking account? And so much more. Below you’ll find answers to all those questions!

Banking

There are several banking options here in the U.S. In most cases, your student will need to show their passport and I-20 or DS-2019 to sign up for an account. Having their student ID may also be helpful. They do not need a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) to open an account.

Please note that the college does not endorse any of the following banks. Selecting a bank is your decision.

Fifth Third Bank (Downtown Holland)
36 E. 8th St.
Holland, MI 49423
616.394.7338

First National Bank of Michigan (Downtown Holland)
1 W. 8th St.
Holland, MI 49423
616.251.1200

Macatawa Bank (Downtown Holland)
141 E. 8th St.
Holland, MI 49423
877.820.2265

PNC Bank
978 S. Washington Ave.
Holland, MI 49423
616.396.2323

Telephone Services

There are a variety of mobile phone companies that operate in the Holland area. Monthly contracts and pay-as-you-go services are available with most companies. Students who are here for less than a year typically choose the pay-as-you-go services, as they often require less paperwork and are easier to cancel.

If you are planning to get a U.S. phone number while you are here, please contact the company to learn what you will need to bring to the store. Generally you will be asked to provide a valid photo ID (passport or driver’s license), your date of birth and your local address. Most companies will ask for your Social Security Number (SSN), but this is not a requirement. If you do not have a SSN, you can still sign up for service, but you will often have to pay a deposit.

Before you sign any contract, make sure you meet the company’s requirements. Each provider's website should help you along the way.

AT&T
3435 W. Shore Dr.
Holland, MI 49424
616.994.0459

Verizon
3351 W. Shore Dr.
Holland, MI 49424
616.786.0533

Sprint
3259 W. Shore Dr.
Holland, MI 49424
616.738.4727

T-Mobile
12331 James St.
Holland, MI 49424
616.377.7667

Health & Safety Services

Medical & Emergency Services: On-Campus Care

Student Health Center
Hope’s Student Health Center (SHC) is located on the first floor of the Dow Center. The medical providers include doctors, a physician assistant and registered nurses. They treat most health concerns for any Hope College, full or part-time, degree-seeking student who is currently enrolled. All health information between the patient and medical professional is deemed confidential. 

Open Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–4:30 p.m. 
Main Office: 616.395.7585

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
CAPS is located in the Bultman Student Center. Counselors can help with a variety of personal issues like stress, anxiety, depression, and cultural adjustment. All visits are completely confidential. 

Open Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–5 p.m. 
Main Office: 616.395.7945

Medical & Emergency Services: Off-Campus Care

For immediate care in an EMERGENCY, DIAL 911.

Holland Hospital, nearest Emergency Room
602 Michigan Ave.
Holland, MI 49424
616.392.5141 

Asthma & Allergy Center of Southwest Michigan
844 S. Washington Ave.
Holland, MI 49423
616.392.8877 

Holland Hospital Outpatient Behavioral Health
854 S. Washington Ave., Ste #330
Holland, MI 49423
616.355.3926 

Holland Hospital Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Services, Lakeshore Medical Campus
3299 N. Wellness Dr.
Holland, MI 49423
616.355.3987 

Holland Eye Surgery & Laser Center
999 S. Washington Ave.
Holland, MI 49423
616.396.2316 

Ottawa County Department of Public Health
12251 James St.
Holland, MI 49424
616.396.5266 

Lakeshore Eyecare Center
2657 120th Ave.
Holland, MI 49424
616.395.0606

Lakeshore Health Partners Family Medicine
8300 Westpark Way
Zeeland, MI 49464
616.772.7314 

Shoreline Orthopedics
370 N.120th Ave.
Holland, MI 49424
616.396.5855

Pharmacies 

There are several pharmacies located near the Hope College campus. Some of the most widely used are listed below.

CVS Pharmacy
132 Douglas Ave.
Holland, MI 49424
616.396.2959 

Meijer Pharmacy
746 E. 16th St.
Holland, MI 49423.
616.355.4810 

Rite Aid Pharmacy
973 S. Washington Ave.
Holland, MI 49423
616.392.5161

Skip’s Pharmacy, offering free delivery to the Health Center
700 Michigan Ave.
Holland, MI 49423
616.392.8507 

Walgreens Pharmacy
780 Washington Ave.
Holland, MI 49423
616.396.0098

Walmart Pharmacy
2629 N. Park Dr.
Holland, MI 49424
616.393.8071

Mail Services

Print and Mail Services

Hope College’s Print and Mail Services is located on the first floor in the DeWitt Center. In addition to accepting all mail and packages and delivering them to students, students will also find shipping supplies and be able to purchase and print postage and labels. For airmail (other than letters 1/4" thick or more) and international packages, a USPS Customs Form must be completed.

Hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. for mail pick-up only.

Martha Miller Mailbox

Each international student is assigned a mailbox in the Martha Miller Center’s Fried Center for Global Engagement. Students can use the address below to receive letters and small packages. For large packages, please use the Print and Mail Services in the DeWitt Center.

Center for Global Engagement
Martha Miller Center
257 Columbia Avenue, Room 107
Holland, MI 49423
616.395.7605

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Holland Post Office

Students can visit the Holland Post Office, located downtown Holland, for any mailing services. The Post Office can help with outgoing mail, packaging items and completing a customs declaration.

United States Postal Service
190 E. 8th St.
Holland, MI 49423
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Food, Grocery & Shopping

On-Campus Dining

Phelps Dining Hall, located in Phelps Hall, and Cook Dining Hall, located in Cook Hall, are two experiences that offer cafeteria-style meals and, occasionally, themed events. In addition, the Kletz Market, located in the Bultman Student Center, serves coffee, other beverages and light “grab & go” meals.

Major Grocery Stores

Meijer
Meijer has a wide selection of items, good prices, and is one of the closest to campus. Hope provides a shuttle van to Meijer every Wednesday and Thursday, during the academic year, from 6–8:00 p.m. Students can also bike to Meijer in 10–15 minutes, depending on where they live on campus.

746 E. 16th St.
Holland, MI 49423
Hours: all day, every day

Walmart
Walmart also has a wide selection of items and good prices, but it can be more difficult getting to and from the store. Students can find someone to drive them or take the MAXtransit, which costs $1 each way. More information can be found in the Transportation section below.

2629 N. Park Drive
Holland, MI 49424
Hours: all day, every day

International Markets

Holland has a couple of international stores where students can find ingredients from their home countries.

Huynh Oriental-Mexican Food
143 Douglas Ave.
Holland, MI 49424

Mi Favorita Grocery
408 Columbia Ave.
Holland, MI 49423

Shopping

When students first arrive, they often need furniture, appliances and household items, all able to fit within a tight budget. Below are common stores in the area.

Bestbuy
3549 W. Shore Dr.
Holland, MI 49424

Ditto Upscale Resale 571 E. 8th St.
Holland, MI 49423

Goodwill
393 E. Lakewood Blvd.
Holland, MI 49424

RiverTown Crossings Mall
3700 Rivertown Pkwy.
Grandville, MI 49418

Target
3456 W. Shore Drive
Holland, MI 49424

T.J. Maxx
12635 Felch St.
Holland, MI 49424

Transportation

Macatawa Area Express: MAX Transit

Macatawa Area Express is a small, urban transit system that serves the greater Holland/Zeeland area with hourly, fixed bus routes and complimentary reserved ride demand response service for eligible passengers. It provides transportation to many major locations such as grocery stores, shopping centers, Holland Hospital, etc. 

The cost is $1 for fixed route fares, or a Student Semester Pass is $30 for 3 months. 

Visit their website for route information. 

Hope College Transportation Services

Hope College Transportation Services include vehicle reservations, a free shuttle service, airport pick-up and drop-off, rides to job interviews, off-campus health appointments, etc., all to meet the various transportation needs of faculty, staff and students.  

176 E. 19th St.
Holland, MI 49423
616.395.4947

Vehicle Reservations
Please reserve vehicles at least two business days in advance, as reservations are required and based on vehicle availability. The cost depends on the vehicle and the fuel usage.

On-Campus Evening Shuttle Service
This free service operates around the core campus, with additional service to Fairbanks Townhouses. The shuttle follows a set counter-clockwise route around core campus. Each shuttle stop corresponds with the approximate time the shuttle will arrive. That is, the shuttle will arrive at stop 8 at :08, :18, :28, :38 and :48 each hour (+/- 1 minute).

Visit the website for hours and scheduling. 

A Campus Safety officer is always available to provide escorts for students when safety is a concern.

Campus Safety Main Line: 616.395.7770.

“I didn't realize until after I left IFO how important it was to me to feel connected to the place which our daughter now calls home. You all treated us like family and now we feel much more a part of our daughter’s Hope experience and are able to share that with her from afar. That is a priceless gift.”
—Cheryl Stinchcomb, Thailand

“Third culture kids have the worst of both worlds — often excluded from the international crowd because they’re American, but not experiencing any of those American customs like learning how to drive a car, a sweet 16 party, graduation open houses, proms and the list goes on. My biggest fear — that they would be plopped down on their own and be told to "figure it out” — was allayed because of the time I spent at IFO. I met the administrators who became surrogate parents. I met the amazing kids my daughter would become friends with. And I met their parents, creating a circle that allowed us to support our children and each other from continents away.”
—Eric Frederick, Mexico