As a parent, you want to know all the facts about helping your student select a college. We recognize how important you are to your child's success and want to make your job easier by pooling some useful resources in an easy-to-access format.
Parents Hand Book
This will not answer all the questions you might have regarding sending your daughter or son to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, although it will give you some information to help with the decision. You may access the main web page for UNK at http://www.unk.edu.
If you have specific questions you would like to ask please email them to : intladmin@unk.edu. You will receive an answer within three business days.
Why UNK?
UNK is Nebraska’s premier undergraduate institution. We offer the opportunity to build a future in a diverse, supportive, and safe environment. Our concern is your well-being and professional growth.
Located geographically in the center of the USA, it is easy to access any area of the USA during vacation periods. Students can experience what being part of rural America feels like. Larger cities may have great "things" to offer, but in a smaller more personal environment, it is clear that making the experience complete for students is important not only to the University, but the community as well.
The University of Nebraska Kearney is an affordable, student-centered regional hub of intellectual, cultural, and artistic excellence that has been a prominent part of Nebraska’s higher education landscape for more than a century. The cost of attending UNK is much less than many larger institutions in the U.S., yet UNK students enjoy the same benefits.
UNK affords not only a top notch educational experience at a reasonable cost in an area with an extremely low crime rate. What truly distinguishes UNK is its commitment to provide an outstanding education in a small and personal setting, starting with a student/teacher ratio that is 16/1. The University quickly transforms 7,200 students in to a close-knit family that they can call their home away from home.
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Quick Overview of UNK
The University: Founded in 1905, UNK has been the Nebraska State Normal School in Kearney, Nebraska State Teachers College at Kearney, and Kearney State College before becoming a member of the University of Nebraska System in 1991.
Where We Are: UNK’s 235 acre campus is located in a residential area of Kearney, Nebraska, home to nearly 31,000 residents. Because of its location on Interstate 80 between Omaha/Lincoln and Denver, Kearney has a surprisingly extensive array of shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and recreational and cultural events.
Who We Are: UNK students come from all counties in Nebraska, 48 other states in the USA and 40 countries. The current enrollment is more than 7,100 students with nearly 5,500 of them undergraduates. UNK also offers evening/weekend programs and challenging Graduate programs. UNK offers more than 170 academic programs in the sciences, business, the arts, and education. The English Language Institute is also located on the UNK campus. Nearly all undergraduate courses are taught by UNK professors, not by graduate teaching assistants.
What We Offer: Not only does UNK offer over 170 Major and Programs to choose from in a variety of disciplines, wonderful housing and meal plan options, recreation and cultural event opportunities and more, but there are several offices and services for students to help them achieve success while they are here. For example, we have Student Healthcare for their medical needs, International Student Services, The Writing Center, The Tutoring Center, The Center for Academic Success, Student Support Services, Career Services and more!
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UNK Contacts
UNK International Student Services Office
(Open Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm)
Welch Hall, International Center
intladmin@unk.edu
Phone: 308-865-8953
After Hours Emergency Phone: 308-627-7069
FAX: 308-865-8947
2504 19th Ave
Kearney, NE 68849-5221
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Free time (day and night)
While there are various activities both on and off campus, many of our international students like the fact that UNK and the Kearney community provide an environment that allows them to concentrate on their academic goals. A quote from a recent graduate student, "The culturally-diverse, yet peaceful study environment, as well as all the support I receive from the International Center staff and UNK’s faculty are the main reason UNK was the right university for me."
Kearney has 12 city parks with baseball fields, soccer fields, swimming pools and a variety of nature trails; a variety of museums; multiple movie theaters offering first run movies. On the campus, students enjoy a variety of student organizations, intramural sports, a student recreation center, along with cafeteria services, the Calvin T Ryan Library, the Planetarium, and concert opportunities. The Loper Planning and Activities Council works diligently to plan numerous events throughout the semester to keep students engaged and entertained. It is important to all the faculty and staff at UNK to provide an abundance of wholesome activities for students to choose from daily.
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Local festivals and events
Annual International Student Association Food Festival: cultural event at which our international students prepare and serve national food dishes and present native songs and dances.
Other Cultural Events: In addition to the International Food Festival, international students host several other festivals specifically related to their country of origin, such as the Japanese, Chinese, Nepalese, Korean and African festivals! Students can enjoy events hosted by the Department of Music and Performing Arts, Athletic events, and many others held on campus and in the community.
Sandhills Cranes Migration and Festival: Every Spring, approximately 500,000 Sandhill cranes, approximately 90% of the world’s population converge in the Kearney area. Your kids have the opportunity to view this phenomina and the many activities and events that surround the migration, that draw thousands of people to Kearney from all over the world!
Students enjoy the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument and The Trails and Rails Museum which depict items from the past and a hands-on living history of rural America. Additionally, right on the UNK campus, we have the Frank House, which is a registered historic home that offers tours and events throughout the year.
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Local community
Many UNK international students are currently involved in:
1. Good Samaritan Hospital (large area hospital)
2. Numerous local churches
3. Kearney Community Theatre
4. Habitat for Humanity
5. Tutoring Center located at UNK
6. Dozens of special interest student organizations
7. International Friendship program
8. Many act as guest speakers at ALL elementary & middle schools in Kearney and surrounding towns
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Acculturation
When some of our students first arrive, they wonder "what did I get myself into and maybe I should be somewhere else". However, at the end of their academic career in Kearney, they are sad to leave and will forever call Kearney "home". The involved faculty, supportive international office staff, as well as the life-long friendships made, make it difficult to leave UNK. This is what May 2013 graduate, Sushma Thapa, from Bhutan had to say about her experience at UNK upon her graduation, "Life is certainly unpredictable. I never thought I would end up here but now I feel I am lucky enough to be one of those who was able to enjoy the opportunities. UNK has been one of the amazing experiences and a second home away from home. I made lots of friends and had an awesome time in these four years of life; and now I head back home for a better future. I am glad that I now have memories that will never fade away. Life is certainly a bittersweet moment that gives us surprises, happy or sad; we will always learn to smile in the end, my greatest achievement. It is hard to put into words but I will definitely miss Kearney and all the beautiful people I met along this journey. Good Bye UNK and my friends with the hope to meet you all again. Missing you all already."
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