International Students

• How tipping works: Tipping is a common part of dining and service culture in the U.S. When paying for food or beverage services, you’ll often have the option to leave a tip for the person who assisted you. A typical tip is around 10–20% of the total bill, and the tip goes directly to the service worker as a way of showing appreciation for their service.
• SHIP information: SHIP is a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan managed through UHS to protect students from the high cost of American medical care. Because UHS is unavailable during evenings and weekends, SHIP connects students to a network of hospitals, clinics, and specialists for emergency care.
• Plumbing in the US:
  • Washing clothes: Use laundry detergent.
  • Toilet: In the U.S, toilet paper goes in the toilet, not the trash.
  • Kitchen sink: If there’s a garbage disposal, it’s for certain food scraps, not regular garbage.
  • Washing dishes by hand: Use dish soap.
  • Using the dishwasher: Use dishwasher detergent.
  • Important: Never substitute regular dish soap for dishwasher detergent.

Your First 24 Hours in Madison

Where to get food:
State Street has several different restaurants/ boba spots/coffee spots, Fresh Madison Market located at 703 University Avenue is open from 7am-10pm and is great grocery store on campus.

Where to buy essentials:
State Street Target located at 610 State St is open from 7am-10pm and will have cleaning supplies, electronic chargers, groceries, beauty/hygiene products, kitchen supplies, small selection of bedroom/apartment essentials.

Convenient stores nearby:
Target (food, beverages, beauty, heath, apartment essentials, etc.), Walgreens (medicine, beauty/hygiene products, snacks, etc.)

How online deliveries work:
Your packages are delivered right to your property. They’ll either be placed in the designated package area in the lobby or delivered directly to your unit, so getting your deliveries is simple and convenient.

What is already provided in each apartment:
Large kitchen appliances, closet organizer(s), couch, armchair(s), coffee table, end table, entertainment stand, barstools, desk(s), desk chair(s), nightstand(s), bed frame(s) and mattress(es).

Move in timeline:
Once you arrive in Madison, stop into the management office in your apartment building, pick up your keys, get settled into your new home, then, go explore the campus and Madison!

Monthly Payments:
At LZ Management, rent can be paid online, and all utilities are included as well as Wi-Fi making it convenient for students!

Laundry:
At each of our properties, multiple washer and drying units are located on each floor of the building for tenants to use.

Suggestions for your day-to-day in Madison

Clothing tips:
We have four full seasons in Madison, but the most important for clothing is winter. Learn more about what to wear and how to enjoy winter in Madison here.

Bus stop distances from properties / how to get a bus pass:
Bus Pass Information from UW Transportation Services

Winter transportation tips:
As it gets colder, busses fill up faster, so it’s best to arrive earlier to ensure you get a spot on the bus. Students also commonly walk through various academic buildings on their route to warm up on the way!

Bike information (E-bikes around campus):
Located around campus, you’ll find e-bikes that are available to rent! Simply download the Madison BCycle electronic bike-share system app, buy a pass, unlock a bike from any campus dock, and return it to any other station when done. Discounts are available to UW students and staff!

Community & Belonging

Regular building events:
Throughout the year, LZ hosts several tenant events that serve to help you meet other residents and our management team. They’re also a way for us to give back to everyone for being a part of our community!

Experiences from our previous international students:

"I lived at x01 my sophomore, junior and senior year! it has the perfect location, and the management team has been super helpful with questions/problems my roommates and i faced! maintenance team was always fast and responsive too when we needed them!”
– Nicole P (International Student, UW Class of 2026)

International grocery stores around campus:
Where to Get Groceries from International Student Services

We are here to help you feel at home!

Our Lead Property Manager, Hannah Teasdale, and our Assistant Property Manager, Allison Harrod, will be here to welcome you to your new home.

Support Every Step of the Way

Local management who knows the area:
LZ Management was founded by Madison locals who know and genuinely care about the community we serve. Our local roots give us a unique perspective, allowing us to provide thoughtful guidance and a level of personal attention that helps our tenants feel truly supported.

On-Site maintenance:
When something needs attention in your unit, help is close by. Our local maintenance team can come directly to your unit to address repairs and maintenance issues, giving you the peace of mind that you have a team nearby who can help when you need it.

Resources

Different campus resources to take advantage of: University Health Services (UHS) medical and mental health support services, International Student Services (Visa support), Multicultural Student Center (Coordinates community spaces including the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Student Center, Black Cultural Center, and Latinx Cultural Center)

From everyone in the LZ Management team, we will be honored to have you as our resident and are always here to help make your life at Luminary and UW-Madison the best experience it can be. 

Please reach out with any additional questions you may have (include link to email and phone number).

Security Personnel:
All buildings have overnight security with extended hours on the weekends and football game days.

Emergency Maintenance phone number:
(608) 912-3113

Emergency Phone Number if you’re in danger: 
9-1-1

Non-Emergency UW-Madison Police Number:
(608) 255-2345

Security Cameras: 
There are 24/7 surveillance cameras in all public spaces and entrances at each property.

SAFEwalk:
Text or call (608) 262-5000 to have a SAFEwalk team member accompany you on a late-night walk back to your destination if you’re feeling unsafe walking alone. Hours from October 1st to March 31st are 7pm to 1am, and from April 1st to September 30th are 8pm to 1am.

Safety in Madison:
Madison is a safe and welcoming city. And while no city is impervious to crime, Madison is well below the national average crime rate for a city of its size. Madison is also a growing city that supports a diversity of people, cultures and communities, including a vibrant food and restaurant scene and exceptional entertainment and event options.

Cosigners/guarantors information:
Every applicant is required to have a cosigner. While most cosigners are family-related, they do not have to be related to the applicant. The cosigner needs to meet our rental requirements. They do not have to be in the U.S or have an established U.S credit score.

$0 application fee:
To make things easier for you, LZ applications are completely free.

What documents do you need:
A valid form of ID and a copy of your Visa.

Do you need a U.S bank account?
No, you are not required to open a U.S bank account, but there is several located on/near campus if you’re interested. For more helpful banking information, visit International Student Services.

Can I sign a lease internationally?
Yes, our applications are done online so you can sign one from wherever you are currently located.