International Students
We are here to make you feel at home.
Important information for
international students
For all our international students and their families, welcome to Luminary and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. To help with your questions about moving to Madison, living in Luminary and life in and around the campus area please see the helpful directions, insights and information from our LZ Management team below.
What to expect when you arrive.
Distance from each property from Madison airport/ Chicago airport / pros and cons of flying directly into each airport
Dane County Regional Airport
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Taxis
Pick up at the north end of the baggage claim area at Door #7
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Uber / Lift
Pick up outside Door #6 to the right along the terminal, around –
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Madison Metro Bus
Outside Door # 6, bus stop signs on roadway median.
Chicago O’Hare Airport
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Bus Service
Direct service runs from O'Hare Airport's Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) to the UW-Madison campus (typically drop-off at
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Uber / Lift
Roughly 2 hours depending on traffic around 0+
Milwaukee
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Taxis
Pick up at the north end of the baggage claim area at Door #7
-
Uber / Lift
Pick up outside Door #6 to the right along the terminal, around –
-
Madison Metro Bus
Outside Door # 6, bus stop signs on roadway median.
- Distance from Dane County Regional Airport MSN to UW Campus: Roughly 5.5 miles/ 15-minute drive.
Distance from Chicago O’Hare Airport to UW Campus: Roughly 136 miles/ 2-hour drive.
- 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.
- US plumbing /toilet paper, garbage disposal, dishwasher soap vs detergent explanations:
- 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.
- Washing clothes: Use laundry detergent.
- Important: Never substitute regular dish soap for dishwasher detergent.
First 24 hrs 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 ordering things online work/ How packages get delivered right to your apartment:
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.
Moving into your apartment:
What is already provided in each apartment:
Couch, chair, living room table/end tables, barstools, bed frame/mattress, desk/chair, closet organizer, tv stand.
Move in timeline:
Once you arrive in Madison, stop into the lobby office of your apartment building (either Grand Central or X01), pick up your keys, get settled into your new home, then, go explore the campus and Madison!
Rent:
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.
Tips for your day to day
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
Enjoying Winter in Madison Page from International Student Services
Bus stop distances from properties / how to get a bus pass:
Link to Bus Pass Information from UW Transportation Services
Winter transportation tips:
Something along the lines of talking about as it gets colder, many busses begin to fill up quicker so it’s best to arrive earlier than later to ensure you get a spot on the bus.
Bike information (E-bikes around campus):
Located around campus, you’ll find electronic bikes that are available to rent! To do so, download the Madison BCycle electronic bike-share system app, buy a pass (with student/staff discounts available via a UW email), unlock a bike from any campus dock, and return it to any other station when done.
Community & belongings
Annual tenant events:
Throughout the academic 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 who just graduated in May of 2026)
International grocery stores around campus:
Link to "Where to Get Groceries" from International Student Services ://iss.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/174/2023/08/Where-to-get-groceries.pdf
We are here to help you feel home
Who will be welcoming to your new home:
Hannah Teasdale – Lead Campus Property Manager
Allison Harrod – Assistant Property Manager
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).
When are security guards present at each property:
All buildings have overnight security with extended hours on the weekends and football game days.
Emergency Maintenance phone number:
608-441-3400
Emergency Phone Number if you’re in danger:
Dial 911
Security Cameras:
There are 24/7 surveillance cameras in all public spaces and entrances at each property.
Listing "safe walk” information:
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:
October 1st- March 31st 7pm to 1am, April 1st-Sept 30th 8pm-1am
Safety of the Madison area overall:
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.
Applying from another country?
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 (Link to Banking Info from 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.
For more helpful information, visit the International Student Services website