Founded in 1879, Sam Houston State University is a vibrant and diverse campus located in Huntsville, Texas. Commonly known as “SHSU,” the university is home to more than 18,000 undergraduate students. Originally founded as an instructional university for teachers, the university has grown over the last 137 years to offer more than 80 undergraduate degrees. If you’re interested in a small town feel on a large campus, learn more about Sam Houston State University.

An International Focus: Sam Houston State University is home to 200 international students who come from many different countries. The university prides itself on its global perspective and offers many resources to ensure international students are successful. To help international students make the most of their education, Sam Houston State offers the English Language Institute which helps international students gain confidence in their English language skills and helps them apply these foundational skills to their coursework.

Earn Your Degree: Sam Houston State is known for its strong and experiential academic programs, including its business and marketing programs, as well as its psychology, health sciences, and law enforcement studies degrees. SHSU offers more than 80 bachelor's degrees, so students can specialize in subjects that will prepare them for their future careers.

The Office of International Programs (OIP) is an on-campus resource that can help with applications, visas, acclimating to campus life, or personal questions. The OIP also hosts a special orientation for incoming international students to help them learn more about their new campus, as well as provide opportunities to connect across campus before the school year even begins. Students can visit the university website before they arrive on campus for information on academics and housing and can stop by the office in person to ask questions, chat with staff members, meet new friends, or participate in one of the office’s many cultural initiatives.

Get Involved: Sam Houston State offers students over 280 clubs and organizations on campus. Student organizations are a great way to meet new friends and get involved with student life, while also enjoying something you love. SHSU students can choose from clubs that focus on their passions, from arts and volunteering to religious and professional organizations and social clubs. 

Get in the Game: It’s easy to get into the game at Sam Houston State! Students can cheer on the Bearkats, who compete in 15 different sports, including baseball, basketball, and tennis. Students can also participate in club sports teams offered at SHSU, or get in the game through a university intramural league. Students who join a team on campus can play their favorite sport against other students and make new friends in the process.

Student recreation facilities include cardio and weight equipment, courts for basketball, several multipurpose and fitness rooms, as well as an outdoor heated swimming pool, a 34-foot high climbing wall with a bouldering area, and a tennis complex with 8 full-sized tennis courts. Students can stay up to date on recreation events and schedules with the SHSU Rec Sports phone app.

Find Your Place: Huntsville, Texas is a classic college town that is embedded in the history of the university. All Sam Houston State students are required to live on-campus for their first year but have the option to live off-campus for the remainder of their college career. When searching for a place to live, many students rely on ApartmentSearch.com. This website helps students search for an apartment based on distance from campus, while also showing the cost of living, local restaurants, the length of your commute and more.

If your apartment is unfurnished, furniture rental is an economical and convenient way to furnish your home. CORT, the leading provider of furniture rental in The U.S., furnishes thousands of student apartments with everything from beds and sofas to housewares and electronics – all with affordable rental package options.

If you’re looking for a large, research-based university within a small, welcoming community, Sam Houston State University may be the right choice for you. Check out the university’s website to get more information on admissions, academics, and life at SHSU.

Finding the perfect apartment is no easy task, but with a little time and effort, it can be manageable. Keep these tips in mind to make your transition as a U.S. student as seamless as possible! For more information on CORT’s furniture rental solutions, please visit www.CORT.com.