Spring 2027 International Student Orientation
Mandatory Online Pre-Arrival Orientation Canvas Course
All new graduate and undergraduate students are required to complete the online Pre-Arrival Orientation Canvas Course, which is the first part of the International Student Orientation. The mandatory online Pre-Arrival course is designed to make your transition to USF smoother and prepare you for your student life at USF. All new students will receive an email, inviting them to join the course. This course is provided in Canvas, which you can access by logging into your myUSF account. All students attending their USF program in San Francisco, will also be required to attend the in-person orientation program upon arrival.
Mandatory In-person International Student Orientation
All new graduate and undergraduate students are required to attend the International Student Orientation. The in-person session will take place on Thursday, January 21, 2027 for graduate and undergraduate students. Please refer to our Pre-Arrival & New Student Resources page for additional information about immigration requirements and campus resources and services available to you.
Mandatory Status Verification (Only for students who have arrived in the U.S.)
International students who arrive in the U.S. will check-in with ISSS by providing their immigration documents. This is a required step in maintaining your status. You can submit your status verification on the MyISSS portal. Students should submit their status verification within one week of their arrival to the US. Students who are attending from outside of the US do not need to complete Status Verification.
How to Submit a Status Verification Request?
Spring 2027 Schedule
Orientation week will take place between January 19 - January 22. Please see event calendar below. Additional events and more detailed information will be posted in November.
Tuesday, January 19
| Event | time | Format/location | Access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Student Move-in Day | All Day | In-person: USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco | Registration not required | International students will move onto campus. |
| ISSS Move-In and Arrival Check-In Desk | 10 AM - 4 PM | McLaren Conference Center | Registration not required | ISSS will be tabling to welcome new students who arrive on Move-In day. |
| International Student & Family Welcome Reception | 3 PM - 4:30 PM | Monihan Atrium at Gleeson Library | RSVP here | Join us for a warm reception honoring families who traveled from outside the U.S. to help their students settle in at USF. Meet the Office of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) staff, faculty, and other international families. All students and their families are welcome to attend, connect, and build community through intercultural learning. Light refreshments will be available. |
| Target Shopping Trip | 4 PM - 5:30 PM | Meet at University Center, 1st Floor | Registration not required, but encouraged. RSVP here. | Join ISO Guides on a shopping trip to a local store where you can buy daily necessities and groceries. |
| New Student & Family Orientation Welcome | 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM | War Memorial Gym at Sobrato Center | Mandatory for all new undergraduate international students | Join other new students and family members for your official welcome to our USF community. We will take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments and introduce you to some campus resources that will help you thrive at USF. This event is mandatory for all students and open to new family members. |
Wednesday, January 20
| event | time | format/location | Access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEM English Placement Test | 9:30 AM | Kalmanovitz Hall - 267 | Registration not required | Required only for students who were instructed to take EPT. |
| JEEP Advising Session | 12 PM - 1:30 PM | In-person: Harney Lecture Hall - 136 | Mandatory for all new JEEP students | During this session, JEEP students will learn about immigration regulations pertaining to their J-1 visa and about campus resources for international students. |
| SF & Beyond | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | UC 4th Floor Lounge | Registration not required. | ISSS and our student leaders will join us for a fun presentation about living in San Francisco. Learn from other students about their favorite sites, restaurants and more. |
| Off-Campus Dinner | 5:15 - 7:15 PM | Meet at University Center, 1st Floor | Registration not required, but encouraged. RSVP here. | Student leaders will take a group of international students to a popular area for dinner. Students will pay for their own dinner, make sure to bring money, comfortable walking shoes, and a jacket. |
Thursday, January 21
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate International Student Orientation | 9 AM - 12:00 PM | McLaren | Mandatory for all new graduate international students | This session is designed to address the most common questions and concerns that international students have as well as covering important information such as immigration regulations pertaining to your visa, academic expectations, and cultural adjustment. *Check-in is from 9-9:30am and orientation begins promptly at 9:30am. |
| Undergraduate International Student Orientation | TBD | McLaren | Mandatory for all new undergraduate international students | This session is designed to address the most common questions and concerns that international students have as well as covering important information such as immigration regulations pertaining to your visa, academic expectations, and cultural adjustment. *Check-in is from 9-9:30am and orientation begins promptly at 9:30am. |
| Campus Resource Fair | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
| Campus Tours | TBD | University Center, First Floor | No RSVP needed. | Explore our beautiful USF campus with our friendly GO Team leaders. Guided tours are available every 30 minutes for new USF students and family members. |
Friday, January 22
| Event | Time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Student & Family Orientation | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Monday, January 25: First Day of Classes
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks of Welcome | TBD | TBD | TBD | A lively and interactive way for both new and returning students to connect with the wide range of programs, services, and opportunities USF has to offer. Visit the International Student and Scholar Services table to learn how we support international students and scholars at USF. From orientation and immigration advising to workshops, programs, and advocacy, ISSS is here to help you navigate campus and feel connected while advancing USF’s global mission. |
Tuesday, January 27
| Event | Time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working & Driving Workshop | TBD | Zoom | Zoom | Learn about on-campus employment and driving in the U.S. This workshop will cover important information and guidelines for international students, including what you need to know before working on-campus and how to navigate driving requirements in the U.S. |
Certain events will be photographed and/or video recorded for archival, educational, and related promotional purposes. By attending or participating in this event, you grant USF the full unrestricted rights to your photograph, voice and likeness in any manner or media whatsoever worldwide for educational marketing purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed or video recorded, please inform the camera person at the start of each event.