Spring 2025 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 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 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16 for undergraduate and graduate 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 2025 Schedule
Orientation week will take place between January 14 - January 20 . Please see event calendar below. Additional events and more detailed information will be posted in December.
Tuesday, January 14
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Student Move-in Day | 10 AM - 5 PM | In-person: USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco |
Registration not required | International students will move onto campus. |
| Campus Tours (optional) | TBD | TBD | Registration not required | 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. |
Wednesday, January 15
| event | time | format/location | Access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEM English Placement Test | TBD | TBD | Registration not required | Required only for students who were instructed to take EPT. |
| JEEP Session | 12 - 1:30 PM | In-person: Harney G56 | ||
| SF and Beyond | 4 - 5 PM | University Center - 4th Floor Lounge, USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco |
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 - 7 PM | Meet at University Center - 1st Floor, USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco |
Registration not required, but encouraged. RSVP coming soon. | 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 16
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Student Orientation | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | McLaren Complex, USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco | Mandatory for all new 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. |
| New Student Orientation Campus Tours | TBD | TBD | Registration not required | 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 17
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UG New Student Orientation | TBD | TBD | ||
| USF Campus Resource Fair | TBD | TBD | ||
| Immunization Clinic | TBD | TBD | Registration not required | Students can drop in anytime during this immunization clinic to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, the TB test for Tuberculosis, and the COVID-19 vaccine/booster if available. Students covered under the USF student health insurance plan can drop in for a copy of their insurance card. HPS staff will be available to answer questions regarding USF immunizations or the health insurance policy. |
Monday, January 20
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working and Driving | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | Online | Zoom Link | Attend this virtual session to learn about on-campus employment and driving in the US. |
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.