Fall 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 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 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Friday, August 15 graduate students and Saturday, August 16 for 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? 

Complete Status Verification 

 

Fall 2025 Schedule

Orientation week will take place between August 13 - August 21. Please see event calendar below. Additional events and more detailed information will be posted in April.

 

Wednesday, August 13

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.
ISSS Move-In and Arrival Check-In Desk	TBD	TBD	Registration not required	ISSS will be tabling to welcome new students who arrive on Move-In day.

Thursday, August 14

event	time	format/location	Access	description
AEM English Placement Test	9 AM - 1 PM	TBD	Registration not required	Required only for students who were instructed to take EPT.
JEEP/Taejae Advising Session	12 - 1:30 PM	In-person: Harney 136
SF and Beyond	4 - 5 PM	TBD	Registration not required, but encouraged. RSVP coming soon.	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.

Friday, August 15

Event	time	format/location	access	description
Graduate International Student Orientation	9 AM - 12:30 PM	McLaren Complex, USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco	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.
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.  Please submit all immunization records to your Med+Proctor account using your USF Dons email address.
Graduate Student Happy Hour	2 - 4 PM	TBD	Registration not required, but encouraged. RSVP coming soon.	21+ event: Government issued ID and USF One Card Required. More details will be sent directly to graduate students.

Saturday, August 16

Event	time	format/location	access	description
Undergraduate International Student Orientation	9 AM - 12:30 PM	McLaren Complex, USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco	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.

Sunday, August 17

Event	time	format/location	access	description
Campus Resource Fair	TBD	TBD	Registration not required	Explore resources and services at USF and San Francisco –– all in one place! Banks, cell phone companies, and campus resources will be available to assist students with opening a bank account, setting up a cell phone, or asking questions.

Monday, August 18

Event	time	format/location	access	description

Thursday, August 21

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.}