Spring 2026 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 Thursday, January 22 for both 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? 

Complete Status Verification 

 

Spring 2026 Schedule

Orientation week will take place between January 20 - January 23. Please see event calendar below. Additional events and more detailed information will be posted in November.

 

Tuesday, January 20

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 9:00 AM - 5 PM TBD Registration not required ISSS will be tabling to welcome new students who arrive on Move-In day.
Target Shopping Trip TBD Meet at University Center, First Floor   Registration not required, but encouraged. RSVP coming soon. Join ISO Guides on a shopping trip to local grocery stores.

Wednesday, January 21

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/Study at USF J-1 Advising Session TBD In-person: TBD Mandatory for all new JEEP/Study at USF students During this session, JEEP and Study at USF (Taejae University) students will learn about immigration regulations pertaining to their J-1 visa and about campus resources for international students.
SF and Beyond TBD 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  TBD 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 22

Event time format/location access description
International Student Orientation 9 AM - 12:30 PM TBD, USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco  Mandatory for all new undergraduate and 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. 
New Student Orientation Campus Tours 2 PM - 4 PM  Meet at University Center, First Floor 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 23

Event time format/location access description
New Student & Family Orientation (NSO) TBD USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco  Mandatory for all new undergraduate international students  
Immunization Clinic    
 		 TBD TBD Appointment Recommended. Link coming soon.

Students can drop in anytime during this immunization clinic to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, and the TB test for Tuberculosis 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. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment.

Please submit all immunization records to your Med+Proctor account using your USF Dons email address.

Monday, January 26: First Day of Classes

Event time format/location access description
Campus Resource Fair TBD TBD Registration not required  

Thursday, January 27

Event time format/location access description
Working and Driving TBD 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.