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?
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 | 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 | 9:30 AM - 4 PM | McLaren Complex | Registration not required | ISSS will be tabling to welcome new students who arrive on Move-In day. |
| International Parent & Family Welcome Reception | 2 - 3:30 PM | Gleeson Library, Gleeson Atrium | Registration not required | All are welcome to join us for a reception to welcome all families who traveled from outside the U.S. to help their students settle into life at USF. Meet the Office of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), faculty members, and other families of international students. Bring your incoming student and the entire family. |
| Campus Tours (Optional) | 3:30 - 5:30 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. |
| Trader Joe's & Target Trip | 4 - 5:30 PM | Meet at University Center, First Floor | Registration not required, but encouraged. RSVP here. | Join ISO Guides on a shopping trip to local grocery stores. |
Thursday, August 14
| event | time | format/location | Access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEM English Placement Test | 9 AM - 2 PM | KA 211 | Registration not required | Required only for students who were instructed to take EPT. |
| Campus Tours (Optional) | 10 AM - 1 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. |
| JEEP/Study at USF J-1 Advising Session | 12 - 1:30 PM | In-person: Harney 136 | 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 | 3:30 - 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. |
| Family Carnival & Campus Resource Fair | 4:30 - 6:30 PM | Welch Field & Gleeson Plaza | Experience the ultimate family fun at our Carnival! Indulge in cotton candy, popcorn, ice cream, and more while enjoying exciting games like obstacle courses and corn hole. Unforgettable memories await! Explore resources and services at USF and San Francisco — all in one place! More information here. | |
| South Asian Students and Family Reception | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Tarantino Plaza (Malloy Hall Courtyard) | Students and families of South Asian heritage are invited to join us for afternoon tea to meet with university leaders, members of USF's faculty and staff, and peers. Event is hosted by Opinder Bawa, Vice President & CIO, and Anastasia Vrachnos, Vice Provost of Global Education, Immersions, and Strategic Initiatives. All are welcome. | |
| Off-Campus Dinner | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Meet at University Center - 1st Floor, USF Hilltop Campus, San Francisco |
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. |
Friday, August 15
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate International Student Orientation | 9 AM - 12:30 PM | Fromm, 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 | 9 AM - 2 PM | UC 402/403 | Appointment recommended |
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. |
| Graduate Student Happy Hour | 2 - 4 PM | Cha Cha Cha on Haight St | Registration not required. |
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 | Fromm, 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. |
Tuesday, August 19: First Day of Classes
| Event | time | format/location | access | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Back Fest: Campus Resource Fair | 11:30 AM - 1 PM | Privett Plaza | 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. |
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.