International Student Orientation addresses areas of cultural adjustment, academics in the United States, immigration matters, USF and San Francisco resources, and other points of interest. You'll have the opportunity to meet other new students and to ask questions of continuing students.
GRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
Mandatory Orientation | Friday, August 16th | 9:00am-3:30pm | Fromm Hall*
All graduate international students are expected to attend this orientation session and the orientation session set by your department. If your departments orientation program conflicts with the international student orientation, you will be notified to attend a separate international orientation program.
UNDERGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
Mandatory Orientation | Saturday, August 17th | 10:00am-4:00pm | War Memorial Gym*
Undergraduate International Student Orientation begins on Thursday, August 15th with activities and resources to help students get settled, answer practical questions and meet new friends. Thursday, August 15th and Friday, August 16th are designed to address the most common questions and concerns that international students have. On Saturday, August 17th, we will cover information that is required such as immigration regulations pertaining to your visa, academic expectations, and cultural adjustment.
Please come back to this site in June 2013 to download a detailed schedule of orientation events and activities that will begin on Wednesday, August 14th!
*Attendance at the International Student Orientation is mandatory (August 16th for graduate students and August 17th for undergraduate students). Failure to attend the orientation program will result in a hold being placed on your student account which limits your ability to register for classes, access library resources, etc. at the University.
Remember that you can enter the country up to 30-days prior to your program start date. As an incoming international student, you need to plan your trip accordingly so that you arrive in San Francisco before orientation begins. If living in on-campus housing, be certain to confirm your housing assignment with the Student Housing Office by phone at +1(415)422-6824 or by email at share@usfca.edu. They can answer any questions about housing.
**Please Note:** If your program requirements conflict with the International Student Orientation please email the ISSS office at isss@usfca.edu to schedule an alternative orientation session.
"Undergraduate English Conditional" students (who have not met the English proficiency requirement) will be given an English placement test on Friday, August 16th. Location and other information about this test will be sent to you from the English as a Second Language office and appear on the detailed orientation schedule when it is posted above. This test is required for all undergradaute "English Conditional Admits". If you have questions about this test please contact esl@usfca.edu.
Have questions about travel, visas and preparing for life at USF? Review our Pre-Arrival pages for more information on the visa process, what you will need to bring with you, and transportation options for when you arrive.
The USF-sponsored transportation shuttle from San Francisco International Airport to the USF campus, will be provided free of charge.
Sign-up for Fall 2013 Airport Shuttle is not yet available. Check back this summer to save your space!
International students with confirmed on-campus housing can move-in as early as August 14th, 2013. ISSS recommends coming early and using our airport shuttle service that is available before International Student Orientation. USF Guides will welcome arriving students in the lobby area of the international terminal at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Look for the USF Guides who will be wearing yellow ISSS jackets, holding USF signs, and identified by green & yellow balloons.
Note: The shuttle will only transport students from SFO airport to the campus and will not make any other stops in the city. No one is required to use the shuttle; if you prefer to get to campus as quickly as possible, you are welcome to use alternative forms of transportation (see our Pre-Arrival pages for more transportation options).
Undergraduate students are also required to attend the New Student Orientation Program (for both international and domestic students). As the date approaches, the university orientation schedule will be available for viewing at www.usfca.edu/orientation. Graduate students are required to attend their department orientation program in addition to the International Student Orientation (ISO). Please contact your academic department for more information. If your graduate program orientation conflicts with the ISO program, a make-up ISO will be given.
