Welcome to San Diego State University!
The International Student Center (ISC) is excited to welcome you to SDSU! The ISC hosts numerous mandatory and optional activities for new students on F-1 and J-1 visa status to help you better understand your visa requirements, how to navigate life at SDSU, and to make new connections with your peers and the SDSU community.
If you are a new F-1 or J-1 student, please review the below mandatory and optional activities.
For F-1 degree-seeking students:
In addition to the New Student Orientation hosted by New Student & Parent Programs for undergraduate and graduate students, international student are required to complete the following requirements:
- Complete mandatory online New F-1 International Student Immigration Orientation by August 17, 2022. (Online module will be available in mid-July)
- Attend New International Student Check-In & Reception on Friday, August 19, 2022. As part of your F-1 immigration requirements you must report to the International Student Center after arrival at SDSU. To meet this requirement all new F-1 students are required to attend the New International Student Check-In and Reception. The session is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Please review the date, time, location, and what to bring below:
First Year Undergraduate & Transfer Undergraduate Students:
WHEN: Friday, August 19 at 10:00am
WHERE: International Student Center
Graduate Students:
WHEN: Friday, August 19 at 10:45am
WHERE: International Student Center
*NOTE: Graduate students may have an additional graduate department orientation. Please check with your graduate department directly for details.
What to bring?
During the Check-In and Reception session we will review the below documents together:
- Your passport
- Your I-20
- Copy or screenshot of your I-94. After you enter the U.S., an electronic record of your admission, known as the I-94, will be created. Retrieve a copy of your I-94 by visiting the CBP website and clicking on "GET MOST RECENT I-94" and following the steps.
A Resource Fair will be held from 9:00am-11:15am on Friday, August 19 for all international students. The Resource Fair will provide access to critical resources for newly admitted international students such as banking services, phone carriers, transportation, and more.
For J-1 exchange students:
- Complete mandatory online New J-1 Exchange Student Online Orientation by August 17, 2022. (Module will be available in mid-July)
- Attend New International Student Check In & Reception on Friday August 19, 2022: As part of your J-1 immigration requirements you must report to the International Student Center after arrival at SDSU. To meet this requirement all new J-1 students are required to attend the New International Student Check in and Reception. The Session is approximately 2 hours. Please review the schedule, location, and what to bring below:
WHEN: Friday, August 19 at 9:15am
WHERE: International Student Center
What to bring?
During the Check-In and Reception session we will review the below documents together:
- Your passport
- Your DS-2019
- Copy or screenshot of your I-94. After you enter the U.S., an electronic record of your admission, known as the I-94, will be created. Retrieve a copy of your I-94 by visiting the CBP website and clicking on "GET MOST RECENT I-94" and follow the steps.
A
Resource Fair will be held from 9:00am-11:15am on Friday, August 19 for all international
students. The Resource Fair will provide access to critical resources for newly
admitted international students such as banking services, phone carriers,
transportation, and more.
ISC Activities and Workshops:
The ISC participates in the campus wide Welcome Weeks and hosts optional activites and workshops for F-1 and J-1 students. Below is a schedule at-a-glance. More details will be added by mid-July.
- ISC Welcome Lounge: August 15-18
- F-1 Undergraduate Employment Workshop: August 23
- U.S. Academic Culture Workshop: August 24
- Navigating Life in the U.S. & San Diego: August 24
- F-1 Graduate Employment Workshop: August 25
- J-1 Exchange Employment Workshop: August 26
- International Student Center Social Hour: August 26
Get Connected with the ISC via Social Media
Stay up to date on reminders, deadlines, events, and other SDSU information through Facebook, Instagram and our E-newsletter.