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International Student Welcome (ISW)

During ISW you will meet the ISS Team as well as other new and continuing international students. You will complete required immigration check-in, and learn about immigration rules and campus resources.

Participation is required for all international students who have been issued an F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS-2019.

Participation is recommended for Global Nomad students (U.S. citizens and green card holders who grew up or attended high school abroad).

Prior to classes, all F-1 and J-1 students will be invited to an International Student Welcome module on Camino. We ask that students complete the module prior to attending their Live ISW Event.

Live ISW Events

In addition to your completion of the ISW module prior to arrival, you are required to attend a live ISW event. You can see your event information below:

Date: August 13, 2024

Time: 9AM

Location: Charney Hall 201

Light breakfast will be served

Date: TBD

Location: JST

Note that International Student Orientation activities begin August 16, 2024.

Date: September 12, 2024
Location: Locatelli Center

Engineering Students
8:30 -11:00 am
A light breakfast will be served
Optional campus Tour to follow

Business, ECP, and GPPM Students
1:00 - 3:30pm
A light lunch will be served
Optional campus tour to follow

Date: September 18, 2024
9:00AM
Location: Locatelli Center

Note that undergraduate International Student Welcome activities take place September 16-19. See emails for full schedule.

Date: January 3, 2025

Time: 8:45 - 11:00 AM; A light breakfast will be served

Location: TBD

An optional campus tour will follow

Date: March 21, 2025

Time: 8:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: TBD

A light breakfast will be served.

Information and Tips For Global Students and Families

If you have been issued an F-1 I-20 or J-1 DS-2019 you are required to attend ISW.

If you are a U.S. citizen or green card holder that went to high school abroad ("Global Nomad"), you are not required to attend ISW, but your participation is requested and highly recommended.

Less than 1 hour of ISW is spent talking about immigration rules (during this session Global Nomads will meet with student leaders who have also lived abooad before coming to SCU). The day is designed to be fun and infomative for all global broncos, regardless of immigration status -- plus attending ISW means you get to move-in early!

Everyone should bring:

  • A government issued photo ID (passport)
  • A pen or pencil and notepad
  • A reusable water bottle
  • Seasonal accessories such as sunscreen or a hat (May to September) or umbrella or rain coat (October to April)

You should wear casual clothing that you would find comfortable while walking and spending time outside. We will primarily be indoors, but there may be parts of ISW, including optional campus tours, that take place outside, weather permitting.

You can check out the weather forecast for Santa Clara to help you prepare.

Enter the main campus entrance (500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara California) and stop at the gate. Let the Campus Safety Officer know that you are visiting campus for International Student Welcome (ISW). You will be provided a complimentary parking pass or directed to where to park and pay, depending on how long you will be on campus.

If you arrive at SCU before your ISW, you can:

You are not required to visit our office upon your arrival on campus. We look forward to seeing you at ISW!

Please be aware of campus closures for holidays.

Student Health, Counseling, and Well-Being is responsible for all Health and Insurance related advising.

Health Forms/Vaccines

All students are required to submit vaccination and health forms. Additional information, including deadlines, is available on the university website.

Insurance

  • F-1 Students: Are required to purchase and are automatically enrolled in the university's student health insurance plan. More information can be found online.
  • J-1 Exchange Students: Are required to purchase and are automatically enrolled in the university's student health insurance plan. This insurance cannot be waived. More information can be found online.
  • Global Nomad (U.S. citizens and green card holders coming from abroad): Are not required to enroll in the university health insurance, but if you will not be covered by a comprehensive U.S.-based health insurance plan, you should plan to use the university's student health insurance plan. More information can be found online

The Bursar's Office is responsible for tuition and bill payment. Tuition, fees, and insurance charges will be posted to each Student's Workday account. 

If you still have questions, please email ISS@scu.edu