iNewStudents: Pre-Arrival Information for Fall 2022 Incoming Students

Spring 2022 | International Students & Programs Office @ UC San Diego

Dear {First Name},

Welcome to UC San Diego!

The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) is here to support you as you begin your journey as a new student at UC San Diego and to help you navigate the ins and outs of your program as an international student. Please review important information below about mandatory trainings, orientation and ways to get involved at UC San Diego.

Last Chance to Sign Up for Peer Mentor Programs! Deadline June 3

For Graduate Students: Grad Pals Program

Grad Pals matches incoming graduate students with current graduate students at UC San Diego. This program aims to help new students settle in by giving them the opportunity to ask non-academic related questions, provide them with support during the first few weeks, and ease their transition into graduate life at UC San Diego.

For Undergraduates: Global Ambassadors Program (GAP)

The GAP is a summer-long peer-mentoring program designed to assist incoming undergraduate international students in making a smooth transition into university life at UC San Diego. Learn more about GAP at gap.ucsd.edu.

Apply to be a GAP Mentee

Arrived in the U.S.? Check In NOW!

All students in F-1 and J-1 status are required to check in with ISPO online once you have arrived in the U.S. Without this step, we cannot activate your F-1 or J-1 record, and you will have issues with your visa status!

Once you have arrived in the U.S., submit your I-20/ DS-2019 Activation Form within 48 hours of your arrival!

Must-Do Pre-Arrival Checklist

Vaccination and Immunization Deadline: July 11

It is important that all incoming students meet the COVID-19 vaccination, Tuberculosis (TB) screening and general immunization requirements by July 11. Click here for more information and how to submit your proof of status.

Other Mandatory Tasks:

August 1: Deadline to apply for your I-20 or DS-2019 visa documents (this includes transfer students!) via the iPortal.
September 6: Complete iTriton Online Training at itriton.ucsd.edu

Check Out Our ISPO Guides!

Let The Journey Begin: Welcome Guide

This guide is filled with helpful checklists that to help you navigate through your first steps as a new international student at UC San Diego. Learn more about:

What You Should do Now – Before You Start Classes
What You Should do to Prepare for Arrival
What You Should do Upon Arrival

ACCESS THE GUIDE HERE

Surf Check: Coming to

UC San Diego

This guide covers the most commonly asked questions new international student have when they prepare for their journey as a new Triton. It covers topics such as:

What to Pack
Important Documents & Emergency Contacts for Traveling
Arranging Transportation from the Airport to Campus
How to Set Up a Bank Account, Phone Number and More!

ACCESS THE GUIDE HERE

Missed Our Pre-Arrival Webinars: Won't Worry!

You can check out our help Pre-Arrival Webinar series here. Topics include:

Applying for your U.S. Student Visa
Student Health: Insurance & Immunization Requirements
Housing
Funding & Finances
Student Life
Campus Safety
And more!

Student SIM Cards

CampusSIMs: FREE SIM Cards for International Students

CampusSIMs is offering free SIM cards to students to help connect you with mobile phone service in the United States (U.S.). Plans start at $15/month and you can get your U.S. phone number before you leave your home country. Click here to get your free SIM card mailed to you, so can use your phone as soon as you arrive in the U.S. For more information, visit campussims.com.

Arriving this summer? Stop by our office to pick up a free SIM card!

Student SIMS

Interested international students can request a SIM at your convenience, which student SIMS will then post at no charge to over 150 countries. After activation online, participants may then provide their US phone number to friends and family, prior to their departure, for this upcoming fall semester at UCSD. The mobile phone service is recently discounted to $35/month, for unlimited talk text and 5G data with no contract or credit check required. Learn more at studentsims.com.

More Information

Visit the iNewStudent Website!

This comprehensive site is designed just for new international students to help you understand the different steps you need to follow before you arrive! Go to iNewStudent.ucsd.edu now!

Contacting ISPO

Our friendly and knowledgeable ISPO Staff are here and ready to help you!

Email: iNewStudent@ucsd.edu
Contact Form: iContact.ucsd.edu
Zoom Virtual Advising: iContact.ucsd.edu

WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER?

You have been identified as an F-1 or J-1 International Student. To ensure you receive important regulatory information to maintain your immigration status while studying at UC San Diego, you have been automatically added to this newsletter to receive updates. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by clicking 'Unsubscribe...." at the bottom of this email block. If you are NOT in F1 or J1 status and believe you have been subscribed in error, please email iStudents@ucsd.edu.