The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) is so excited to welcome you to UC San Diego!

As a newly admitted international student, you are required to attend New International Student Orientation on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 12pm PDT.  This live, virtual orientation is designed to help orient you to the UC San Diego campus community, inform you of your F-1 Rights & Responsibilities, and give you an opportunity to ask questions directly to an ISPO advisor! 

Steps to register: 

• Complete the iTriton Online Training by January 4, 2023.
• This is needed to participate in orientation on January 12!
• Go to this website and register for the January 12, 2023 session

To help guide you through the adventure ahead, we have created an online training that will map out your journey as an international student here at UC San Diego. We have arranged the modules in the order you may encounter them during your program. 

All new Winter 2023 students are required to complete this training. You will need this information in order to participate in the Winter 2023 New International Student Orientation!  

NOTE: Modules 1-6 must be completed by Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Module 7 can only be completed once students arrive to the U.S. to begin their program. Once you have physically arrived in the U.S. to begin your program of study, you need to complete Module 7 within 10 days. 

If you have any questions about the iTriton Online Training, please email iprograms@ucsd.edu.  

ISPO has created a checklist for you to make sure you have everything you need to travel to the U.S. this winter:



• Look at your Form DS-2019 and ensure you are entering no more than 30 days prior to the start date listed
• Pay your required SEVIS fee (this is different from your visa fee!)
• Confirm housing arrangements (NOTE: On-campus housing for undergraduates is not available for move-in until January 7, 2023. Graduate students may check with Graduate and Family Housing on move-in date availability.)
• Apply for your UC San Diego Student ID Card online NOW and pick it up when you arrive
• Arrange transportation to San Diego/campus
• Gather all documents needed for entry

If you have questions or concerns, contact ISPO at icontact.ucsd.edu.

ISPO will be closed for the winter break beginning at noon on Thursday, December 22, 2022. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Our regular business hours can be viewed here.

All UC San Diego campus offices will officially close for seven days between Friday, December 23, 2022 and Monday, January 2, 2023. 

Solana Beach Host Families Program



Would you like to be matched with an American family who volunteers to help newly-arriving international students at no cost? The Solana Beach Host Family Program has been making this possible for 16 years. 

Fill out the application here

ISPO has created a "Welcome Guide" with checklist items for new students as well as a "Surf Check: Coming to UC San Diego Guide" filled with tips and tricks created for students by students to help begin your journey here to UC San Diego. Curious about things like what to pack, where to eat on campus, and how to get involved in student life? Our guides cover all of this and more! Check them out here.

ISPO will be hosting in-person events to welcome our new and continuing students to campus as we begin Winter quarter. Check out iEvents Calendar for all of our upcoming events. Registration now open!

Grad Pal Mixer & Coffee Hour

Wed, January 11, 9-11am

ISPO Eucalyptus Grove

Attention all graduate students! We are excited to invite you to the Grad Pals Mixer & Coffee Hour! If you are a new student looking to make friends and lasting connections, or a continuing student eager to get to know others in your program, join us at the Grad Pals Mixer! Enjoy yummy pastries, coffee, and a whole lot of fun! Don’t miss the chance to learn about each other’s cultures and make lasting connections.

Intercultural Social Hour -

EAP Spotlight!

Thurs, January 12, 2-3pm

ISPO Eucalyptus Grove

At Intercultural Social Hour, you can hang out, relax, and play games while meeting new people in a fun environment! This Intercultural Social Hour will have a special spotlight on our EAP students joining us in Winter Quarter! Intercultural Social Hour is hosted by our International Peer Coaches (IPCs). Light refreshments will be provided!

ISPO Coffee Hour

Wed, January 18, 10-11am

ISPO Eucalyptus Grove

Come over and enjoy a cup of coffee and a morning pastry while meeting ISPO staff and your fellow international students! Join us for fun activities and build connections that expand across the globe.

We encourage students to vaccinate against COVID-19 early and remain updated on their boosters before coming to campus. Students must confirm their vaccination information in MyStudentChart before January 3, 2023, or their first day of instruction. The University will close the walk-up vaccine clinic at Rimac Gym on December 16, 2022. Please plan accordingly. During the Winter Quarter, students may continue to access vaccines through UCSD’s Drive-Up vaccine sites or by appointment with UCSD Health. Please visit Return to Learn’s Vaccination Availability webpage for more information.

Students that have not confirmed completion of the primary vaccination series by January 3 may be referred to the student conduct process and have a registration hold placed on their student account in February, which prevents Spring Quarter 2023 enrollment. Please be advised many student benefits, such as campus housing, student visas, or other benefits, require students to be in good standing and maintain full-time enrollment status.

 Students that cannot access an approved vaccine until they arrive on campus (e.g., currently out of the country, family not supportive, etc.) should contact studentcovidcompliance@ucsd.edu.

For questions about immunizations unrelated to COVID, see Health Requirements for Students 2022-2023 for more information.

• What does “Fully Vaccinated” mean at UC San Diego? See Return to Learn’s Compliance webpage under Vaccination Status Definitions.
• Unsure which vaccines you can take or when? Please review Return to Learn’s Vaccine Booster Information under Vaccine Booster for Students.
• Please see the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Advice under Getting Vaccinated for information about WHO-approved vaccines and booster eligibility.

Update Personal Information on TritonLink 

Information in your iPortal account comes from TritonLink. You can update your information in TritonLink by following these steps:

1. Log into TritonLink 
2. Under "Toolbox" --> "Personal Tools", click "Addresses" or “Social Identities”. 
3. Click the "Mailing Address" tab. 
4. Click the Change button for the Current Address or Permanent Address. 
5. Type your new address (see below for on-campus addresses), and save these changes 

Billing Assistance 

Please refer to Student Financial Solutions for relevant Billing Due Dates. Please contact Student Financial Solutions with any billing questions.

iPortal Technical Issues 

If you are experience issues with iPortal, please email iportal@ucsd.edu with the following information:   

• Your Name  
• PID  
• Short description of the issue  
• Internet Browser that you are using   
• Screenshots of error page and the error message (if you receive an error message)   

Health Insurance Plans and Immunizations 

Learn more about international student health insurance here. Questions? Please contact Student Health Services (SHS) via email or by phone. 

Assistance Signing into My TritonLink 

Please follow these instructions on how to obtain your PID (student identification) or reset your password.  

If you have additional questions, please complete the Winter Orientation Questions Google Form.