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

Dear Grace,


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. 

Register for these Mandatory Orientation Sessions

ISPO is excited to welcome you to UC San Diego! As a newly admitted international student, you are required to attend New International Student Orientation (or iOrientation), in addition to any of your college or department orientations.


  • Register for Mandatory Orientation Sessions - September 7-9, 2022
  • Mandatory Sessions include: 
  • "Meet ISPO & Understand Your Immigration Documents"
  • "Know the Rules for F-1 Students" OR "Know the Rules for J-1 Students"
  • "Working as an International Student - Grad" OR "Working as an International Student - Undergrad"
  • All mandatory sessions are up and open for registration. Remember to scroll down to register!


Questions? Email iprograms@ucsd.edu 
Register Now
 
 

Start Registering for iOrientation Sessions & Events!

ISPO is excited to welcome you to UC San Diego! As a newly admitted international student, you are required to attend New International Student Orientation (or iOrientation), in addition to any of your college or department orientations.


There are 3 parts to iOrientation:

  • 1. Complete iTriton by September 6, 2022
  • 2. Register for Mandatory Orientation Sessions - September 7-9, 2022
  • Mandatory Sessions include: 
  • "Meet ISPO & Understand Your Immigration Documents"
  • "Know the Rules for F-1 Students" OR "Know the Rules for J-1 Students"
  • "Working as an International Student - Grad" OR "Working as an International Student - Undergrad"
  • All mandatory sessions are up and open for registration. Register Now. 
  • 3. Register for International Orientation Welcome Programming - September 10-25, 2022
  • Welcome programming will be take place in-person and virtually and attendance is strongly recommended. Welcome programming includes our workshops and social events! 
  • Did you know that all iOrientation Workshops are eligible for GET CCR credit? That's right! Get involved and get credit for it! Learn more about GET CCR here.
  • Check out our iOrientation Events like Coffee Hour, the International Mixer, and more! 


Questions? Email iprograms@ucsd.edu 
REGISTER NOW

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 10 days of your arrival!
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International Fashion Show: Pack Your Best Runway-Ready Outfit!

ISPO is excited to once again offer fun and engaging in-person activities that celebrate our international student population. One event is the very popular international fashion show for International Education Week in November. The fashion show is open to all international students who want to model traditional apparel from their country, region or culture. If you think that you would be interested in participating in this or other similar events, we encourage you to make some space in your luggage for traditional garments or clothing! Questions? Email iprograms@ucsd.edu


We also encourage you to check out these articles with recommendations on what to pack and what you can get for free after you arrive! 

Information on Visa Appointment Availability

The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday, July 27 that all consular offices worldwide are prioritizing student visa appointments over all other types of visas. If you are still trying to obtain a visa appointment to start your fall quarter, ISPO advises the following per State Department guidance: 

 

  1. Student visa applicants should accept the first available visa appointment, regardless of how far out the appointment is scheduled. 
  2. After the appointment has been confirmed, the applicant should contact the Consulate where they made their appointment to request an expedited appointment as an F-1 or J-1 applicant. Each consular office has their own process and procedure for requesting an expedited appointment – in some cases this can be done online and in other cases the student will need to e-mail the Consulate. These instructions may be found on their appointment confirmation or may be found on the Consular Office’s website. Following a request to expedite an appointment, the appointment should be rescheduled within 30 days. 

Chinese Global Community Airport Pickup Program: Sept. 14-18

The Chinese Global Community (CGC) student organization at UC San Diego will offer an airport pick-up program to all UC San Diego students before the fall quarter starts. We have arranged services at both LAX (Los Angles) and SAN (San Diego) airports to the UC San Diego La Jolla campus to accommodate all needs. Transportation by commercial vans, buses and private vehicles are offered to ensure that most needs are met. Furthermore, our LAX bus service is FREE for everyone who signs up. If you have any questions, contact Michael Zhang at mezhang@ucsd.edu. 


*Please note this service is not endorsed by UC San Diego or the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO), but it is a resource students may find helpful.  

Check Out Our ISPO Guides!

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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
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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: Don'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!  

 
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.
UC San Diego - ISPO | 9500 Gilman Drive, #0018, 9500 Gilman Drive, #0018,
 La Jolla, CA 92093-0048
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