Pre-Arrival Information - Autumn Semester 2021 at Ohio State

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

International Student
Check-In and Orientation

Autumn 2021

Dear Future Student

Greetings from the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at The Ohio State University. While information surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, please know that our highest priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. We are monitoring the global outbreak and are taking appropriate steps to ensure the well-being of the campus community.

Ohio State is preparing to offer significantly more in-person classes and robust in-person experiences autumn semester. All decisions will be made in partnership with and approval of local, state and federal health authorities. Learn more about the university’s plan for the 2021-2021 academic year.

The Office of International Affairs will conduct International Student Orientation and Mandatory Immigration Check-In virtually. International Student Orientation and Mandatory Immigration Check-In are two separate processes, and students are required to complete both.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been adjustments by the Student and Visitor Exchange Program (SEVP) to the online credit maximum to allow for more flexibility. These adjustments will continue for the 2021-22 academic year.

Visit our Autumn 2021 Updates page for more information.

The Office of International Affairs encourages all students to arrive 2-3 weeks before the start of classes on August 24 in order to complete Mandatory Orientation and Immigration Check-In. We know students may face issues securing visa appointments as U.S. consulates work through significant backlogs, but it's important that students continue to try and schedule a visa appointment as soon as possible. We understand that this is a challenging time, but please know that the Office of International Affairs is here to assist you in any way possible.

Over the next few months we will send you weekly emails to help you plan for beginning your academic journey at Ohio State.

These emails are designed to:

Address the most important topics for incoming international students.
Prepare students for the transition to campus.
Introduce future Ohio State Buckeyes to what awaits them on campus!

We look forward to sending you more detailed information in our upcoming pre-arrival emails. In the meantime, please explore our website and answers to frequently asked questions, and you are always welcome to email us at iss@osu.edu.

Learn More

International students who arrive in the United States are required to attend Mandatory Immigration Check-in to complete your enrollment requirements. Mandatory Immigration Check-In is a separate process from Orientation. You will complete your Mandatory Immigration Check-In, after arriving in the United States.

You will register for a 30-minute immigration check-in virtual appointment. Appointments will take place from place August 2-23. Registration is now open. When registering, make sure to scroll the calendar forward to August to see available times, and remember, appointment times are in Eastern Time (EDT).

At the moment, we ask that you only register for an appointment if you have:

A valid visa or
A confirmed visa appointment with an embassy or consulate before August 24

We want to minimize the number of canceled immigration check-in appointments and allow students that have the required documents to find available appointments. Canadian students do not need a visa to make an appointment.

During your appointment, an immigration check-in staff member will assist you with reviewing your student record form and the uploaded copies of your immigration documents. They will also answer any questions you may have and discuss next steps before classes begin.

In order to make the process go smoother, please read through the directions and complete the Student Record eForm in advance. You will input your local address and emergency contact information through the eForm. If you have access to a scanner or camera phone, you can also upload your immigration documents.

Once you have filled your information, please save the student record form as a draft and an immigration check-in staff member will review the documents for accuracy with you before its official submission.

You will need to have the following documents uploaded BEFORE your immigration check-in appointment:

Current Passport
Current U.S. Visa
I-94 card (Print a copy at cbp.gov/i94)
Ohio State Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 (Note: if you have an active immigration record that is being transferred from another institution in the U.S. to Ohio State, please bring your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 from your previous school.)
Form I-20(s) or Form DS-2019(s) of your dependents (spouse and children), if applicable

Reach out to iss@osu.edu with any questions.

International Student Orientation

On July 21, you will be automatically enrolled to complete your self-guided International Student Orientation. Orientation will take place virtually through CarmenCanvas, Ohio State’s online learning management system. Please note:

You DO NOT have to register since you will be automatically enrolled. You will receive an enrollment confirmation email along with instructions through your Buckeyemail account on July 21.
Orientation is mandatory and you should complete your self-guided orientation by August 2. The Office of International Affairs will be automatically notified of your completion.

Orientation ia a separate process from Mandatory Immigration Check-In and will consist of a series of pre-recorded presentations and videos aimed at introducing you to Ohio State, providing important information and helping you become familiar with available resources. Through self-guided modules, you will learn about:

Maintaining your immigration status
Academic requirements and success strategies
Life on campus and outside the classroom
Health insurance and screening requirements
Campus health and safety
Housing and dining services

You will also have the opportunity to attend online information sessions and social programming. These programs will be hosted virtually and in-person (as safety guidelines permit) by the Office of International Affairs. A full schedule of events, including instructions for registering and links to CarmenZoom sessions, will be available in your virtual orientation's calendar.

Please email global-engagement@osu.edu with any orientation questions.

For help accessing CarmenCanvas, refer to the Get Started Guide. When orientation opens, if you have problems accessing CarmenCanvas, contact the OCIO Help Desk at ServiceDesk@osu.edu or call 614-688-4357 (HELP).

Consider Taking ESEPSY: Academic Success Strategies for International Students

This course was developed in partnership with the Dennis Learning Center, and is this 2-credit, 7-week course aimed at supporting the adjustment to U.S. academic culture and helping international students thrive at Ohio State.

The course aims to increase students’ confidence using a variety of academic strategies and students’ understanding of why certain behaviors and skills are emphasized in U.S. academic culture.

First Seven-Week Session – Begins August 24
ESEPSY 2060 | Class #8855
Class # 8855 | TuTh 9:35 am – 10:55 am ET (online)

Second Seven-Week Session – Begins October 18
ESEPSY 2060 | Class # 8836
TuTh 11:10 am – 12:30 pm ET (online)

Why you should register:

This is a low-stress course, a big component of which is to help you manage your time for your other courses’ assignments
Small class size (12-15 students), allowing for close teacher-to-student and student-to-student interaction and relationship-building
Supportive environment, perfect for honing class participation and presentation skills
Great to add if you need to drop another course this semester that would put you below full time enrollment

Additional Resources

Visit our website to review information from previous emails and/or answers to frequently asked questions. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact iss@osu.edu.

Please allow us to join the other offices on campus in congratulating you on your acceptance to The Ohio State University.

Kind regards,
Office of International Affairs

2009 Millikin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210

oia@osu.edu

osu.edu

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