Greetings from the Office of International Affairs 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 will continue to be open in the new year, and classes will take place through a mix of in-person, online and blended teaching during Spring 2021. All classes will be delivered virtually from January 11-22. 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.

Over the last few months we sent you weekly emails to help you plan for your arrival to Ohio State. 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.

Consider some of these academic and social opportunities once you arrive on campus. Please note that due to COVID-19, most events will continue to be held virtually.

Participate in Global Engagement Events

The Global Engagement team oversees all orientation and social programs both before the semester begins and during the academic year. Throughout the year, a Global Engagement newsletter is emailed to all interested students on a weekly basis. Sign up to receive the newsletter.

Starting January 4, you will have the opportunity to attend online information sessions and social programming via CarmenZoom. A full schedule of live virtual programming, including instructions for registering and links to CarmenZoom sessions, will be available in your virtual orientation's calendar.

The Ohio State Global Events app features events and resources for domestic and international students to help you plan and enhance your experience at Ohio State. Features include:

• Full schedule of virtual upcoming events
• Live updates of any last-minute changes
• Opportunities to be globally engaged at Ohio State through the Office of International Affairs

Join the New Ohio State International Students - 2020 Facebook group using your Ohio State email. The group will post about events happening during orientation, and you can meet and chat with your fellow new Buckeyes!

The Global Engagement team oversees all orientation and social programs both before the semester begins and during the academic year. There are a couple engagement opportunities this month:

• Meet & Mindfulness – every Wednesday, 6 p.m. EST
• Virtual International Film Series – December 17, 7 p.m. EST
• Virtual Holiday Films (screenings will be at 4 p.m. EST):
  • December 22 – A Christmas Story
  • December 23 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • December 29 – Home Alone
  • December 31 – New Year’s Eve
  • January 4 – Frozen

• Safe and Healthy Buckeyes
• Pre-Arrival FAQ
• Global Engagement
• Office of International Affairs Facebook
• Global Engagement Facebook
• Ohio State International Affairs Twitter
• OSUGlobal Instagram