The International Student Orientation program (ISO) is designed to help you get to know other students, learn more about the campus, and ease your transition to UC Santa Cruz, with a focus on international student challenges and intercultural adjustment. During orientation, you will meet Global Engagement staff, connect with our Global Leaders (continuing undergraduate students), and learn about campus resources to support your studies and success as a UCSC Banana Slug.
ISO takes place on the UCSC main campus and is required for all new, incoming international students in F-1 or J-1 status. More information on preparing you for your arrival at UCSC can be found in the “Pre-Arrival Orientation” found in iGlobal.
Students who consider themselves international but are not in F-1/J-1 status are also welcome to register and attend.
Orientation Programs
- International Student Orientation (Frosh)
- International Family Orientation
- International Transfer/Exchange Orientation
- Graduate Student Orientation
International Student Orientation (Frosh)
We look forward to welcoming our brand new class of incoming students! Frosh are first-year, degree-seeking bachelor’s level students beginning their university studies for the first time at UCSC (regardless of whether they attended high school in the U.S.). International Student Orientation is required for all incoming international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa. Frosh that are not on an F-1 or J-1 visa are welcome to register and participate in this orientation.
Program At-A-Glance
A full schedule will be published a few weeks before orientation.
Monday, September 16 (Day 1)
- On-campus housing move-in
- Meet your Global Leader
- Welcome Reception for New International Frosh (evening)
Tuesday, September 17 (Day 2)
- Global Leader Community Building
- Campus Tour
- Lunch
- Main Session and Welcome
- Resource Fair
- Meet-Your-RA Meeting
- Optional: Shopping Trip to Capitola Mall
- Optional: International Family Orientation (see below)
Wednesday, September 18 (Day 3)
Please have your I-20 / DS-2019 and passport with you on this day for the visa check-in in the afternoon.
- Main Session
- Culture Sessions
- Lunch
- Closing Session
- Visa Check-In
- Optional: Global Leader Activities
Optional: Thursday, September 19 (Day 4)
- Global Leader Activities
Costs
- $400 program fee, posted to your student account in fall quarter
- As participation in ISO is mandatory, all incoming students will be charged the International Student Orientation fee
- $140.16 Early Arrival Housing fee, if you are living on campus
International Family Orientation
We extend a warm welcome to all our parents, guardians, and family members of our new international students. Welcome to UC Santa Cruz!
International Family Orientation is a one-day, in-person program that takes place during the International Student Orientation (Frosh). We invite you to join us to learn more about what the UC Santa Cruz experience is like and to meet university staff. There is no additional cost to participate in the Family Orientation.
Program At-A-Glance
Tuesday, September 17 from 10:00 – 16:00 (time subject to change)
- Global Engagement Welcome
- UCSC Academics Overview
- Campus Resources including health and safety and business services
- Family Luncheon
- Campus Tour
- Resource Fair
Parking Information
- Purchase a $10 day A permit at the kiosk at the base of campus (High Street and Bay Drive)
- Map of Parking: https://taps.ucsc.edu/pdf/parking-map.pdf
Reminders for Family Members
- Your student’s orientation on Tuesday, September 17 will be held separately. They will be busy during the family orientation.
- Your student will start their day on Tuesday, September 17 at 9:00 with some community-building activities with the Global Leaders, followed by a campus tour and lunch with their peers and an information session on topics such as immigration and transportation.
- You will meet back with your student at the Resource Fair.
International Transfer & Exchange Orientation
We look forward to welcoming our brand new class of incoming students! Transfer students have previously attended another U.S. institution of higher education and are transferring to UCSC to continue their university studies. Exchange students are here on a short-term exchange for 1-3 quarters.
Program At-A-Glance
A full schedule will be published a few weeks prior to orientation.
Thursday, September 19
- On-campus housing move-in
Friday, September 20 from 9:00 – 15:00 (time subject to change)
- Global Engagement Welcome
- Main Session including immigration overview and campus resources
- Lunch
- Campus Tour
- Optional: Shopping Trip to Capitola Mall
Airport Rideshare Coordinating Request
Are you interested in seeking a fellow travel companion to UCSC after arriving at the airport? Complete the request form above and we’ll connect you with fellow transfer or exchange students with similar arrival dates and times.
Costs
- $100 program fee, posted to your student account in fall quarter
- As participation in ISO is mandatory, all incoming transfer and exchange students will be charged the International Student Orientation fee
- Early Arrival Housing, if you register to move in earlier than Thursday, September 19
Graduate Student Orientation
Global Engagement will give a presentation to newly admitted international graduate students online as part of the Graduate Student Orientation. This session is mandatory for all new F-1 and J-1 graduate students and will take place on Wednesday, September 25 in the morning. More information about Graduate Student Orientation can be found on the Division of Graduate Studies website.