Frosh Orientation

International Student Orientation (ISO) is a three-day in-person program that helps connect new international first-year students to UC Santa Cruz. You will have an opportunity to meet other international students, learn about resources on campus for your success, and establish connections early on before the beginning of fall quarter.

ISO is required for all new, incoming international students in F-1 or J-1 status. Students who consider themselves international but are not in F-1 or J-1 status are also welcome to register, though it is not mandatory.

Please RSVP Soon!

Program Schedule (View as PDF)

Monday, September 12 - On-Campus Housing Move-In & ISO Day One

• On-Campus Move-In Day | All Day
  • Check-In with your Global Leader between 14:00 - 17:00 at our orientation table
    • Cowell/Stevenson - Cowell Courtyard
    • Crown/Merrill - Merrill Plaza
    • College 9/John R Lewis - College 9 Circle
    • Porter/Kresge - Between Kresge J & K Buildings (Near “I” Lounge)
    • Oakes - Outside Oakes Housing Office (above Oakes Cafe)
    • Rachel Carson - Red Room Plaza
• Welcome Reception * | 18:00 - 20:00 at Humanities 1-210

Tuesday, September 13 - ISO Day Two

• Community Building & Campus Tour | 9:00 - 12:00
  • Meet your Global Leader at your residential colleges
    
    • Cowell/Stevenson - Cowell Courtyard
    • Crown/Merrill - Merrill Plaza
    • College 9/John R Lewis - College 9 Circle
    • Porter/Kresge - Outside “I Lounge” Building
    • Oakes/Rachel Carson - Squiggle
• Lunch (provided) | 12:00 - 13:00 outside Classroom Unit 1
• Main Session 1 | 13:30 - 15:00 at Classroom Unit 1
  • Welcome Address from our Vice Provost of the Division of Global Engagement
  • Immigration Session from ISSS on maintaining your status
  • Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS)
• Meet-Your-RA Session | 19:00 onward (19:30)
  • Please see your Global Leader for more information
    • Cowell/Stevenson - (See Global Leader)
    • Crown/Merrill - Charles E. Merrill Lounge (19:30)
    • College 9/John R Lewis - International Living Center (ILC) Quad (19:30)
    • Porter/Kresge - Hitchcock Lounge (19:00)
    • Oakes - Oakes Learning Center (19:00)
    • Rachel Carson - Rachel Carson Red Room (19:00)
    •  
• Family Orientation 

Wednesday, September 14 - ISO Day Three

Bring your I-20 and passport for visa check-in later today

• Culture Sessions | 9:00 - 10:20
  • Review U.S. classroom culture norms and intercultural communication strategies
  • Locations vary. Please see your Global Leader or check our website for the latest information
• Main Session 2 | 10:45 - 12:45 at Classroom Unit 1
  • Student Health Center
  • Campus Safety
  • Academic Integrity
  • Student Business Services
• Lunch (provided) | 12:45 - 13:30 outside Classroom Unit 1
• Visa Check-In/Popsicles Social/Resource Fair | 13:30 - 15:00 at Classroom Unit
  • Check-in time varies. Please see your Global Leader.
• Shopping Shuttles to Target * | 15:00 - 18:00, meet at Quarry Plaza
• Orientation Activities with Global Leaders * | 19:00 - 20:00
  • Game Night at Cowell Conference Room 132
  • Night Hike, meet at Quarry Plaza

Thursday, September 15 - ISO Day four

• Orientation Activities with Global Leaders *
  • Downtown & Boardwalk Tour | 10:00 - 15:00, meet at Quarry Plaza
  • Karaoke Night | 19:00 - 20:00 at Cowell Conference Room 132

Costs

• $400 program fee, posted to your student account in fall quarter

• $98.79 Early Arrival housing fee, if you are living on campus

  • Does not apply to students living off-campus