Orientation

Students

We provide new degree and non-degree students—at the graduate and undergraduate levels—the opportunity to learn how to best transition to the U.S. and the BU community. These mandatory sessions feature an introduction to ISSO services and include critical visa and immigration information, as well as important tips on cultural adjustment, the American classroom, and health.

Undergraduate

ISSO’s International Student Advising team participates in Boston University Orientation to offer a program tailored for international students.

International freshman, MET International undergraduate students, and Exchange–XRG students, are encouraged to register through the Orientation office.

Graduate

The ISSO offers an orientation session to graduate degree students.

Spring 2016 ISSO INTERNATIONAL
GRADUATE STUDENT ORIENTATION
will be held on:

Friday, January 22, 2016, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
BU Photonics Center, 8 St. Mary’s Street

During this orientation session, advising staff from the International Students & Scholars Office will cover topics including Cultural Adjustment, Immigration and Employment.

J-1 Exchange Visitors (Categories: Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Student Intern, Specialist)

All BU sponsored J-1 Scholars are required by U.S. Department of State regulations to report to the ISSO and attend a New Scholar Orientation upon arrival in the U.S.

The ISSO offers two New J-1 Scholar Orientation/Check-in sessions weekly:

Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. Charles River Campus, ISSO
888 Commonwealth Avenue, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02215
Thursdays 11:00 a.m. Medical Campus, Human Resources office
801 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02118

J-1 Scholars may attend orientation at either location and no registration is required. We recommend arriving 10 to 15 minutes early in order to complete any necessary paperwork.

Please bring:

The Orientation session usually lasts between one hour to two hours, so please plan accordingly.  We will cover the following topics:

                  • Your Immigration rights and responsibilities as a J-1 scholar
                  • Mandatory health insurance coverage
                  • Obtaining BU identification card and email
                  • Travel within and outside of the US during your J-1 program
                  • Getting settled at BU (Terrier card, email account, etc.)
                  • Dependent spouses and children
                  • Arrival and adjustment to the Boston area

If you will be paid by BU, we will also the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification and discuss the procedure for obtaining a Social Security Number.

Scholars should attend orientation as soon as possible after entering the U.S. and no later than 30 days after the start date specified on their Form DS-2019.

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