International Students

Pre–Arrival Guide for New International Students

The information provided below was prepared by the University Office of Global Programs (UOGP). Our goal is to provide you with information and resources that you may find helpful as you finalize your preparations for coming to Penn State.

The Directorate of International Student and Scholar Advising (DISSA) works with international students throughout their academic careers, from admission to graduation by providing services in the areas of: pre-arrival immigration documents, immigration advising, pre-arrival advising, general advising (including cultural and social advising), and administration of grants and loans for international students.

Student Visa

Arrival and Document Check-In

What to Expect at U.S. Port of Entry

SEVIS Registration

New international students should have an appointment to visit the Directorate of International Student Advising (DISA) in 410 Boucke. Other new students should contact DISA for an appointment to process SEVIS registration. Students who do not visit DISA within the first 30 days of the arrival date on the I-20 or DS-2019 risk losing their valid status in the U.S.

Academic Registration

US immigration regulations require that F-1 and J-1 students maintain full-time status every fall and spring semesters. Students admitted in summer must be full time in summer in the first year of attendance (see an international student adviser for further explanation). Full-time enrollment for undergraduate students is a minimum of 12 credits; full-time enrollment for graduate students is a minimum of 9 credits. The scheduling of classes and the number of credits will be determined after consulting with an academic adviser. Students are not in registered status until they pay their semester bills including on-campus room/board. DISA must register all international students in SEVIS within 30 days of the arrival date on the I-20 or DS-2019; registration in SEVIS occurs only after registration at Penn State.

Graduate and Research Assistants

Mandatory Health Insurance and Immunization Requirements

Orientation

University Park Campus

Every semester, UOGP provides a comprehensive International Student Orientation Program. The orientation program typically covers necessary procedures for registration, employment, paying bills, as well as other regulatory and academic matters. The International Student Orientation Program is also the perfect time to make new friends and discover more about Penn State and the surrounding community. Social and cultural activities are held throughout the program. If you have questions, contact the Program Coordinator in the Directorate of Global Engagement within UOGP, at or learn more on the Orientation Blog.

Part of the UOGP International Student Orientation is the mandatory document check-in process for all international students. It is important that you complete the document check-in process with DISSA in 410 Boucke Building within 30 days of the start date on your I-20/DS-2019. SEVIS will automatically terminate any exchange visitor whose program is not validated within 30 days. If your arrival is delayed, it is important to contact DISSA at as soon as possible so that your arrival date can be deferred in SEVIS.

New Student Orientation (NSO) will help first-year/freshman students to develop educational goals, become familiar with campus resources and schedule courses to put your academic plan into action. NSO involves the following:

  • Online Educational Planning Survey
  • Online Placement Testing
  • Orientation and Academic Advising Sessions (held at your campus location)

Orientation Penn State is a University-wide orientation program designed to introduce ALL new students to the Penn State University Park Campus. The Undergraduate Preface link connects to the Undergraduate Information Network (UPort); which provides a host of information and resources for new undergraduate students.

Non–University Park Campuses

Details regarding International Student Orientations at Non–University Park Campuses - view this convenient guide. Please contact the international student representative at your campus for additional information.

It is important that you complete the document check-in process with the international student representative at your campus before the 30th day after the start date on your I-20/DS-2019. SEVIS will automatically terminate any exchange visitor whose program is not validated within 30 days. If your arrival is delayed, it is important to contact DISA at as soon as possible so that your arrival date can be deferred in SEVIS.

Housing

University Park Campus

  1. On/Off Campus Housing
  2. Local Hotels/Motels

Non–University Park Campuses

Students who are enrolled at other Penn State campuses can find housing information on their campus website or by contacting the international student representative at your campus.

Directions

University Park Campus

Bus

Train

The U.S. train system, Amtrak, stops nearest to State College at Lewistown, approximately 30 miles to the east, and Altoona, some 45 miles to the southwest, with two trains arriving from the east and the west each day. Of the two, Altoona is the best if you will be transferring to the bus; Lewistown is closer if someone with a car will be meeting your train. Harrisburg is also a good connection point since the train and bus stations are in the same location. For more information, visit the Amtrak’s website.

After Arriving

During fall and spring orientation, UOGP provides free van service from the University Park Airport and the State College bus terminal to the University. For students arriving for summer sessions or at times other than those specified for orientation, transportation to the University: Taxi Services.

Non–University Park Campuses

Students who are enrolled at other Penn State campuses can locate additional information on their campus website or by contacting the international student representative at your campus.

Financial Information

Students who are enrolled at other Penn State campuses can locate additional information on their campus website or by contacting the international student representative at your campus.

Academic Advising

Driver’s License in Pennsylvania

If you intend to drive in Pennsylvania, you should know that you cannot get a Pennsylvania driver’s license if you have less than one year remaining on your I-20/DS-2019 at the time of application. If you will be in the U.S. for less than one year, you can drive for up to one year if you have a valid foreign driver's license and an international driving permit. You must obtain the international permit before leaving your country. Find out where in your country to obtain an International Driver’s Permit: http://www.drivers.com/article/207/.

Climate

The Pennsylvania Climate is typical of a temperate zone, with marked seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation. Within each season, the weather may be quite changeable. The following are general averages for the University Park Campus. You may wish to contact the international student representative at your campus for more specific information. The following, however should serve as general guidelines for all campuses.

  • Fall (mid–September – November): Days are often warm and sunny, nights are cool; temperatures range from 60°F (15°C) in the daytime to 32°F(0°C) at night.
  • Winter (December – March): Continuously cold weather with an occasional mild day; temperatures of about 32°F (0°C) to below 0°F (-20°C); snow sometimes deep is possible anytime.
  • Spring (April – May): Increasingly warm, sunny days; cool nights; temperatures sometimes reach 60°F (15°C) to 80°F (27°C); frequent thundershowers.
  • Summer (June – mid–September): Temperatures average from 70°F (25°C) to 90°F (35°C), with medium to occasionally high humidity.

Clothing and What to Bring

Due to the range in seasonal temperatures, you will need clothing suitable for both the hot, humid summers and the cold, snowy winters, as well as some transitional clothing for the spring and fall seasons.

While Penn State students usually dress quite casually, you may want to bring along a business suit or appropriate dress for job interviews, internships or other similar occasions.

You will need some sort of rain protection and in addition to extra layers of clothing, a heavy overcoat, hat, gloves and warm boots are essential for the winter.

Mail and Shipping Personal Belongings

University Park Campus

If mail (not luggage, boxes or packages) needs to be sent to the University prior to your arrival, you can have it sent in care of: University Office of Global Programs; 410 Boucke Building; University Park, PA, 16802, USA. UOGP will hold mail for your arrival. Please be sure to change your address as soon as you have a residence; UOGP cannot assume responsibility for security of mail.

You can use a local shipping agent in your own country to ship luggage from overseas. Whether shipping by surface/sea freight or airfreight, the agent you choose should be able to provide you with information about costs, conditions, and scheduling. Regardless of how your belongings are sent, they will have to clear U.S. customs at an authorized U.S. port of entry. You need not be present to have your personal belongings cleared; there are brokerage firms that will manage this for you – check with your shipping agent about costs and conditions.

Customs’ declaration forms for your signature will be provided by the broker. You should arrange to have your luggage forwarded from the port of entry to the University by a trucking firm. These items should be scheduled to arrive at the University shortly after your move in date as our office does not have the space or security to store such items.

Non–University Park Campuses

Contact the international student representative at your campus to find out how mail should be addressed to reach you after your arrival on campus. If you wish to ship luggage from overseas, you should obtain information about rates and time for shipping, whether by surface/sea freight or airfreight, from a local agent in your own country. Regardless of how your belongings are sent, they will have to clear U.S. customs at their port of entry. You need not be present to have your personal belongings cleared; there are brokerage firms that will manage this for you—check with your shipping agent about costs and conditions. Customs’ declaration forms for your signature will be provided by the broker. Your luggage will be forwarded from its port of entry to the University by a trucking firm.

Child Care

University Park Campus

There are many factors international students consider when deciding whether to have family accompany them to a university in the United States. If both adults are going to be students or otherwise occupied, child care is an important consideration. Penn State offers quality day care opportunities, but the cost is high, and there are long waiting lists to enroll children. More information can be found at http://ohr.psu.edu/work-life/your-family/child-care-centers-at-various-campuses.

There are many daycare facilities in the surrounding community as well; all meet government standards of care, but they are of varying size and child care practices. Costs vary but are uniformly high. This website contains information on child care available in the State College area: http://www.statecollege.com/business/directory.php?cat_id=78&Index=D.

Non–University Park Campuses

There are many factors international students consider when deciding whether to have family accompany them to a university in the United States. If both adults are going to be students or otherwise occupied, child care is an important consideration. Penn State offers quality day care opportunities, but the cost is high, and there are long waiting lists to enroll children. More information can be found at http://ohr.psu.edu/work-life/your-family/child-care-centers-at-various-campuses.

Intensive English Communication Program (IECP) University Park

If you have been admitted to the IECP, you are eligible for many of the same services as students who are admitted to academic programs. These services include, for example, participation in new international student orientation, access to the University Health Services, and the option to live on-campus or off-campus. If you choose to live on-campus, be sure to mail in your signed housing contract with the required deposit.

It is important that you are aware of the following: You must be enrolled full-time in IECP until you reach English language proficiency. Enrollment in IECP does not guarantee admission to Penn State. Application must be made to the appropriate admissions office (under¬graduate or graduate).

Because of the intensive nature of the IECP, eligible students should not anticipate working on campus while they are enrolled.

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