WEEKLY UPDATE – Jan. 20

Our office is happy to welcome you back for the spring 2025 semester! We hope that your winter break was restful and restorative and that you feel ready to resume your studies. If you are joining USF as a new student this spring, we are excited for your first semester here! As you get settled and begin your courses, we want to update you about our services and remind you of upcoming deadlines. 

Students can access ISSS services in person and online. Our front desk, located at the University Center (fifth floor) is open Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Please note that most requests should be submitted via our online portal, MyISSS, and once processed, documents can be downloaded from MyISSS. For help navigating MyISSS, check out the MyISSS Student Handbook. Our processing time for all requests is 10 business days. 

Remember that you can connect with us via email, reach us by phone at (415) 422-2654, chat with a team member on our website, or schedule an appointment with your ISSS adviser. Check out the calendar on our ISSS homepage listing ISSS events and programs!

Immunization Requirement Deadline: Jan. 15

Health Insurance Waiver Deadline: Feb 1 

Catharsis Courses Deadline: Jan. 15

Take the Catharsis course(s) »

Please contact hps@usfca.edu if you have any questions or technical issues.

Students have until Monday, Jan. 27, to add a class and until Friday, Feb. 7, to drop a class. Learn how to add and drop classes »

Provident Credit Union is offering international students an exclusive opportunity to get a secure credit card along with a range of convenient checking account products! Learn more »

The Academic English for Multilingual Students Program matches international students (for whom English is not their primary language) with members of the USF community who are highly proficient English speakers and have deep knowledge of American culture. Conversation partners meet regularly throughout the semester, approximately once a week for at least an hour, and talk about anything they want.

 Register here »

Monday, Jan. 21 | 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
UC First Floor

Come to the Welcome Back Fest! Meet new people, explore campus resources, and grab some free swag while enjoying a vibrant start to the spring semester at USF! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect, celebrate, and make the most of your USF experience.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an off-campus work benefit of F-1 visa holders. The OPT application process is detailed and for this reason, ISSS requires that students complete the OPT online canvas course before applying. The OPT online canvas course is coming soon. Students who graduated in fall 2024 and intersession 2025 and need to apply for OPT soon should email our office at isss@usfca.edu for assistance.

Students should submit their completed On-Campus Employment Confirmation Letter (SSN) to the ISSS front desk on UC fifth floor. ISSS will review the request, provide our signature, and notify you when your letter is ready for pick-up within standard processing time. Please use the appropriate On-Campus Employment Confirmation Letter (SSN).

If you are a current international student or planning on studying in the U.S., please share your thoughts on the recent U.S. election through this very short survey conducted by Rajika Bhandari, senior advisor to the Presidents’ Alliance and principal of Rajika Bhandari Advisors, an international education research and strategy firm.

Complete survey here »

If you have questions about the newly-elected U.S. administration, visit our International Student Support web page for immigration updates and resources.

If you are requesting an immigration document or letter from our office, remember that we request ten business days to process requests. Make sure you plan accordingly so you have enough time to receive your document before you need it. All ISSS requests should be submitted through the MyISSS student portal (log into your MyISSS account, go to Requests & Documents, and select the appropriate icon on the right side of the page). You can view our MyISSS Student Handbook for assistance with your submission.

Click the Chat with ISSS button on the bottom, right corner of any ISSS web page, and the ISSS team can assist you with your inquiry.

Appointments can be made online. Appointments are booked in 20-minute increments.

Our podcast focuses on mindfulness, diversity, and inclusion, featuring episodes that cover diverse topics. Subscribe for engaging narratives, consistent audio quality, and a cohesive visual identity, and join us in building a mindful and inclusive USF community.

Thank you for reading the weekly ISSS newsletter! To submit content for future newsletters, please complete the ISSS Newsletter Intake Form by 10 a.m. on the Monday of the week before the newsletter's release. While all submissions will be reviewed, inclusion in the newsletter is not guaranteed.