Graduate International Students Orientation

Your Next Steps to Prepare for Arrival to BGSU!

1. Register for Orientation

Once you have paid your I-901 SEVIS Fee, take a moment to reserve your spot for International Student Orientation! Confirm your commitment to BGSU, by registering for International Student Orientation!  

Register Now!

2. Sign-up for the Airport Shuttle Services

Shuttles will be provided Tuesday, January 7 and Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Registration for the free airport shuttle services is now open. The deadline to register for this FREE airport shuttle service is 5 p.m. (EST) Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Reigster Now!

3. Complete your Falcon Health Documents

As a new international student, you are required to enroll in student health insurance and complete an initial health screening. Complete the student health insurance forms. Please complete these forms prior to your arrival to the BGSU campus. These forms will become available November 15, 2024 and the deadline to complete these forms is Monday, January 6, 2025.

Falcon Health Documents Coming Soon

4. Complete ESOL Placement Requirements

Graduate students must consult the following resources:

• Graduate college minimum requirements are available on the graduate tab of the placement testing website.
• Learn more about the additional classes and/or screening that may be required for international graduate students with instructional duties.

Learn more about the ESOL Program, and contact the ESOL office with any questions at esolprog@bgsu.edu.

5. Complete the Immigration Basics online course

Prior to your arrival to campus, you will need to complete the "Immigration Basics" online course. This course will take you about one hour to complete. The deadline to complete this course is Friday, January 17, 2025. 

6. Submit Your Immigration Documents Electronically

Upon arrival to campus, you will need to upload copies of your signed I-20, visa, passport and I-94.  Failure to complete this form by Friday, January 9, 2025 may result in a delay of your SEVIS Registration.

Immigration Document Submission

This form will become available the week of January 6th and the deadline to complete this form is Friday, January 17, 2025.

7. Update your local address and phone number on your BGSU Student Portal. Please follow these steps:

·    Login to MyBGSU

·    Click on Student Center

·    Click your Profile

·    Click on "Addresses"

·    Update or Create an Address

8. Plan to complete GA Contract Onboarding Appointment (Graduate Students with an Assistantship contract ONLY)

All new international students who have a contract to work as a graduate assistant (GA) are required to meet with BGSU’s Student Employment Services for an onboarding appointment to complete new hire paperwork.

New international students with an assistantship will need to go to the Student Employment Office during the week of Orientation.  More information about this process will be provided upon your arrival to campus.

You do not need to make an appointment in advance, but you will to plan for a 1-hour meeting.  Please take your passport, your Form I-20, and a copy of your I-94