International Student Orientation
- Meet Ilana Smith, Director of the International Offices at Caltech and JPL
Meet Your ISP Team:
- Laura Flower Kim, Associate Director of ISP. (Video: Explore ISP's signature programs)
- Daniel Yoder, International Advisor at ISP (Video: Hear about ISP's immigration advising)
- Hanna Drollinger, Case Coordinator at ISP
Video recordings are best accessed through Firefox, IE, or Chrome. Caltech VPN required for Safari.
Sessions are listed for U.S. Pacific Coast Time Zone. Zoom links will be distributed by email only. Sessions are one hour and will be recorded unless otherwise noted. Recordings will be posted here.
August 8 | 6:00 PM | Immigration Basics w/ISP | Zoom Recording
What happens when my visa expires? Will I be eligible for a summer internship? What documents do I need for future travel? Can I ever take a term off? Your ISP advisors, Laura and Daniel, will help you understand your rights and responsibilities under F-1 and J-1 status. We will review documents and answer your questions so that you can feel more in control of your own U.S. nonimmigrant status.
August 11 | 9:00 AM | Relocation & Cultural Adjustment | Zoom Recording
Meet Barbara Avouac, Cross-Cultural Advisor within the International Offices at Caltech. Originally from France, Barbara understands what it's like to move to another country, live "24/7" in a second language, and manage daily tasks like shopping, dining, and driving in an unfamiliar culture. Barbara brings her experiences and tips to you, to help you acclimate and to find resources to help you make Caltech and Pasadena your new home.
August 17 | 9:00 AM | Campus Culture | Zoom Recording - Campus Login Required
Learn how Caltech can support you and how we all can participate in keeping Caltech's campus a safe and inclusive community to promote student success in and outside of the classroom. This session will provide practical tips to help with a smooth transition to life on campus, discuss boundary setting and clear communication strategies, and make clear campus policies and resources related to discrimination, sexual misconduct and unlawful harassment. We want everyone at Caltech to feel heard, supported, and have full access to educational opportunities. This will allow everyone greater confidence in building healthy professional and personal relationships at Caltech and beyond. Presented by the Office of Equity & Title IX.
August 21 | 4:00 PM | Navigating the American Classroom | Zoom Recording
What is the American classroom really like? How will I navigate U.S. academic culture? Presented by Melissa Dabiri of the Caltech Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach (CTLO) along with current international students who will share their own cultural observations and tips for a successful transition to academic life at Caltech.
August 28 | 9:00 AM | U.S. Banking Basics | Zoom Recording | Presentation Slides
Confused by ATM vs. debit vs. credit, savings account vs. checking account, bank vs. credit union? Want to know how to protect your money from scammers? This session will cover basic U.S. banking terminology and concepts, teach you about common financial scams and how to avoid them. Plus, we offer a brief "how to guide" to open a student account and to set up direct deposit with the Caltech Employees Federal Credit Union (CEFCU). Presented by CEFCU.
August 31 | 8:00 AM | Orientation Leader Zoom Drop-In Hours
August 31 | 8:00 PM | Orientation Leader Zoom Drop-In Hours
Got questions about arriving and settling into campus? Want to know how to navigate the Pasadena community? Orientation Leaders will be ready to answer any questions you may have. These sessions will not be recorded.
Sessions are listed for U.S. Pacific Coast Time Zone. Zoom links will be distributed by email only. Sessions are one hour and will be recorded unless otherwise noted. Recordings will be posted here.
ISP's Online Immigration Check-In
- All International Students must complete ISP's Online Immigration Check-In AFTER arrival in the United States
- PhD students require an in-person I-9 Employment Verification; Visit ISP Walk-In Hours, Monday - Thursday, 1 - 3 PM
- Caltech offices closed for Labor Day Holiday, Sept 2
PhD check-ins will resume the following week, after Convocation.U.S.
Address Updates
All students who are eligible for an Access.Caltech account must update their address and phone number upon arrival.
- Log into Access.Caltech
- Click "My Personal Information"
- Click "Phones and Addresses"
- Click "Local Residence Address" to edit and enter your physical address (no Mail Codes)
Important Tip: Graduate Students and any students living off-campus must check NO to "Local Residence in a Student House," as Student House relates only to undergraduate dormitories. Example address:
- Address Field 1: 500 S Catalina Ave
- Address Field 2: APT 201B
- City, State, Zip Code: Pasadena, CA 91106
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Center for Student Services (CSS) Front Lawn - Tent
ISP staff and Orientation Leaders will be available throughout the day to provide a helpful hand, referrals to campus resources, and lots of fun snacks and refreshments to enjoy as you arrive and settle in. There are no meals provided by ISP on this day.
Campus Dining available on this day:
Breakfast
- Red Door Marketplace: 7 AM - 11 AM
- Browne Dining Hall: 7 AM - 10:30 AM
- Broad Café: 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Lunch
- Red Door Marketplace: 11 AM - 8 PM
- Browne Dining Hall: 11 AM - 3:30 PM
- Broad Café: 11 AM - 2:30 PM
Dinner
- Red Door Marketplace: 11 AM - 8 PM
- Browne Dining Hall: 5 PM - 7 PM
9:00 AM | Breakfast + Registration | Beckman Lawn - Tent
Collect your name tag and let's enjoy breakfast together!
10:00 AM | Culture Shock Comedy Sketch | Ramo Auditorium
Whether you are new to the United States or just new to Caltech, cultural transitions come with ups and downs. We will discover and discuss together with a little humility and a lot of humor. With introduction by ISP and comedy sketch by your Orientation Leader theater troupe.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Caltech Scavenger Hunt
A wacky journey through campus. Join teams, meet friends, and explore. This game will help you discover the secrets of Caltech and help you navigate your way around campus.
- Most Correct Answers: Chinese International Travelers (CIT)
- Most Locations Visited: Chaotic Runners
- Most Creative Team Name: I Suffer PhD (ISP)
- Best Team Photo: The Big Bang Team (TBBT)
12:30 PM | Lunch | Beckman Lawn - Tent
Collect your ISP "Hello" t-shirt! Grab some lunch, make a new friend, sit with us under the tent, or enjoy one of the many beautiful spots to sit and eat on the Caltech campus.
5:30 PM | Outdoor Dinner + Games | Tournament Park
Join us for food, games, and conversation while playing anything from chess and cards to badminton and frisbee.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner provided by ISP
Wear your new HELLO t-shirt for a group photo shoot!
9:00 AM | Breakfast | Beckman Lawn - Tent
Collect your ISP "Hello" reusable grocery tote bag, personal-sized picnic blanket, and breakfast. Yum!
10:00 AM | Immigration Basics Dramedy Sketch | Ramo Auditorium
What happens when my visa expires? Will I be eligible for a summer internship? What documents do I need to travel with? Can I ever take a term off? Your ISP advisors, Laura and Daniel, will help you understand your rights and responsibilities under F-1 and J-1 status, review documents, and answer your questions so that you can feel more in control of your own U.S. nonimmigrant status. We will learn through laughter.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Peer Panels
Meet in assigned small groups facilitated by Orientation Leaders. Orientation Leaders are current Caltech international students who have been enrolled at Caltech for at least one academic year. They are ready to help you get to know each other, to share stories from their own cultural transitions to Caltech, and to offer peer-to-peer advice.
12:30 PM | Lunch | Beckman Lawn - Tent
Enjoy free food, make a new friend, sit with us under the tent, or enjoy one of the many beautiful spots to sit and eat on the Caltech campus.
3:00 - 5:00 PM | Painted Rocks of Pasadena | Beckman Lawn - Tent
Join ISP plus other campus and community partners for a fun "crafternoon" of painting river rocks. When we're done, we can keep our rocks or hide them around campus for others to find and enjoy. All supplies provided by ISP. No artistic skills needed! #CaltechRocks
Dinner on Your Own
7:30 PM* | International Dessert Night + Film Screening | Amphitheater
Sample treats from around the world, watch a short film under the stars, and find out who won prizes from the previous day's Scavenger Hunt! Meet at the Amphitheater behind the Sherman Fairchild Library.
*Alternative Evening Event for those observing Rosh Hashanah:
You are invited to attend Rosh Hashanah services and Shabbat dinner with the Chabad Student Center of Pasadena. Click to connect and RSVP
Breakfast, Lunch, and Late-Night Desserts provided by ISP
Dinner on Your Own
Campus Dining available on this day:
Dinner
- Red Door Marketplace: 11 AM - 8 PM
- Browne Dining Hall: 5 PM - 7 PM
9:00 – 10:00 AM | Breakfast | Beckman Lawn - Tent
Again? Yes! Let's eat together once more!
Throughout the Day | Meet Ups with Orientation Leaders
A day of optional, student-led activities, both on and off-campus, from morning to sunset. Activities include a morning jog in the neighborhood, walk to City Hall, shopping through Old Town Pasadena, boba, dinner out, and more. Sign ups available during iBegin@Caltech. All Meet Ups start from the Beckman Lawn Tent.
Enjoy a scenic 5K run through the beautiful neighborhoods of Pasadena and San Marino. We will run at a comfortable pace for runners of all skill levels.
A short walk from Caltech, Twinkle Tea, Tpumps, OinkMoo Tea, and L'moon Creamery are Boba Tea shops that serve loose-leaf premium quality teas used to brew hot and cold drinks with unique flavors. Costs: your food + beverage.
Take a short walk from Caltech to visit a variety of shops and restaurants on South Lake Ave while making new friends. Favorite options include Mediterranean food, California cuisine, vegetarian and vegan offerings and much more! Costs: your food + beverage.
Walk together to historic Old Town Pasadena. Over 200 specialty shops, over 100 restaurants, sidewalk cafes, coffee shops, and ice cream shops. See the famous City Hall dome and other Pasadena landmarks. Costs: your food + beverage + any transportation back to Caltech.
Located on just a short walk from Caltech, join us for a visit to Afters Ice Cream. This is a one-of-a-kind dessert experience where you can enjoy handcrafted ice cream with unique flavors such as cinnamon toast, mango, and real jasmine tea leaves. Costs: your food + beverage.
Campus Dining available on this day:
Lunch
- Red Door Marketplace: 1 PM - 8 PM
Dinner
- Red Door Marketplace: 1 PM - 8 PM