International Student Orientation
- Meet Ilana Smith, Director of the International Offices at Caltech and JPL.
- Meet Laura Flower Kim, Associate Director of ISP. Explore ISP's signature programs.
- Meet Daniel Yoder, International Advisor at ISP. Hear about ISP's immigration advising.
Video recordings are best accessed through Firefox, IE, or Chrome. Caltech VPN required for Safari.
Wednesday, August 17 | Immigration Basics w/ISP
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.
Thursday, August 25 | Relocation & Cultural Adjustment
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.
Tuesday, August 30 | Navigating the American Classroom | Presentation Slides
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). With special guests, Konrad, Peiwei, and Sahangi - current international students who will share their own cultural observations and tips for a successful transition to academic life at Caltech.
Thursday Sept 1 | Campus Culture | Presentation Slides
Caltech fosters a safe and inclusive community to promote student success in and outside of the classroom. Learn how Caltech is ready to support you and how we all can participate in keeping Caltech's campus culture welcoming. 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 they are understood, 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 Hima Vatti, Title IX Coordinator and Assistant Vice President, Equity.
Wednesday Sept 7 | U.S. Banking Basics + Financial Scam Prevention | 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 Pattyl Aposhian CEFCU VP of Marketing & Development and fellow CEFCU staff.
Thursday Sept 8 | Orientation Leader Zoom Drop-In Hours
Got questions about arriving and settling into campus? Want to know how to navigate the Pasadena community? Orientation Leader and current student, Riley (she/her), will be ready to answer any questions you may have. This session will not be recorded.
Session recordings available and sent via email.
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, as well as snacks and refreshments 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 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
In-Person vs. Remote Check-In with ISP
- MS, BS, and Non-Degree students must complete the ISP Remote Check-In upon arrival on campus
- PhD students require an in-person Immigration Check-In & I-9 upon arrival on campus; Visit during ISP Walk-In Hours, Monday - Friday, 1 - 4 PM
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
9:00 – 10:00 AM | Breakfast + Registration | Beckman Lawn - Tent
Collect your ISP Swag Bag, including "Hello" t-shirt, reusable grocery tote, personal-sized picnic blanket, and name tag. Oh, and breakfast, too!
10:00 – 11:00 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 special guest host, Charisma Bartlett, Staff Psychologist at Student Wellness Services; SWS Liaison to ISP.
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.
2022 Scavenger Hunt Prize Winners
- First to Get All Correct Answers: Indiana Joneses
- Most Tokens: We Really Tried
- First to Complete with at least 25 Correct Answers: Throops Turtles
- Best Team Name: PHD: Pretty Horrible Detectives
- Best Photo: Turtley Turtles
12:30 PM | Grab-n-Go Lunch | Beckman Lawn - Tent
Collect your lunch, grab a new friend, take out your picnic blanket, and 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 good food and good conversation while playing anything from chess and cards to badminton and frisbee.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner provided by ISP
9:00 – 10:00 AM | Breakfast | Beckman Lawn - Tent
Yum!
10:00 – 11:00 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 - 12:00 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 | Grab-n-Go Lunch | Beckman Lawn - Tent
Collect your lunch, grab a new friend, take out your picnic blanket, and enjoy one of the many beautiful spots to sit and eat on the Caltech campus.
7:30 PM | International Dessert Night + Film Screening | Sherman Fairchild Library 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!
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!
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.
Breakfast provided by ISP
Campus Dining available on this day:
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