So, you have been accepted into an exchange program at San Francisco State University (SF State)-- congratulations! Now what?!
Below is some very basic information intended to orient you to our university, and give you an idea of what you can expect in the following weeks and months as you prepare to come to SF State.
Below is some very basic information intended to orient you to our university, and give you an idea of what you can expect in the following weeks and months as you prepare to come to SF State.
The J-1 Visa Category
Henceforth, you will often read and hear the term "J-1". To explain quickly what "J-1" means, it is simply a visa category of the United States government. There are many visa categories that exist (B-1,H-1,F-1, etc.), but the category that you as an exchange student will be entering and living in the US is under the J-1 visa category.So it refers to your visa category as an exchange student, but it is also how SF State staff, faculty and students will identify you as students during your time at SF State. In time, you will often refer to yourself as a "J-1 student", meaning that you are studying at SF State through an international exchange program.
The Acceptance Packet
The first contact that you will have from the SF State Office of International Programs (OIP) will be your acceptance packet. OIP sends the acceptance packets to your home university office. Acceptance packets are usually sent within four weeks from the time the OIP receives your file from your home university. If you have been accepted into an exchange program at SF State, but have not yet received your acceptance packet, please contact your home university office.We expect that you will read acceptance packet thoroughly once you receive it. It will contain the following crucial elements as you prepare to come to SF State:
- Acceptance Letter from the SF State Office of International Programs
- DS-2019 Visa Form
- Orientation Information Packet
- Preliminary Orientation Week Schedule (Subject to change)
- Health Insurance Regulations and Requirements
- DS-2019 Visa Form
- Orientation Information Packet
- Preliminary Orientation Week Schedule (Subject to change)
- Health Insurance Regulations and Requirements
In addition, you will receive a welcome letter from the International Education Exchange Council (IEEC), information about roles in the IEEC, and a pledge form to contribute to the internationalization of the SF State campus through IEEC.
IEEC is a student organization with a mission of bringing international students and SFSU students together for exchange and cooperation. For more information about IEEC and your involvement in the organization, please visit the IEEC page.
Finally, the acceptance packet will also include a sticker with a checklist that you will attach to a postcard, and return to OIP. Do not forget to send this postcard!
Housing
You will be responsible for finding housing in San Francisco for the duration of your stay.Please visit the housing page for detailed information about possible housing arrangements and guidelines.Academics
Sometime after you have received your acceptance packet, you will receive an e-mail from the Office of International Programs about registering for classes at SF State. The e-mail will include three essential elements you will need to register:
- your SF State student id number
- your registration date and time
- step-by-step registration instructions
- your registration date and time
- step-by-step registration instructions
You are encouraged to research classes available in your semester of study in the SF State course catalog in advance. However, please be aware which classes are available to you based on the exchange agreement between SF State and your home university.
Orientation Week
Orientation week is required for all J-1 exchange students. Please make sure that your arrival date to San Francisco is before the first date of your orientation. For more information about orientation week, visit the orientation page.Who to Contact for Questions
If you have any questions or concerns directly related to your study abroad program at SF State, please write to:studyabr@sfsu.edu
However, we can only respond if you have already been accepted into an exchange program, and have received your acceptance packet. Otherwise, you will need to contact your home university office.
We look forward to your arrival, and again, congratulations on your acceptance into the international exchange program at San Francisco State University!
