International student services offices at US institutions provide campus assistance and a wealth of resources to assist with anything from visa applications and orientation to year-round activities.

“ISS usually stands for International Student Services, which indicates that these offices serve and support international student services during their journey of studying in the United States,” explains Lynne Vanahill, director of international support services at the University of Kansas.

She adds that foreign students might think of ISS as “their home base at the new university, a place to start and return to when feeling lost or confused.” Here are some strategies foreign students may use to make the most of their school’s ISS office before and after they come on campus.

Things to Do Before Leaving

Prospective foreign students should contact an institution’s international student services office before submitting an application or enrolling.

Go to an institution’s ISS webpage.

Students may assess the atmosphere and degree of assistance provided to foreign students at a school by visiting its ISS website. According to Vanahill, “The majority of ISS websites contain a plethora of information to assist prospective students in navigating available resources and specialized programming to help international student services adjust to life in the U.S.”

An ISS website typically includes contacts, information on contacts, campus resources, tutoring and language aid, accommodations, and visas. It may also include an FAQ page with answers to frequently asked questions.

Talk Online In conjunction with the ISS office

Prospective foreign students may speak with ISS advisors one-on-one via live chat or videoconferencing at many ISS offices. Students may also contact the ISS office directly via phone or email.

“Students are encouraged to contact the office or attend one of our webinars for prospective or newly accepted students if they are unable to obtain the information they are searching for,” Vanahill adds.

According to Vanahill, the ISS office at KU works with the admissions and recruiting departments to provide pre-arrival webinars on various subjects, from “Campus Life at KU” to “How to Request an I-20” for a student visa application.

Additionally, many ISS offices communicate with students and post information on social media sites like X and Instagram. Prospective overseas students may also send direct messages in addition to participating in live sessions and conversations on social media.

Obtain Immigration and Visa Advice

Students should contact ISS as soon as they have any immigration-related queries, whether about wait times or how to get a student visa.

“We are the only authorized source of immigration-related guidance at the university, but we welcome all inquiries,” says Rick Lane, the Institution of Illinois at Springfield’s director of international student services.

Lane especially urges students to contact them with “any questions about their non-immigrant student status, including how to get it, keep it, and get the most benefits possible, among other things.”

What to Do After Arriving at Campus

Students should intend to make the most of all campus resources and campus assistance offered by their ISS office as soon as they arrive.

Examine Advisory Services

For present foreign students, some ISS offices provide further consulting services beyond immigration and visas. According to Lane, foreign students should speak with staff members in person at the ISS office or by phone or email to address their academic, cultural, social, and personal problems.

“They feel comfortable discussing those with us, both because of the broad range of international living experience represented by our advisers, and because we have established a valued relationship with them since before they arrived in the U.S.,” Lane explains.

International student services should go to the ISS office at their university as their first resource for help, according to Jody Pritt, associate vice provost for international student services and scholar advising at Pennsylvania State University. For other inquiries, she adds, the office may assist in directing students to the relevant school resources.

According to Pritt, students may get cultural support and participate in activities and offers inside the Penn State community with the assistance of the ISSA team.

“As a team of encouraging advisors, we aim to provide our international student services with life-changing and purposeful experiences while they are attending our university,” Pritt said.

Take Part in Workshop Activities

International students should schedule time to attend seminars offered by the International Student Services (ISS) office at their institution on various subjects, including travel and money management.

National of Iraq, Mustafa Al-Qadi received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Kansas in 2019. “I attended many of these workshops,” he adds.

He participated in seminars such as “Optional Practical Training and Academic Training for International Students,” “Essentials of Car Ownership for International Students,” and “Income Tax Workshop for International Students.”

Additionally, the University of Texas at Dallas hosts courses like “Study Abroad for International Students” three to four times a year. According to Josephine K. Vitta, senior director of international student services at the University of Texas at Dallas’ International Center, “every semester various sessions are organized in coordination with several departments on campus on topics related to student safety, health, transportation, and career preparedness.”

According to Pritt, Penn State’s ISSA office hosts many educational employment programs each semester to assist students stay current and knowledgeable about career opportunities.

“The students are eager to explore career opportunities,” Pritt asserts; “and we want to equip them with the knowledge and understanding to access those opportunities with as much ease as possible.”

Join trips and activities.

International students may also prepare to explore their new community via excursions and other activities organized by ISS offices throughout the year, such as summer festivities at certain colleges.

According to Vitta, the Foreign Center at UT Dallas arranges local tours to sports events, museums, and other sites to help foreign students learn about American culture and customs.

According to Pritt, Penn State provides foreign students with specialized counselors and global involvement coordinators who plan interesting off-campus excursions.

“From visiting iconic destinations like Niagara Falls and New York City to enjoying local farmer’s markets and historical sites, students have diverse opportunities to explore and engage with their community,” Pritt tells me.

Al-Qadi’s favorite activities were international trivia nights, excursions to Kansas City, and BBQ gatherings hosted by the International student services office at the University of Kansas. He claims the various ISS-provided services made him feel more accepted and active in the community. “This had a great positive impact on my academic, social, and cultural experiences at KU,” according to Al-Qadi.

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