Versatility
international students
As an international student, you blend adaptability, excellence, and more as you adjust to UGA being your new home. We encourage you to tap into the resources available at UGA to support you as you continue your educational journey as a member of the Bulldog Nation!
Pathway to Success
As an international student, we understand that on top of being an undergraduate or graduate student, you blend adaptability, excellence, and more as you adjust to UGA being your new home. In addition to the pathways featured for undergraduate and graduate students, the following pathway was adapted to provide you with a guide and resource as you explore your own path here at UGA and in the United States. We encourage you to tap into the resources available at UGA to support you as you continue your educational journey as a member of the Bulldog Nation!
Get Started
- Register and make plans to attend International Student Orientation.
- Follow International Student Life on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
- Sign up for the International Student Life Newsletter.
- Review the resources specifically designed for International Students on the ISL website.
- Connect with UGA Immigration Services in the Office of Global Engagement to coordinate paperwork submission (Example: Submission of necessary visa and immigration paperwork).
- Research housing plans to live on-campus with University Housing or find a place to live off-campus.
- Identify the right meal plan for you.
- Begin researching various cell-phone providers, banking options, and other items to transfer over.
- Schedule an appointment for any necessary vaccines/immunizations with the University Health Center.
- Learn about academic advising at UGA and schedule an academic advising appointment to identify courses to take for your area of study.
- Write down at least 3 personal goals to accomplish during your first semester and year of school.
Know Your Campus
- Download the UGA Mobile App and the Welcome to UGA App to help you find your way around campus, determine bus routes, and more.
- Take some time to walk around campus before classes start to locate your classes and reduce the stress of having to find them on the first day.
- Get to know your faculty within your specific program of study and the courses you are taking.
- Take advantage of the Ramsey Student Center to stay active.
- Familiarize yourself with the Tate Student Center and options for food, coffee, meeting spaces, and more.
Stay on Track
- Work closely with your advisor and the faculty in your department to make sure you are on the right track toward fulfilling the requirements for your specific graduate degree.
- Connect with the Office of Global Engagement to ensure all paperwork for immigration is on file and does not need to be updated.
- Make plans to connect with International Student Life in the spring to begin working on filing your U.S. Tax paperwork.
Get Engaged
- Get to know your professors.
- Explore student organizations on the Involvement Network.
- Review the various organizations advised by International Student Life to learn about additional ways to get involved.
- Join your department’s LISTSERV to receive timely information about upcoming events.
- Sign up for the International Student Life newsletter.
- Discover and join professional organizations related to your field of study so you can begin to build connections.
- Connect with International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), Graduate Student Association (GSA), or the Graduate and Professionals Scholars (GAPS).
- Attend free (or discounted) campus events:
- Find opportunities to get involved in Athens.
- Learn about (and sign up for) opportunities to serve in the Athens Community on GivePulse.
- Participate in Dawg Day of Service, held during the fall semester.
- Utilize programming by International Student Life such as International Coffee Hour, Language Labs, ISL Circles, International Street Festival, and more to get involved in campus and make friends.
Get Support
- Contact International Student Life or stop by their office in Memorial Hall for advice and guidance.
- Connect with the Office of Global Engagement for Immigration Services needs.
- Review resources available at the Office of Institutional Diversity.
- Get 24/7 mental health support by calling Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) at 706-542-2273.
- Check out the Division of Academic Enhancement's International Student Resources.
- If you need help with a writing assignment, visit the UGA Writing Center.
- Get in touch with Student Care & Outreach to create a network of support.
- If you need help with finding access to food, visit the UGA Food Pantry located in the Tate Student Center.
- Attend a free BeWellUGA well-being workshop at the University Health Center.
- Be aware of resources such as Wellness Coaching, the ASPIRE Clinic, or Financial Hardship Resources.
- Be aware of UGA’s mental health and well-being resources.
- Visit student.uga.edu and well-being.uga.edu to learn more about campus resources that are here to support you.
Learn About Tradition
Adapted from Mercer University’s Orangeprint