What to bring to the International Student Orientation program

·         Valid passport with most current visa stamp

·         I-94 card

·         LSU I-20 or DS-2019

·       ALL I-20s or DS-2019s from any previous U.S. institution(s) attended (if applicable), especially the one stamped at the U.S. Port of Entry during your first entry to the United States.

·         A blue or black ink pen to write with

·      A sweater or lightweight jacket as the venue for orientation tends to be cool in temperature.

 What to expect when you arrive at the International Student Orientation program

Depending on which semester you will attend Louisiana State University, you could be in the company of hundreds of new international students (fall and spring) or only a handful (summer).

Due to the high number of students who attend International Orientation for the fall semester, each student will stand in line to receive a seat ticket before entering the auditorium where the program will be held. This seat ticket will have a letter and number on it, which indicates the row and seat number for the chair that you will occupy for the duration of the program. (Make sure that you hold on to this ticket because you will need to return to your assigned seat after any breaks during the program. At the end of the program, you will be provided with instructions on where to return your seat ticket.)

A section of the auditorium will be reserved for family members or friends who may be accompanying you to the program. While you or your family member may prefer to be seated next to each other, we ask that family members not receive a seat ticket and sit in their designated section so all new students can be seated together.

Students who are currently attending LSU will also be at the program to serve as LINKS volunteers. Some of them will assist you in finding your seat, while others will be assigned to the row where you will be seated and will help you during the program. It should be noted that the majority of the LINKS volunteers are also international students.

Topics discussed at the International Student Orientation program

In addition to information about maintaining your student status and the benefits that you have while in F-1 or J-1 status, the following topics will be discussed by presenters from various LSU campus departments:

·     Campus Safety

·     Course Scheduling, Enrollment and Registration

·     The Code of Student Conduct (Judicial Affairs and Student Accountability office)

·      Michigan English Placement Test and Oral Proficiency Interview *

·     Health Information, including University health insurance requirements and immunization (vaccine) requirements **

·      Taxes, Payroll Requirements, On-Campus and Off-Campus Employment Authorization

·       Programs, Activities and Getting Involved on Campus

·       International Hospitality Foundation and the Loan Closet, click here to visit

·       International Cultural Center, click here to visit

* Additional information about the Michigan English Placement Test: All graduate and undergraduate non-native speakers of English who are new to LSU are required to take the Michigan English Placement Test. (This is in addition to the TOEFL/IELTS exam.) Graduate students’ English test includes a written essay section, while the undergraduate students’ English test includes a listening comprehension section. The cost to take the test is $20 or $25, and this cost will be added to your LSU fee bill. The late test fee is $50. Students will get more information about the exam during the International Student Orientation program.

* Additional information about the Oral Proficiency Interview: Graduate students with teaching assistantships are required to take the Oral Proficiency Interview prior to beginning any assistantship duties. These students will schedule an interview time at the end of the International Student Orientation program. 

Note: You will not be allowed to register for classes until your academic advisor has received the results of your Michigan English Placement Exam (unless exempted) and/or the Oral Proficiency Interview results.

Staff from the English Department will be at the International Student Orientation to answer questions you may have about exemption from the English placement exam. (International Services staff members do not have the capability to determine if you can be exempt from the Michigan test. The exemption must be determined by LSU English Department staff members.)

** Additional information about the Immunization Form and Requirements: Louisiana state law requires proof of dates of immunization (vaccine) against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus-diphtheria, and meningitis for all LSU students. A completed Proof of Immunization Compliance form can be submitted to the LSU Student Health Center prior to your arrival to LSU.

NOTE: If you wait until you arrive in the U.S. to be tested or treated for TB (tuberculosis), you will NOT be allowed to register for classes until all necessary testing/necessary treatment is complete. This process can take up to 4 weeks and therefore would delay your registration for that same amount of time. Failure to timely register for courses will affect your lawful status with U.S. Immigration and your ability to remain in the U.S.

Click here for complete information about Immunization Requirements on the LSU Student Health Center’s Web site.

International Student Orientation program schedule - samples

These are samples of the International Student Orientation program schedules. Please be aware that the times that topics are discussed are subject to change and may not be at the same as they appear on these sample schedules.

Sample Fall Schedule

DAY 1

8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Informational sessions including immigration regulations and requirements

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Break

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Informational sessions including course registration, getting involved on campus, and international organizations

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Lunch break

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Informational sessions including health information, employment (on- and off-campus), campus safety, student performance, and the Michigan Test (English placement test)

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Informational tables where you can speak with session presenters or get more information on topics discussed during the program

DAY 2

8:15 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.: Sign up for the Michigan Test

9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Taking the Michigan Test

Sample Spring/Summer Schedule

8:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Informational sessions including immigration regulations and requirements, course registration, and health information

10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Informational sessions including employment (on- and off-campus), campus safety, getting involved on campus, international organizations, student performance, and the Michigan Test (English placement test)

12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Informational tables where you can speak with session presenters or get more information on topics discussed during the program

12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch break

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Sign up for the Michigan Test

2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Taking the Michigan Test

This page was last updated , March 21, 2012