International Students

Traveling to USD for study? Discover the possibilities USD has to offer.

Visiting Scholars

One stop for all professors, faculty, staff and other scholars traveling to USD.

Office of International Students and Scholars

Welcome to USD!

Welcome to our international family. USD hosts international students and scholars from more than 70 countries around the world. We are delighted that you are joining this group of distinguished students and scholars, and we hope that your experiences here will prove intellectually challenging, culturally enriching, and personally enjoyable, whether you stay only for a few weeks, or several years.

OISS Map

Helping Fellow International Students Find a Place at USD

Newly Admitted Students

If you have officially been issued either an I-20 or DS-2019 please refer to our Newly Admitted Students page to find more detailed pre-arrival information. Students will also be receiving pre-arrival details by email.

If you have NOT officially been issued an I-20 by USD you will need to contact either the Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions Office to resolve any pending items.

Important Immigration Announcements & Reminders

Stay informed by keeping up with the latest updates on Immigration Policy (edited on 12/04/2017)

Travel Reminder – Key Documents to carry:
As a reminder please remember to bring the following documents when you travel overseas:
- Passport
- Latest I-20 (Travel signature validity one year)
- Copy of the most recent electronic I-94 admission print out
- Copy of the SEVIS I-901 payment receipt
Have you received an I-515 before when traveling without your I-20 or DS-2019?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) recently announced a new procedure to address I-515A noncompliance.
Immigration advising appointment available for:
- Visa Renewal
- Impact on DUI arrest/violation
- Recreational/medical drug possession

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In the News

Torero Alumna Learns at a Global Level
// May 11, 2018
There’s no doubt Gwangju, South Korea is where Madeline Kasik ’16 is supposed to be. This San Jose native, who graduated from th…
Christina Saad: USD's President for a Day
// April 30, 2018
When Christina Saad awakened in her Maher Hall residential space last Thursday morning, the University of San Diego senior did so knowing sh…
Journey Around the World at USD's 33rd International Expo and Cultural Fashion Show
// March 15, 2018
Interested in an international adventure when you don't even have to leave the University of San Diego campus? If so, the 33rd annual Intern…
President Harris Engages University of the Third Age Audience
// January 19, 2018
The University of the Third Age (U3A), the University of San Diego's longest-running community outreach program and considered one of t…
USD Alumnus Matz Appointed Secretary of American Battle Monuments Commission
// January 10, 2018
Retired Army Maj. Gen. William M. Matz Jr., a 1973 University of San Diego master’s degree recipient, had his official swearing-in cer…
New Scholarship Supports Studying Abroad in the Emerald Isle
// January 5, 2018
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of San Diego, an Irish-American charitable fraternal organization that was established in 1953, has created…
January Intersession Serves Multiple Purposes for Torero Student Activity
// January 4, 2018
It’s not the fall or spring semester, nor is it a vacation for all University of San Diego students when January rolls back around. In…
Blanca Hernández Has Great Appreciation for Comité México Scholarship
// December 8, 2017
Blanca Hernández is proud to be the current recipient of the Comité México Scholarship at the University of San Diego a…
School of Business to Launch 11-Month International MBA Program
// November 28, 2017
A new International MBA (IMBA) degree at the University of San Diego provides professionals with a path to propel their careers forward whil…
USD Ranks No. 2 Nationally for Undergraduate Study Abroad Participation
// November 20, 2017
The University of San Diego has a robust international study abroad program for undergraduate students. The Institute for International Educ…
Faculty Recognition Highlights International Education Week
// November 16, 2017
The University of San Diego's Associate Provost of International Affairs Denise Dimon, PhD, started this week — which is International…
USD Ranks Second Nationally for Undergraduate Study Abroad Participation
// November 13, 2017
In a week in which the University of San Diego is already spotlighting the impact of international education (Nov. 13-17), the institution r…
Women PeaceMakers Panel: Peace Officers, PeaceMakers and the Power of Partnership
// November 2, 2017
The Women PeaceMakers are many things: inspiring, dedicated, intelligent, thought-provoking and take-charge leaders who stand for what&rsquo…
USD Music Entities Collaborate on Concerts Now, Spring Break Trip to Japan
// October 5, 2017
The University of San Diego’s spring break week isn’t until late March, but even now, in October, there’s already plenty o…
USD Outreach to Those Affected by Recent Natural Disasters
// September 29, 2017
While we at the University of San Diego have much to be thankful for, the campus community is fully aware that recent hurricanes, wildfires …
Torero Life Abroad: Melinda Sevilla '18 Experiences Madrid to the Max
// August 30, 2017
Melinda Sevilla is a senior Communication Studies and Spanish double major and a McNair Scholar in the University of San Diego's class of 20…
African Entrepreneurs Experience an Inspiring, Innovative Summer of Growth
// July 31, 2017
Muzalema Mwanza’s Safe Motherhood Alliance helps pregnant mothers in Zambia by providing low-cost baby delivery kits to promote a heal…
USD Hosts Dynamic Mandela Washington Fellowship African Leaders
// July 13, 2017
Kenya’s Tabitha Shikuku and Nigeria’s Susan Folashade Ladipo are two dynamic businesswomen. Each has a unique perspective, perso…
Football Players to Tackle Studies South of the Border
// July 12, 2017
When one thinks of sports in Mexico, they think of elegant strikers scoring goals in the World Cup, flame-throwing baseball pitchers reachin…
Hansen Summer Institute: Building International Understanding, Social Entrepreneurs
// July 6, 2017
What do you have when 25 young scholars, some from the United States and several from other countries around the world, converge onto the Un…
Giving Students the World Via USD's International Relations Graduate Program
// June 2, 2017
The Saudi Arabia-Iranian power struggle and its effect on Yemen. ISIS luring America's youth. Examining a post-Kemalist era for Turkish Poli…
Puya Nedadahandeh '17: Finding a Path is Sometimes the Path
// May 25, 2017
Puya Nedadahandeh ’17 (Undergraduate Business Administration) could not have been named more aptly — his first name means 'curio…
Students Examine Post-Conflict Peacebuilding Conditions in Colombia
// April 10, 2017
Peace is beautiful. Peace is joy, it is blissful. That's what most people see, think and understand when they hear the word peace. It’…
USD's Choral Scholars, German Choir Make Beautiful Music, Memories
// March 29, 2017
Life experiences help everyone grow. When one’s experience involves travel, there seems to be no end to the kind of impact it can have…
International Student Org Brings Community Together
// March 23, 2017
On any college campus you will find students grabbing coffee between classes to fuel them through the day. But at the University of San…
President Harris Op-Ed: We're Scaring Off Future Einsteins
// March 17, 2017
The following opinion-editorial by University of San Diego President James T. Harris III, DEd, was published in today's edition of the USA T…
USD's International Faculty Make a World of Difference
// February 8, 2017
It’s only the opening week of spring semester classes, and the University of San Diego International Center is already abuzz with acti…
Intersession is a Global Learning Experience for USD Students
// January 26, 2017
The first three weeks of January at the University of San Diego, also known as Intersession, offers a wide range of opportunities for both u…
USD Students, Faculty, Staff are Spending January Intersession Abroad
// January 11, 2017
January's Intersession at the University of San Diego is a prime time for several faculty and staff members and graduate and undergraduate s…
USD Awards Reward Professors' International Impact
// November 16, 2016
The University of San Diego kicked off its annual programming in the spirit of the national International Education Week celebration with a …
USD Just Read: 'The Price of Thirst' Author Speaks on Water's Future
// November 14, 2016
Karen Piper, at one time, was like most people when it came to thinking about water. "I grew up in the desert (China Lake, CA) so I did…
USD Celebrates International Education Week Nov. 14-18
// November 12, 2016
The United States Department of Education and the U.S. Department of State have a joint, week-long initiative in which they recognize the gl…
Ahlers Center Provides a World of Opportunity
// November 11, 2016
The University of San Diego campus commands some 180 Pacific Ocean-view acres. But even that vast expanse isn't enough to contain a USD educ…
Reflection: Prof. Mercado Shares Dia de los Muertos History, Significance
// November 2, 2016
University of San Diego Communication Studies Assistant Professor Antonieta Mercado, PhD, organized a Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) A…
Comité México Recognizes Inaugural Scholarship Recipients
// October 28, 2016
On a fall evening that’s annually a chance for its guests to sample fine Mexican wine paired with a specially prepared multiple-c…
Laura Claus '13: Shining a Light on Injustice
// August 31, 2016
On the night of April 14, 2014, the militant Islamist group Boko Haram entered the dormitories of the Government Secondary School in Chibok,…
European Reunion: Alumni Enjoy 'Torero Bond' in Lisbon
// July 7, 2016
Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, is a coastal city known for the winding alleys of its old town area, mysterious hilltop castles, palat…
Sister Agatha Ogochukwu Chikelue Is Committed to Cultivating Peace in Nigeria
// June 3, 2016
Imagine trying to teach the idea of tolerating differences to a community mired in government corruption, violent conflict, and reli…
Sophomores Spend Intersession #CultureAware in Florence
// February 12, 2016
Veni, Vidi, Medici. Florence, the home of the Renaissance, where the museums and art are the best and the food is even better. Can you say b…
Toreros Abroad: SYE Florence Trip Opens a Whole New World
// February 8, 2016
Caitlan Bertram is a sophomore Communication Studies major and French language and marketing minor. In January, Bertram went on the Universi…
Studying Abroad to Become Global Citizens
// December 16, 2013
U-T San Diego -- The University of San Diego was ranked No. 3 in the nation for undergraduate participation in study-abroad programs by…
Business Students in Dubai Get Royalty Visit
// February 13, 2013
Inside USD -- Internationalization is alive and well on the University of San Diego campus, but last month, hundreds of students i…
USD Scholar Addresses Declining Violence in Mexico
// February 13, 2013
USD's Octavio Rodriguez, former J-1 scholar and now permanent Trans-Border Institute staff member, discusses the issue of declining violence…
Administrator Woman of Impact: Denise Dimon
// December 19, 2012
Inside USD -- Denise Dimon received the 2012 University of San Diego Woman of Impact honor in the administrator category, one of four a…