Orientation
Our New International Student Orientation (NISO) is broken up into 4 sections so students receive specific information and guidance for their student type. Find out your student type below:
Exchange Students
Students who are attending one our UIW Sister Schools and plan to study at UIW for one or two semesters but plan to go back home and finish their degree. Students who study at Centro Incarnate Word or UIW - Bajio Campus, our Mexico campuses are also considered Exchange students. If you are an exchange student you will have a J-1 visa and have a "cultural requirement" as part of your immigration which you will learn more about at orientation.
You will our International Orientation starting on August 20th, 2018.
Undergraduate Students
Students who are studying a bachelor level degree and plan to graduate from UIW. Some students come straight from abroad while others come from High School in the U.S. or English language schools in the U.S. Usually on an F-1 visa, you will have special rules and benefits covered in orientation.
You will our International Orientation starting on August 20th, 2018.
Transfer Students
Students who are studying a bachelor level degree and plan to graduate from UIW, but have been studying at another U.S. university or college directly before transferring to UIW. Usually on an F-1 visa, you already have experience in the U.S. and feel comfortable in a U.S. environment, but now need to learn about UIW rules and opportunities in orientation.
You will our International Orientation starting on August 20th, 2018.
Graduate Students
Students who are studying at a Master or Doctoral level and plan to graduate from UIW. Orientation will help you learn about immigration rules and resources for graduate students.
You will our International Orientation starting on August 20th, 2018.
You will also need to sign up for and attend the Graduate Orientation (Masters & PhD Students), or the Professional School Orientation (Optometry or Pharmacy students)
What is covered in Arrival Week & Orientation Week?
Arrival Week
- Campus Tour and Student ID
- Cardinal Apps and Student accounts
- Dorm living and Move-In
- Immigration Document Check-In
- Class Schedule and Books
- Shuttle Service - Shopping
- Social Night - Meet new friends
- Ambassador Night - Meet U.S. Students
- Get to Know Your Neighborhood
- Public Transportation
- Fiesta Texas - Six Flags
- The Shops at La Cantera
Orientation Week
- University Mission
- Civic Leadership at UIW
- U.S. Classroom Expectations
- Academic Success and Graduate Support Center
- Safety in the U.S.
- Banking, Mobile Service, Transportation and San Antonio community
- Know Your Rights in the U.S.
- Immigration Briefing for F-1, J-1 and other visa types
- Acculturation and Homesickness Workshop
- University Events and Campus Activities
- Student Organization & Greek Organization
- Campus Safety and UIW Student Conduct
- Health Insurance, Health & Counseling Services
- Tuition & Payments
- Study Abroad opportunities
- Wellness Center and Sport facilities
- Sharing your Culture
- Meet UIW Alumni
- San Antonio City Tour
- Dinner with UIW President
- iRetreat
- ........and much more