Orientation & Resources for Newly Admitted Students

Before You Arrive

Pre-Arrival Moodle Course

All new international students are required to complete our Pre-Arrival Moodle Course, which includes essential information about your immigration documents and life at LSU. 

Access Pre-arrival Moodle

Pre-Arrival Townhalls

International Programs hosts a series of pre-arrival townhalls designed to give incoming international students and their families an opportunity to ask questions and connect with the LSU community before they arrive.

Please contact icc@lsu.edu for more information about townhall meetings. 

Arriving at LSU

Airport Pickup

The ICC offers free student transportation from the Baton Rouge airport at the beginning of new semesters. At the start of a new semester, a form will be posted here to register for transportation; if you have any questions, please email us at icc@lsu.edu.  

Housing

Check out our ICC Roommate Search Board for current international students looking for roommates or advertising rooms. Visit LSU's on-campus housing page for on-campus housing options. For off campus housing, this website is a good place to start your search.

Short-term housing is limited and expensive in Baton Rouge, so we highly encourage you to schedule the start of your lease for when you are planning to arrive. If short-term accommodation is needed, we recommend you look at nearby hotels or Airbnbs. Our Arrival Guide includes some recommendations.

Reporting your Arrival

As a new student at LSU on an F-1 or J-1 visa, one of the first things you need to do after arriving in the U.S. is to report your arrival to LSU and to the Department of Homeland Security. At LSU, this is done via completing a SEVIS Check in.

Report your arrival

International Orientation

New incoming international students are required to attend International Orientation when they arrive. Orientation is an essential program that introduces new students to campus, reinforces their rights and responsibilities, and provides opportunities to meet their peers and begin creating community.

All F-1 and J-1 students will attend two (2) orientation programs:

1. International Student Orientation 
2. One of the following:
   1. Freshman Orientation – Registration is required, and there is a fee for this program.
   2. Transfer Orientation – Registration is required, and there is a fee for this program.
   3. Graduate Orientation – This program is offered only during the fall semester, and there is no cost to attend.

Registration dates will be posted here before the start of a new semester. 

Orientation for Dependents

An orientation is also available for students and their dependents (spouses and children), covering topics like maintaining status, healthcare, registering children for school, and more.

Registration dates will be posted here before the start of a new semester.

Documents 101 for F-1 Student Visa Status

English Placement Requirements

Documents 101 for J-1 Student Visa Status

Health Insurance & The U.S. Healthcare System