International Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to Nova Southeastern University, and welcome to the shark community! By coming to orientation, you will have fun, meet other students, and be introduced to faculty and program administration. You will learn about the many available services and resources here at Nova Southeastern University, and receive a campus tour to ensure your preparedness for your first day of classes. Please make certain that you will be able to attend the entire program for the date you select.

On your orientation day, you will be able to:

Students are more than welcome to invite family members and/or guests to this orientation program. Family members and guests will have the opportunity to experience the program with students as a separate program for them is not offered.

What to Know

For January start
Winter Orientation		 For August start
Summer Orientation		 For Midterm start
Online Orientation
  • 1 day joint program with Daytime Freshman & Transfer
  • 9am - 4pm
  • Check-in begins at 7:30am in the Carl DeSantis Building, Inside Courtyard
  • Complementary parking available
  • 1 day program, the Saturday before classes begin
  • 9am-4pm
  • Check-in begins at 7:30am in the University Center
  • Complementary parking available
  • Students who begin their classes in either October or March of their first semester are invited to either the following semester's orientation program or to take advantage of our online orientation program.

What to Bring

For January startWinter Orientation For August startSummer Orientation For Midterm startOnline Orientation
  • Vehicle registration (not a copy), to register your vehicle and obtain a parking permit
  • Your computer or your computer's MAC address in order to access our campus wireless network. Not sure where to find your MAC address? Click here.
  • Students interested in waiving NSU's Health Insurance should bring their health insurance card. For more information, visit the Health Insurance page.
  • Contact the Office of Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement to set up a personal meeting to aid you accessing the online orientation, and receive assistance in completing necessary new student transactions.

Things To Do Before Orientation

  1. Have your travel documents and confirm with the Office of International Students at 954-262-7242, or via email (intl@nova.edu) to confirm that all necessary paperwork is completed to begin your term
    • Visit the Prospective F-1 students section for more information on required documentation
    • Request the correct visa (F-1) at the US Embassy/Consulate in your home country
    • The U.S. Immigration & Naturalization (INS) officer at the port of entry will place a red date stamp with F-1 D/S on the School & Student Copy of your I-20 and I-94 Card (Departure Record)
    • The INS officer will return to you the Student Copy of your I-20 along with your I-94 card
  2. Complete the Pre-Orientation designed by the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
    • information about Pre-Orientation will be in your acceptance packet
  3. Make arrangements to have US currency available upon your arrival
  4. Pay Admission Deposit (if applicable)
  5. Contact Academic Advisor to register for classes (these links should be the same the Box that appears on the right of the screen titled "Checklist")
  6. Contact the Office of Residential Life and Housing at 954-262-7052 or via e-mail reslife@nova.edu.
    • For information regarding living on campus
    • Sign contract to live on campus
    • Confirm details about check-in/move-in day