Welcome to Penn State Berks — we're here to help you get comfortable with campus!

Jump to information about Mandatory Immigration Check-In »

At Penn State, our orientation programs aim to familiarize students with the tools and services that assist their successful academic, social, and personal transition to (and through!) the University. For international students, New Student Orientation (NSO) is a three-step program: International students complete the first two steps through the Academic Advising office, and the last step — the International Student Welcome (ISW) — is held in person, hosted by the Office of International Student Services.

Step 1: Attend a virtual orientation

The first step of NSO is a virtual orientation introduction for all incoming students. This includes a University welcome and a chance to learn about the resources and support services offered at Penn State. Once you complete step one of NSO, you will be able to schedule an advising meeting with an academic adviser.

Step 2: Meet with your adviser and schedule classes

The second step is academic advising and course scheduling. You must complete Step 1 in order to meet with an academic adviser and enroll in your first-semester courses. The earlier you attend NSO, the more course options will be available to you when you enroll in courses. This meeting will be an hour-long individual appointment via Zoom and should occur within a week after your NSO date. Prior to your advising meeting, please make sure to have completed the Educational Planning Survey (EPS) and the ALEKS math assessment (found on your NSO Tasklist). Register for NSO online »

Step 3: Attend International Student Welcome 

Your third step will be the most exciting: International Student Welcome! Arrival is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21, and International Student Welcome is scheduled for Thursday, August 22 and Friday, August 23. The goal of the welcome events is to help you learn about campus and the resources available, and also aims to help you in making connections before the rest of the new students arrive and classes begin! All new, new-to-campus, and transfer international students should plan to attend the International Student Welcome. 

These in-person welcome sessions include: 

  • Campus and community resources (for example, you will learn how to pay your tuition bill, how to obtain health insurance, and meet with University Police and Public Safety)
  • Immigration session
  • Campus tour
  • Shopping trip
  • Meet campus staff
  • Meet International Student Peer Mentors - All new international students will have a peer mentor that can assist and support you through your first year as a Penn State Berks student!

Confirm your attendance for ISWIf you have questions about International Student Welcome, please contact Nikki Rosario at [email protected].

Arrival Day

New international students beginning in the fall semester should plan to arrive to campus on Wednesday, August 21. On this day, you can move into your dorm, establish a bank account and U.S. cell phone number, and get your Penn State ID card. You will not be granted access to your on-campus space any earlier than this date. We will be providing transportation from Philadelphia airport the morning of August 21. When you sign up for the welcome, ensure you select if you will require transportation.
 
IMPORTANT NOTE: We recommend that you arrive BEFORE August 21 and stay in a local hotel so you can recover from jetlag and be ready to begin sessions on arrival day. We have a room block at the Hampton Inn in Wyomissing that will be available for $109 per night plus tax. We can provide transportation the morning of the welcome if you decide to stay at that hotel. 

If you choose to stay at the Hampton Inn Reading/Wyomissing, you must reserve your room by Tuesday, August 6. There are a few options to secure the special rate:

Mandatory Immigration Check-In

All F-1 and J-1 visa holders must complete Mandatory Immigration Check-In with their international student adviser. During Mandatory Immigration Check-in, you will be required to present important arrival and immigration documents. The purpose of Mandatory Immigration Check-in is to confirm your arrival to campus and to activate your SEVIS record with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Prior to your arrival in the U.S., you will receive instructions from ISSA on how to submit some documents to your iStart account. We recommend that you upload documents as you receive them before your arrival as this will make the in-person Mandatory Immigration Check-in more efficient.

Mandatory Immigration Check-in must be completed within 30 days of your arrival to the U.S. Specific details on Mandatory Immigration Check-in will be shared in New International Student Welcome information.