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International Affairs

The World at UCR

UCR students studying in HUB dining area

Campus & Community Resources

International Student Services

Your personal, social and educational success is important to us. We encourage you to get involved by joining a workshop or program, and to let us know when you need help or have any questions.

Our international student advisors can help you with:

  • Adjusting to American culture
  • Making decisions and solving problems
  • Building positive relationships with roommates, classmates and professors
  • Staying safe
  • Improving your English
  • Understanding employment options
  • Understanding immigration requirements
  • Finding resources on campus

Call us at (951) 827-4113 to schedule a one-on-one appointment.

International Students & Scholars Office

Office Hours: Monday - Friday | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
(closed from 12:00 - 1:00p.m.)
Location: SSB, 2nd Floor  Campus Map

Email: internationalstudents@ucr.edu
Phone: 951-827-4113
Schedule One-on-one appointment: Call 951-827-4113

Success, Wellness & Community at UCR

Campus Departments, Staff and Faculty

  • International Students and Scholars Mission

    To facilitate intercultural understanding, engagement and respect throughout our community while supporting the personal, professional, and academic goals of our students, scholars, and peers. We foster this mission through our services, programming, advocacy and outreach.

  • International Student Profile

    UCR hosts over 2000 international students from more than 70 different countries pursuing bachelors, masters and PHD degrees. We also host exchange students from our UC Education Abroad partner institutions.

  • Programs and Services

    Explore the programs and services we provide for students and peers.

  • Get Involved
    • Invite us to your classroom or department so we can share what we do. Contact us.
    • Share your experience and your expertise at our orientations and workshops. Contact us for details. 
    • Are you teaching in a Riverside-area school and interested in bringing in an international student to interact with your class? Please feel free to contact us to see if we can help connect you for a mutual exchange of culture and/or language.
  • Things to Keep in Mind Immigration 101

    As a faculty or staff member, it may be helpful for you to keep in mind that International students (F-1 & J-1) MUST…

    • Maintain a full course load (12 units) each quarter. Please do not advise them to drop classes, take a leave of absence or withdraw before talking with an international student advisor in International Affairs
    • Have authorization to work off-campus. Consequences for unauthorized employment are serious. Do not advise anyone to get a job before talking to an international student advisor.
    • Obtain ISS permission before working on-campus (if J-1).
    • Limit on-campus work to 20 hours or less during the academic year.
    • Consult with International Affairs before traveling outside the US. Certain steps must be taken when leaving and re-entering.
    • Report change of major, degree objective or financial sponsorship to an international student advisor.
    • Extend their Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 before the program end date if more time is needed to complete their degree.
  • Things to consider: when communicating, culture counts.
    • NAMES MATTER
      • Make an effort to learn what a student would like to be called and how to pronounce their name correctly
    • EYE CONTACT
      • Rules of politeness vary across cultures. In the U.S. for example, direct eye contact is encouraged, but in some countries, it is considered rude. A student may avoid eye contact because it’s the polite thing to do, not because they aren’t listening or don’t care.
    • WRITE IT DOWN
      • When you help an international student who seems to be struggling, consider writing down what you talked about so that they can refer to it later.
    • “I DON’T GET IT …”
      • American jokes, cultural references, acronyms and slang may not be immediately understood. Take the time to explain a reference.
    • NOT SO FAST
      • When you ask an international student a question, give them a little extra time to gather their thoughts before they respond. Put yourself in their shoes.
    • SLOW DOWN (IF NEEDED)
      • If there is a language barrier, speaking a little more slowly can increase understanding. However, remember some international students are quite comfortable speaking English and have been doing so all their lives.
    • ALWAYS CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING (YOURS AND THEIRS)
      • “Where do I get a bus card?” directing them to the bus station sounds reasonable, right? However, what if they meant an R’Card? You probably would have responded differently! Ask for clarification. Restate what you think the student is trying to say, and have them do the same. Asking, “Do you understand?” is not as effective as inviting them to share what they heard you say.
    • WHY WOULD YOU ASK ME HOW I AM AND THEN JUST WALK AWAY?
      • Interactions that are quite normal in the U.S. may seem odd to an international student at first. For example, saying, “How are you?” as a greeting, without waiting for an answer, may seem strange to students from certain countries. Strive to resolve these misunderstandings
    • FACULTY: YOUR RULES MIGHT BE NEW RULES
      • In some countries, copying work is considered high praise. Take extra time to go over your expectations regarding academic integrity, attendance, punctuality and deadlines
    • KNOW THAT YOU DON’T ALWAYS KNOW
      • KNOW Don’t make assumptions or judge. Be open. Seek to truly understand international students. You’ll be glad you did.
  • Where do I find these common forms and guides?

    Curricular Practical Training Request Form

    Optional Practical Training Request Form 

    Sample Financial Support Letter 

    Social Security Verification Form [F-1 Visa]

    Social Security Verification Form [J-1 Visa]

  • Resources

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