International Student Orientation
Orientation is mandatory for all new and transfer F-1 visa international students. This event is a requirement for students who have received a Form I-20 from Blinn.
This is NOT a general event for all students. For all other students beyond the F-1 visa category please see New Student Registration (NSR) page. Please note that the NSR events or TEAM/TEAB New Student Conferences will not satisfy the F-1 mandatory orientation requirements for F-1 students.
F-1 Orientation Dates
Semester | F-1 Orientation Date |
---|---|
Spring 2025 | See ISO registration email following issuing of I-20 for selection of dates. |
IMPORTANT: Failing to complete a check-in, attend the posted orientation date, or arriving late to orientation will result in an immediate termination of a student’s I-20. No exceptions will be made to this policy. See required arrival/check-in dates and deadlines
Event Information
Registration Required: Students will receive a registration link by email following the processing for their finalization and issuing of the Form I-20. Students must select a date and register for the event to attend.
Location: This event is held on the Brenham and Bryan campuses. See event registration for specific location. You can attend ISO at any campus regardless of your listed campus on your application.
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. CST
Complete ISO Module: Students must complete the online ISO module with an 80% pass rate prior to their ISO event date on campus. The link to the ISO module and certificate submission form can be found on the Event Registration page.
Guests: The is a student only event, guests are not allowed.
Event Topics:
- F-1 Visa Regulations
- State of Texas Testing Requirements
- American Grading System
- Academic and Personal Counseling
- Professor Expectations
- On-campus Resources
- International Student Organization
- Registration Information
- Navigating the Cultural Shift: Adapting to Life in America
F-1 Arrival Check-In
Arrival Logistics: Students should refer to the arrival information provided in their acceptance packet that was sent with the Form I-20. New F-1 students can arrive no earlier than July 26, 2025. All students must arrive by the posted arrival deadline. New F-1 students should make plans to arrive in order to attend their registered orientation event. Please see event registration for instructions regarding if you cannot arrive in the U.S. by your orientation event date. The ISP office does not provide airport pick-up.
Housing: Students on the Brenham campus should also be mindful of the Housing move-in date when making plans for arrival. Students are responsible for their own accommodations upon arrival. Brenham campus housing students will not be permitted to move-in prior to your assigned move-in date and will need to arrange accommodations off campus if they arrive prior to the Housing move-in date.
Check-in: All F-1 International Students are required to enter/arrive in the United States by Saturday, August 23, 2025 and complete an online check-in by 11:59 p.m. The online check - in process will be provided to new students through their myBLINN portal. Failure to arrive in the United States by this arrival deadline will result in a termination of your I-20. Do not schedule flights to arrive beyond this date as you must be present in the U.S. for the program start date on August 25, 2025 regardless of when your classes begin.