INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION (ISO)

If you are a newly admitted F-1/J-1 student, you are allowed to arrive up to 30 days before your program start date. Check the program start date listed on your form I-20/DS-2019.

ISS’ Role and Maintaining F-1/J-1 Student Visa Status – Students will be able to . . .

• • Recognize ISS’ role in supporting them, including providing advising, immigration updates, and document production services; transitional and engagement programs; international student advocacy; and compliance and co-curricular communications.
  • Summarize key federal regulations and institutional policies they must follow in order to maintain their nonimmigrant F-1/J-1 student visa status.
  • List and describe the function of important immigration documents and agencies related to their visa status.
  • Identify benefits and authorizations, such as off-campus employment, that they are eligible for as F-1/J-1 student visa holders.

Using Terra Dotta and the ISS Website – Students will be able to . . .

• • Recognize how to navigate Terra Dotta to submit requests, send information requests, schedule an appointment with their ISS advisor, and perform other tasks.
  • Identify the various sections viewable on the ISS homepage and how to navigate them and perform a search to find the information they need.

Health, Safety, and Student Success – Students will be able to . . .

• • Describe challenges they may encounter during their transition to UW-Madison and identify campus resources that support their health, well-being, and overall success during their adjustment to living and studying in the U.S. (further elaborated on through the Global Badger Success Fridays series).
  • Recognize key U.S. laws, campus policies, and resources for staying safe during their studies.
  • Define “scam” and discuss types of scams and techniques for avoiding them.

All newly admitted F-1 and J-1 students must complete ISO and ISS Check-in within Terra Dotta. Additionally, transfer students from another U.S. institution with a “Transfer Pending” I-20/DS-2019, students returning from a leave of absence on an “Initial Attendance” I-20/DS-2019, change of education level students, and change of visa status students must complete ISO & ISS Check-in. F-2 and J-2 dependents do not have any ISO and ISS Check-in requirements.

ISO is for all students with an F-1/J-1 visa.

SOAR (Student Advising, Orientation, & Registration) is for all undergraduate first-year and transfer students who are studying a degree program at UW-Madison.

Graduate and professional students do not attend SOAR. If you are a graduate or professional student, check with your academic department for your program’s orientation. All graduate students should also attend the Graduate Student Welcome.

Exchange students and non-degree visiting students also do not attend SOAR.

Yes. Both ISO and SOAR are mandatory programs designed to support your success at UW-Madison.

Yes. Change of Education Level students are required to complete ISO and ISS Check-in within Terra Dotta. Completing ISO helps reinforce your understanding of important rules and regulations for maintaining your F-1/J-1 student visa status.

Maybe. If your Leave of Absence from UW-Madison was longer than 1 year, you are required to complete all ISO requirements. If you have an “Initial Attendance” I-20/DS-2019, you must complete ISO and ISS Check-in after you have entered the U.S.