Global Student Orientation 2026

Global Student Orientation & Housing Check-In
Come to the GSE Lounge anytime between these hours to check in for GSO and receive your dorm key. Then, we will have global student leaders ready to help you move into your dorm!

Free Time
Take time to unpack, settle into your new room, take a shower, explore campus, go to bed early...whatever you need!

Late Check-In
For students whose flights arrive after 3:00 pm.

Session 1: Global Student Welcome / Parent Info Session

Students: Meet the Global Student Engagement team and your fellow incoming students, and learn about what GSE is and does at Biola!

Parents: Parents, this is a time to hear from Biola staff members about ways we serve and care for global students, and ask all the questions that you have with regards to your child’s time at Biola.

Students: Andrews Banquet Room (ABR)

Parents: Talbot East 108

Session 2: Cultural Engagement | Biola and the U.S.
Learn about U.S. and Biola campus culture, and what you need to know to maneuver it.

Session 3: Safety & Emergencies / Biola Resources

Learn about how to stay safe and make wise choices. We will go over some procedures that may be different from the ones that you grew up with. Additionally, learn about some of the resources available to you as a student.

Choose Your Adventure

Choose from a variety of on-campus and off-campus adventures during free time! Details will be announced during Session 3. Make sure to connect with the GO Group leader in charge of each activity for details about where and when to meet for each excursion.

Activities may include (subject to change):

• Explore a nearby cultural supermarket
• Play games in the GSE Lounge
• Enjoy a drink or treat at one of the cafes within walking distance from campus
• Compete with your new friends in a game of soccer or spikeball
• Make a Target run for dorm supplies
• Meet with a Bank of America representative on campus to set up a U.S. bank account

Welcome Dinner

Join us for a special dinner to welcome you (and your family!) to Biola. At this dinner you will meet President Barry Corey and other Biola staff members, as well as mingle with other new global students. This is a highlight of GSO, so you won't want to miss it! (Please note: family members must pre-register for this event within the GSO registration form.)

Session 4: Passport Split

F-1 Visa Students (Non-U.S. Passport Holders): This is a mandatory Immigration Seminar for students holding an F-1 Visa. In this session, you will complete mandatory immigration check-in with the Immigration Specialist, as well as learn what you need to know about travelling while on your visa, working in the U.S., and the “Do's and Don’ts” in order to maintain your Visa status.

U.S. Passport Holders: This session will help equip U.S. globals (MKs and TCKs) to greater process their own cultural transition through hearing from global student leaders.

F-1 Visa Students: Andrews Banquet Room (ABR)

U.S. Passport Holders: Talbot East 008

Session 5: Cultural Engagement
During this session, we will learn more about ways to navigate cultural transitions. (We will also take a group photo during this session!)

Mayers Auditorium

Session 6: Campus Challenge

Put your knowledge of Biola's campus to the test in a fun scavenger hunt while learning about the various resources that exist for you at Biola. Meet back at Mayers Auditorium at 2:45 pm, even if you didn't finish the challenge. We will close our last session with ways to get involved in GSE and stay connected throughout the school year.

Starting and ending point: Mayers Auditorium

Activity takes place across campus

Choose Your Adventure

Choose from a variety of on-campus and off-campus adventures during free time! Details will be announced during Session 3. Make sure to connect with the GO Group leader in charge of each activity for details about where and when to meet for each excursion.

Activities may include (subject to change):

• Explore a nearby cultural supermarket
• Play games in the GSE Lounge
• Enjoy a drink or treat at one of the cafes within walking distance from campus
• Compete with your new friends in a game of soccer or spikeball
• Make a Target run for dorm supplies
• Meet with a Bank of America representative on campus to set up a U.S. bank account

Connection Event

Join us for our final meal together in the Student Union Building, the community-building hub where the GSE Lounge is located. We will have a time of worship, prayer, and reflection to center our hearts as we begin a new school year at Biola, then a time of FUN and games with your new global friends. You won't want to miss out!

Welcome
Welcome and introductions by GSE and International Admissions

Immigration Check-In
The Student Immigration Services team will lead a mandatory check-in session for F-1 Visa students. There will also be important information about travelling on an F-1 Visa, working in the U.S., and other “Do”s and “Don’t”s in order to maintain Visa status.

Break
Set up your cell phone with a free U.S. SIM card!

Transition & Resource Session
Learn about various helpful topics like:

• Cultural transition and engagement
• Culture shock
• Safety and emergencies
• Driving in the U.S.
• Housing
• Resources available to you at Biola

Optional Support Time for Students

• Meet with a Bank of America representative for free to set up a U.S. bank account
• GSE staff available to help you find various locations on campus (for example, International Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar's Office, Health Center, IT Helpdesk, Housing Office, your academic department and classrooms, etc.)

Various Locations

Bank account setup: Talbot East 108