Global Student Orientation

GSO is completely cost-free for students!

GSO free time activities include opportunities to go to a local store for dorm supplies or café for a drink or snack. These activities are completely optional. Students who would like to participate are encouraged to have some cash on hand for any purchases they may want to make!

For students who are registered for GSO, meals at the Biola Cafeteria are covered from lunch on move-in day (Tuesday of orientation week) through dinner on the last day of GSO (Thursday of orientation week). Student meal plans begin on the Friday before the first day of classes.

Meals are only covered for students with the exception of the GSO Welcome Dinner (all guests must RSVP for this dinner within the GSO registration form). Guests are welcome to purchase meals at the Biola Cafeteria or other campus eateries, or to explore the multitude of local off-campus dining options.

Global Student Orientation is tailored specifically to incoming global students, while New Student Orientation (NSO) is for all incoming students. Both are required for global students, and there are different activities and events in each. Please find more information and register for NSO here.

Make your travel arrangements to fly into the Los Angeles area on the morning or afternoon of GSO move-in day.

If you intend to request GSE’s airport pickup service, find more information under “Can I be picked up from the airport?” below.

Nearby airports:

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - 27 miles (43 km) from Biola
• Long Beach Airport (LGB) - 14 miles (22 km) from Biola
• John Wayne Airport (SNA) - 24 miles (38 km) from Biola
• Ontario International Airport (ONT) - 33 miles (54 km) from Biola
• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) - 33 miles (54 km) from Biola

If you will be arriving to the U.S. earlier than the official move-in day:

Please note that F-1 Visa students can enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the program start date listed on their I-20.

If you arrive in the U.S. before the official GSO move-in date, you will be responsible for arranging and paying for your temporary accommodations, meals, and transportation. Please plan to move into your campus dorm on the official move-in day.

If you will be arriving later than the official move-in day:

We understand that sometimes visa or travel delays may mean that you are not able to arrive on the official move-in day! If you experience a sudden delay in travel or your F-1 Visa application process, contact the GSE team (GSE@biola.edu) and your admissions counselor as soon as possible.

Please refer to the communication from Torrientation, FirstGen Summer Bridge, or Athletics leaders for early arrival instructions. Torrey, FirstGen, and some athlete students will have earlier arrival dates than the GSO move-in day.

GSE offers airport pickup from LAX for students (and their family/guests, if applicable) on the official undergraduate GSO move-in day only. If you would like to request airport pickup, book your flight to arrive at LAX and fill out the GSO registration form by the deadline listed. (See the GSO registration form for more details.)

Please keep in mind that this service is one-way from the airport to Biola; we are unable to provide shuttle services for additional errands or rides once you arrive, so please plan accordingly for your ongoing transportation needs.

If your flight arrives before or after the official GSO move-in day, please consider these alternative shuttle options:

• Uber
• Lyft
• Karmel Shuttle Service
• Prime Time Shuttle
• Shuttle2LAX
• SuperShuttle

NOTE: Biola University provides this listing only as a service to our students. Biola does not have a business relationship with any of the companies listed above and does not recommend or guarantee any of these services.

If you have family traveling with you and/or if you plan to arrive in California earlier than the official move-in date, Biola recommends these local accommodations.

Please note that on-campus housing is reserved for students only and families/guests traveling with incoming students will be responsible for their own housing and transportation.

Parents/families/guests are welcome to participate in Sessions 1-3 and the Welcome Dinner on the Wednesday of GSO. Session 1 is a Parent Info Session—hear from Biola staff members about the ways we serve and care for global students, and ask all the questions that you have with regards to your student’s time at Biola.

Programming on Thursday is intended for students only. Families and guests are encouraged to spend the day sightseeing, enjoying local eateries, shopping, or exploring Biola’s campus! A brochure with recommendations for local sights, activities, and food options will be available when your student checks in for GSO.

New Student Orientation (NSO) programming on the Friday of Orientation Week is also open to parents and families. Parents/guests are encouraged to stay for the University Welcome service—it is a meaningful event to attend with your student to send them off as they begin their new journey at Biola! Check out the full NSO schedule here.

We encourage you to pack light and buy many of your dorm supplies (especially bulky things like bedding) once you arrive in California. There will be opportunities to go shopping for dorm supplies during GSO, so we recommend that you use your luggage space for clothing and other personal items, including anything that you wouldn’t be able to find in the U.S. that helps you feel at home (i.e. snacks, small games or activities, etc.). Check out pages 16-18 of the International Student Pre-Arrival Packet for additional packing recommendations!

Alternatively, dorm supplies may be ordered online prior to arrival in California. Click here for a list of recommended supplies to purchase, recommended stores/websites to order from, and instructions for how to ship items to Biola.

In addition, find a suggested packing list and learn more about what furniture is provided in your dorm room at the Housing Office’s Move-In Instructions page.

It can be helpful to carry some cash while traveling, but it isn’t a good idea to carry too much. There are also limits on how much you are allowed to carry. If you don’t feel comfortable or don’t want to carry cash, consider some non-cash alternatives:

• A prepaid debit card: This allows you to travel with ‘cash’ that you load onto the card in your home country. If the card is lost or stolen, you can cancel the card and get a new one.
• Wire transfer services: Some services (like Western Union) allow you to transfer money to yourself in the United States. Then you can pick up the money after you arrive.
• Check with your bank in your home country: Often, you can use your debit card in the U.S. for a small fee but a good exchange rate.

If you are interested in opening a U.S. bank account, there will be opportunities to do so during Global Student Orientation!

Please feel free to email GSE@biola.edu with any questions or concerns—we are happy to help! Your admissions counselor is also an excellent resource to ask questions regarding enrollment tasks, financial aid, housing, etc.