Graduate Orientation
Join us at the Fall 2019 New Global Student Orientation on August 30, 2019! This orientation is free, but you must register for it by January 2, 2020.
Next Steps
Global Student Orientation Schedule
Thursday, January 9, 2020
| Time |
Event |
Location |
| 1—2 p.m. |
Campus Tour and GSPD Anchoring (Optional): Walk together and pick up your official Global Student Programs and Development (GSPD) t-shirt. |
GSPD Office (Rose Hall) |
| 2—2:15 p.m. | Orientation Check In Meet at the Lehman Board Room (Metzger Hall) to check in with GSPD. You will be greeted by a GSPD staff member and refreshments will be provided. Upon checking in, you will receive a name tag, welcome gift, and GSPD brochure. |
Lehman Board Dining Room (Metzger Hall) |
| 2:15—2:30 p.m. | Welcome to GSPD Be introduced to the GSPD team and Biola staff members. |
Lehman Board Dining Room (Metzger Hall) |
| 2:30—3:30 p.m. | New Student Welcome and Cultural Transitions You will be formally welcomed and invited to a discussion on cultural transitions. |
Lehman Board Dining Room (Metzger Hall) |
| 3:30—4:15 p.m. | Immigration and Visa Information Biola's immigration advisor, Jessica Chen, will lead on all things you need to know as an F-1 visa holder. |
Lehman Board Dining Room (Metzger Hall) |
| 4:15—5:15 p.m. | Navigating Biola as a Global Student Learn more about the global student community at Biola, hear current global (graduate) students share about their experiences, and join for a time of prayer. |
Lehman Board Dining Room (Metzger Hall) |
| 5:15—6:30 p.m. | Dinner Enjoy a time of food and fellowship. During dinner, you will get a chance to mingle with other new students, as well as staff members who will serve as connection points for you. Take a group photo and sign up for rides for Sunday church service. |
Café Banquet Room |
Department Orientation
Attend the orientation for your program to learn about academic advising, beginning classes, orientation activities and more. View graduate student orientation information to find out times and dates for each school's orientation activities.
Meet Your Global Graduate Coordinator
We would like to introduce you to your Global Graduate Coordinator, Sam Svensson. He will be a great resource for you as you are transitioning into Biola.
Sam was born and raised in Sweden, and lived there until he moved to the United States to attend Biola in 2014. Before moving to the United States, Sam spent nine months in Tanzania doing an internship with a local church. He served as a youth worship pastor, a church planter, Swedish teacher and refugee resettlement specialist.
Besides GSPD, Sam also currently works in Biola’s International Admission Department where he has worked since his second semester of undergraduate studies. Sam finished his undergrad degree at Biola’s Cook School of Intercultural Studies and is currently pursuing a masters degree in Linguistics and Biblical languages. His goal is to work in Bible translation wherever God wants him in the future. As a global graduate student coordinator, he helps global graduate students with transitional services and community building.
If you have any questions at any point, please do not hesitate to contact us at globalstudentservices@biola.edu.