New Student Transition
Welcome to Biola University, global students! We are excited you have chosen to be a part of our community. We are here for you every step of the way as you transition to campus. Check out the next steps below to make sure you have all you need before you get here.
If you have any questions, please email us at GSE@biola.edu. See you soon!
Next Steps
Our goal is to make your transition to Biola University as smooth as possible. Please complete the following steps to ensure a smooth transition:
Orientation
Welcome to Biola! Global Orientation is designed specifically for global students, which includes international students, Missionary Kids (MKs) and Third Culture Kids (TCKs).
Global Student Orientation is a mandatory, in-person orientation designed to help transition global students to Biola's campus, culture, and community, so that you may be better equipped for life and studies here.
Global Orientation features:
- Transition support for studying at Biola
- Immigration session with the immigration advisor
- Connection to the global student community at Biola
- Airport support from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
We can’t wait to see you there!
Undergraduate Orientation
Global Orientation is mandatory and is on August 26–28, 2025. Global Orientation is separate from the general New Student Orientation for all incoming students.
Global Orientation includes:
- Early move-in to dorms with support from a team of global student leaders/volunteers
- Option for airport pickup at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and option to order supplies for your new dorm room
- Welcome Dinner to hear from President Barry Corey, GSE student leaders, and Biola staff here to support you
- Transition support for studying at Biola and living in the U.S.
- Connection to the global student community at Biola through informational sessions and fun activities
- Mandatory immigration check-in and F-1 compliance with the Immigration Specialist
View Fall 2025 Schedule
Tuesday, August 26
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m.-7 p.m. | Airport Pickup at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | LAX |
| 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Orientation Check-In Come to the Global Student Lounge during these hours to check in with Global Student Engagement (GSE). We will have global student leaders ready to help you! Make sure to arrive by 3:30pm so there is enough time to check in at the Housing Office before it closes at 4:00pm.
|
Global Student Lounge (upper SUB), Housing Office, Biola Store, Dorms |
| After 3:30 p.m. | Free Time Take time to settle into your new room, unpack, take a shower, explore campus, go to bed early...whatever you need! |
|
| 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Optional - Dinner at the Caf with GSE staff/volunteers | Caf |
Wednesday, August 27
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8-9 a.m. | Breakfast Join us for breakfast in the Biola Cafeteria (affectionately known as "The Caf"). |
Caf |
9-9:30 a.m. |
Devo and Worship | Haqq Plaza (outside Andrews Banquet Room) |
| 9:30-11 a.m. | Session 1: Global Student Welcome The Global Student Engagement team will lead us in this welcome time. |
Andrews Banquet Room (ABR) |
| 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | 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. |
ABR |
| 12-1 p.m. | Lunch with G.O. Groups Enjoy lunch in the Biola Caf with your new global friends! | Caf |
| 1-2 p.m. | Session 3: Safety and Emergencies 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. | ABR |
| 2-3 p.m. | Session 4: Biola Resources Learn about some of the resources available to you as a student. These offices/staff are here to serve and support you during your time at Biola! | ABR |
| 3-6 p.m. | Choose Your Adventure During this time we encourage you to make any appointments you need to, such as:
Or go on a campus tour... or just take a nap... or play some soccer... or read a book... it's FREE time! | Various Locations |
| 6-8 p.m. | 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. (Please note: family members must pre-register for this event!) | Fluor Fountain Tent (Parking Lot F) |
Thursday, August 28
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8-9 a.m. | Breakfast Join us for breakfast in the Caf. |
Caf |
| 9-9:30 a.m. | Devo and Worship | Haqq Plaza (outside Andrews Banquet Room) |
| 9:30-11 a.m. | Session 5: Passport Split / Parent Info Session Non-U.S. Passport Holders / F-1 Visa Students: 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. 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. |
F-1 Visa Students: ABR U.S. Passport Holders: Talbot East 008 Parents: Talbot East 108 |
| 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Session 6: Campus Challenge |
Starting point: ABR Activity takes place across campus |
| 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Lunch with G.O. Groups This will be a great time for you to get to know your leader, and to ask them all sorts of questions along with getting to know your fellow global students! | Caf |
| 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Session 7: Cultural Engagement | Sharing Your Culture During this important session, we will learn more about ways to navigate cultural transitions. (We will also take a group photo during this session!) | ABR |
| 2:30-3:00 p.m. | Session 8: Final Session Learn more about GSE and ways to get involved, and share reflections. | ABR |
| 3-6 p.m. | Choose Your Adventure During this time we encourage you to make any appointments you need to, such as:
Or go on a campus tour... or just take a nap... or play some soccer... or read a book... it's FREE time! | Various Locations |
| 6-7:30 p.m. | Dinner and Worship Night Grab a to-go dinner from the Caf and join us for our final meal together. We will also have a time of worship, prayer, and reflection to center our hearts as we begin a new school year at Biola. (Please note: family members must pre-register for this event!) | Fluor Fountain Tent (Parking Lot F) |
| 7:30-9 p.m. | Connection Event Join us for a time of FUN and games with your new global friends — you won't want to miss out! | ABR |
Friday, August 29
Undergrad New Student Orientation
View the NSO schedule
Graduate Orientation
Global Graduate Orientation is mandatory, from 9 a.m.–1p.m. on August 29, 2025.
Join us for:
- Mandatory immigration check-in and F-1 compliance with the Immigration Specialist
- Transition support and tips for studying at Biola
- Information on getting a job on campus and other resources
- Connection to the global student community at Biola
- A free lunch at the Biola Cafeteria
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. (This orientation is separate from Global Orientation.)
View Fall 2025 Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9-9:45 a.m. | Welcome
Welcome and introductions by GSE and International Admissions |
Talbot East 108 |
| 9:45-10:45 a.m. | 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. |
Talbot East 108 |
| 10:45-11 a.m. | Break Set up your cell phone with a free U.S. SIM |
Talbot East 108 |
| 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Transition & Resource Session
Learn about various helpful topics like:
|
Talbot East 108 |
| 12-12:15 p.m. | Group Photo | Bell Tower |
| 12:15-1 p.m. | Lunch at the Caf | Biola Cafeteria |
| 1-3 p.m. | Optional Support Time for Students
| Various Locations
Bank Account setup: Talbot East 108 |
Housing
Undergraduate Housing
Complete your Housing Application to request Biola Housing. If you plan to live off-campus and commute, you must submit a request to live off-campus. For more information on Biola’s on-campus and off-campus housing options, please visit the Biola Housing site.
Early Move-In
Global students will move in early, before the rest of the incoming students arrive.
For Fall 2025 incoming students, official move-in is on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Graduate Housing
Biola has a variety of housing options for graduate students. Once you decide on housing, confirm your move-in date and procedure. Don’t delay–these housing options fill up fast!
View details on graduate and family student housing.
Additional Options
If you would like to live off campus, check out other community options.
If you still cannot find something that fits your needs, or need more personal assistance, please contact our office and we can assist you, at GSE@biola.edu.
If you arrive in California at an earlier date and need a hotel, Biola recommends these local accommodations.
Travel Preparation
Packing
We highly suggest that you pack light and buy the majority of your necessities when you get here. There will be many opportunities to go shopping so we recommend that you only bring personal items with you, including anything that you wouldn’t be able to find in the US that helps you feel at home (i.e. snacks, small games or activities, etc.).
Airport Pick Up
Make your travel arrangements to fly into LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) for the morning of Global Orientation. Please fill out the Global Orientation registration form if you would like to be picked up from the airport, and we will contact you with more details.
Airport Shuttles
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 and does not recommend or guarantee any of these services.
- 1-800-RED-VANS (1-800-733-8267)
- Service to LAX, Burbank Airport (BUR), John Wayne Airport (SNA), Ontario Airport (ONT), & Long Beach Airport (LGB)
- Services available: private sedan, SUV, van, or luxury car
- Luggage limits: 3-10 pieces, varies depending on requested shuttle service
- 1-714-670-3480
- Service to LAX, SNA, & LGB airports
- Services available: sedan, SUV, 8-passenger van, 23-passenger mini bus
- Service to LAX, SNA, LGB, BUR, & ONT airports
- Services available: shared ride shuttle or private vehicle
- Service to LAX, SNA, LGB, & BUR airports
- Services available: private sedan, SUV, or van
- Luggage limits: 3-9 pieces, varies depending on requested shuttle service
- Services available: rideshare vehicle (not private), private sedan, private SUV
- Reserve in advance or upon arrival
Traveling with Cash
Carrying some amounts of cash is okay while you’re traveling, but it isn’t a good idea to carry too much. There are also limits on how much you are allowed to carry. Instead, 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 US for a small fee but a good exchange rate.
There will be further instructions and opportunities to open a US bank account during Global Orientation.
Check Your Email + Follow us on Instagram
Global Student Engagement will be sending consistent updates to your Biola email. Check your email regularly so you don't miss important information! In addition, follow us on Instagram.
Please email GSE@biola.edu with any questions. We can't wait to meet you!
