INTERNATIONAL ENROLLMENT

When you come to orientation, you’ll meet other new students and take part in fun and helpful activities that will get you ready to join the Hofstra community. You should plan to arrive in the U.S. early enough to attend all days of the required orientation.

It’s very important for all new international students to attend because you’ll learn about:

• U.S. immigration regulations
• The Hofstra campus
• Academic support
• Services to make your time at Hofstra successful and enjoyable

Students whose I-20 or DS-2019 forms have been issued will get emails with more details about orientation and preparing for arrival.

All new international students starting their program in Spring 2027 must attend orientation from Wednesday, January 20 – Thursday, January 21, 2027. You will receive an email with a link to register after your I-20 or DS-2019 is issued.

International Undergraduate Students
Your orientation experience will continue with Winter Orientation, together with all incoming undergraduates, on Friday, January 22, 2027. This applies to those in international programs and direct entry bachelor’s degree programs.

International Graduate Students
Graduate students may also have additional activities with their school or department. Your department or school will email you about any program-specific activities. Please note that these events may have their own separate sign-ups. This applies to students in international programs, advanced certificate, master’s, or doctoral programs.

J-1 Exchange Students
J-1 exchange students only need to attend International Student Orientation. You are not required to go to Winter Orientation, even though you are taking undergraduate-level classes at Hofstra, as that event is only intended for first-year, degree-seeking students.

Review information for how to prepare for your arrival to the U.S. at www.hofstra.edu/prearrival. Please note that new international students are allowed to enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019.

Remember to make arrangements for transportation from the airport after you arrive in the U.S. View this page of our website for directions on how to get to Hofstra’s campus.

On-campus housing is not assigned automatically, so consider where you would like to live and make plans before your arrival in the U.S.

To live on campus, you must:

1. Pay the required $300 housing deposit and submit a housing application online via the Hofstra portal (my.hofstra.edu). See instructions on how to apply for housing.
2. You’ll get your housing assignment details at your Hofstra email address, so check your inbox often.

Questions about on-campus housing should be sent to the Office of Residence Life.

• If you plan to live off campus, you will need to find your own accommodations.
• The Office of Commuting Student Services can provide advice and resources to help you find a place to live off campus. Contact them at +1-516-463-3469 or commuters@hofstra.edu.
• If you will arrive earlier than the official move-in date, you will need to get accommodation off campus until you can move into your residence hall.
• Information on local hotels near the Hofstra campus can be found on this page.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact International Enrollment at international@hofstra.edu!

During orientation, you’ll get lots of helpful information. To make things easier, we’ve created a Virtual Orientation Folder with all the details you’ll need so you can read it anytime at your own pace. The virtual folder is part of Hofstra’s “Yellow and Blue Make Green” environmental initiative to reduce the amount of paper used during programs.