New Student Transition
Welcome to 91, 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 91 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
Parents/families are welcome to participate in Sessions 1-3 and the Welcome Dinner on Wednesday, August 27. Programming on Thursday, August 28 is intended for students only. New Student Orientation (NSO) programming on Friday, August 29 is also open to parents and families.
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 / Parent Info Session The Global Student Engagement team will lead us in this welcome time. 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 |
| 11-11:15 a.m. | Break | |
| 11:15 a.m.-12:15 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 |
| 12:15-1:15 p.m. | Lunch with G.O. Groups Enjoy lunch in the Biola Caf with your new global friends! | Caf |
| 1:15-3 p.m. | 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. | ABR |
| 3-6 p.m. | 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 G.O. Group Leader in charge of each activity for details about where and when to meet for each excursion. Activities may include (subject to change):
| 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 4: Passport Split 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. |
F-1 Visa Students: ABR
|
| 11-11:15 a.m. | Break | |
| 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Session 5: Cultural Engagement | Sharing Your Culture |
ABR |
| 12:15-1:15 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 |
| 1:15-3 p.m. | Session 6: Campus Challenge Put your knowledge of Biola's campus and resources to the test in this fun 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: ABR
|
| 3-6 p.m. | 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 G.O. Group Leader in charge of each activity for details about where and when to meet for each excursion.
| Various Locations |
| 6-7:30 p.m. | Dinner and Worship Night Join us for our final meal together in the Student Union Building, the community-building hub where the GSE Lounge is located. We will also have a time of worship, prayer and reflection to center our hearts as we begin a new school year at Biola. | Student Union Building (SUB) |
| 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! | SUB |
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. |