OISS programs span a variety of topics, connecting students with each other and with faculty.
Annual Scholars Reception
Each fall, OISS invites visiting faculty, researchers, and post-doctoral students and their families to join together for networking and a special welcome to the university. Boston College faculty who sponsor visiting scholars are also warmly invited to attend.
Career & Employment Series
Recognizing that legal employment processes can be especially complex for international students, OISS partners with the Career Center and BC schools and departments to sponsor a workshop series focused on U.S. resume writing, work authorization processes, interviewing, post-graduation options, and more.
Conversation Partners Program
The Conversation Partners Program (CPP) is a program that matches international graduate students who want to practice their conversational English skills with a member of the BC community. CPP helps connect students with faculty, staff, and administrators from across the university in conversation, cultural exchange, and friendship.
Graduate Student Discussion Group
The Graduate Student Discussion Group has three aims: to bring together international graduate students from different schools and departments, to provide a comfortable environment for further developing conversational English skills, and to provide ongoing orientation support for international graduate students. Grad Discussion is held once a week throughout the academic years, and covers such topics as the US higher education system, American holidays and events, student support services, and more! The program is co-sponsored by OISS, the Office of Graduate Student Life, and the Connors Family Learning Center.
Graduate Student Wellness Group
The International Graduate Student Wellness Group is co-sponsored by OISS, the Office of Graduate Student Life and University Counseling Services. The group provides a safe space for graduate students to share and discuss adjusting to life in the US, academic stressors, family issues, and more. Discussions are mediated by a graduate student studying mental health counseling in the Lynch School of Education under the supervision of a member of University Counseling Services.
Graduation Reception
In celebration of their many accomplishments during their time at Boston College, the OISS invites students and their families to the annual International Student Graduation Reception. Information about for the event will be sent to graduating students’ BC email during spring semester
International Assistants Program
Boston College’s flagship International Assistant (IA) Program was established in 1980, in response to the needs of a growing international undergraduate student body. The program matches each incoming international first-year student and transfer student with an upper class student mentor, an International Assistant for their first semester. The IA Program aims to facilitate the adjustment of new international students to life at Boston College, the City of Boston, and American life in general, especially during the crucial first months on-campus.
International Education Week
Initiated in 2000 by the US Department of State and the Department of Education, International Education Week (IEW) emphasizes the importance of increasing knowledge and awareness of the world's many cultures, peoples, and languages. It affirms the critical role international education plays at Boston College and around the world. IEW takes place in November and is a collaborative effort organized by a wide array of departments and offices at Boston College, under the direction of the Office of International Students and Scholars and the Office of International Programs.
International Student Orientation
International Student Orientation is a three-day program held each fall. The program is required for all freshman undergraduate and exchange students, and is strongly recommended for all new graduate international students. International Student Orientation is designed to supplement other orientations arranged by the First-Year Experience Office or individual schools and academic departments. International Student Orientation includes presentations from a variety of offices across the university, provides useful information about the international student experience at Boston College, and allows new international students to meet each other during both on- and off-campus social events.
2023 International Student Orienation
(August 22 -August 24)
Freshmen & Undergraduate transfers on student visas who went to school outside of the U.S. and are matched with International Assistants, please RSVP below and click here for your Orientation Schedule
Freshmen & Undergradute transfers who attended school in the US OR who are US citizens living abroad, please RSVP below and click here for your Orientation Schedule
Undergraduate Exchange students, please RSVP below and click here for your Orientation Schedule
Graduate students (including LLM exchange), please RSVP below and click here for your Orientation Schedule
Learn to Pronounce Chinese Names
Do you interact with Chinese students on campus and wish you could try to pronounce their names properly? Join OISS and the Boston College Slavic & Eastern Languages department as a faculty member introduces basic Chinese pronunciation. This annual International Education Week event is open to all BC students, faculty and staff.
Thanksgiving Host Program
The Thanksgiving Host Program matches international students with American host families as the spend the holiday at the home of a BC faculty, staff or administrator. Participating in seasonal events is an important way to engage with US culture. Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for Americans to be with their family, to remember their good fortune, and to be thankful for all that they have. Participants find it to be a fun and interesting way to exchange ideas, customs, and other cross-cultural issues.
Undergraduate Student Discussion Group
The Undergraduate Student Discussion Group has three aims: to bring together international graduate students from different schools and departments, to provide a comfortable environment for further developing conversational English skills, and to provide ongoing orientation support for international undergraduate students. Undergraduate Discussion is held bi-weekly throughout the academic years, and covers such topics as the US higher education system, American holidays and events, student support services, and more! The program is co-sponsored by OISS & The Office of International Programs.
Youtube Videos
Please click the [OISS Youtube Video] to navigate and explore other OISS recorded resources.
Discussion Topics:
- Counseling Services
- Office of Health Promotion
- Office of Student Involvement
- O'Neill Library Services
- Strategies for Building Confidence & Meaningful Class Contribution
- Student Outreach & Support Services
- What is Academic Writing?
The Office of Global Engagement and the Office of International Students and Scholars have partnered to higlight the diverse work of our international scholars. The montlhy series gives the scholars the opportunity to present their research to the larger BC campus community.