Students socializing

International Student Engagement

International Student Engagement provides programs, resources, and services to support all international students, third-culture students, and international research scholars throughout their time at Azusa Pacific University. In addition, we promote intercultural engagement across campus in support of APU’s commitment to intentional internationalization and cultural competency, helping students recognize and value the diversity that is an expression of God’s image, love, and boundless creativity.

Global Student Orientation (GSO)

We are excited that you are coming to APU! GSO helps make your transition to APU and the United States (U.S.) a smooth one, and we look forward to welcoming you to our community and assisting you.

  • GSO is mandatory for all international undergraduate, graduate, and artist certificate students on F-1 or J-1 visas.
  • GSO is highly recommended for third-culture students (TCKs) who have spent the majority of their life away from the U.S.
  • All new first-year and transfer undergraduates also need to register for and attend Welcome Weekend.

The following information will also help you as you transition to the U.S. and APU:

GSO Checklist and Links

  • Plan on arriving in the U.S. no later than 1 day before the GSO date for your admitted term, but we recommend arriving 4-7 days before the first day of GSO. Typically, GSO is scheduled during the week before the first day of classes.
  • GSO FAQs

Feel free to contact us at isengagement@apu.edu if you have any questions, or if you have decided to not attend Azusa Pacific University.

Intercultural Groups

There are several campus groups that serve international students, third-culture students (TCKs), and international research scholars. ISE partners with these groups to promote international awareness on the APU campus:

For more information on ethnic organizations, visit our Ethic Organizations page. For more information on clubs and organizations, visit the Office of Campus Life. If you’re interested in starting an intercultural group, reach out to us at isengagement@apu.edu.

International Student Activities and Events

Get connected to our community! All events and programs facilitated by our office are designed to bridge global and local students. If you have event ideas you’d like to share with us, or if you want to get involved with taking part in ISE events, email isengagement@apu.edu or follow @intlapu on Instagram!.

Fall Events

  • Global Student Kickoff
  • Global Vision Chapels
  • Culture Cafes
  • Global Vision Worship Night
  • International Night Market
  • International Education Week
  • Thanksgiving Dinner

Spring Events

TBD

Other On-Campus Activities

International Awareness

International Student Engagement promotes international awareness on campus through the following:

  • Intercultural training with student groups and classes
  • To request a training session, or to request international student participation in an event, contact us at isengagement@apu.edu.
  • Campus-wide events
  • Global Vision Chapels
  • Global Vision Worship Night
  • International Night Market
  • International Education Week

Haggard International Scholarship Program

This scholarship helps provide Christ-centered leadership training to international students who want to become leaders in their home countries and throughout the world.